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A Career in Clinical Physiology

Clinical Physiology is a career area that is split up into other specific specialisms which are: Respiratory Physiology, Cardiac Physiology or Medical Physics. To get into one of these jobs, you would need to take a recognised qualification in Clinical Physiology.

What are the different jobs within Clinical Physiology like?

Respiratory Physiologists - measure the functioning of a patient�s lungs and breathing system, at rest and during exercise. They usually give the patient a mouthpiece to blow into and monitor the results on their equipment. They may also operate equipment to help treat respiratory disease. Some Respiratory Physiologists measure and help treat sleep disorders.
Cardiac Physiologists - their overall role is to perform tests using high technology equipment on patients who have or who are suspected of having heart problems. They work closely with Doctors who specialise in cardiology (Cardiologists).

The job is divided into different areas, all with patient contact, the main ones being:

Electrocardiography (ECG)

This involves the placement of electrodes in specific positions on the body in order to record a graph of the electrical activity in the heart.

Exercise Electrocardiography

Which involves monitoring the patient�s ECG closely whilst he or she is walking on a treadmill. Ambulatory ECG and Blood Pressure Monitoring.Pacemaker Implants and Follow-up.

Cardiac Catheterisation

This involves passing fine tubes via veins and arteries into the chambers of the heart in order to measure pressures and take blood samples, for further analysis.

Echocardiography

Involves using ultrasound scanning equipment to directly visualise the movement of the heart and valves without using invasive techniques.

Payscale for Cardiac Physiologists

(this has increased by 3.6% since April 2002): Trainees Salary (per annum) from: �8,163 to �9,784. Then from: �13,549 to �34,732

For more information...

...on careers in Cardiac Physiology contact: The Society for Cardiological Science and Technology. Tel: 020 7383 3887 Website: www.scst.org.uk

Clinical Technologists

(or sometimes called Medical Physicists) - apply physical sciences to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, to maintain the safety of patients and of other health care workers. There are a number of different roles within medical physics. The clinical physiology side is more concerned with radioactive pharmaceuticals.

Clinical Technologist (medical physics) Q and A with Mr John M. Jones, Principal Medical Physics Technologist, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

Q. What does the job involve in an average day and week?
�It would include being involved in patient imaging using a gamma camera, radiotherapy planning, radiopharmacy � preparing radioactive injections to image and treat patients, radiation protection, various diagnostic patient tests using radioactivity.�
Q. What is the most rewarding part of your job?
�Being part of a team that makes a difference to patient care.�
Q. What difference do you think you are making to people�s lives?
�Hopefully we are improving the quality of peoples� lives by providing high quality diagnostic and therapeutic services. If people are interested in the application of science to patient care then it is a very rewarding career to get into.�

Career and Further Development Opportunities

Following a BSc (Hons) Clinical Physiology Employment prospects are excellent due to a shortage of qualified staff in the UK. Employment opportunities exist in the UK and overseas e.g. New Zealand, in the NHS, the private sector, in industry and in research & development. Opportunities to continue studying at postgraduate level also exist.

How to get into this field of work

You will need to take a recognised qualification, such as a degree in Clinical Physiology and specialise in either Cardiology, Respiratory Physiology or Medical Physics. One university for example, now offering this degree is the University of Wales Swansea. It is a full time, four year degree, with detailed work experience. They have special funding which means that students don�t have to pay any course fees, get a means-tested bursary (depends on the individual circumstances of each student) and an NHS Salary of �8 - �10,000 for year 3 of the degree.

For details
Tel: 01792 518531.
Email: SHSAdmissions@swansea.ac.uk www.healthscience.swansea.ac.uk

What qualifications do I need to take a BSc (Hons) Clinical Physiology?

Entry requirements vary a little but at the University of Wales Swansea you need a minimum of GCSEs in English or Welsh Language, and Maths and a science subject, all at grade C or above. Plus three A levels at grade C or above with at least one in a science subject (or 240 points at A level or equivalent). You will need to enquire at individual colleges, universities etc to find out their entry requirements.

Further information...

Contact the relevant National Health Service (Careers Division), in either Wales, England, Scotland or Northern Ireland. A useful website to begin with is at www.nhs.uk Or contact the University of Wales Swansea, School of Health Science.
Tel.01792 518531.
Email: SHSAdmissions@swansea.ac.uk.