BSc (Hons) Cardiac Physiology (Apprenticeship)

In this module, you'll explore the fundamental and professional skills required of a healthcare science practitioner. You'll learn to work within a patient-facing department, developing an understanding of the patient journey and aspects of their care. Reflective practice skills will be introduced as part of this module, and you'll 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.

This module will provide you with an underpinning knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system. You'll develop essential skills that will allow you to safely and accurately perform routine investigations such as 12-lead ECG and blood pressure measurement, adopting a patient-centered approach. 

This module will allow you to explore the key biological processes that underpin life. You'll learn how molecular composition controls the biological function of organic molecules, as well as 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 signalling, 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.

This module will provide you with an underpinning knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the respiratory and sleep systems. You'll develop essential skills that will allow you to safely and accurately perform routine investigations, such as spirometry and pulse oximetry, adopting a patient-centered approach.

This module will continue to develop your 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'll be a broad range of specific conditions covered that will include, amongst others, coronary artery disease, hypertension, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnoea. Within each discussion, there'll be an explanation of diagnostic testing, prognostic assessment, and management.

In this module, you'll develop an understanding of 12-lead ECG interpretation, which is a vital aspect of healthcare, and you'll participate in exercises to develop your analytical and interpretational 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, and 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. 

This module will help you develop knowledge and skills of research methods and statistical analysis, which will include formulating hypothesis and learning to test that hypothesis through experimental design and statistical methods. You'll calculate a range of statistical variables using dedicated software and develop an appreciation of the framework governing research, including research ethics. The module will continue to help you enhance your leadership skills, promoting critical reflection techniques and expanding your 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.

In this module, you'll develop your 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'll also be a practical approach so you can develop the skills in performing these tests. Analysis and interpretation of results will be covered both independently and within the holistic care of a patient.

In this module, you'll apply the knowledge and skills you've learned during the apprenticeship to develop and carry out a research project in collaboration with a work placement provider. The module is aligned with the requirements of the NSHCS Practitioner Training Programme.

This module will broaden your knowledge and skills in relation to cardiac catheterisation and cardiac pacing, encapsulating the range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that can be performed within this setting. There'll 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. 

This module aims to develop your understanding of leadership in healthcare by focusing on improvement and innovation within the healthcare setting. You'll begin by discussing methods of identifying risks to patient safety and finding 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'll also be a focus on different leadership styles that can exist within healthcare, where you'll be asked to reflect on your own practice and link this to the models of leadership you've discussed.

In this module, you'll further develop your 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'll 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 and in specific circumstances such as within sport.