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Healthcare Science Practitioner in Cardiac Physiology (Band 5)

Healthcare Science Practitioners in Cardiac Physiology (Band 5) provide face to face diagnostic care to adult patients (and paediatric patients in some hospital departments) without direct supervision.

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The role includes performing a range of cardiac diagnostic investigations to assess cardiac function on a range of patients from general health screening, pre-assessment to symptomatic patients with heart disease, heart attacks and cardiac arrhythmias. Results are then reported by the Healthcare Science Practitioners (commonly known as a Cardiac Physiologist) to support the diagnosis, treatment and management for each individual patient. Patients are referred into the Cardiology service via direct referral routes from GP’s or from specialist teams within the hospital. 

The role is patient facing which involves regular discussions with patients and other health professionals, so communication skills are paramount. Other vital skills involve technical ability to perform and interpret results which also involve problem-solving. The role can be fast paced when working in emergency settings. 

 

Healthcare Science Practitioners provide support and supervision to junior staff in the team and may involve a training / mentoring role for students and apprentices.  

Overall, the role is very rewarding with a goal to improve patient’s health and quality of life and to save lives. 

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Healthcare Science Practitioner in Cardiology (Band 5) include:  

  • performing and interpret a range of cardiac tests in adults 
  • Electrocardiograms (ECG’s) 
  • blood pressure monitoring 
  • fitting of Ambulatory ECG and blood pressure monitors (24hrs – 7days) 
  • analysing and interpret ambulatory monitors  
  • supervising exercise tolerance tests 
  • analysing and monitoring ECG and invasive blood pressure during cardiac catheterisation procedures 
  • supporting implantation of cardiac pacemaker devices  
  • reviewing pacemaker devices and adjusting the parameters of each device in follow up clinics. 
  • writing technical reports and keeping up to date patient records.  
  • providing advice and instructions to patients including use of medical equipment and cardiac monitors 
  • providing advice and onward referral to senior Cardiology staff and Cardiac specialists as and when required
  • providing supportive roles to senior staff in more complex areas of Cardiology 
  • participation in audit 

Skills

Good verbal and written communication skills are essential as the role includes communication with patients, carers, and other health professionals. Healthcare Science Practitioners must also be able to support junior staff as required.  

Healthcare Science Practitioners must have excellent organisational skills and be able to appropriately prioritise their own workload. They must be able to work independently as well as part of a team and use their own initiative. Healthcare Science Practitioners need to be able to work in a calm and methodical manner as they will have a busy and varied workload. 

A patient, caring, compassionate nature is essential as the role is patient focused and a significant proportion of this role includes communication, instruction, guidance and support. Rehabilitation and counselling skills may also be required. 

Salary

Band 5 Wage: £27,055 to £32,934 per year pro rata 

Band 6 Wage: £33,706 to £40,588 per year pro rata 

Working hours

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).

Employers

Healthcare Science Practitioners 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. 

Work experience

No previous experience is required before beginning the degree programme or degree apprenticeship programme, however experience working as a Cardiographer/Healthcare Science Assistant / Senior Assistant in Cardiology/Healthcare Science Associate in Cardiology would be useful. Any previous experience in a caring role and/or customer service role would be advantageous. Volunteering work in an associated area would also be beneficial.  

Significant post qualification experience is expected prior to progression to a Band 6, Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner role. 

What to expect:

This is a fast-paced patient facing role which requires good problem-solving and technical ability. Healthcare Science Associates usually work without direct supervision but have access to senior healthcare scientist staff as required.  

A significant part of this role involves the use of computers and laboratory analysers and equipment associated within the laboratory. 

Healthcare Science Associates follow departmental policies and procedures to maintain departmental standards and ensure patient safety. They also follow role specific United Kingdom Accreditation Service recommended procedures for practice. 

Career Progression

Progression from Band 5 Healthcare Science Practitioner to Band 6 Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner role is possible with post qualification experience and further study. It is usually necessary to apply for Specialist Practitioner posts as they become available. 

Progression to a Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner in Cardiac Physiology (Band 6) is dependent on post qualification experience and involvement in additional responsibilities in the department. Some Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioners have completed additional qualifications, such as master’s level study (STP) and Higher Specialist Scientist (HSS) modules. Applications can via national recruitment directly through The Academy for Healthcare Science – AHCS  or apply for specialist posts as they become available through career progression within the hospital departments.  

It is also possible to progress from Band 6 Specialist Healthcare Science Practitioner roles to Band 7 Team Leader roles. This usually involves 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.  

Clinical Scientist in Cardiac Physiology (Band 7) Healthcare Science Training Programmes NHS Health Careers

How do I become a Healthcare Science Practitioner in Cardiac Physiology (Band 5)?

To become a Healthcare Science Practitioner in Cardiac Physiology (Band 5) it is necessary to complete either a BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science – Cardiac Physiology or a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in Healthcare Science – Cardiac Physiology. These programmes take a minimum of 3 years to complete. They include a taught theoretical component and practical on-the-job training and assessment to gain competency in the role. 

To access the Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in Healthcare Science – Cardiac Physiology it is compulsory to have gained employment first within a Cardiology Department in the NHS.  

Students who apply directly to UCAS to enrol on BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science – Cardiac Physiology degree are not employed by the NHS, but instead complete placements in local Cardiology Departments.  

NHS Jobs Career Framework for Healthcare Scientists Healthcare Science Training Programmes The Academy for Healthcare Science UCAS Health Careers

What's it like being a Healthcare Science Practitioner in Cardiac Physiology?

Routes to become a Healthcare Science Practitioner in Cardiac Physiology (Band 5):

There are two main routes to become a Healthcare Science Practitioner (Band 5). These include: 

  • University degree application – BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science – Cardiac Physiology. Applications via this route would be submitted online through UCAS.  
  • The Academy for Healthcare Science provides a list of accredited degree programmes. This is also known as the Practitioner Training Programme (or PTP) route. 
  • Apprenticeship and NHS Trust funded routes. Opportunities and applications via this route are available online through multiple websites, such as NHS Jobs and GOV.UK’s “find an apprenticeship” service.  
BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science – Cardiac Physiology UCAS Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP)

University

No previous experience is required before beginning the degree programme or degree apprenticeship programme, however experience working as a Healthcare Science Assistant/Senior Assistant in Cardiac Physiology/Healthcare Science Associate Cardiac Physiology would be useful. A previous caring role might be advantageous.  Volunteering work in an associated area would also be beneficial.  

Entry requirements will vary dependant on the degree or degree apprenticeship programme route and the University. It is important that you check specific university requirements. 

Requirements usually include: 

  • GCSEs at Grade C or above including Maths and English or equivalent.  
  • Two or three A-levels (include either Biology or Chemistry) or equivalent. 

Programmes will also require an enhanced DBS disclosure and checks before you begin a placement in the NHS.

Career Framework for Healthcare Scientists NHS Health Careers UCAS BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science – Cardiac Physiology

Apprenticeship

Entry requirements will vary dependant on the degree or degree apprenticeship programme route and the University. It is important that you check specific university requirements. 

Requirements usually include: 

  • GCSEs at Grade C or above including Maths and English or equivalent.  
  • Two or three A-levels (include either Biology or Chemistry) or equivalent. 

Programmes will also require an enhanced DBS disclosure and checks before you begin a placement in the NHS.

University of Sunderland Healthcare Science Practice Apprenticeship Find an Apprenticeship NHS Jobs NHS Programmes

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