These are a range of jobs which all involve working in hospital laboratories. They include Clinical Biochemist, Clinical Microbiologist, Clinical Cytogeneticist, Immunological Scientist, Molecular Geneticist, Medical Physicist and others. Clinical Science staff organise tests on patient samples to assist with investigation, diagnosis and treatment of disease. They also advise clinicians and GPs on the use of tests and interpretation of results. They carry out research as well as the evaluation and quality assessment of diagnostic tests. Generally these staff are not medically trained but have a science degree.
Typical work activities include:
- Planning and organising work in clinical chemistry laboratories.
- Carrying out complex analyses on specimens of body fluids and tissues.
- Auditing the use and diagnosis performance of tests.
- Developing new and existing tests, mostly automated and computer assisted.
- Submitting funding bids and conducting research with clinicians.
- Liaising with clinical and technical staff.
- Some patient contact
Scientists Training Programme (STP)
NHS trusts, working in partnership with strategic health authorities and higher education Institutions, offer about 200 training posts in life sciences, physics and engineering and physiological sciences each year. Successful candidates join a three-year, fixed term, integrated training programme of workplace-based learning and a Master's degree in their chosen specialism.
Science graduates apply through the NHS Jobs website, with shortlisting and selection processes organised and conducted by local NHS trusts.
STP vacancies are available in:
- Life sciences (e.g. biochemistry, clinical immunology, microbiology, histopathology etc). Healthcare staff working in the life sciences are mainly lab. based (e.g. working in pathology, genetics etc), with limited direct patient contact, although this could change as more NHS staff become community based in the future.
- Physiological sciences (e.g. cardiac sciences, respiratory and sleep sciences, vascular science, audiology, neurophysiology etc). By the nature of their role, these work directly with patients, as they are measuring the functionality of a particular organ or body system (brain activity, gastro-intestinal tract, hearing, cardio-vascular system etc).
- Physics & Engineering (e.g. rehabilitation engineering, radiation safety, imaging with non-ionising radiation, device risk management and governance etc). Some of those staff working in the physical sciences will have little direct patient contact (e.g. device risk management and governance), whereas those working in other areas of the physical sciences (such as rehabilitation engineering) will work directly with patients to design equipment that will help to improve their mobility (for example).
More information about the programme can be found at: CLICK HERE
