Cardio - Respiratory Level 2

The Level 2 Healthcare Science Associate apprenticeship is an ideal way for learners to gain a recognised qualification whilst working within a relevant healthcare science related industry.  

The Cardio-Respiratory pathway is specifically designed to support learners who are new to healthcare, or perhaps have not been in education for some time. Learners may be based within a hospital cardio-respiratory department or working in a more community-based diagnostic role such as within a Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC).  

The student’s role will be patient facing and include performing spirometry, reversibility, pulse oximetry plus conduct blood pressure and ECG measurements. In addition, they will set up, fit and download ambulatory ECG and BP measurements.

The apprenticeship scheme has taught elements that are split between core units where you will join other L2 Apprenticeship learners from a variety of pathways, this often generates lively debate within class as many share best practice amongst the remote online classroom. In total there are six core units that cover the fundamental topics you would naturally expect on an apprenticeship course based within healthcare science, some of the topics covered include:

• Health and Safety  
• Principles of Patient Care 
• Quality, Audit and Innovation  

The Cardio-Respiratory pathway will give learners a broader understanding of respiratory and cardiac methodologies, covering the basic theory and execution of spirometry, reversibility, pulse oximetry, blood pressure and ECG measurements. Learner will also gain an understanding of the underlying anatomy, physiology and pathology of the respiratory and cardiac systems as well as associated disease.

The Level 2 programme is an entry-level of qualification designed to build your confidence in the skills for your role and provide a foundation in academic learning.

Learners may be eligible to apply for higher-level roles within their current career path, or use their nationally recognised qualification to explore other avenues within healthcare.

Learners may also wish to progress on to one our Level 4 Healthcare Science apprenticeships.

Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases remain two of the leading causes of illness, hospital admission, and premature death in the UK. Millions of people are living with long‑term heart and lung conditions, and cardiovascular disease alone accounts for a death every few minutes. Together, these conditions place a significant and growing burden on patients, families, and the healthcare system, costing the UK economy billions of pounds each year. 

The importance of cardio‑respiratory services in healthcare has never been clearer. Cardio‑respiratory support staff and technicians play a vital role in the early detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of heart and lung disease. Working across cardiology and respiratory services, they support essential diagnostic tests, maintain specialist equipment, ensure patient safety, and contribute to timely, accurate clinical decision‑making. 

A Level 2 Cardio‑Respiratory Apprenticeship provides a crucial entry point into this workforce. It equips learners with the core skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to support both cardiac and respiratory diagnostics, infection prevention, equipment preparation and maintenance, and high‑quality patient care. By developing a skilled and flexible workforce at this level, the pathway strengthens service capacity, supports earlier diagnosis, and improves patient outcomes across two critical areas of healthcare. 

Investing in the cardio‑respiratory apprenticeship pathway is an investment in prevention, workforce sustainability, and improved quality of care for a growing and increasingly complex patient population.

We operate a remote teaching format where core lessons are delivered once a month, followed by a 4-week period to complete the relevant assignments.  

Learners will build an ongoing portfolio of evidence throughout the duration of the course and are expected to showcase their practical competencies via remote assessment.   

Witness testimonies from peers will ascertain how the learner meets the behaviours expected of an apprentice and continued professional development from within the department logged as off the job training. 

Although your employer may offer time to complete assignments during your working week, you should expect to spend some of your own time completing your work.

Our delivery team are all experts in healthcare science with decades of experience working in the NHS. Our cardiac and respiratory experts, Jeff and Jenny, have extensive hands-on experience in the diagnostic methods you will be exploring as part of this program. 

The team also prides itself on our engaging and inclusive approach to teaching, we work hard to make your course interesting, exciting and relevant to your role.