Careers Essay

A career as a biomedical scientist

INTRODUCTION OF THE CHOSEN CAREER

Biomedical scientists work in healthcare settings to assess the effectiveness of potential treatments through different processes such analysis of tissue samples and fluids from patients and to diagnose diseases. Health services including the ability to diagnose diseases and treating patients effectively have benefited from the research and work being carried out from laboratory services. Biomedical scientists also deliver information and work closely with other health professionals so their input is quite important for other roles within medical teams.

Ever since I was really young, I have always wanted to become part of a biomedical community working towards the development of strategies fighting diseases and of ways to evaluate possible treatments through experiments and research. That is why I have always tried to gain professional and personal experiences that would help convert this passion of mine into a career pathway, for example by joining science clubs/creating scientific newsletter whilst being in college or working as a census assistant for the National Statistical service. Even my interests and the way I spend my free time are somewhat connected with learning about scientific accomplishments and trying to integrate that knowledge into practise, for example through reading and listening to podcasts such as BMJ Open.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Excelling biomedical laboratory work and pathology constitutes an on going learning process. It contains in depth knowledge of multidisciplinary pathways such as physiology, biochemistry, immunology, medical microbiology, pathology and anatomy as it requires various and often complicated investigations and experiments. A BSc university degree course in Biomedical Sciences would have to be completed and to be accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBS). To be accepted to such courses, one needs to have chosen to study Chemistry and Biology at ‘A-Level’ and already have obtained GCSE Mathematics qualification or equivalent. Further education with specialisation in a masters degree form and training is often needed from students that want to focus on a specific pathway. That route is mostly preferred by graduates that have not chosen biomedical science modules as their principal subjects during their degree studies. There are many sources that can provide further information on biomedical science studies, specially for the accredited degrees from the IBS itself, such as contacting the IBS or the universities that offer the degree programmes.

Common employers of biomedical sciences graduates include the: Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Health Careers - NHS, Medical Research Council (MRC), Health Careers - NHS, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), Public Health England, forensic, charity or government-funded laboratories, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), Public Health England, academic departments at universities, veterinary services, private pathology laboratories. Starting salaries in the NHS range from £21,692 to £28,180 (Band 5). With experience and/or specialist knowledge, you can earn a salary of £26,041 to £34,876 (Band 6). As a senior biomedical scientist, you can expect to earn £31,072 to £47,559 (Band 7/8a). Salaries for consultant biomedical scientists who have reached the top of their profession are higher.

CURRENT SKILLS ASSESSMENT

Students/ Graduates of the Biomedical science degree need to develop fundamental organisation skills, critical thinking and problem solving, written and oral communication, the analysis of data and evidence, and the ability to work collaboratively in teams. Special scientific knowledge and technical skills can also be acquired throughout the studies/trainings or even internships.

Studying a full time course at Birkbeck university while working full time at a hospital as a Rehab Assistant requires excellent time management skills which I had to develop through the course of time in order to have a good performance at both. Making study plans, journey planning, defining time frames at work and at university, use of other resources for example using the library facilities in the free time between work and lectures and prioritising all lead to the development of the ability to manage my duties and organising daily life.

Having been working as a teaching assistant in a special needs school, I have developed the level of my problem solving skills by becoming confident when dealing with difficult situations such as effects of behavioural disorders. The children would sometimes lose interest in learning so I would have to come up with new and effective ways to make teaching an enjoyable experience for them, for example with using visual aid tools or integrating play within the learning process.

Whilst in college, I had won the prize of a writing competition which was to write a guest column for a local newspaper for a few weeks. During those weeks, I developed my own learning style according to the messages that I wanted to deliver through my written pieces as well as the type of the audience that would respond to those articles. More specifically, I had decided to write mostly about issues in the educational system, the community, the culture that would be addressed to people our my age at that time, meaning teenagers. Therefore , I would not use lots of technical terms than need further explanation, would try and make excellent use of the english grammar and vocabulary, write in an informal way, use the same article structure and sense of humour so as to achieve consistency and familiarity with the audience and attract its attention. One of the tasks of being part of an after college environmental club was to inform, discuss and sensitize small groups of people through making presentations and organising talks and discussion about the current environmental issues. I was assigned to design and make presentations in small audiences, then discuss what was presented to them and finally respond to any queries. The process of designing and making my presentations would be characterised by creativity, positivity, clarity and an overall feeling of calmness and concentration on the goals. During the discussions, I would accept any questions from the audience and try to respond to the queries while showing interest, effective listening, non judgmental approach and patience always resulting in constructive dialogues.

While working as a census assistant for the National Statistical Service, I was part of the process which gathered and interpreted quantitative information. I was assigned to conduct research through collecting data and interviewing people from different backgrounds. This job position has definitely improved my management but most importantly analysing data and evidence as I would deal with large amount of information and data, meet all the deadlines needed and overall delegate my tasks well.

In my free time, I enjoy playing basketball which is a kind of sports that is based on collectiveness and having a team spirit. It is about a group of people setting together and working towards the achievement of common goals, something that can be translated in an academic and professional level as well. Even at times where specific individuals might not be in a good mood to play or be injured, working together and supporting each other has always helped not only those individuals but also the other members of team to become more helpful and productive and learn from each

other different ways of dealing with the same issue, something that can be applied in different contexts as well.

CPD NEEDED AND HOW TO MAINTAIN IT

Once the professional registration explained above is completed either through an accredited biomedical science degree or post degree in house training at recognised hospitals/institutions, the registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) regulating the profession follows up. In order to register with HCPC, the individual needs to complete an academic programme along with a relevant training for a certain period of time within a laboratory that has been approved by the council that encompasses the development of practical skills and competencies. This follows up the creation of a registration portfolio based on those experiences and is being assessed by the HCPC at the last phase. The HCPC awards a certificate of competence to the trainees that meet its standards and have completed a successful portfolio. HCPC registration happens automatically for the graduates of programmes suggested by the IBMS that offer accreditation from the institute upon graduation.

There is also plenty of room for specialisation into domains such as medical microbiology, clinical chemistry, transfusion science, haematology, histology, cytology, virology, immunology through even more specialised training being effectuated after the registration. In order to adopt senior roles and responsibilities biomedical scientists need to be equipped with advanced specialist skills on top of the generic knowledge having been acquired through degree and master programmes or doctorates. In that way, they can become consultant biomedical scientists and reach the top of their professional progress.

REVIEW OF THE CAREER AND THE ESSAY

I have received the results from my UCAS applications and I am making a final decision about which BSc in Biomedical Science I am going to attend. I am also working as a Rehab Assistant at a hospital where I am gaining valuable experience working with health professionals from different backgrounds and patients being treated for various diseases/conditions. I am also subscribed to the newsletter of the IBMS and their magazine ‘Biomedical Scientist’ to follow all the latest updates on biomedical advances and news about the profession.

While researching for the conduction of this essay, I realised that it was easier to find online material that is related to my chosen career pathway than texts from the library or other sources. I also try to incorporate advice that I seek from professionals such academics from different universities that I have met on my course and on open days and offer holder events who are also biomedical scientists as well as health professionals from the hospital that I work that know or have worked closely with biomedical scientists and are familiar with their job role and responsibilities. All in all, it has been a very important and helpful experience as I came to a better understanding of the profile of a biomedical scientist and what I can do to create a plan that will bring me closer to my aspiration including gaining experience on different domains within biomedical science and choosing an area of specialisation for further study/training.

REFERENCES

Pitt, S. J. & Cunningham, J. M. (2009), An Introduction to Biomedical Science in Professional and Clinical Practise. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons

Prospects Career Website, Biomedical sciences [Online], Available: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/ careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/biomedical-sciences [Accessed 23 April 2017]

Prospects Career Website, Biomedical Scientist [Online], Available: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/ job-profiles/biomedical-scientist [Accessed 23 April 2017]

IBMS, Careers [Online], Available: https://www.ibms.org/resources/careers/ [Accessed 23 April 2017]

Biomedical Sciences: Job options, duties and requirements [Online], Available: http://study.com/ articles/Biomedical_Sciences_Job_Options_Duties_and_Requirements.html [Accessed 23 April 2017]

British biomedical bulletin, [Online], Available: http://www.imedpub.com/british-biomedical- bulletin/ [Accessed 23 April 2017]