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Cardiac physiologists
This page describes the work of cardiac physiologists, including information on entry requirements and training.
Working as a cardiological technician / cardiac physiologist
Cardiac physiologists carry out crucial diagnostic and analytical
procedures for patients – ranging from babies to the elderly – with
known or suspected heart disease.Cardiac physiologists, have a lot of patient contact, and work as part of a large team providing care to heart patients, including cardiographers, cardiologists (doctors), specialist nurses and operating department practitioners.
Cardiac physiologists assess patients with vital diagnostic equipment during what is often a distressing time in their lives. Cardiologists use the information gathered by cardiac physiologists when making a diagnosis and prescribing appropriate treatment.
Although they are likely to be based in a hospital cardiology department, their job will vary depending on the types of procedures carried out by the hospital. They may monitor heart function during surgery and intensive care, and carry out procedures, including echocardiography or pacemaker implantation and follow up.
Echocardiography obtains moving pictures of the heart to help the cardiologist diagnose any disease in the heart valves and/or muscle.
Pacemaker implantation and follow-up involves taking measurements to ensure that a pacemaker is functioning correctly when a patient is in theatre. After this, they treat patients in follow-up clinics to make sure that the pacemaker is functioning well and the battery life is satisfactory.
They also help with exercise stress testing and may advise whether or not it is safe for a patient to continue with a test.
Where do cardiac physiologists work?
Most cardiac physiologists are based in hospital cardiology departments – with both in- and outpatients. Others work in GP practices, operating theatres or critical care units.Trainee entry requirements
The minimum entry requirement is usually two A levels or equivalent including a science subject, and four GCSE grade C and above including English and dual science - to allow entry to university to undertake a vocational BSc (Hons) in clinical physiology. Although the degree programme allows trainee clinical physiologists from many disciplines (e.g. cardiology, neurophysiology, respiratory physiology) to attend university on a generic core module programme, each student, however, will specialise in their own specific discipline i.e. cardiac physiology.Skills and qualities
The cardiac physiologist is the friendly professional face in this high technological environment linking the patient with the diagnostic equipment. Cardiac physiologists often work with patients who are unwilling or unable to co-operate. A calm, confident but sympathetic approach is required to achieve an appropriate outcome for the patient.Training
Cardiac physiologists are usually trained “on the job” and study the theoretical underpinning knowledge on a part-time basis – either on a day-release basis or block release at a professional body accredited university. The “on the job” clinical practice element is recognised as a module within the degree programme, making this a highly relevant, truly vocational degree.A small number of universities run approved degree programmes on a full-time basis. For details, visit the Society for Cardiological Science and Technology website and the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists website.
Registration
For cardiac physiologists who have followed an approved training programme, a voluntary register is currently held by the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists.How to apply
Positions for trainees are normally advertised on the NHS jobs vacancy website: www.nhs.uk/jobs, in local press and jobcentres. Alternatively, information on opportunities may also be available by contacting your local NHS hospital.Applications for full-time courses need to be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
Further information:
For more information on careers in cardiology, please contact:Society for Cardiological Science and Technology
EBS (SCST)
Suite 4
Sovereign House
22 Gate Lane
Boldmere
Sutton Coldfield
B73 5TT
Tel: 0845 838 6037
Fax 0121 355 2420
Email: admin@scst.org.uk
Website: www.scst.org.uk
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