Apprentice Cardiac Physiologist Review

In this role I am training to become a Cardiac Physiologist. As I am in my first year, my current role is similar to a typical assistant cardiac physiologist role. My jobs include, performing ECGs in an outpatient and inpatient setting and applying holter and blood pressure monitors to patients. As the years progress in my apprenticeship, so will my responsibilities.

As I previously worked in this role, I have been perfecting skills I already possessed such as ECG placement and holter fittings. However, I have learnt more intricate details regarding reading ECGs so I am able to detect any problems in them. I feel my social skills with patients has also improved.

I find the programme very enjoyable. Covid has prevented me from going to uni but it has still been interesting learning the material from home. I enjoy the day to day work at the hospital and I know this is the path I want to progress in, which I am able to do thanks to the apprenticeship. I love going to work everyday.

We have work based assessors who keep us on track with the programme, so it’s nice to have someone looking out for us. The university programme is well structured, with clear topics to learn. Some of the topics don’t feel relevant but that may be due to being an apprentice and not a healthcare full time student. I know the path I want to go down, so feel like sometimes learning other topics such as respiratory and sleep isn’t relevant to me.

My employer is amazing. We are given study time to ensure we can work on our uni assignments and we are exposed to different work place situations to help us gain experience in the role. The work based assessor keeps us on track and has been very helpful in ensuring we know what we’re doing and what is expected of us.

The university is supportive in that the tutors are always available if needed, via email. As covid as changed how we all work, I haven’t met most of the tutors but I do feel confident in emailing if I needed help. The tutors are approachable and knowledgeable and are doing a great job in such an uncertain time.

At the minute, being in first year, the degree hasn’t related to the role that much. We have had one cardiology semester but it was all information that our work based assessor had already taught us, as we needed to know to perform the job. I don’t feel like uni has enhanced my skill set in anyway as of yet. Working is what increases my skill.

I do receive regular emails from the communications team at work, noting all the goings on in the hospital. Our department manager also regularly involves the team in emails regarding extra actives, such as training sessions. There is a board in the staff room that provides information on activities available too.

Yes

I have enjoyed the time I’ve been working here so far. The staff are lovely throughout the hospital and the cardiac team I work within is amazing. The managers are all very supportive and approachable and I genuinely do enjoy going to work everyday. I would recommend working here to anyone who wants to work within the healthcare setting.

If you genuinely want to work in healthcare then BVH is a great place. Be friendly and attentive, and be willing to work in a team as well as on your own. You must be patient and caring to the patients. The hospital is a great place to work and there’s always opportunities to progress if you’re willing to put the work in.