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Scientist Training Programme 2021 - Clinical Biochemistry

Hey guys, application's are due to open soon. So I thought I'd open a discussion for Clinical Biochemistry applicants should you want to use it.
A bit about me:
So this is my 3rd application to the STP programme and so far I've not managed to pass the aptitude tests- even after paying for jobpreptests last year.
I am a former practitioner training programme student in blood sciences and graduated from MMU in 2017 with a 1:1 and I've since been working as a HCPC registered Biomedical scientist so around 3/3.5 years. Working in this position means that I work quite closely with Clinical Scientists and though they are fairly new to my hospital ~2 years they sure have helped shake things up and for the better. I also jumped on the opportunity to shaddow them so that I could learn a little more in depth about what they do. Having been on the PTP I'm also quite familiar with the structure of the programme and working within the difficult time constraints integrating studying alongside learning and doing DOP's, CBD's and OCE's. I'm also working on my specialist portfolio to gain more Biochemistry specific knowledge however Clinical Scientist is the goal. Gosh this is getting long so I'll wrap it up, let me know about yourselves and let's help to support each other through this process!
(edited 3 years ago)

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Hello! :smile:

I am also applying for Clinical Biochemistry this year. I graduated from my BSc in Biomedical Sciences in 2017 and I am coming to the end of my PhD in neuroscience. I've been following the STP for a few years as I realised research is not for me about halfway through, so I thankfully managed to visit a hospital lab before COVID kicked in and basically fell in love with Clinical Biochem, although I haven't got direct NHS experience other than that.


Just constantly refreshing the NSHCS website now!
Same tbh. I've just created a twitter for the sole purpose of following NSHCS and keep going back to the website and the main thread for updates. Which lab did you visit ?
Yeah they are usually good at updating everything on Twitter!
I visited the University Hospital Wales, they were really accommodating and gave me a whole tour of Biochem and Immunology plus chats with different scientists/trainees - I live in South Wales so hoping for a South Wales position via the the Welsh application or South West England via the English version :smile:

Have you got any locations in mind based on what has been available in previous years?
So I'm currently Manchester based so around here would be perfect however I actually relocated when I was 18 from Essex to do the PTP so around Essex is great for me too. In all honesty I'm not too fussy aslong as its a safe place to live and not crazy expensive.
I'm probably also going to apply for the Welsh STP but I know they prefer people that will stay in Wales.
That’s good, should put you at an advantage if you’re happy to move around! I know that I’m pretty limited with where I can choose but fingers crossed anyway 🤞🏻 And good luck to you! Hopefully they open the applications soon or at least give us some dates haha.
The dates are up!
Hello all,
Just wanted to clarify something.
On the website with the Dates (https://nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/programmes/stp/applicants/important-dates-for-stp-2021-applicants/) it says
deadline for SJT. Is this supposed to be the Aptitude tests (numerical and logical) or am I missing something?
Thanks
Reply 9
Original post by STPapplicant2021
Hello all,
Just wanted to clarify something.
On the website with the Dates (https://nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/programmes/stp/applicants/important-dates-for-stp-2021-applicants/) it says
deadline for SJT. Is this supposed to be the Aptitude tests (numerical and logical) or am I missing something?
Thanks

I'm also confused about it but situational judgement tests sound more like the application questions to me.. maybe someone else can clarify..
Hiya, yes I've emailed their twitter and they've confirmed it will be a different test this year. Screenshot_20210106-114145_Twitter-compressed.jpg.jpeg
Reply 11
Original post by Memphis_Cara
Hiya, yes I've emailed their twitter and they've confirmed it will be a different test this year. Screenshot_20210106-114145_Twitter-compressed.jpg.jpeg

So there won't be numerical or logical tests anymore? But they'vent updated the details of SJT (what they will comprise of) on their website..and it still says that there will be two parts.. an application and the aptitude tests... 🤔😶🙄
Original post by Lucie9506
Hello! :smile:

I am also applying for Clinical Biochemistry this year. I graduated from my BSc in Biomedical Sciences in 2017 and I am coming to the end of my PhD in neuroscience. I've been following the STP for a few years as I realised research is not for me about halfway through, so I thankfully managed to visit a hospital lab before COVID kicked in and basically fell in love with Clinical Biochem, although I haven't got direct NHS experience other than that.


Just constantly refreshing the NSHCS website now!


Hi Lucie! I'm in a similar boat to you in terms of deciding pure academic research probably isn't for me, but I was wondering.. how did you arrive at your conclusion? It would be nice to hear an affirming perspective haha! :smile:
Original post by procrastinationn
Hi Lucie! I'm in a similar boat to you in terms of deciding pure academic research probably isn't for me, but I was wondering.. how did you arrive at your conclusion? It would be nice to hear an affirming perspective haha! :smile:

Hi there! I think the main things that confirmed my decision was that I soon had a lack of interest in my project and realised that I didn’t like working on such a small idea that nobody else understood! I am happy to work independently but realise that I much prefer being in a team and having common interests with others. Another reason was that my lab was quite small and as a result I felt very isolated, would come home every day after having not spoken to a single person in work for weeks and just feel pretty gloomy. I have worked in a couple of research labs so I know the dynamic is completely different elsewhere, but realised that actually I wouldn’t have felt differently in a different project or lab but the general academia environment is lonely! Making it to lecturer would make it much better of course but for me personally I didn’t think it was worth the years of post-docs and temporary contracts etc. to get there.
And the final nail in the coffin was coming across the STP! I realised being a clinical scientist I could use all the things I loved about being a researcher (problem solving, lab environment, critical thinking and some research itself) but apply this to real patients in a team of scientists, so this really helped me to realise what I liked and didn’t like about academia :smile:
Reply 14
Hi guys,
I'm also going to be applying for clinical biochemistry. It seems like I don't have a lot of experience compared to all of you so I am probably already at a disadvantage haha! I am going to be applying for the specialism in Manchester as I already live here and I can't really move to study somewhere else. I have tried to find some volunteering/shadowing opportunities in a clinical lab but because of the pandemic a lot of the hospitals/labs haven't really been accepting volunteers, which is understandable. I am worried that my application isn't going to be strong as others.
Original post by soph2903
Hi guys,
I'm also going to be applying for clinical biochemistry. It seems like I don't have a lot of experience compared to all of you so I am probably already at a disadvantage haha! I am going to be applying for the specialism in Manchester as I already live here and I can't really move to study somewhere else. I have tried to find some volunteering/shadowing opportunities in a clinical lab but because of the pandemic a lot of the hospitals/labs haven't really been accepting volunteers, which is understandable. I am worried that my application isn't going to be strong as others.

Hi Soph, I haven’t got much experience either to be honest! Im doing a PhD but it’s not biochemistry related so I feel the same, and had also planned to try get more hospital lab experience before applying. However, I do know that experience in clinical biochemistry definitely isn’t needed, you just have to be confident and try to relate everything else you have done to what they are looking for in a clinical scientist, and have a good idea of what would be expected of you, so try not to be disheartened hearing about other people’s experiences :smile: be confident in the skills and experience you do have!
Reply 17
Hi I'm thinking of applying for the STP again this year but have concerns because I have been out of labs so long. I have a 1:1 in Biochemistry, an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice and 10 years NHS experience. My first year working in the NHS I worked in the labs but for the past 9 years I have worked in clinical audit. I applied 5 times between 2009 and 2013 and had an interview all 5 times but never got an offer. I'll obviously have to do a lot of reading to refresh my knowledge but do you think I would have any chance of getting an interview given I haven't stepped foot in a lab for 9 years?
Reply 18
Reply 19
Hi Guys! My name is Jessica and applying for clinical biochemistry this year. Just been reading this thread and definitely going to be at a disadvantage as I only have my undergraduate degree. Is anyone else in the same boat? If so what experience do you have?

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