Program Overview

Cardiac Physiology Practice (Apprenticeship) BSc (Hons)

Overview

The BSc (Hons) Cardiac Physiology Practice Degree Apprenticeship will prepare you for a role as a Healthcare Science Practitioner in the Cardiac Physiology specialism.

Course Structure

The course will be divided into modules that once successfully completed will provide students with academic credits that will build over the course of their studies until they have enough to be awarded their degree.

Year 1 (National level 4)

• Professional Skills in Healthcare Science (30 credits) Explore the fundamental and professional skills required of a healthcare science practitioner. You will learn to work within a patient-facing department, develop an understanding of the patient journey and aspects of their care. Reflective practice skills will be introduced as part of this module, and you will develop the tools for personal development to promote employability, while gaining knowledge and understanding in the field of healthcare science relevant for today's NHS.
• Cardiovascular Science in Practice (30 credits) The module will provide students with an underpinning knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system. The students will develop essential skills that will allow them to safely and accurately perform routine investigations such as 12 Lead Electrocardiography and Blood Pressure Measurement adopting a patient-centered approach.
• Scientific Principles of Healthcare Science (30 credits) Explore the key biological processes that underpin life. You will learn how molecular composition controls the biological function of organic molecules. You will study the relationship of cell organelles and their functions with the human genome, and how the genetic code is expressed resulting in changes in cell signaling, division, differentiation, and death. An understanding of the main human physiological systems will be gained along with how these systems interact on a holistic level to maintain normal body function. Changes in these systems in response to disease and infection will be introduced, as will an understanding of how the patient’s reaction to illness can be measured by healthcare science practitioners.
• Respiratory and Sleep Science in Practice (30 credits) The module will provide students with an underpinning knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the respiratory and sleep systems. The students will develop essential skills that will allow them to safely and accurately perform routine investigations such as spirometry and pulse oximetry adopting a patient-centered approach.

Year 2 (National level 5)

• Cardiac and Respiratory Disease (30 credits) The module will continue to develop the student’s understanding of the human body by focusing on the effects that disease can have on the physiological processes. The module will compare acquired and congenital disease and discuss a broad range of pathophysiological processes linked to specific diseases that affect the cardiac, vascular, respiratory, and sleep systems. Embedded within each discussion will be an explanation of how ageing and genetic predisposition impact risk and disease progression. There will be a broad range of specific conditions covered in this module that will include amongst others, Coronary Artery Disease, Hypertension, Asthma, and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. Within each discussion, there will be an explanation of diagnostic testing, prognostic assessment, and management.
• Electrocardiogram Interpretation (30 credits) The module will develop a student’s understanding of 12 Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation. ECG Interpretation is a vital aspect of healthcare, and students studying this module will participate in exercises to develop their analysis and interpretive skills. The module will begin by reviewing the essential characteristics of ECG Interpretation including waveform recognition, normal intervals, measurement of rate and rhythm recognition. The module will then discuss recognition of abnormal ECG rhythms including supraventricular arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias, junctional arrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias, conduction abnormalities. The module will also explain how an ECG can be affected by specific disease processes as well as abnormal metabolic, endocrine, and electrolyte states.
• Evidence Informed Practice and Leadership in Healthcare (30 credits) The module will develop the learners' knowledge and skills of research methods and statistical analysis. Learners will develop skills in formulating hypotheses and learning to test that hypothesis through experimental design and statistical methods. Learners will calculate a range of statistical variables using dedicated software. Learners will also develop an appreciation of the framework governing research including research ethics. The module will continue to develop leadership skills amongst learners, promoting critical reflection techniques and expanding the learners' knowledge of the legal and ethical principles that support a patient-centered healthcare approach. The principles and practices of clinical audit will be discussed, and this will be used as a foundation that will be built upon in later modules.
• Ambulatory Monitoring and Provocative Testing (30 credits) The module will develop a student’s understanding of a range of diagnostic testing techniques including non-invasive blood pressure measurement, ambulatory Holter monitoring, exercise treadmill testing, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The module will discuss the theoretical approach to measurement technique focusing on how operators can perform high-quality measurements, comparing alternative techniques and discussing indications/contraindications. There will also be a practical approach to develop students' skills in performing these tests. Analysis and interpretation of results will be covered both independently and within the holistic care of a patient.

Year 3 (National level 6)

• Healthcare Research Investigation (30 credits) Students will apply the knowledge and skills they have learned during the Cardiac Physiology degree programme to develop and carry out a research project. The project is carried out in collaboration with a work placement provider. The module is aligned with the requirements of the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) Practitioner Training Programme (PTP).
• Invasive Cardiology (30 credits) The module will widen the student’s knowledge and skills in relation to cardiac catheterisation and cardiac pacing. Cardiac catheterisation will be covered, encapsulating the range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that can be performed within this setting. There will be a focus on safe working within a multidisciplinary cardiac catheter laboratory team and the development of technical skills to build experience with techniques used within the laboratory. Cardiac pacing will be discussed covering the underlying physics of bradycardic pacing, indications and contraindications, implantation technique, and troubleshooting of device and lead malfunction.
• Leading and Improving Patient Centered Care (30 credits) The module aims to develop the learners' understanding of leadership in healthcare by focusing on improvement and innovation within the healthcare setting. Learners will begin by discussing methods of identifying risks to patient safety and to find ways to mitigate these risks. The underpinning theory of change management will be discussed alongside the practical approaches and barriers to implementing change and innovation. There will also be a focus on the learners themselves and about different leadership styles that can exist within healthcare. Learners will be asked to reflect on their own practice and link this to the models of leadership that will have been discussed.
• Non-Invasive Cardiology (30 credits) This module will further develop the student’s understanding of non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic testing and apply that knowledge to care pathways. Imaging techniques including CT, MRI, and Echocardiography will be discussed in relation to disease with a particular focus on echocardiography techniques. There will be an explanation of the physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology of conditions including channelopathies, heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Screening for disease will also be discussed and how this applies both generally to cardiovascular disease as well as in specific circumstances such as within sport.

Facilities

This course is based in The John Dawson Sciences Complex at our City Campus, which boasts excellent facilities and cutting-edge equipment thanks to multi-million-pound investments.

Entry Requirements

• Admission is subject to the learner being employed by an organisation and remaining in employment with an organisation throughout the duration of the programme. The employer must confirm participants comply with apprentice eligibility criteria.
• We would require successful completion of an Access to Higher Education course that is accredited by the Quality Assurance Agency. We would also require a minimum of grade C in GCSE in Mathematics and English Language or the equivalent as part of your course.
• If English is your second language, we require a minimum of IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 6.0 in each element.

Fees and Finance

• Larger organisations can use their apprenticeship levy and government top-up to pay tuition and professional fees of higher apprenticeships. For smaller employers, the government pays 95%, with the remainder co-invested by the business.

Career Ready

• Completion of the degree apprenticeship will enable learners to be eligible for professional registration and suitability for employment as a Biomedical Scientist (BMS). Learners will complete the IBMS registration portfolio as part of the EPA to enable eligibility to apply to be on the HCPC register.

End-point Assessment (EPA)

• Since this programme is approved by a statutory regulator, the EPA for this programme has been integrated with the assessment requirements as outlined by the IBMS and HCPC, which include completion and passing of the academic programme and completion and passing the verification of the IBMS training registration portfolio.

Accreditation

• This course is accredited by the following bodies:
  • The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
  • Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)