Clinical Scientist in Cardiac Physiology (Band 7)

The responsibilities of the Clinical Scientist in Cardiac Physiology (Band 7) include continuing to perform and support the responsibilities of the (Band 5& 6) Healthcare Science Practitioner in Cardiology whilst undertaking and leading specialist diagnostic investigations, assessment of complex patient groups, result interpretation, diagnosis and patient management. Responsibilities vary dependant on the speciality area and department base: 

• Further post graduate professional qualifications (MSc) specific to area role specific such as accreditation in British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) or British Heart Rhythm Society (BHRS) 
• Post graduate qualification, depending upon specific area, such as clinical skills and/or MSc in advanced clinical practice 
• Clinical history taking and assessment of cardiac disease using a range of test procedures. 
• Counsel patients and carers as appropriate about the nature and extent of cardiac disease including appropriate management options. 
• Arrange further monitoring and onward referral as clinically appropriate 
• Support cardiac rehabilitation and management  
• Liaising with other staff involved in the assessment and rehabilitation process including Cardiology team members, specialist nurses, medical staff, GP and local support services.  
• Provide regular follow-up to monitor pacemaker function  
• Provide long term assessment, support and rehabilitation. 
• Echocardiography and specialised clinics: heart valve clinics
• Complex echo clinics such as Transoesophageal echo clinics 
• Rhythm management clinics: pacemaker clinics and complex device clinics such as implantable cardiac defibrillator clinics 
• Pre assessment clinics for invasive procedures 
• Leadership and staff management duties to manage and support the service  
• Lead on a specific area within the service Research and service development 
• Implement new systems and technologies  

Clinical Scientists working at Band 7 level must hold professional exams or accreditation in specialised areas of Cardiology (such as Cardiac Rhythm Management or Echocardiography) at masters level study and/or management studies to provide clinical leadership and advanced clinical practice in the Cardiology Department.  

Band 7 roles are generally a Team Leader role which involve leadership and management of a specific area of service and/or staff management. 

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential as the role includes complex communication with patients, carers, and other health professionals. They must also be able to support all staff members across all levels in the department. Senior staff are expected to mentor and teach junior staff members. 

Clinical Scientists must have excellent organisational skills and be able to prioritise their own workload. They need to be able to work in a calm and methodical manner and often have many competing demands in their workload. 

A caring nature is essential as the role is patient focused. As a significant proportion of this role includes cardiac rehabilitation, excellent counselling skills are required. Clinical Scientists must be able to empathise with patients and provide re-assurance when required and are able to deal with difficult patients. 

Clinical Scientists in Cardiac Physiology need to have a wide scientific and clinical knowledge base across all areas of department. 

Band 7 £41,659 to 47,672 per year pro rata 

Working days are scheduled on a rota across the week (Monday to Sunday) and can include working weekends. 

Typical daytime hours are 8.30am to 5pm with on-call work rota’d on evenings/during the night and weekends (depending on the requirements of the service). 

Healthcare Scientists are typically employed in the NHS and opportunities to work within the private sector are also available.  

There are also growing opportunities to work abroad and also to join clinical research facilities. 

Some Healthcare Science Practitioners working at Band 5 and 6 Healthcare Science Practitioners in Cardiac Physiology choose to further their careers by completing further post graduate qualifications specific to cardiac Physiology e.g. BSE. BHRS, Diploma and/or MSc levels (ETP/STP training) to support the associated clinical training route to apply for Band 7 roles. 

However, another entry point to this career point could be directly from MSc via the Scientific Training Programme (STP). No previous experience in the Cardiology setting is required before beginning an MSc in Cardiac Physiology however experience working at any grade in an Cardiology Department would be useful. A previous caring role might be advantageous and volunteering work in an associated area would also be beneficial.   

This is mainly a patient facing role performing a range of cardiac investigations, so a good fit for this position is a people centred person with an open approach, who has excellent problem-solving and technical ability, and communication skills.  

Clinical Scientists in Cardiac Physiology follow departmental policies and procedures to maintain departmental standards and ensure patient safety. They also follow a full range of role specific British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) and British Heart Rhythm Society (BHRS) recommended procedures for their areas of practice.   

As with other roles in the Cardiology Department, a significant part of this role involves the use of computers, databases and specialist medical equipment associated with the Cardiology Department.   

Clinical Scientists in Cardiac Physiology must be registered with HCPC to use the protected title of “Clinical Scientist”. 

Clinical Scientists are independent practitioners who access junior staff support for some aspects of their roles. The work is varied and complex in nature and staff at this level need to be adaptable to the demands of the patient and service overall.  

There is usually a significant requirement at this level to provide specialist training to staff of all grades and management of specific service areas. 

Clinical Scientists conduct specialist research in Cardiology to develop clinical practice and evidence base.