Hi,

I'm weeks away from graduating with a BSc in Biochemistry.

Apart from the NHS Scientist Training Programme, what other options are available for prospective clinical biochemists?

I'm juggling with the idea of enrolling in a full time masters course but at present there aren't many courses directly related to Clinical Biochemistry, with the main universities who offer Clinical Biochemistry as an MSc, refusing applicants for the 2012/2013 year for some odd reason.

I understand that to practice here in the U.K. all clinical scientists need to be registered with the Health Professions Council. As far as i know, the requirement for registration is formal examinations and previous professional work based experience in the relevant environment. However, hospitals and laboratories offering positions for trainee clinical scientists (as advertised on NHS Careers and New Scientist) require applicants to have HPC registration and previous experience?!?

Typical Catch-22 situation? Or have i merely missed something?

Any help in regards to what my next steps could be would be extremely appreciated.

Thanks in advance!