Nowadays, the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human illness relies on a much wider range of healthcare and medical practitioners than previous times. And together with doctors and nurses, scientists and technicians are truly vital and essential members of today’s healthcare team. In general, NHS healthcare scientists work in three broad areas.
Life Sciences
Life Sciences are generally sub-divided into four specialty areas – Infection sciences; blood diagnostic services; genetics: tissue and cellular science. And within these specialties, healthcare scientists work hard to help improve the comprehension of illnesses and diseases and how they can be treated.
Furthermore they may help develop treatments for common medical problems, such as colds, allergies and infertility. This vital work is mainly spent in hospital laboratories - typically a clinical pathology laboratory where you will be analysing different samples from patients and giving doctors the information they need to make a first accurate diagnosis). Alternatively, you might also work on hospital wards or in the community, liaising with doctors to choose the most appropriate treatment.
Physiological Sciences
In this specialty, scientists examine patients directly in order to diagnose issues or problems in the way that their body is working. As part of a medical or surgical team, you will personally interact with patients, using modern equipment and techniques to identify any abnormalities and help to restore body functions – such as problems with the heart and lungs, gastro-intestinal tract or hearing.
Whilst physiological healthcare scientists are often based in hospital departments, clinics or operating theatres, they do occasionally work in a community setting, such as at a health centre or visiting patients in their own homes or at school. Your patients will span all age groups, from newborn babies to the elderly.
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Physical sciences and engineering healthcare scientists work within NHS clinical teams to ensure that the medical equipment, for example a renal dialysis machine, is functioning safely and with optimum efficiency.
These scientists are also responsible for developing new techniques and technologies to analyse and measure human body efficacy, diagnose abnormal behaviour and to create suitable treatments for any highlighted disease. All manner of complex and simple equipment is utilised in their everyday work; for example, clinical photography equipment and ultrasound / MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanners are typical.
Similarly, healthcare engineering scientists could help develop techniques to aid design of artificial limbs or other body parts or improve facial reconstruction for those involved in accidents or born with disabilities.
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