Biomedical scientist : Job description

A biomedical scientist carries out laboratory tests on human samples to help clinicians diagnose illness and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. This work is vital to the wellbeing of patients because doctors treat them on the basis of these test results.

Most biomedical scientists specialise in one of the following medical laboratory sciences: medical microbiology (identification of micro-organisms causing disease, and their antibiotic treatment); clinical chemistry (the chemical analysis of body fluids); transfusion science (determination of donor unit compatibility and investigations into group antigens and antibodies); haematology (morphology and physiology of blood); histopathology (examination of tissue samples); cytology (analysis of cellular materials); immunology (understanding the immune system); and virology (identification of viruses).

Typical work activities

The medical conditions biomedical scientists investigate include cancer, AIDS, hepatitis, anaemia, meningitis and diabetes. They also investigate blood transfusions and screen cervical smears. Clinical chemistry, haematology and blood transfusion departments usually work with equipment with high levels of automation, and most laboratories are extensively computerised.

Typical work activities include:

• testing human samples, such as blood, tissue, urine, cerebrospinal and faecal material, for various chemical constituents;
• analysing cultures grown from samples and identifying blood groups;
• working with computers, sophisticated automated equipment, microscopes and other hi-tech laboratory equipment;
• assisting in ensuring that the necessary turnaround times for reporting results are achieved wherever possible;
• communicating the results of tests to medical staff, who use the information to diagnose and treat the patient’s illness;
• monitoring the effects of medication and other programmes of treatment by carrying out further tests;
• keeping accurate records and writing reports;
• responding to and redirecting professional enquiries;
• assisting in the production of laboratory documentation, particularly relating to policies and standard operating procedures;
• developing new methods of investigation and keeping up to date with new developments; 
• implementing quality control procedures (both internal and external) to maintain accurate results; 
• maintaining and updating professional knowledge and taking responsibility for continuing professional development (CPD).

Although some of the analytical work may be of a routine nature, many of the tests are challenging and demanding - modern pathology and biomedical work entail complex investigations. The application of information technology is important in the recording and sharing of data.