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Job summary

Main area
Cardiac Physiology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (8am to 8pm 7 days per week/ split shifts or long days.)
Job ref
359-7057000-T2
Employer
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Maidstone Hospital
Town
Maidstone
Salary
Paid as a Band 3 until you have SCST diploma/competencies
Closing
25/03/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust logo

Trainee Cardiac Associate Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 4

Job overview

Are you an enthusiastic, motivated individual with an interest in patient care, keen to join an innovative team of Cardiac Physiologists and other Health Care Professionals?

We are looking to recruit 2 people to the role of Cardiac Assistant/ Associate Practitioner at MTW NHS Trust. We are looking for people who have a background in healthcare or care work, who are patient focused and demonstrate high levels of compassion towards patients. A knowledge of Cardiology is desirable, but not essential, as full training will be provided. You will join as a band 3 and start your training in performing ECGs and fitting ambulatory monitors on a range of inpatients and outpatients, from children to adults. We will teach you ECG interpretation to SCST diploma level via our in-house structured program which includes training on the job, regular dedicated theory and practice sessions, and support from our team of Cardiac Clinical Scientists and Specialist practitioners. There will be the opportunity to fast track from band 3 to band 4 over a period of 1 to 2 years. To obtain band 4 level you will be working independently in a wide range of non-invasive cardiac diagnostics and have passed the SCST ECG diploma exam.

Main duties of the job

To apply for this post, you will ideally have Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent to GCSE) and experience in healthcare or care environment. Shift pattern will include split shifts or long days between the hours of 8am to 8pm 7 days per week. You will be expected to rotate through all shifts, weekends and all sites.

The Trust offers a range of invasive and non-invasive investigations including Physiologist led exercise stress testing, tilt testing, ambulatory monitory, device follow-up and complex invasive procedures including angiography, PCI, PPM, ICD / CRT implantation and EP. The Tunbridge Wells Hospital site holds BSE Departmental Accreditation in Transthoracic echocardiography, Stress Echo, TOE, Contrast and Bubble Studies. We run a Physiologist Led Valve Clinic at both sites and assist in the Rapid Access Heart Failure Clinic. The Maidstone & CDC sites are currently in the process of applying for accreditation. 

This really is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the cutting edge of cardiology and to help shape future cardiac services in Kent.

Working for our organisation

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

  • At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
  • Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
  • Blue Light card eligibility
  • And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children).

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • English & Maths GCSE or equivalent
  • BLS
  • SCST Diploma in ECG interpretation
Desirable criteria
  • Further qualification in Science
  • Level 4 diploma in healthcare science or equivalent

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Good understanding and knowledge of general cardiac conditions
  • In depth understanding of the role and activities required of a Cardiac associate
  • Awareness of the needs of the patient group
  • Experience as an Assistant Practitioner in a Cardiac department

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Patient centred & compassionate towards patients
  • Good written and communication skills
  • Able to clearly and appropriately convey instructions and ensure patient understanding.
  • Good interpersonal skills.
  • Able to work unsupervised
  • Ability to prioritise work
  • Flexibility, reliability, adaptability
  • Assessed as competent in the following cardiac tests: 12 lead ECG, Holter fitting, BP monitoring, Event recorder monitoring, Holter & event analysis, remote ILR follow-up
Desirable criteria
  • Good computer skills
  • Ability to adapt to changing and demanding situations

Additional requirements

Essential criteria
  • Willingness to rotate to all sites and all areas of cardiology where required
  • Able to work shifts 7 days per week between 8am and 8pm
Desirable criteria
  • UK driving licence

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Kent and Medway Work Place Wellbeing AwardNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardTrust IDVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverStep into healthArmed Forces CovenantRoyal College of Anaesthetists AccreditedNHS England Bronze Award

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Anne-marie Linton
Job title
Lead Cardiac Scientist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07935009760
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