Mark Wilson – Senior Cardiac Clinical Physiologist

Mark Wilson, 31, works as a senior cardiac clinical physiologist working in cardiology at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

After completing a degree in Medical Sciences he left to take up a job in the health service. He then went back to university to complete a degree in Medical Sciences and a BSc in Clinical Physiology during which he was also working in cardiology. He always wanted to work in the health service and finds the work incredibly rewarding.

“My usual day-to-day includes interacting with patients and performing a variety of cardiac investigations, including Electrocardiogram (ECG), heart monitor fitting and analysis, exercise tolerance testing and cardiac ultrasound. I also attend pacemaker follow-up clinics and pacemaker implant sessions in theatres.

“What I like about my job is that it’s challenging and varied. I am very rarely doing the same thing all day. Interacting with patients means that no two tests are the same and I am always having to adapt and think on my feet in response to different situations.

“My degree was quite specific and I have been trained especially for cardiac investigations, which means I can specialise in this area and develop my career in this field.

“I decided to do it because I always wanted to work in the health service and after leaving university, I was looking for the right opportunity to progress and go back to studying. I feel really lucky to have ended up where I am, as cardiology was always an area I enjoyed.”

Mark’s advice to anyone considering working in healthcare

“It’s something you have to want to do and I would highly recommend it. It’s hard work but you get the chance to make a positive difference to people’s lives, which for me, makes it one of the most rewarding careers around.”