Biomedical scientist : Training

If you haven’t completed the required period of laboratory-based training as part of your degree you will need to do this after graduation as part of your first job. Training will take place on the job in an approved laboratory and you will need to successfully complete a period of one or two years (or longer). 

For those graduating from a co-terminus degree which gave them the laboratory experience and other requirements for immediate HPC registration, training in laboratory work will continue and may focus on the production of a specialist portfolio. This provides evidence of training, specialist knowledge, practical skills and competency gained in the first two years after registration. The successful completion of it leads to the award of a Specialist Diploma. It is offered in various disciplines, including:

• cellular pathology;
• cytopathology;
• clinical biochemistry;
• clinical immunology;
• haematology & transfusion science;
• histocompatibility & immunogenetics (developed in conjunction with BSHI);
• medical microbiology;
• transfusion science;
• virology.

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)  has a continuing professional development programme of short courses and workshops. You can apply for student membership of the IBMS when you start employment in a medical laboratory or begin a course, which will give you access to the CPD scheme.

An extensive range of other training is also available, covering quality control, pathophysiology of disease, clinical governance, expert practice, research and development, service planning, health and safety procedures, transfusion science, immunocytochemistry and histopathological dissection.

Courses can be undertaken via traditional routes, by distance learning or through e-training packages.