ABOUT THE ROLE
In the NHS all clinical scientists are honours graduates in science subjects who have undertaken 4 more years of post-graduate training within their chosen clinical modality or topic area. They are responsible for the application of science in the prevention, diagnosis and control of illness, disease and disability. Further to their normal daily work, all clinical scientists are involved in evaluation, research and development of investigative systems and set quality standards to meet current and new demands.
The Healthcare Professions Council or HPC officially recognises 10 modalities of clinical science, each of which has various sub-specialties. The 10 modalities are divided into three major areas – life sciences, physical sciences and physiological sciences.
| Clinical biochemists | Clinical embryologists |
| Clinical geneticists | Clinical immunologists |
| Clinical microbiologists | Clinical scientists in haematology |
| Cl scientist in histocompatibility and immunology | Medical physicists and clinical engineers |
| Audiological scientists | Clinical physiologists |
EMPLOYABILITY
Any role that is highly analytical and scientific in nature requires above all, the ability to give 100% attention to detail. Small errors or incorrect procedures can mean that patients are given the wrong treatment, the wrong level of radiation or drug therapy for example, which may ultimately lead to patient death. So as with all scientific roles, to perform the functions of a clinical scientist requires a matrix of interlocking skills
- Thorough and expert clinical science knowledge as per their modality
- General scientific skills such as use of statistics packages
- Technical skills to operate complex and sophisticated analysis equipment
- Research and development and problem-solving abilities
- Managerial and organisational to collate information and data properly
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, carers and relatives
CAREER ENTRY
Clinical science is a postgraduate discipline, and entrants need a good honours degree in a science subject related to their chosen modality. The training programmes in all modalities are master’s level programmes and are usually of four years duration, leading to an assessment by the Association of Clinical Scientists (ACS), which acts as the qualifying body under the general umbrella of the HPC. The ACS awards a Certificate of Attainment to those who meet the requisite competences.
EMPLOYERS AND SALARIES
All NHS trainee clinical scientists are appointed onto a fixed-term contract during their training period.
| Clinical Scientist starting salary | £25,472 | Band 6 |
| After 4 years and Association of Clinical Scientists Certificate of Attainment |
£30,460 | Band 7 |
| Consultant Clinical Scientist | £46,621 | Band 8 |
| These posts usually involve the clinical leadership and management of a department | ||
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