Cardiac physiologists are sometimes also known as ‘cardiac scientist’ and ‘cardiac technician.’ We also use the title cardiac physiologist interchangeably with ‘clinical measurement scientist.’

As a cardiac physiologist, you’ll have responsibility for various forms of cardiac monitoring, producing high quality interpretation and reporting. These assist in establishing correct diagnosis and other decision making. To generate these, you’ll use medical equipment including:

  • electrocardiography (ECG)
  • haemodynamic monitoring (blood pressure monitoring)
  • cardiac devices and cardiac ultrasound.

To use this equipment, you’ll need relevant scientific and technological understanding and training.

You’ll also perform and interpret non-invasive cardiac investigations, for example:

  • electrocardiogram
  • exercise stress testing
  • ambulatory monitoring.

You may also do further training to perform cardiac ultrasound, cardiac device programming or learn to participate in electrophysiology and cardiac catheterisation procedures.

Qualifications

To work as a cardiac physiologist, you’ll need an undergraduate degree in science with a strong human physiology component. This might include entry courses such as degree programs of clinical physiology and biomedical science.

Depending on your role, you may also need formal qualifications in cardiac investigations. To get these, you’ll need to undertake further study.

Ultrasound and echocardiography

You’ll need to study either of the following courses:

  • graduate diploma in cardiac ultrasound
  • bachelor of echocardiography (cardiac physiology) / graduate diploma of echocardiography.

Cardiac devices and electrophysiology

You’ll need to study either of the following courses:

Cardiac device

You’ll need to study one of the following courses:

  • IBHRE certified cardiac device specialist
  • IBHRE certified electrophysiology specialist
  • British Heart Rhythm Society electrophysiology certification
  • British Heart Rhythm Society cardiac devices certification
  • CEPIA graduate diploma – electrophysiology
  • European Heart Rhythm Association cardiac devices certification.

You’ll also need to be eligible for membership with one of the following professional associations:

Last updated: November 2023

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