Anatomical Pathology Technician (APT)
Anatomical Pathology Technicians or APTs provide assistance to a pathologist in conducting post mortems, an extremely crucial sector of medical work as understanding the causes of death enables promotion of good health in others and in many cases, when death is unexpected, the cause of death can have legal implications.
Career Entry In many instances it is possible to become an APT without formal qualifications apart from basic GCSEs or Scottish Highers, usually Maths and English plus a science subject if possible. It is important to realise, however, that the complexity of tests performed, the level of judgment needed, and the amount of responsibility technicians might assume in the future is directly dependant on the amount of education and experience they have.
Regulator None
Useful Links
Association of Anatomical Pathology Technologists UK (AAPTUK)
12 Coldbath Square
London EC1R 5HL
Tel. 0207 2782151
Email mail@aaptuk.org
The Royal Society for Public Health
Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane
London SW8 5NQ
Tel. 0203 177 1600
Fax 0203 177 1601
Email info@rsph.org.uk
Website www.rsph.org.uk
Cardiac Physiologist
Cardiac physiologists work with patients and use diagnostic equipment to carry out investigations into the functioning of the heart and equipment fitted to help the heart, such as pacemakers.
Career Entry The mandatory entry requirement for the BSc in clinical physiology is employment in a hospital department of clinical physiology e.g. as a trainee physiological scientist. Secondly, having satisfied the mandatory requirement, you may start the degree course if you have
Two A Levels in science (one of which can be maths) or
BTEC National Certificate in Science (MPPM) or
BTEC National Certificate in Science or
Advanced GNVQ or AVCE Science
Other academic qualifications offered as equivalence will be considered on an individual basis.
A one year ‘Access to Clinical Physiology’ course is also available for applicants without the academic entry qualifications sufficient to join the BSc. direct.
Regulator None
Useful Links
Society for Cardiological Science and Technology
Website www.scst.org.uk
Cervical Cytoscreener
Cervical Cytology Screeners examine the cells within the cervical smears taken from women being screened for abnormalities which could be the initial signs of cervical cancer. They examine the cells through a microscope and submit their findings, based on which, doctors such as pathologists can take appropriate steps to treat the patient and prevent the disease from spreading to the surrounding tissues. The samples are taken from the patient as a smear by a nurse or doctor and put onto slides which are then sent to the cytology laboratory. Cervical cytology screeners are supervised by biomedical scientists but they are directly accountable for correct evaluation and reporting, so they assume a high level of responsibility in the work they do.
Career EntryNo specific entry requirements. After nearly two years practical training you will be able to sit for the NHS Cervical Screening Programme Certificate in cervical cytology
Regulator None
Useful Links
NHS Careers
Website www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Clinical / Medical Technologist
Healthcare scientists working in medical physics or clinical engineering are responsible for maintaining and servicing complex, specialised equipment used to diagnose and treat patients. They are usually known as clinical or medical technologists. Medical staff rely greatly on the skills of medical technologists so there is a major requirement for attention to detail. Similarly, the ability to reassure patients who may be uncomfortable with such complex machinery is highly important too.
Because hospitals use an increasingly wide range of cutting edge technology in various areas, such as radiotherapy, bioengineering, laser procedures etc., there is an increasing demand for people with specific medical physics knowledge to service, check the performance and gauge any environmental effects of this equipment. Clinical or medical technologists in this field will often liaise with scientists and doctors and have direct contact with patients. Many specialise in one of two areas
Nuclear medicine – where technologists are responsible for preparing and purifying radioactive materials, calculating doses and safe disposal whilst measuring and testing equipment safety levels.
Medical engineering – Usually a position for those with expertise in electronic or mechanical engineering. Their work involves calibration, servicing and maintenance of specialised clinical equipment and may sometime include construction of equipment.
Career EntryTo start a career as a clinical technologist, you will usually need to hold a relevant degree related to clinical physics technology or clinical engineering technology. It may be possible to get a trainee post, for which applicants will typically need to hold academic or vocational qualifications that are sufficient to get them onto the degree course.
Regulator None
Useful Links
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
Website www.ipem.org.uk
Clinical Respiratory Physiologist
These healthcare scientists / technologists carry out a wide range of diagnostic tests to review all aspects of your lung function. Their career is spent working within a multidisciplinary team the CRP uses a variety of highly specialised equipment and techniques to measure and monitor a patient’s respiratory function as an aid in the diagnosis of respiratory disorders such as asthma and emphysema.
A CRP will undertake lung performance on patients referred to hospital because of chest pains, abnormal chest x-rays, breathing difficulties, respiratory disease or sleep disorders for example. Their extensive range of equipment allows for full cardio pulmonary exercise testing, sleep studies, bronchial challenge testing and measurements of dynamic and static lung volumes. The CRP ensures that accurate reliable and repeatable results are produced as often patients lives depend on these.
Other tests typically performed include respiratory gas exchange, blood gas analysis, and response to treatment, allergy testing and physiological response to exercise.
Career EntryThe mandatory entry requirement for the BSc in clinical physiology is employment in a hospital department of clinical physiology e.g. as a trainee physiological scientist. Secondly, having satisfied the mandatory requirement, you may start the degree course if you have
Two A Levels in science (one of which can be maths) or
BTEC National Certificate in Science (MPPM) or
BTEC National Certificate in Science or
Advanced GNVQ or AVCE Science
Other academic qualifications offered as equivalence will be considered on an individual basis.
A one year ‘Access to Clinical Physiology’ course is also available for applicants without the academic entry qualifications sufficient to join the BSc. direct.
Regulator None
Useful Links
The Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists
Website www.rccp.co.uk
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Clinical GastroIntestinal Physiologists
Clinical GI physiologists specialise in the study of gastrointestinal function and disease, which includes any part of the digestive tract from the oesophagus to the anus and also of the liver, biliary tract and the pancreas. The clinical GI physiologist will use various highly technical, mechanical and electronic instruments to measure various parameters within the digestive tract, for example, pressure, pH, impedance and tone. Ultrasound of the anorectum and ‘Biofeedback’ therapy are also performed in patients with pelvic floor dysfunction. The results of all these investigations contribute to the treatment pathway of patients who may have primary swallowing disorders, severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or disorders of hindgut function, notably faecal incontinence and / or constipation. Appropriate conservative, medical intervention can then be offered to these patients.
Regulator None
Useful Links
Association of Gastrointestinal Physiology
C/o British Society of Gastroenterology
3 St. Andrews Place, Regents Park
London NW1 4LB
Tel. 0114 271 4293
Fax 0114 22 66188
Email lyn.smith@sth.nhs.uk
Website www.giphysiology.org
Clinical Neurophysiology Technician
Clinical GI physiologists specialise in the study of gastrointestinal function and disease, which includes any part of the digestive tract from the oesophagus to the anus and also of the liver, biliary tract and the pancreas. The clinical GI physiologist will use various highly technical, mechanical and electronic instruments to measure various parameters within the digestive tract, for example, pressure, pH, impedance and tone. Ultrasound of the anorectum and ‘Biofeedback’ therapy are also performed in patients with pelvic floor dysfunction. The results of all these investigations contribute to the treatment pathway of patients who may have primary swallowing disorders, severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or disorders of hindgut function, notably faecal incontinence and / or constipation. Appropriate conservative, medical intervention can then be offered to these patients.
EEG (Electroencephalography) – A recording of the electrical activity of the brain.
Evoked Potentials – electrical potentials produced by the brain in response to specific stimuli.
EMG (Electromyography) and NCS (Nerve Conduction Studies) – for assessing nerve and muscle functions.
Regulator None
Useful Links
The Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists
Website www.rccp.co.uk
Hearing Therapist
Hearing therapists provide rehabilitation for adults who have hearing difficulties or associated problems. They use a variety of methods to improve a patient’s hearing and communication capabilities, such as hearing aids, tinnitus management or lip-reading instruction. Some hearing therapists may specialise in areas such as balance rehabilitation or working with learning disabilities.
Career Entry Degree in audiology
Regulator None
Useful Links
British Academy of Audiology
Website British Academy of Audiology
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