Job overview
We are excited to recruit to this development opportunity within UHSussex. We are looking to employ candidates who meet the educational requirements to work within our cardiac investigation teams within UHSussex.
The post is a permanent training contract. Your time will be split between the University of West of England, and working alongside our cardiac investigation team at Royal Sussex County Hospital.
You must meet the qualification requirements to be eligible to apply for this post. Please read the person specification.
The trainee/apprentice will work towards becoming a competent Cardiac Physiologist/Healthcare Science Practitioner by successfully completing the Healthcare Science Practitioner (Physiological Sciences) BSc (Hons) over the course of 3 years, whilst simultaneously gaining practical work experience within the department.
The Healthcare Science Practitioner (Physiological Sciences) BSc (Hons)
combines both academic and work-based learning through close collaboration of the employer and education provider.
At the end of the programme, the Health Care Science will become a Healthcare Science Practitioner accountable to the Academy of Health Care Science (AHCS). They will be equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviours relevant to employment as a Registered Healthcare Science Practitioner.
There is no relocation package available for this post.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. Applicants for the role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role (Band 3 within the NHS) to meet the salary requirements (£25000) to qualify for sponsorship.
If you do not meet the sponsorship requirements, and you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Main duties of the job
This role is a developmental role. The trainee/apprentice will work towards becoming a competent Cardiac Physiologist/Healthcare Science Practitioner by successfully completing the Healthcare Science Practitioner (Physiological Sciences) BSc (Hons) over the course of 3 years, whilst simultaneously gaining practical work experience within the department.
Healthcare science practitioner (integrated degree) / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
The apprentice will be required to undertake assessment, implementation and evaluation of patient care needs and deliver care with supervision of a registered professional. They will be required to work as part of a team committed to delivering and improving a high standard of care within University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
The Apprentice Healthcare Science Practitioner will undergo a validated programme of study and exit University with a Healthcare Science Practitioner (Physiological Sciences) BSc (Hons) which will provide the trainee with the knowledge and skills to deliver delegated care interventions with competence, within agreed protocols and with clearly defined lines of accountability.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
· Perform diagnostic quality 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) and Ambulatory ECGs in wards/departments throughout the organisation to obtain physiological data from patients (adults, children and neonates)
· Without supervision set up, apply and instruct in the use of Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and longer term patient activated monitors on inpatients and outpatients
· Assist Cardiac Physiologists during procedures with high risk of patient adverse events e.g. Exercise Tolerance Tests, Tilt Table Tests and Autonomic Function Tests.
· Recognise signs and symptoms of life-threatening and urgent cardiac +/-respiratory abnormalities and take steps to support patients as necessary.
· To undertake ECG interpretation after sufficient training.
· To undertake Ambulatory ECG analysis with supervision after sufficient training.
· To assist the Cardiac Physiologists in Implantable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) implants in the Cardiac Catheter Lab.
· To study towards gaining the Diploma in ECG.
· Maintain and update as appropriate, knowledge and skills required to record and provide first-line analysis/interpretation of results from a broad range of physiological procedures.
· Recognise equipment faults and errors, take first-line action to correct them and report to senior staff as necessary
· Contribute to the hygiene and cleanliness of equipment and work area.
· Assist in activity audit and clinical data collection through maintenance of database entry and filing systems.
· Assist in the stock maintenance of consumable items.
· Answer enquiries from hospital staff, patients, carers, general practice and the public or direct such enquiries to more senior staff or other staff groups.
· Assist in the training/mentoring of other staff individuals.
· Ability to plan and prioritise patients to ensure a clinic list runs smoothly. For example accommodating in-patients into a busy outpatient clinic list.
· Assist in the administration of the department e.g. prioritising requests, managing appointments
· Undertake other reasonable duties at the request of senior staff
· Communicate accurate procedure results to appropriate clinical staff.
· Communicate complex information, e.g. test procedure, to the elderly, children and those with learning or physical disabilities.
· Communicate complex information to those patients who do not understand English fully.
· Provide sensitive information to the patient and or carer.
· Advise and reassure patients and or carers before and during investigation.
· Attend mandatory training updates as required.
· Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
· Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
· Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
· Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. All apprentices must have English and Mathematics qualifications equivalent to GCSE Grade C/4 or above.
2. Minimum of a level 3 qualification – A levels (a minimum of 96 points (CCC) or T level or in either Healthcare Science or Science) or BTEC Level 4 Diploma in Healthcare Science, or BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade MMM. or Access to Higher Education (60-credit), or Diploma (15 credits)
3. Meets University course requirements as detailed in the Person Specification
4. Has the ability to undertake a clinical programme at University
Desirable criteria
5. Awareness of the role of Cardiac Physiology
6. Basic Life Support certified
Skills
Essential criteria
7. Ability to maintain concentration and accuracy for periods of time when performing routine tasks
8. Ability to judge individual patient needs relating to investigations and act accordingly
9. Work to a high level of accuracy
10. Team worker
Desirable criteria
11. Experience of working in the NHS or experience of working in a care setting.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
12. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
13. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications