We are UHB: Christian Bernal, Apprentice Cardiac Physiologist

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust runs Good Hope, Heartlands, Queen Elizabeth and Solihull hospitals and Solihull community services.

I am currently a Level 6 Apprentice Cardiac Physiologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.?I am in the final year of my Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Science (cardiac physiology) at the University of Wolverhampton. Level 6 apprenticeships are equivalent to a degree. I work four days a week in the hospital and have one day studying at the university.?When I finish my apprenticeship, I will be a qualified cardiac physiologist.

I haven’t had the most traditional route to getting here. Originally, I did a degree in sports science, and while studying we touched upon cardiology in one of the modules. From there my interest grew, realising how subtle changes can affect the heart significantly. So, I decided to restart my journey with an apprenticeship.

Within my training, I receive great support from my colleagues at QEHB, as well as during my university studies. However, being exposed to various specialised cardiac procedures has also increased my confidence and pushed me to be a versatile apprentice, preparing me for any future career progression.

Cardiac physiologists are involved in diagnosing and treating patients with heart conditions. We perform a variety of investigations and procedures including ECGs, cardio-pulmonary exercise tests and more invasive procedures such as implanting pacemakers or treating a heart attack in the cardiac cath labs. My role as an apprentice is hands-on and patient-facing. I am learning how to assess patients’ heart conditions and how these conditions manifest and affect people's lives.?

The best thing about my apprenticeship is it teaches me how to correctly assess and manage these heart conditions and in doing so it gives me great pleasure to be part of the patient's journey. Being part of a team which does its best for the patient is all that matters. It is very rewarding knowing that I have played a part, especially when someone has a very complex problem and we are able to help get to the bottom of it.

I really like the Trust values of Kind, Connected and Bold. For me, it’s what our roles are all about; you become connected to others and in this environment being bold comes with it. But you can’t be connected and bold if you aren’t kind. When done in the right way, these values are the right approach generally in life.

An apprenticeship is great because it allows you to learn on the job.?There are endless opportunities here and support due to the widespread specialities at UHB. There is a great deal of different clinical experiences, therefore you end up becoming a better healthcare professional today than yesterday.

I want to continue working at the Trust once I qualify, it will definitely be my first choice. It is a nice place to work, and I want to give something back to the team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.

For anyone thinking about starting an apprenticeship, my advice would be to check that your degree is accredited first, work hard and focus on what you want to do. Don’t be afraid to admit when you have taken a wrong turn, it’s not always easy, but it is worth it in the end.

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