Job summary
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 SCSTECG 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.
About us
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
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Weve 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
- English & Maths GCSE or equivalent
- BLS
- SCST Diploma in ECG interpretation
Desirable
- Further qualification in Science
- Level 4 diploma in healthcare science or equivalent
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- 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
- 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
- Good computer skills
- Ability to adapt to changing and demanding situations
Additional requirements
Essential
- 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
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- English & Maths GCSE or equivalent
- BLS
- SCST Diploma in ECG interpretation
Desirable
- Further qualification in Science
- Level 4 diploma in healthcare science or equivalent
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- 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
- 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
- Good computer skills
- Ability to adapt to changing and demanding situations
Additional requirements
Essential
- 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
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Address
Maidstone Hospital
Cardiorespiratory dept (Blue Zone), Hermitage Lane
Maidstone
ME16 9QQ
Employer's website
https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
