Biomedical Science Society Thread

This is a bit of a random question but do you think I would be able to teach science at secondary level after completing a biomedical science degree,or do you think it would be better to opt for
something like biochemistry ?

This is a bit of a random question but do you think I would be able to teach science at secondary level after completing a biomedical science degree,or do you think it would be better to opt for
something like biochemistry ?

So to the people graduating soon...
What are you going to do next??

It shouldn't matter. PGCE is what you need following your undergraduate degree.

Been offered a job as a biomedical scientist, start as soon as my exams finish then wait for all my paperwork etc to register with HCPC Hoping to start my specialist portfolio as soon as possible.

Congratulations! That's an awesome achievement!

tbh I didn't even look at any jobs because I assumed the job market would be so so poor.
Instead I've applied to some immunology masters and I'll see how it goes from there.

Interview with Kings on Thursday

Been offered a job as a biomedical scientist, start as soon as my exams finish then wait for all my paperwork etc to register with HCPC Hoping to start my specialist portfolio as soon as possible.

Ahhh, in a couple of weeks I will have finished my three years - time does go fast!

QUESTION: Does anyone studying Biomed have no interest in pursuing medicine or research, or any thing that would require them to be in a lab all day?

I'm curious, if so, what career paths are you considering/pursuing, and how are you going about it? Peace.

My flatmate (who's doing biomed) has got an offer for the amazon graduate scheme. Other people on my course have applied for finance/management/retail/consultancy positions. Someone else is also going to start law. There's so much basically, it's just like any other degree.

Hah didn't even know amazon had a graduate scheme.

I'm actually interested in positions you've listed, I'm just concerned it might prove impossible, or at the very least very difficult since I haven't managed to get a summer placement, and not studying a very relevant degree and will relevant experience once I finish next year.

Hi, just joined the forum as I'm doing some preliminary research on becoming accredited as a Biomedical Scientist outside of the degree. I graduated with a Biomedical Degree three years ago, utterly worn out and with no desire to pursue it as a career.

But hey, you live and learn. Employment prospects haven't been great since then so it seems appropriate to rethink taking it as a career.

So I need to put together an accreditation portfolio. Does anyone have any advice on how to get a laboratory to take me on while I do this? I understand it is competitive. Are you expected to work for free? Can you do it part-time or full-time? I'm currently working a full-time job, so will they allow you to undertake accreditation on weekends?

Finally, how are the employment prospects for an accredited Biomedical Scientist? It took me 12 months to get the job I now have so I've no problem in waiting, but am I ever likely to find employment with the state the NHS is in at the moment?

Thanks. I'll appreciate any replies.

Hey there,

First of all is your degree accredited by the IBMS? You can find out by checking the list of approved courses and Universities on their website at http://ibms.org/

If your degree isn't accredited you'll need to contact the IBMS and enquire about degree accreditation.

Second of all, as you have probably found in your research, to work in the UK using the protected title "Biomedical Scientist" you must be on the HCPC register. To apply to the HCPC to join the register you require an appropriate degree and a Certificate of Competence from the IBMS.

To gain your certificate of competence you need to carry out a full calendar year as a Trainee Biomedical Scientist in an approved NHS training laboratory (details can be obtained from the IBMS). During this training year you need to complete the IBMS Registration portfolio which covers the HCPC "Standards of Proficiency for Biomedical Scientist", and other HCPC standards: "Education and Training", "Conduct, Performance and Ethics" and "Continuing Professional Development". You can contact the IBMS for a copy of the registration portfolio.

The portfolio itself consists of three sections, each with subsections that cover the HCPC standards of proficiency. You have to provide a piece of evidence for each one to show you meet the requirements of the standard. It is ALOT of work, but it is definately worth it.

For a better idea of what the portfolio entails, check out: http://www.preregportfolio.co.uk/

Once you have heard from the IBMS about whether or not your degree is accredited you'll have two options: Your degree is accredited and you can find a training position, or your degree isn't accredited.

If your degree isn't accredited you'll have to pay the IBMS a fee (not sure off the top of my head - check the website) and they will analyse the modules you were taught and tell you what "Top-Up" modules you need to do in order to receive IBMS degree accreditation.

Once you have the appropriate modules you're good to go ahead and find a trainee position. Sometimes you'll get lucky and find a trainee position advertised on the NHS Jobs website (you can register for an account and set up Email alerts for related jobs), in other cases you may be better off seeking employment as a Medical Laboratory Assistant and waiting/expressing interest in taking up a training position. I really cant help here, you're better off trying to find someone who's been down that route and can provide advice.

Getting some voluntary work may also put you in a good position too!

Job prospects are good. Check the NHS jobs website for a better idea!

Best of luck! Feel free to PM me if you need any advice on the Registration Portfolio or HCPC registration in general!

The registration process must seem very complex but once you get your head around it, its not too bad!

Is the portfolio essentially just ticking off different goals to ensure you're competent in all the lab-ish areas?

Pretty much, but there's loads of things to "tick off"!!! 26 standards, some of them with three competencies, others with 12 each.

After doing that my dissertation seems like a piece of piss!!

I'm hoping to start my specialist portfolio ASAP (still haven't had my official start date for work yet) and I hear that its alot easier than the pre-reg, not having to do all the generic stuff and annoying ethical things, its all pure science on your discipline

I think the specialist is equivalent to an MSc, or the advanced portfolio?

I cant really remember, my first exam is next Tuesday so my brain will be in exam mode for the next three weeks.