In the NHS there are 3 categories of scientist; biomedical, clinical and healthcare. Biomedical and clinical scientists are all honours graduates in science subjects who have undertaken 4 more years of post-graduate training within their chosen clinical modality or topic area. Unfortunately perhaps, healthcare scientists are really mislabelled as they are typically technologists who have joined the NHS with little formal qualifications. Some of course may be very well qualified, but they will not have been through the rigorous training undertaken by the biomedical and clinical scientists. That said, within their modalities they will all carry out vital work in everyday patient care.
Life Sciences & Pathology
Healthcare scientists who work in life sciences may work in hospital laboratories or out in the community. They may work for other national agencies concerned with blood, health protection and organ transplant.
| Anatomical Pathology Technician (APT) | Cervical Cytoscreener |
| Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA / ATO) | Phlebotomist |
Physiological sciences
Physiological scientists investigate the functioning of organ/body systems and typically directly interact with patients and use specialist equipment. The majority work in hospital clinics, departments or as part of a medical/surgical team in the community.
| Operating Department Practitioner | Cardiac Physiologists |
| Hearing Therapist | Perfusionist |
| Clinical Neurophysiologist | Clinical Respiratory Physiologist |
| Cardiac Physiologist | Clinical GastroIntestinal Physiologist |
| Cardiographer |
Clinical Engineering and Physical Sciences
Technologists in this area use their skills to develop methods of measuring what is happening in the body, to devise new ways of diagnosing and treating disease and to ensure that equipment is functioning safely and effectively.
| Clinical Engineer | Clinical/Medical Technologist | Medical Illustrator |
According to the QAA, the primary job functions of clinical scientists are as follows
- Maintaining the scientific basis of healthcare
- Practicing at the clinical interface
- Managing and auditing the application of scientific techniques and procedures
- Developing, evaluating and providing new scientific services
- Conducting and directing research and development
- Participating in clinical audit
- Developing and maintaining quality standards
- Advising, teaching and training clinical colleagues, for example, scientific support workers, health science technologists.
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