Cardiac Physiologist Review
at NHS
Degree Apprenticeship
Healthcare, Science
Manchester
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
4.3 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
Providing diagnostic tests within the north west heart centre. These involve ECG, ambulatory hookup and analysis, exercise testing, angiogram and PCI procedures. I am also training in pacemaker implant and follow up. We also provide the emergency primary pci service regularly so i am a part of the cath lab team.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I have extremely enjoyed being a part of the team at wythenshawe. It’s extremely supportive and every member of the team offer support. I have been given opportunities to observe and be involved in procedures which are of particular interest to me and my
learning. I throughly enjoy being able to help people on their treatment pathway.
learning. I throughly enjoy being able to help people on their treatment pathway.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I started my degree apprenticeship at wythenshawe straight after completing my A Levels. All the skills i have learnt were new and range from the basics of patient communication all the way to technical procedures such as in emergency PCI. I have developed a wide range of skills in all areas of that last few years and I plan to continue this.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The university could be more organised in terms of communicating time and locations of teaching and exams. Generally though, there has always been someone to contact in answer to my questions, it just would have been nice to not have to chase all the basic info in the first place.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I have been supported more than i thought possible at wythenshawe. We are given enough study time to compete assignments and exams to the best of our ability. It’s never a rushed job. My line manager is extremely approachable and will always find a solution if it will help us out.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
There is always support available at MMU if you need it. The addition of a useful skills coach in third year has really helped to manage the organisation needed and also to inform us exactly what was expected as part of the end point assessment. Georgia has been extremely helpful.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The specialist (cardiology) studies units have been the most beneficial when considering applications to the job role. They taught us the fundamental principles of cardiac physiology. The other units provided by MMU such as the professionalism modules could have been better designed to be aimed at apprentices rather than full time students as some of the information was unnecessary.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are social activities regularly which is extended to everyone in the department as well as teaching courses and conferences which allow you to meet other professionals from across the country and even other countries. There is no formal encouragement for sports activity but i wouldn’t expect there to be either.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NHS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The supportive training and teaching environment at MFT is unlike anywhere else. They facilitate students needs and training time extremely well. The range of services and variety of patients treated across the trust provide excellent teaching opportunities for trainees in any area. Obviously the general stresses of the NHS are still visible, but working under a great manager and with a supportive team help to manage that.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NHS?
Be prepared to be a versatile employee. There are a huge range of opportunities available and you should be ready to take them. The hospital environment is fast paced, variable and can obviously be hard work. However, if you enjoy your area of work, the rewards, i think, much outweigh these challenges.
