Cardiac Physiologist

Cardiac Physiologists use technology and specialist equipment to monitor, record and measure the way patients’ hearts are working in order to assist medical staff with diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart disease.

You have to love technology, physiology and helping people – we work with unwell people, so being able to communicate is really important. This is an exciting, challenging and constantly changing environment.

Our days can involve diagnosing heart disease, analysing vital signs, echo (ultrasound of the heart), programming and checking pacemakers and defibrillators.

To become a Cardiac Physiologist you need to complete an undergraduate degree in Physiology, like the one at the University of Otago. Then you can apply to work for us and complete another two years postgraduate study with on the job assessment. Once qualified and registered there may be more exams depending on whether you choose to specialise in a particular area.

Or – you could join us as a Physiology Technician – doing exercise testing and recording the electrical activity of the heart (ECG). You don’t need an undergraduate degree – but you do need a passion for people. We will support you to learn and complete the one-year qualification