Biomedical scientists normally work in laboratories, using computers and complex lab equipment to conduct a wide range of scientific tests. These tests help doctors and other healthcare professionals diagnose, monitor, and manage diseases. Biomedical scientists can also carry out tests for blood transfusion.
Operating theatres and accident and emergency wouldn’t be able to function without biomedical scientists. Their work is vital to the detection and investigation of medical conditions.
To work as a Biomedical Scientist you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) who are a regulatory body overseeing many professions including Biomedical and Clinical Scientists. To register with the HCPC as a Biomedical Scientist, you must hold an appropriate accredited Biomedical Science honours degree, along with completing an IBMS (Institute of Biomedical Science) registration training portfolio.
Routes to HCPC Registration for Biomedical Scientists
Route One
To become a Biomedical Scientist, a degree that is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science is required. Some universities offer a placement throughout the degree whereby the IBMS Certificate of Competence Registration Portfolio is undertaken. This degree would enable you to register with the Health and Care professions Council on graduation.
This route would enable you to apply for a registered BMS post within NHS Lothian.
Route Two
Other universities offer the accredited degree without the offer of the completion of the portfolio.
This route would enable you to apply for a trainee BMS post within NHS Lothian and you would complete the IBMS Certificate of Competence Registration Portfolio in post in a specified time frame to become registered.
Route Three
If you have undertaken a degree that is not accredited you will require to undertake further academic modules. To ascertain which modules you require please contact the IBMS on the following link:
https://www.ibms.org/registration/degree-assessment-for-hcpc-registration/
Once you complete a degree assessment to the Institute of Biomedical Scientist where a fee applies, there are many Universities accredited for distance learning top up modules to acquire these qualifications. After you have completed the top up university modules required to apply for HCPC registration, this will put you in the position to apply for jobs across the UK as a trainee Biomedical Scientist Band 5 annexe U.
Without an accredited degree you will need to contact the IBMS to assess your degree and they will assess any educational shortfalls and provide detail of any further academic modules you are require to undertake.
For more information including entry routes into the profession please see:
https://www.careers.nhs.scot/explore-careers/healthcare-science/biomedical-scientist/