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Background The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation (ACPICR) Annual general meeting 2023–2024 set out the goal to review how to support members in promoting the role of physiotherapy within Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR), within the context of current workforce challenges. Alexander et al. (2024) investigated the provision of physiotherapy work experience, student placement and early career workforce opportunities in CR. The explorative study highlighted that early career physiotherapist roles are in the minority within the UK, specifically in a static capacity, potentially threatening the recruitment and retention of the CR physiotherapy workforce (Alexander et al. 2024). In NHS Forth Valley (NHSFV), Band 5 physiotherapy rotations were cut from the CR team. The Band 5 role was recently reconsidered and adapted into a static post.Aim To review the impact of implementing a static Band 5 physiotherapist role within the MDT in the NHSFV CR service, with the purpose of sharing the learning experience to guide potential early career workforce opportunities within CR in other trusts.Methods Qualitative data was collected by a questionnaire including three questions.1. How does having a static Band 5 Physiotherapist impact the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service?2. Does having a static Band 5 physiotherapist impact on your role within the cardiac rehabilitation team, if so, how?3. Which do you feel would be of more benefit to the service and why? Static Band 5 Physiotherapist or Rotational (3–6 Months) Band 5 Physiotherapist.Members of the current multidisciplinary CR team were invited to take part. Data was collected after 6-months of the appointed band 5 being in post.Questionnaires were analysed following the thematic framework of Braun and Clarke (2006).Results The respondents included specialist cardiology nurses (n=3), cardiology nurse consultant (n=1) and the team lead physiotherapist (n=1). Eight analytical themes were extracted and presented in figure 1.Abstract P35 Figure 1Diagram presenting the eight analytical themes with quoted excerpts from the responses to questionnairesConclusion The study highlights the positive impact of introducing the static band 5 post within NHSFV, however lacks generalisability as this is largely dependent on the individual in post and their strengths and weaknesses. Further research is required to investigate potential challenges to specialising early in career from the perspective of the band 5.References Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology 2006;3(2):77–101.Alexander H, Probert H, Waite I, et al. Exploring the provision for physiotherapy students and early career workforce within cardiovascular rehabilitation: a UK based survey. Heart 2024;110:A1.