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As a biomedical scientist, you'll carry out a range of laboratory and scientific tests on tissue samples and fluids to help clinicians diagnose and treat diseases. You'll also evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.
Your work is extremely important to many hospital departments, such as operating theatres and A&E, and the functions you carry out are wide ranging. For example, you may work on medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes or AIDS, screen for and monitor a range of diseases or carry out tests for emergency blood transfusions.
Biomedical scientist is a legally protected title so you must be registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), the profession’s regulator.
Registration requires completion of an academic programme plus a period of training in an Institute approved laboratory to develop your practical skills and ensure your competence for patient safety. This may occur as part of an integrated degree or may be completed post-graduation. In order to register with the HCPC you need to gain training that is recognised by them.
To work as a biomedical scientist in the NHS, you will need to try and secure a trainee BMS position in the NHS, and gain the certificate of competence enabling registration with the HCPC.
Training required
There are two routes to becoming a registered scientist. The first is through the NHS Science Training Programme
The second to register as a biomedical scientist is to complete an IBMS accredited or HCPC approved degree, followed by an IBMS Registration Portfolio thereby being awarded a Certificate of Competence.
Graduates who have completed an IBMS accredited degree without a laboratory placement will need to complete an IBMS Registration Portfolio in an approved laboratory once they graduate. To work as a biomedical scientist in the NHS, you will need to try and secure a trainee BMS position in the NHS, and gain the certificate of competence enabling him to then register with the HCPC.
Find out more
- Institute of Biomedical Science
- The Biomedical Scientist - one of the biggest sources for biomedical science vacancies
- NHS Jobs
- NHS Health careers
Other employers include:
- Food Standards Agency
- forensic laboratories
- government departments
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- HM armed forces
- Medical Research Council (MRC)
- some manufacturing firms, especially those producing pharmaceutical products
- universities
- veterinary services.
There are also opportunities to work on healthcare projects worldwide with international non-governmental and voluntary organisations such as:
Look for jobs vacancies at:
- Biomedical Scientist Jobs
- Careerscene - the biomedical science career network
- New Scientist Jobs
- NHS Jobs