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Biomedical scientist

Test samples from ill people to identify their disease or condition so they can be diagnosed and treated.

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£538

Entry level

£962

Experienced

Monthly

£2,333

Entry level

£4,167

Experienced

Yearly

£28,000

Entry level

£50,000

Experienced

11,500

people are currently employed

High growth

700 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

A day in the life – Biomedical scientist

What it's like

Do you have a curious mind and an interest in medicine? Working as a biomedical scientist might be the career for you!

You'd use technology to do investigative work in a lab, testing samples to help doctors diagnose and treat diseases. You'd also help carry out tests for blood transfusion. It's a key role in a hospital, particulary for accident and emergency departments and operating rooms.

Generally, you'd specialise in one of four areas. These are infection, blood, cellular and gene sciences. What you do each day would vary depending on your chosen area.

Your tasks might include:

  • analysing biological samples

  • screening and testing for diseases

  • monitoring organ function

  • sharing results with other medical staff

  • producing reports and updating computer systems with results

  • monitoring how effective treatments are

  • looking after and running testing equipment

  • contributing to running a high quality and safe laboratory

Hours

In the NHS you'd usually work 37.5 hours a week. You may also be expected to work evening and weekend shifts or be on-call.

Environment

You'll work in a laboratory and other very clean and sometimes sterile environments. You'll need to wear protective clothing such as a lab coat and safety glasses.

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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • understanding
  • analysing
  • taking initiative
  • sorting
  • attention to detail
  • researching
  • observation
  • problem solving
  • innovative
  • working with technology

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

Discover skills

Getting in

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Human Biology

  • Skills for Work: Laboratory Science

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Scientific Technologies (Laboratory Skills)

You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.

Discover what's on offer at your school on  Apprenticeships.scot.

You'll need an honours degree in Biomedical Science. This has to be from a course accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

You could start with a college course that'd allow you to progress to a degree course. Getting a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) in a relevant subject would be useful. For example:

  • Applied Science

  • Applied Bioscience

  • Applied Biological Sciences

What you need to get in to an HNC or HND course will depend on the course and college you apply for. You'll likely need at least one Higher, preferably in a science subject. You may also need National 5 qualifications in science subjects, Maths and English.

To gt into a degree course, you'll likely need either:

  • a relevant HNC or HND

  • four Highers at BBBB or better

You can also get into the role if you have a scientific degree that's not accredited by the IBMS. You'd need to become an associate practitioner in life sciences in an NHS laboratory. You can then have your degree transcripts assessed by the Institute of Biomedical Science. They'll tell you which modules you'll need to take at an accredited university.

Once you’ve completed these, you can apply for a trainee biomedical scientist role and get the training you need.

You'll need to complete the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio Certificate of Competence. If your course includes a laboratory placement, you'll complete this during your placement year. You can then apply for registration with the HCPC. This means you’ll be a registered biomedical scientist when you graduate.

Some accredited degrees don’t have a laboratory placement. In that case, you’ll need to complete an IBMS Registration Portfolio in an approved laboratory after you graduate to become a biomedical scientist.

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