Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc Honours

Why choose Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc Honours at Middlesex?

This three-year apprenticeship programme is ideal if you are working within local trusts or healthcare organisations and your employer will support you as an apprentice this BSc degree.

Our healthcare science degree with a specialism in cardiac physiology is quite rare in the UK. And this is the only degree apprenticeship course, covering this subject, in London and the South East.

You'll develop practical skills at our new facilities, and learn from teaching staff, highly experienced in the industry. You will continue to work for your employer and at cardiology departments in London and the South East NHS, continuing to develop clinical skills.

What you will gain

This course is designed to meet the demands of the Department of Health's Modernising Scientific Careers programme so you develop the specific skills that are in short supply – and in high demand.

Upon successful completing of this degree apprenticeship, you will gain:

• A BSc degree in Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology)
• An apprenticeship certificate confirming you have met the national apprenticeship standard for full occupational competence as a Healthcare Science professional specialising in Cardiac Physiology.

You will graduate with the ability to critically evaluate research evidence in the context of current theory and practice and the confidence to solve clinical problems under pressure. You will also have the communication skills to provide an excellent standard of patient care.

You will also gain practical skills from placements in clinical physiology and public speaking skills from class debates and presentations.

What you will learn

Covering everything from diagnostics and monitoring to analytical and intervention procedures, you’ll gain an expert understanding of the heart, how it functions, and how to provide treatment to patients of all ages. This degree will give you knowledge of cardiac physiology and the many forms of patient testing and treatments.

Throughout your studies, you will develop your skills in state-of-the-art laboratories using professional equipment.

We will help you put theory into practice at our brand new West Stand facility where you will be based with other healthcare science students. You will be the first cohort to experience this exciting £23 million redevelopment which has created a state-of-the-art educational and high-performance centre for teaching and research excellence.

To develop your knowledge and skills you will be using facilities such as the cardiology practical lab and cardiology simulation suite. You'll be using revolutionary technology to create simulations, with the latest virtual and augmented reality.

We improve healthcare for future generations through pioneering research that saves lives. You will become an independent learner by leading your own research projects in a specialised area of interest.

This is the perfect course to continue your professional development in the workplace with guidance from your workplace tutor. As an apprentice, you will:

• Have the chance to experience real-life work situations through planned practice placements
• Learn about work ethics, professional conduct, and the standard practices in this vital sector through daily interaction with your colleagues
• Develop transferable skills like teamwork, communication, task management, problem-solving, and decision-making
• Benefit from study days at the university and independent-directed learning.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science, who act as a focus for the Healthcare Science Apprenticeship Programme by coordinating communications and information.

Visit the NHS site from more information about Apprenticeships (hee.nhs.uk)

During your practice, your learning and assessment will be supported and assessed by a mentor trained by Middlesex University. Practice learning experiences aligned with National School of Healthcare Science requirements will be provided.

Careers

How can the Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) (Degree Apprenticeship) support your career?

The NHS is one of the largest employers in the world and this degree provides you with the skills, knowledge and experience to work at the heart of the NHS as a healthcare scientist in cardiac physiology. The NHS has recognised a skills shortage in this area and our course is designed to meet the requirements of the sector.

Graduate job roles

On completion of the programme, you would be eligible to apply for Band 5 physiological science posts in the NHS, although many employers will retain an apprentice graduate in a Band 5 position or higher.

You could also further your studies on an NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) to become a physiological scientist, working in the NHS at Band 7 or higher.

You can find more useful information about Healthcare Science careers on the NHS careers website Healthcare science | Health Careers.

Graduate employers

Our graduates have gone on to become cardiac physiologists employed by the NHS and in private organisations, including the Harley Street Clinic, Huddersfield NHS, Kingston Hospital and Royal Brompton among many others.

Transferable skills

You will develop skills such as teamwork, communication, task management, problem-solving, and decision-making

MDXworks

Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.

Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has put us in the top 10 UK universities for students who want to be CEOs and entrepreneurs (Hitachi, 2021).

Global network

You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.

Clinical practice

As an apprentice, you will be employed within local Trusts or Healthcare organisations as Cardiac Physiologist Degree Apprentices (CPDAs). In order to meet the National School of Healthcare Science requirements, you will complete planned clinical practice within your place of work.

In the final year, you also have an opportunity to undertake a research project, which could include a clinical audit - research projects carried out in the workplace will often require local ethical approval.