NHS Clinical Scientist Recruitment

I told you we may hear back from today...but was hoping not to get the email. Anyway, that makes two of us...I didn't get in either....I still can't believe it, its like I'm still expecting to open the email attachment and read that I've been offered a position. Bloody gutted I am..after waiting so long...bummer.

Ah well, best get my exams outta the way and think about what next. Must admit it has not been fun.

Hi everyone, I'm on a placement year at University in a clinical laboratory at the moment, as a trainee biomedical scientist. To everyone who's applied to the healthcare scientist training scheme - what have they told you about the actual job role and amount of clinical input/interpretation? Because from what I've learned so far on my placement, current Biomedical Scientists are essentially just slaves who maintain analysers, perform quality control, track samples and authorise results - hence why I'm so insanely bored with the placement right now. I'm hoping this new training scheme is way more 'hands-on' in the way of being more clinically involved...what are all your ideas?

Hi everyone, I'm on a placement year at University in a clinical laboratory at the moment, as a trainee biomedical scientist. To everyone who's applied to the healthcare scientist training scheme - what have they told you about the actual job role and amount of clinical input/interpretation? Because from what I've learned so far on my placement, current Biomedical Scientists are essentially just slaves who maintain analysers, perform quality control, track samples and authorise results - hence why I'm so insanely bored with the placement right now. I'm hoping this new training scheme is way more 'hands-on' in the way of being more clinically involved...what are all your ideas?

Hi everyone, I'm on a placement year at University in a clinical laboratory at the moment, as a trainee biomedical scientist. To everyone who's applied to the healthcare scientist training scheme - what have they told you about the actual job role and amount of clinical input/interpretation? Because from what I've learned so far on my placement, current Biomedical Scientists are essentially just slaves who maintain analysers, perform quality control, track samples and authorise results - hence why I'm so insanely bored with the placement right now. I'm hoping this new training scheme is way more 'hands-on' in the way of being more clinically involved...what are all your ideas?

Depends on where you're a biomedical scientist though. As a trainee BMS I carried out two research projects, presented one at a conference, got to chat to some patients (that one's lab dependent), had clinical meetings where the lead clinical scientist reported back on individual results from patients so you could learn about their condition etc.

Honestly? With a BMS you get out of it what you put into it. If all you do is sit and press buttons on a machine it will be very dull. But you can make it interesting.

Sorry, maybe I wasn't clear. This is the method that was used for one of the labs I applied for. But no, it's not the national scheme. (Though it hurts me that apparently someone at the Immunology interviews said that HIV infects B cells. They got an interview and I was reserve. )

Could be wrong but my guess is that you are lying. You wouldn't know what others said at interview and the reserves come in after the interview not before

Hmmmmm

No probs. I just spent too much of my time having physio and seeing orthopaedics! Apparently it's common to lose employees from the profession due to injury. Ultrasound has a very high percentage. Wish I knew that before I accepted the job!

Also find it very repetitive work. A lot of places use trainees to provide a lot of the basic service (most of which is the repetitive stuff). I hardly got to do interesting stuff. You'll do best to go for something else!

Shame you didn't enjoy your time in the path lab. I'm really hoping it'll be more interesting. Have been to the dept i'm going to be placed in and the people seem really nice, really got on with my new manager too which is always a positive sign!

Anyway good luck with whatever you choose to do! Are you just graduating?

Ok so I see what you are saying about BMS, I get the impression it's not quite the same thing as a clinical scientist. I wanted to do this STP scheme as it sounds like more interesting work with the clinical interpretation, investigation, patient contact, R&D and quality assurance etc. I want to use my brain which feels as though it's shrivelled to nothing over last 18 months! Felt like I was wasting my PhD. Biochem seems to have endless avenues, lots of depth although of course you never can tell until you actually get there and start doing a job.

Maybe doing clinical scientist training rather than BMS would appeal to you more. Sounds like you're after something quite challenging. What's your degree? I've done research for a while in the past and you can't get bored with that! Always a good option to maybe take a stipend for a PhD and mull over your options for a bit. You won't harm your future prospects and you do get paid I thought doing research was great.

My job as a trainee vascular technologist/scientist demands lots of very physical work rather than mental. Drives me nuts repeating the same task day in day out, and then the pain i'm constantly in from seeing silly amounts of patients in a day, like rolling them off the conveyor. Not much variation, just lots of bending, stretching, straining, pressing, pushing, looking, holding, enduring and sweating followed by repeating! It's definitely more of a technician role than a scientist, not really for anyone who wants a bit of a mental challenge.

It's such a shame but I have been really disappointed with vascular. It wasn't what the job desciption suggested. Also just to add that the clinical life sciences are properly regulated (ACB, HPC, FRCPath etc) - some of the physiological sciences have no professional body at all - vascular for instance has only a voluntary register (SVT) with unrealistic targets (patient scan numbers) required for registration with them which is impossible in 18 months of specialism on STP programme (takes nearer to 4 years to acheive all the numbers). This is the first time they've tried to get trainees into vascular via this scheme and I don't think their portrayal of the job as requiring a science graduate entry scheme is very realistic. I think people will get very bored very quickly.

Having said all that, are you going to reapply for STP next year? You could take a BMS role in he meantime, still good experience. I am assuming you must be studying BMS?

Hi Guys

I'm new to the student room; joined to get some info on applying for the STP. I'm coming towards the end of my second year human biology degree. The degree includes modules such as immunology and pathophysiology; will I be in a disadvantageous position in the selection process as I'm doing quite a broad degree?

I've completed the module in immunology and loved it! I'm in the process of trying to get some clinical work experience in immunology hospital departments in london, but so far my only experience consists of a placement at the Royal Veterinary College - pathology department. After reading the messages other members have posted they seem to have ALOT more relevant experience i.e 6months in a clinical lab/research lab. Will my application be thrown out if I don't have a solid block of 3months+ experience?

I want to apply for the 2012 intake however that means the latest I can fill an application form is February 2012. I'm scared I wont have enough time to secure a lengthy work experience placement to write about in the additional information section.

This is all valuable info, thx once again. The short of it is that I'm studying a BMS accredited degree, though just over a year ago and after doing a stint in my local NHS lab, I didn't fancy it. I could do it if I want (but jnr/trainee BMS roles in my area have dried up), which means going where the work is. I wouldn't want to commute over an hour in the morning and evening, to a job I can't bear. Also, BMS requires working on rota, so shift work may be required when more experienced.

I guess no job is ideal, clinical science will definitely be mentally challenging, that's why people like us want to g for it...I was so bored in that lab and got sick of specimen reception, loading analysers and checking patient samples for haemolysis..LOL. Anyway, I met a trainee clinical scientist when I was working there and realised I wanted to see if I can get onto the programme. Sadly, I didn't get on and I don't think I'm be applying next year either. I'll have to find something else. I was thinking of further studies, but really wanted to get some "real work" under my belt, earn some money and get a paid Masters to boot with this scheme.

I've got to go and finish my project (3rd yr) in a research lab after exams...at my own cost. There's no opportunities there and I'm running out of money to fund my travelling there. Funny how I moved away from biochem to what you did and you moving away from vascular to biochem...

I have rob for medical phyiscs too .

Have you heard anything back from liverpool yet? I got the email from Westmidlands confirming i accepted their offer and that the trust would get in touch, but nothing as yet.