Clinical scientist Healthcare scientist
Clinical scientists research and develop techniques and equipment to help prevent, diagnose and treat illness.
1. Entry requirements
You’ll need:
- a degree in life sciences (biology, microbiology, genetics or biochemistry), physics, engineering, or those related to medicine (biomedical science, medical physics or biotechnology)
- to complete the 3-year NHS Healthcare Scientist Training Programme (STP)
- registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Health Careers has more information on how to become a clinical scientist.
2. Skills required
You’ll need:
- accuracy and attention to detail
- the ability to concentrate for long periods
- an enquiring mind and good problem solving skills
- excellent communication skills
3. What you'll do
Your duties will depend on your specific role, but may involve:
- interpreting test results and suggesting treatments to doctors
- researching, developing and testing new methods of diagnosis and treatment
- giving doctors advice on buying and using commercial products and equipment
You’ll focus on physiological sciences, life sciences or medical physics and clinical engineering.
In physiological sciences, you’re more likely to work directly with patients in audiology, cardiac physiology, or investigating how an organ functions to diagnose abnormalities and find ways of improving a patient's wellbeing.
In life sciences, you could work in one of the following branches:
- embryology – researching infertility, including IVF treatment, egg retrieval and assisted reproduction
- pathology – investigating the cause and progression of illness, or reason for death
- genetics – studying cells to check for inherited diseases
- haematology – analysing, diagnosing and monitoring blood-based disorders
In medical physics and clinical engineering, you’ll be involved in:
- designing and developing instruments to monitor and treat patients
- creating new ways to treat and diagnose illness
- making sure complex equipment is set up and used correctly
4. Salary
Starter: £26,250 to £35,250
Experienced: £31,250 to £41,250
Highly Experienced: £56,000 to £99,500
Salaries in the private sector could be higher.
These figures are a guide.
5. Working hours, patterns and environment
You’ll usually work around 37.5 hours a week. You may have to work evenings or weekends as part of an on-call rota.You’ll be based in a hospital, clinic or laboratory setting. You may need to travel to other hospitals to meet with other scientists.
You’ll wear protective clothing when working with hazardous substances and radiation.
6. Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into management or teaching.You could also go on to study for a PhD or apply for the NHS Higher Specialist Scientific Training Programme (HSST).
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Last updated: 21 December 2016