Training, development and registration (cardiac sciences)

Training and development

Your training and education will depend on the level at which you’re working:

• Cardiographer
• Healthcare science assistant or associate
• NHS Practitioner Training Programme
• NHS Scientist Training Programme
• Higher Specialist Scientist Training

Cardiographer

As a trainee cardiographer, you’ll mostly train on the job, starting with general safety instructions and how the job role fits into the day to day working of the hospital. You’ll then move on to specialised individual training. Certificates of Competence can be awarded for the safe performance of various duties, these will help if you want to work in a scientific entry-level role in another hospital. You’ll be encouraged to become enrolled members of the Society for Cardiological Science and Technology and undertake the Certificate in Electrocardiography Examination.

Healthcare science assistant or associate

Once in post as a healthcare science associate or assistant you’ll work towards relevant healthcare science qualifications dependant upon the job role. These could include QCF or VQs and foundation degrees (or equivalent) while you’re working. These qualifications are underpinned by an awards and qualifications framework.

NHS Practitioner Training Programme

To enter via the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) you’ll need to take a full-time (usually three-year) accredited integrated BSc degree in healthcare science (cardiac physiology) at university. At least 50 weeks of workplace-based training in the NHS is included in these programmes. For the most up-to-date list of accredited BSc Healthcare Science degrees, please use our course finder. Applications for full-time courses are made through UCAS. Once qualified, there are opportunities for further development.

NHS Scientist Training Programme

If you’re a graduate entering the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) you’ll be employed in a fixed-term, salaried training post and will study towards a relevant Master's degree qualification in cardiac science. The are likely to be opportunities to gain further qualifications or expertise or both.

Higher Specialist Scientist Training

If you’re entering Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) you’ll study towards doctoral level qualifications.

All of the above programmes are supported by the development of workplace-based assessment tools, assessment of equivalent learning and the development of academic careers.

Find out more about the entry requirements, skills and interests required to enter a career in cardiac science.

• CPD, ASP and registration

  Continuing professional development

  No matter what level you are working at, as part of your development you will be expected to do continuing professional development (CPD) to show that you are keeping yourself up to date with the policies and procedures in your area of work.

  Find out more general information about professional development

  Accredited Scientific Practice- development opportunities for healthcare science staff

  Accredited Scientific Practice (ASP) provides an additional route for your ongoing professional and scientific development as part of the healthcare science (HCS) workforce. ASP allows employers to develop bespoke, responsive, short course programmes to meet training needs within the HCS workforce. ASP programmes provide you with a quality assured, rigorously assessed qualification which can lead to voluntary professional registration with the Academy for Healthcare Sciences (AHCS).

  An ASP programme involves work based learning with academic study of modules from the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) portfolio programmes. Access to an e-portfolio is provided to record learning in the workplace while associated academic study is completed independently through an accredited university provider. In some cases, completion of academic study may also lead to an award of a postgraduate qualification from the university provider.

  Read more about ASP on the NSHCS website.

  Registration

  Many healthcare science roles, including clinical scientists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

  For registration as a clinical scientist, you must hold an Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) Certificate of Attainment granted upon completion of the MSC Scientist Training Programme or AHCS Certificate of Equivalence.

  Find out more about the Academy's Certificates on its website.

  As a healthcare science practitioner in cardiac sciences, you can join voluntary the register maintained by the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS).

  Find out more about the Academy's voluntary register for healthcare science practitioners.

  Please check individual job vacancy details for information when applying.