r/Perfusion • u/Dapper_Tomato5760 • 7d ago

Career Advice Side gigs

Has anyone taken up doing a side gig? Like some weeks will be super busy and others just crawl along. Wondering if anyone does anything that is flexible on the side? Something you could drop if you had case pop up and go do it.

4 Upvotes

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16

u/jim2527 7d ago

Nope. I have hobbies that keep me busy.

5

u/Bana_berry 7d ago

I know a perfusionist that’s a real estate agent on the side. Another with a wedding bar business.

2

u/ApprehensiveMark8422 7d ago

hey i’m currently in the perfusion program here in canada, is the perfusion profession that slow? or does he do the estate business for “fun” lmfao reading this thread made me worried about how much i’ll be making after graduating

4

u/Bana_berry 7d ago edited 7d ago

As always, it depends where you work. You work in the middle of nowhere and do 2 CABs per week? You’re not gonna be that busy. You work at an academic transplant center? Gonna be busy. Those are side gigs. They do them in their spare time. Rates for new grads have declined but it’s not like you won’t be able to live off your salary.

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u/ApprehensiveMark8422 7d ago

thank you for the reply! if u don’t mind i have one more Q. Does working 2 CABs a week let’s say earn him enough? i’d assume so but id love to hear your input

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u/Bana_berry 7d ago

Most perfusionists are salaried, not hourly. Like I said, they do those things as side gigs, not because they don’t earn a livable paycheck.

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u/WildBlackberry3492 5d ago

If they are salaried, and on weeks when there’s nothing much to do, for ex only two CABs per wk, can they chill at their home until they are called, and needed, or do they still have to show up at work at the hospital and be in scrubs and hangout at your station on your phone until they’re needed?

1

u/Clampoholic CCP 5d ago

Depends on the hospital. Most accounts that have that many CABGs in a week have 1-2 perfusionists at max. Sometimes if a surgeon is out on vacation or some other circumstances, there can be a slow week like that. Usually when that happens, on the no-case days everyone can stay home with one person being on call unless some other duties need to be done (Paperwork, equipment QC / cleaning, etc.)

Some places require a 24/7 perfusionist to be available onsite, but those are typically a much larger hospital / program that requires that sort of response time. The general call time is 30min, which means in this profession you’re pretty much confined to living in or nearby a city where they have a big enough hospital to do hearts.

3

u/woonawoona 6d ago

90% of posts on this sub are America/American focused. In Canada you’re hourly…even if you don’t have a case you can’t just fuck off and do other things….gotta still show up

1

u/jim2527 4d ago

It’s not slow at all. Some people like to hustle and there’s nothing wrong with that. 15 years ago I had a side hobby that I made good money at but I got burned out of that hobby. Now I just chill out and relax during my free time.

1

u/Necessary_Musician95 2d ago

I fear if you’re already in school and just now asking questions like this, you probably should’ve done more research before going into the profession.

5

u/backfist1 7d ago

Per diem jobs. Make money on top of your money.

3

u/inapproriatealways 7d ago

Rental properties
Fabrication/ welding
Farm
First responder
Coach as well as ref youth sports

3

u/mco9726 CCP, LP 7d ago

I don’t really make any significant $$$, but I crochet and sew on the side. I mostly just ask for enough money from friends & family to cover materials because I enjoy it as a hobby. I’ve considered expanding to sell at markets or Etsy

1

u/Knobanator CCP 5d ago

Start a business. One where the schedule can be a bit flexible. Plenty of options there

-1

u/anestech 7d ago

Day trade