CARDIAC PHYSIOLOGIST JOB DESCRIPTION

A Cardiac Physiologist performs and interprets non-invasive diagnostic investigations, including ECG, Holter monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, and exercise stress testing, that cardiologists rely on to make time-sensitive clinical decisions. This is a hands-on, patient-facing role operating within cardiology departments and outpatient clinics, where accurate real-time analysis and prompt documentation in the electronic medical record directly shape care pathways. ILS or BLS certification is a baseline requirement, and many senior practitioners hold BSE accreditation or ACSM clinical exercise physiology credentials. Precision under pressure defines the work.

As the Cardiac Physiologist, you perform and report a full range of non-invasive cardiac investigations for inpatient and outpatient populations, translating diagnostic findings into actionable clinical data that supports cardiologists' decision-making. You operate within a multidisciplinary cardiology team, working alongside echocardiographers, rehabilitation coordinators, and ward nursing staff across both routine and urgent caseloads.

Career Impact: Gaining BSE Level 2 accreditation or ACSM CEP/RCEP certification in this role builds the specialist credentials that distinguish practicing physiologists from generalist cardiac technicians in the clinical labor market.

Business Impact: Cardiology departments depend on accurate Holter analysis and stress test reporting to meet healthcare commission caseload commitments and prevent diagnostic delays for high-risk patients.

Growth Opportunity: Experience across echocardiography modalities including contrast imaging, dobutamine stress echo, and 3D acquisition opens a direct pathway to highly specialised or senior physiologist grades.

• Perform ECG, Holter, blood pressure, and event monitoring investigations for inpatient and outpatient cohorts within scheduled daily lists.
• Analyse and interpret real-time and recorded cardiac data, identifying clinically significant findings requiring urgent escalation to the supervising cardiologist.
• Assist echocardiographers during stress testing procedures, including patient preparation, equipment setup, and intra-procedure monitoring.
• Document all test results accurately and promptly in the electronic medical record, ensuring cardiologist sign-off on relevant findings.
• Develop and deliver individualized exercise prescriptions for cardiac rehabilitation patients across Phase I, II, and III programs.
• Conduct patient assessments, collect medical histories, and implement individualized care plans in collaboration with the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Maintain calibration and daily safety checks on cardiac investigation equipment, resolving technical faults or escalating to biomedical engineering as required.
• Support the training and professional development of junior cardiac physiology staff within the scope of personal competency.

• Bachelor's degree in Clinical Physiology, Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology), Applied Science, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of cardiac physiology experience, with demonstrated competency across ECG, Holter, and stress testing modalities.
• Current BLS or ILS certification, maintained annually.
• Proficiency in ECG interpretation and arrhythmia recognition across clinical complexity levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, make high-level clinical decisions, and manage complex patients with multiple comorbidities.
• Strong patient care skills, including sensitivity to patient needs across inpatient, outpatient, and emergency contexts.
• Sound organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing clinical tasks under time pressure.
• Registration with an appropriate professional body where required by jurisdiction.

• BSE Level 2 Transthoracic Echocardiography accreditation or EACVI Adult Transthoracic Echocardiography certification.
• ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) or Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP) certification.
• Experience with advanced echocardiographic modalities, including contrast imaging, bubble studies, or dobutamine stress echocardiography.
• Background in cardiac rehabilitation program development, including patient education and wellness program coordination.

• Daily list completion rate, measuring adherence to the technician roster and scheduled investigation throughput.
• ECG and Holter report turnaround time, reflecting how promptly findings are documented and submitted for cardiologist review.
• Escalation accuracy rate, tracking the proportion of urgent findings correctly identified and communicated in time.
• Phase II and III cardiac rehabilitation patient progression rate, measuring caseload movement against individualized care plan milestones.
• Equipment fault resolution time, indicating how quickly calibration or technical issues are identified and cleared.
• Typical tools: ECG and Holter monitoring systems (commonly GE CardioSoft or similar); EMR platforms (commonly varied by health network).

• Base Salary Range: $58,000 to $82,000 annually, varying by seniority and clinical setting
• Bonus: Modest merit-based or departmental performance bonus where applicable
• Equity: Not typically offered in clinical healthcare settings
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard for full-time clinical roles
• PTO: 15 to 22 days annually, plus public holidays and study leave provisions
• Common Perks: Continuing education support, CPD reimbursement, and certification exam assistance

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background check completion, including applicable drug screening, is a condition of employment for all clinical positions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants and employees with disabilities upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Cardiac Physiologist delivers best-practice ECG, Holter, blood pressure, and event monitoring across inpatient and outpatient caseloads, recording results accurately into the EMR and ensuring cardiologist sign-off. Working closely with ECG Technicians and Echocardiographers, the role supports stress testing procedures and maintains patient care standards aligned with established clinical protocols.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform a range of ECG, Holter, Blood Pressure and Event Monitoring tests on inpatients and outpatients as per the daily list and technician roster.
• Provide careful and accurate analysis of test results, ensuring results are recorded promptly into the EMR and signed by the cardiologist as required.
• Assist echocardiographers in performing Stress Tests by maintaining the consult room readiness for testing and preparing and supporting patients throughout.
• Assist all patients during their tests, showing professionalism, empathy and understanding at all times.
• Liaise with hospital staff when collecting ward patients and ensure safe transport in line with relevant procedures.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with all key stakeholders including specialist doctors, hospital staff and internal and external contacts.
• Maintain current awareness of advancements in cardiac testing and remain up to date with changes to monitoring and analysis methods.

Required Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Science, Applied Science, or a related field.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage resources, prioritise tasks, and problem-solve on the spot.
• Customer service skills with the ability to respond sensitively and professionally to patient needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships across all levels.
• Ability to work under pressure, adapt to fluctuating workflow, follow direction, and accept feedback.

Embedded within a cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular rehabilitation setting, the Cardiac Physiologist delivers individualized patient care by conducting assessments, developing exercise prescriptions, and managing rehabilitation programs for complex, high-risk patient populations. Working closely with physicians and health care team members, the role drives continuity of care and supports educational programming for patients and families across all phases of rehabilitation.

Core Functions

• Conduct individualized patient interviews, assessments, and medical history collection to develop comprehensive cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation treatment plans.
• Case-manage the entire cardiac rehabilitation program for individual patients, implementing and modifying therapeutic programs as needed.
• Develop safe and appropriate exercise prescriptions for diverse patient populations with multiple co-morbidities.
• Collaborate with health care team members on continuity of care while making high-level clinical decisions on complex and high-risk patients.
• Provide patient counseling on test results, home exercise programs, risk factors, and behavior modification.
• Develop and implement educational programs for patients and families.
• Assist with wellness programs, health fairs, community activities, and policy and protocol development.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in a related clinical field.
• Current BLS certification required at hire; ACLS certification required within one year of hire.
• ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) or Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP) certification required.
• Current state licensure as applicable.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in a related field, with cardiovascular rehabilitation experience preferred.
• Knowledge of cardiac rehabilitation phases I, II, and III, exercise physiology, cardiovascular pathophysiology, and disease testing and treatments.
• Strong ECG and arrhythmia recognition skills.
• Proficient computer skills, including MS Office applications.
• Strong verbal, written, and customer service communication skills.
• Ability to perform active physical exertion 34% to 65% of the time and lift objects weighing over 80 lbs.

Reporting to the cardiology department leadership, the Senior Cardiac Physiologist shapes technical proficiency across all non-invasive cardiology procedures by developing training strategies and maintaining quality control and reporting standards for cardiac physiology staff. Partnering with cardiologists and clinical teams, the role enables individualised patient care through autonomous clinical decision-making, equipment management, and flexible service coverage across all technical service areas.

Primary Duties

• Be technically proficient in all non-invasive cardiology procedures and develop a training strategy to meet the requirements of cardiac physiology staff.
• Follow departmental guidelines and protocols for each procedure, ensuring quality control and reporting standards are maintained.
• Analyse and interpret real-time results, which may be complex, urgent, or routine, and communicate findings to relevant team members and the cardiologist.
• Monitor and respond to changes in patients' clinical status across fields of technical cardiology.
• Act autonomously to deliver appropriate and individualised patient care, including anticipating the need for further investigations based on ECG or Holter findings.
• Provide technical cover across all areas of the technical service within personal competencies, including flexible hours and on-call commitment.
• Prepare, check, calibrate, and troubleshoot all cardiac investigation equipment daily, and investigate or escalate electro-medical equipment faults as required.

Skills & Qualifications

• RCCP (Registered Clinical Physiologist) qualification or equivalent.
• BSE (British Society of Echocardiography) accreditation or equivalent.
• Extensive experience as a Senior Cardiac Physiologist.
• Knowledge of cardiac physiology procedures across non-invasive cardiology disciplines.
• Committed to high-quality, consistent patient care and interest in research and audit.

Sitting at the intersection of advanced echocardiography and non-invasive cardiology, the Highly Specialised Cardiac Physiologist leads complex investigations including contrast, bubble, dobutamine, and transoesophageal echocardiograms, alongside ECG interpretation and exercise treadmill testing. Operating across departmental quality standards, patient databases, and stock management, the role enables the cardiac physiology service to meet its caseload commitments safely, efficiently, and within budget.

Duties

• Undertake echocardiographic investigations including adult, contrast, bubble studies, dobutamine echocardiograms and assist with transoesophageal echocardiograms using pulsed and continuous wave Doppler, colour flow mapping, and tissue Doppler imaging.
• Recognise the significance of investigative findings and act on them accordingly.
• Perform and interpret 12-lead ECGs, fit and remove 24-hour Holter and BP monitors, and perform and interpret Exercise Treadmill Tests.
• Assist colleagues in organising daily work allocation to ensure the department meets its caseload commitments throughout the working week.
• Monitor and maintain departmental quality standards, developing the service in terms of safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
• Maintain patient databases, filing and retrieval systems, and provide statistical returns of activity.
• Manage consumable stock levels within budgetary and logistic constraints.

Requirements

• BSc (Hons) in Clinical Physiology or BSc in Healthcare Science (Cardiac Physiology) or PTP equivalence.
• TTE Level 2 accreditation by the BSE or Adult Transthoracic Echocardiography Certification by the EACVI.
• ILS (Immediate Life Support) certification from the Resuscitation Council.
• Extensive experience in non-invasive cardiology and advanced echocardiographic procedures, including 3D acquisition, contrast and bubble imaging, and TOE assistance.
• Knowledge of advanced and highly specialised procedures acquired through accredited courses.
• Ability to perform as an independent practitioner, reporting resting transthoracic scans without supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, assess complex clinical situations, and make decisions under pressure.

A key member of the clinical team, the Cardiac Physiologist leads resting and stress ECG tests and spirometry while coordinating day-to-day client checkups and ensuring medical equipment and resuscitation supplies are maintained to policy standards. Collaborating across the multidisciplinary team including the Lead Nurse, the role builds a safe clinical environment that supports accurate physiological recording, clinical governance compliance, and team development.

Functions

• Lead electrocardiogram stress tests and resting ECGs safely and effectively.
• Undertake and record accurate physiological measurements during cardiac procedures and conduct spirometry testing.
• Coordinate day-to-day client checkups in conjunction with the Lead Nurse.
• Ensure all medical equipment and supplies are regularly serviced, fully stocked, and that resuscitation trolleys are checked and stocked in line with policy.
• Ensure safe defibrillation and CPR are undertaken when necessary and apply advanced clinical skills in emergencies.
• Accurately record and document all client information for reporting and clinical auditing purposes.
• Maintain a clean, safe working environment in line with infection control, health and safety, data protection, and clinical governance requirements.
• Assist in training and development of team members, maintain CPD, and report incidents and complaints per company policy.

Experience & Qualifications

• BTEC in Physiology or equivalent, supported by required clinical training for physiological qualifications.
• ILS (Immediate Life Support) certification, maintained annually.
• Registration with an appropriate professional body with valid membership.
• Experience leading exercise ECG tests using the Bruce protocol with confidence in reporting.
• Knowledge of a physiologist's role within a health screening environment.
• Understanding of client care and confidentiality.
• Ability to work under own initiative, remain calm under pressure, prioritise tasks, and adapt to unexpected clinical requirements.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.