Job overview

The post holder will undertake a 12–14 month training programme as a Healthcare Science Level 2 Apprentice within the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT). It is also an exciting opportunity to work in the new Community Diagnostic Centres (CDC's) Spoke and Hub in the heart of the Halifax and Huddersfield communities. 

Formal training will be given where the successful candidate can learn and develop skills and knowledge relating to working in a busy cardio-respiratory department and by undertaking basic cardiology and respiratory diagnostic tests. Study will take place in partnership with the Sheffield College.

• Previous applicants need not apply.
• Please note this apprenticeship is open to all ages.

This is a full-time post and there is an expectation that the apprentice will need to commit to self-directed study, attend Sheffield college virtually and in person, and successfully complete the training programme within the contract period. The post holder will receive 20% off the job training to fulfil the apprenticeship standard. On successful completion of the apprenticeship and probationary period the post holder will be offered a permanent post of Cardio-Respiratory Healthcare Science Assistant (Band 2).

Main duties of the job

As an apprentice all tasks will be under direct supervision until competency through formal assessment is achieved and will include the following main duties within the cardiorespiratory department:

• To perform routine and urgent electrocardiograms.
• To perform routine and urgent spirometry.
• To perform and measure automatic and manual blood pressure measurements.
• To obtain venous blood samples.
• To set up and fit a cardiac monitor, 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitor, and a 24hr ambulatory blood pressure monitor.
• To prepare equipment and clinical areas for other diagnostic cardiology tests.
• To support cardiology reception/clerical administration as required.
• To handle and store equipment and consumables within accepted and safe limits.

Working for our organisation

We employ more than 6,500 staff who deliver compassionate care from our two main hospitals, Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary as well as in community sites, health centres and in patients’ homes. We also are incredibly proud to have almost 150 volunteers here at CHFT.

We provide a range of services including urgent and emergency care; medical; surgical; maternity; gynaecology; critical care; children’s and young people’s services; end of life care and outpatient and diagnostic imaging services.

We provide community health services, including sexual health services in Calderdale from Calderdale Royal and local health centres. These include Todmorden Health Centre and Broad Street Plaza. 

We continue to modernise and invest in our health services to build on our strong reputation. Foundation trusts are public leaders in improving quality in health services. They are part of the NHS – yet decisions about what they do and how they do it are driven by independent boards. Boards listen to their Council of Governors and respond to the needs of their members – patients, staff and the local community.

Foundation trusts provide what the health service wants, yet are also free to invest quickly in the changes to the local community needs, in striving to be the best, and in putting their patients first.