Affinity Group Limited

Biomedical science is a fast paced and exciting profession offering varied and long term career prospects, the work involves the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases through the examination of blood, body fluids, secretions, and tissue for abnormalities.

Career opportunities

The following are just a number of careers within this sector:

The role of Biomedical Scientists is to investigate tissue and body fluid samples to diagnose disease and monitor the treatment of patients. From screening cancer to diagnosing HIV, from blood transfusion to food poisoning and infection control, biomedical scientists are a vital part of modern healthcare, working in partnership with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Doctors treat their patients based on results of diagnostic investigation by biomedical scientists, while departments such as Accident & Emergency and operating theatres rely on biomedical scientists for emergency blood transfusions and blood grouping, testing for suspected overdoses, conditions such as leukaemia or patients suspected of having a heart attack

The work of biomedical scientists must be accurate and efficient as patients' lives may depend on their skills. They are continually increasing their knowledge as laboratory techniques develop and research transforms the cutting edge of science and medicine. Scientists learn to work with sophisticated equipment to employ a wide range of complex techniques to perform their roles

An example of the work of biomedical scientists
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Biomedical science is a continually changing, dynamic profession with diverse long term career prospects including management, research, education, advanced roles and specialised laboratory work, Affinity works with one of the worlds leading private diagnostic companies, Quest Diagnostics.


How do I become a biomedical scientist?
Modern pathology and biomedical science laboratory work involves complex and diverse investigations that require an in-depth scientific knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology. Like many other professions a biomedical scientist will need to complete a suitable degree course. University entry qualifications usually include 'A' Level biology and chemistry and GCSE mathematics or equivalent.

Biomedical science degree courses accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science are designed specifically for the profession. BSc honours biomedical science degrees are designed to give you basic scientific knowledge and training. Most honours degree courses are full time, with some having a placement year (sandwich course) to gain practical experience of working in a laboratory. Part-time options are also available. Co-terminus degrees co-ordinate and deliver the education and laboratory training for graduation and eligibility for registration (see below) to be simultaneous. Practical training is delivered by placements within local laboratories as part of the degree.

What happens next?
Anyone who wishes to be employed as a biomedical scientist in a pathology or biomedical laboratory must be registered with the Health Professions Council. The requirements for registration are an honours degree and the Institute’s Certificate of Competence. The practical training for the certificate may be undertaken following graduation, but is also incorporated into “co-terminus” or sandwich programmes. After graduation biomedical scientists then go on to specialise in one of the following laboratory disciplines:

Cellular pathology

Clinical chemistry

Haematology

Immunology

Medical microbiology

Transfusion science

Virology

For further information on how to become HPC Registered please visit the Health Professions Council at
www.hpc-uk.org

Specimen Processors are based within a Diagnostic or Clinical Studies laboratory and the position involves receiving and sorting incoming samples, accurately documenting all necessary information along with preparing and storing the samples ready for laboratory testing.

Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA’s), in this position you will be responsible for stock control, coordinating quality checks, preparing reagents and maintaining a strict and thorough laboratory cleaning regime as well as generally assisting the Biomedical Scientists.

For further information about a career in Biomedical Science please visit the Institute of Biomedical Science at www.ibms.org