Apprentice Cardiac Physiologist Review

Working in a clinical setting with both inpatient and outpatients. Performing and analysing ECGs; exercise stress testing; holter monitor hook up and analysis; working in a cardiac cath lab when patients attend either having a heart attack as an emergency or elective cases; valve replacement surgery; working towards echocardiography or cardiac rhythm management specialism

I have learnt a lot of new skills; Skills related to the specific job such as performing ECGs and then learning how to read the ECG. Performing echocardiograms and analysing the results; performing cardiac rhythm management tasks and analysing the results. Social skills have improved too such as communication and confidence. The degree apprenticeship has helped my organisation skills too.

I enjoy the programme, work are really good at tailoring the rota to ensure I am learning lots of new skills. The team at Blackpool Victoria are very supportive of teaching and learning new skills and are constantly pushing for apprentices to do better. The university aspect is not as enjoyable for me as I feel the university are disorganised, but work experience makes up for this

At work, I have seen constant progression throughout the three years of my programme. The training manager in CIU is organised and supportive and constantly arranges teaching and development sessions to ensure I am adapting and learning new things. At Manchester Met though, the programme is sub standard to what I would expect from university level, thankfully work makes up for how bad university is.

The whole team in CIU are amazing and supportive. Everyone wants me to do well and the whole team work towards helping me complete the degree, whether it’s hosting teaching sessions related to the job or helping with writing styles etc, there’s always help offered in CIU. The training manager is supportive and always helps whenever I ask for it. He is approachable and will always go above and beyond to help.

I get a day a week to attend uni and at least one study session on top of this. There may be also another day of work based teaching too. There is always additional time given, if requested, to work on any qualification assessments too. There are lots of members of staff too that will help if I need it. Work are great at providing support and time to work towards the qualifications.

The work aspect of the degree has helped a lot more than the university aspect. I am on the job daily and being taught whilst working. I work alongside intelligent and approachable member’s of staff who are always wasting to help. Work has built up my responsibilities over the three years to the point I have had a lot of exposure of different tasks, but also have had lots of exposure to the role I will be expected to work in post apprenticeship.

There are always extra curricular activities to get involved in which are circulated via email and on a notice board in the staff room. There are lots of exercise class such as Pilates and dinner time walks. In CIU there are always chances to go on specific cardiology training courses too which i have attended quite a few of.

Yes

CIU is a great team to work in. The staff are friendly and great at their job. I enjoy my job so much, I love going to work everyday. The hospital is big, in parts nice and modern, and the staff throughout the hospital are polite and well mannered. I really enjoy working at Blackpool. I have had so much support over my training period.

Be well mannered and caring and polite. Always think about the patients needs and putting them first. It’s a great place to work, the staff are all friendly and the patients are lovely too. Parking isn’t the greatest, I’ve been waiting or a permit for over 2 years but other than this there’s no complaints.