How To Become A Biomedical Scientist
What does a biomedical scientist do?
Biomedical scientists are key to the running of hospitals and other healthcare settings that require laboratory testing. Most of the work of a biomedical scientist takes place in a lab, where they conduct a wide range of tests on different tissue samples to interpret the functioning of the human body.
These tests can serve to detect biomarkers, assess biochemical markers, detect viral or bacterial diseases and many other purposes. Biomedical scientists carry out these tests to help diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of medical conditions.
As biomedical science is a large field, most biomedical scientists eventually specialise in one of the following broad areas:
- Blood sciences - biochemistry/clinical chemistry, transfusion specialisation, haematology or immunology
- Infectious diseases - for example medical microbiology and virology
- Cellular sciences - for example cell biology, cytopathology or histology
- Genetic sciences - molecular and genetic pathologies
Depending on which of these you choose to specialise in, you will carry out certain activities. Aside from analysing tissue samples, many biomedical scientists are involved in clinical or laboratory-based research, and in identifying new disease markers or developing diagnostic tests.
As a biomedical scientist, you will need good knowledge of the subject but also a variety of different practical and analytical skills.
For instance, you will need to be able to work confidently with technology, because a large proportion of the role involves working with computers and different analytical software, as well as laboratory equipment such as microscopes, centrifuges and PCR machines.
How to become a biomedical scientist
To become a biomedical scientist, you will typically need secondary school qualifications in subjects such as biology/human biology, chemistry, statistics and/or maths.
After finishing secondary school, you can either complete a university degree or you can access the career through taking an apprenticeship. To become a biomedical scientist in the NHS, you will need to complete a programme that is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
At university, you can take an undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences or a similar subject, such as molecular biology, microbiology or even biomedical engineering. Upon completion of an accredited university degree, you will need to obtain the IBMS Certificate of Competence.
If you complete a degree that isn’t accredited, you can still become a biomedical scientist in the UK, but you will need to complete an additional portfolio to prove your competencies are equivalent to those achieved with a HCPC and IBMS-accredited degree.
After your undergraduate degree, you can choose to complete a postgraduate qualification such as a master’s degree or a PhD (which is usually a paid position in a research lab with dedicated teaching hours), or you can progress immediately towards training in biomedical science.
If you don’t want to undertake a university degree, you can take a Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma course at a college, in subjects such as applied science, applied bioscience or biological sciences.
If you want to access biomedical science careers through an apprenticeship, you can take, for example, an assistant or level 2 apprenticeship, or a level 4 apprenticeship for an associate practitioner role.
After gaining the required educational qualifications, you will become a trainee biomedical scientist. To finish this training, you will need to complete a portfolio which proves you have achieved the required competencies to register with the HCPC.
Once you qualify as a biomedical scientist, you will need to register with the HCPC if you wish to work in the UK.
After registering with the HCPC, you can develop your career further by undertaking the IBMS Specialist Diploma in one of several disciplines.
During your training to become a biomedical scientist, you will need to not only gain the necessary knowledge base, but also develop some soft skills. These include communication skills, teamworking and problem-solving, organisational skills and time and resource-management.
To build these skills, and to build your CV, it is helpful to undertake some work experience during your studies to become a biomedical scientist, whether this involves laboratory placement or shadowing a clinical scientist.
How long does it take to become a biomedical scientist?
After secondary school, the educational pathway to becoming a biomedical scientist will usually take around three to four years, with an additional two years of on-the-job training. Most apprenticeships take about three years to complete in this field, and undergraduate degrees will take three to four years.
This period will be longer if you choose to obtain some postgraduate qualifications, such as a master’s or a PhD.
A day in the life of a biomedical scientist
The working day of a biomedical scientist can vary depending on the career path and specialisation you choose.
Some biomedical scientists will spend most of their time in the lab doing scientific tests, some might focus on data analysis and using computer software to obtain statistical results for their research, and some might take on communication with clinicians to discuss test results and support healthcare staff in providing adequate patient care.
There is also scope to take on more technical or managerial roles, where you maintain specialised equipment or supervise the safe running of a lab.
Most biomedical scientists work around 40 hours a week, but there is often the need to cover antisocial hours and night shifts in this role. As with most healthcare-based professions, biomedical science requires some flexibility regarding working hours.
There are opportunities for part-time or flexible working hours, but self-employment is unlikely as a biomedical scientist, because the role requires the use of specialised equipment in a safe environment that is difficult to set up independently.
Biomedical scientist: Career options
There are many opportunities for career development in the field of biomedical science, and there is a demand for biomedical scientists in most healthcare settings.
Every biomedical scientist must undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD), to ensure their knowledge and skills are up to date.
Additionally, once your core education and training are completed, you can choose to obtain a specialist certificate from the IBMS, for example in one of the following specialities:
- Clinical biochemistry
- Haematology
- Transfusion science
- Clinical immunology
- Medical microbiology
- Virology
- Blood sciences
- Cytopathology (cellular pathology)
To obtain a specialist diploma, you will need to evidence your knowledge and competencies and provide this to the assessing body in the form of a portfolio.
You can also obtain a higher specialist and expert diploma further on in your career, and there are many possibilities to take on leadership and managerial positions as an expert biomedical scientist.
Additionally, it is also possible to obtain a master’s or a PhD during your career if you wish to further your academic expertise.
Salary: How much does a biomedical scientist earn in the UK and the US?
In the UK, the starting salary for a biomedical scientist ranges between £25,655 and £31,543 per annum. This increases with experience, and senior biomedical scientists can earn between £40,057 and £53,219 per year. There is further scope to increase the salary as you continue to develop your expertise.
Salary will vary based on the employer and the location. For instance, if you work in London, you will receive 5 to 20 per cent supplemental pay in addition to your basic salary.
In the US, you will earn $68,591 per year on average as a biomedical scientist. This average is from a range between $59,796 and $79,600. Again, this varies based on employer, location and expertise/seniority.
References
- NHS. Biomedical science. Available from: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/healthcare-science/roles-healthcare-science/life-sciences/biomedical-science
- Ulster University. How to become a biomedical scientist. Published Nov 2022. Available from: https://online.ulster.ac.uk/blog/how-to-become-a-biomedical-scientist/#2_What_does_a_biomedical_scientist_do
- NHS Scotland careers. How to become a biomedical scientist. Available from: https://www.careers.nhs.scot/explore-careers/healthcare-science/biomedical-scientist/
- National Careers Service. Biomedical scientist. Available from: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/biomedical-scientist
- Prospects. Job profile: biomedical scientist. https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/biomedical-scientist#salary
- Salary.com. Biomedical scientist salary. Available from: https://www.salary.com/research/salary/recruiting/biomedical-scientist-salary
