Shot in the arm for new science roles
HEALThCARE offers more career choices than simply being a doctor or nurse.
Ana Filipa Araujo, 29, is a cardiac physiologist at the London heart Centre and says: ‘ It is an interesting role because I meet people from all walks of life and check them for cardiac abnormalities in the early stages.
‘I do ECG tests to check their heart rate, rhythm and any abnormalities in the coronary arteries while the patient is at rest, and exercise tolerance tests, taken while the patient is walking on a treadmill, which reveal the same information, but at increasing workloads.
‘I also analyse ECG tests taken over periods of up to seven days.’
Richard Jones, of healthcare recruiter Your Wor l d healthcare, says: ‘The market for qualified cardiac physiologists is growing as private medical companies look for candidates to meet a continuous shortage.’
Pay for qualified experienced people can reach £70,000.
A recent NhS report on the healthcare science workforce predicted an increase in numbers of assistants and associates undertaking the operation of laboratory equipment in life sciences and possibly some patient preparation in physiology specialisms by 2030, plus a broader range of employers.
Most healthcare scientists, such as cardiac physiologists, train with the NhS. You can get in as an apprentice with GCSEs or their equivalents, or with A-levels you can apply for the NhS Practitioner Training Programme, which involves taking a BSc in healthcare science.
With a relevant first or 2:1 degree, you can apply for the NhS Scientist Training Programme, which pays a salary while you combine a job with study. Dr Brendan Cooper, president of the Academy for healthcare Science, which represents scientists in the public and private sector, says: ‘If you have an aptitude for caring for people, like working with smart colleagues, work on your communication skills and develop attention to detail, have good scientific skills and a well-rounded education, you are what we will need in five years from now.’
ViSit nhscareers.nhs.uk/ explore-by-career/ healthcare-science