Download Cardiac Physiologist

Cardiac Physiologist
Introduction
Cardiac physiologists investigate and monitor the workings of the heart. They
use equipment to record things such as heart rhythm and to measure
electrical activity in the heart. Their findings help doctors to diagnose heart
problems and decide on treatment. Cardiac physiologists also support
patients who have pacemakers, making sure they work properly.
Also known as
Cardiac Clinical Scientific Officer (CCSO)
Medical Technical Officer - Cardiology
Physiological Measurement Technician - Cardiology
Cardiological Technician
Clinical Physiologist - Cardiology
Work Activities
Cardiac physiologists perform a range of tests on people who are suspected of having heart problems, and on people
who have been diagnosed with these.
Their findings help doctors to diagnose cardiac (heart) problems, decide on treatment, and monitor patients'
progress.
They set up and use equipment, for example, to record heart rhythm, measure electrical activity in the heart, assess
blood circulation and take blood pressure.
They use ultrasound to assess the function of the heart. During a procedure called cardiac catheterisation, they
measure pressure and oxygen within the heart.
Cardiac physiologists carry out tests on resting and walking patients. Part of their work includes taking and reporting
recordings from electrocardiograms (ECGs) of the heart's electrical activity.
They provide reports for, and discuss their findings with, specialist heart doctors (cardiologists). They provide a
service for other medical professionals.
Cardiac physiologists also work closely with patients who have pacemakers, making sure they work properly and are
comfortable.
Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.
Personal Qualities and Skills
To be a cardiac physiologist, you'll need:
An interest in science, technology and the workings of the heart.
A careful, thorough approach to your work, with attention to detail.
The ability to take precise measurements, interpret data and keep accurate records.
Teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills to work with patients, doctors and other healthcare workers.
Pay and Opportunities
Pay
NHS employees are paid on a rising scale within defined pay bands, according to their skills and responsibilities. The
pay rates given below are approximate.
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Cardiac physiologists earn in the range of £21,176 - £27,534 a year. Specialist cardiac physiologists earn up to £34,189
and team managers up to £40,157. Higher salaries are available for people in senior positions such as service
managers.
Hours of work
Cardiac physiologists usually work a 37-hour week, Monday to Friday. Part-time work may be available. Some cardiac
physiologists work shifts on a rota basis. Many cardiac physiologists work on-call (outside normal working hours,
both at night and at the weekend), mainly to deal quickly with patients having a heart attack.
Where could I work?
Most cardiac physiologists work in the NHS in specialist departments and specialised investigation laboratories.
Other employers include private hospitals, GPs' practices and the armed forces.
Opportunities for cardiac physiologists occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised on the NHS Jobs website, in local/national newspapers and on job boards.
Entry Routes and Training
Entry routes and training
To become a cardiac physiologist, you can take a three-year degree in healthcare science that allows you to specialise
in cardiac physiology.
The Society for Cardiological Science and Technology (SCST) accredits degree courses. For a list, please see the SCST
website.
Graduates with a first (undergraduate) degree in a relevant science subject (2:1 or above) can apply to the Scientist
Training Programme (STP). Each NHS organisation that advertises STP vacancies decides which degree subjects are
relevant, but these could include physiology, pure or applied physics, engineering, biology or human biology. You'll be
employed by a physiology department which will then arrange your clinical training for you. You'll also work towards
a Masters degree.
Entry to the STP can also be possible with a 2:2 if you also have a relevant postgraduate qualification.
Progression
You could specialise or go into a supervisory or management role. Some cardiac physiologists move into research or
teaching posts.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information
to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to.
This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are
asked to.
Qualifications
To enter a degree course in healthcare science (cardiac physiology), you'll usually need:
3 A levels, including at least one science subject/Maths.
GCSEs at grade C and above in your A level subjects.
a further 2/3 GCSEs (A*-C), including English and Maths.
Alternatives to separate science GCSEs (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) are:
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Science and Additional Science, or
Science and Additional Applied Science.
Equivalent qualifications, such as Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 Nationals and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, might
be acceptable for entry - please check prospectuses carefully.
Graduates with a first (undergraduate) degree in a relevant science subject (2:1 or above) can apply to the Scientist
Training Programme (STP). Each NHS organisation that advertises STP vacancies decides which degree subjects are
relevant but these could include physiology, pure or applied physics, engineering, biology or human biology.
Entry to the STP can also be possible with a 2:2 if you also have a relevant postgraduate qualification.
Some universities accept the Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to 1 A-level.
Adult Opportunities
Age limits
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show
there is a real need to have these limits.
Courses
If you don't have the qualifications you need to enter a degree in healthcare science (cardiac physiology), you might
be able to start one after completing a college or university Access course, for example, Access to Science. You don't
usually need any qualifications to start an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider.
Statistics
11% of people in occupations such as cardiac physiologist work part-time.
4% have flexible hours.
5% of employees work on a temporary basis.
Further Information
Professional institutions
Professional institutions have the following roles:
To support their members.
To protect the public by keeping standards high in their professions.
The Society for Cardiological Science and Technology is the professional institution for this career.
Contacts
Health Careers
Website: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
NHS Wales Careers
Publisher: National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/829/page/36090
NHS Jobs
Website: www.jobs.nhs.uk
Step into the NHS
NHS careers
Tel: 0345 6060655
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Website: www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk
Skills for Health
Skills for the health sector
Address: Goldsmiths House, Broad Plain, Bristol BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 9221155
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk
NHS Education for Scotland (NES)
Scottish enquiries
Address: Westport 102, West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DN
Tel: 0131 6563200
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.nes.scot.nhs.uk
Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP)
Website: www.rccp.co.uk
Physiological Society
Address: Hodgkin Huxley House, 30 Farringdon Lane, London EC1R 3AW
Tel: 020 7269 5710
Website: www.physoc.org
Society for Cardiological Science and Technology (SCST)
Address: Executive Business Support (EBS), City Wharf, Davidson Road, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS14 9DZ
Tel: 0845 8386037
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.scst.org.uk
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