This post is intended for individuals whom are currently studying on a BSc Biomedical Science degree, have graduated with a Biomedical Science degree or for individuals that are considering studying on a Biomedical Science degree and pursuing a career as a Biomedical Scientist.
Step by Step Guide to Biomedical Scientist Status
I receive multiple messages and friend requests on a weekly basis from individuals on Linkedin or on the University campus asking, “Please can you help me become registered with HCPC?” or “Can you please email previous colleagues to get me a placement?’ Some may see this as pestering or as a negative, but I see this as a positively encouraging thing. Encouraging because these inquisitive and proactive people are taking the time to engage and seek help as to reaching their goals and lets not forget; we all have to start somewhere and believe me, I have asked plenty of questions along the way!
So, for my first ‘official’ blog post, I decided to write a step by step ‘guide’ on how to become registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, informing my social media family the formalities of how to become registered as a Biomedical Scientist (BMS).
Checklist for Biomedical Registration:
- Degree accredited by IBMS
- Certificate of Competence
- HCPC Registration
First and foremost, your degree must be accredited with the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). If you do not know if yours is, check with your university contacts or check the list here. Having your degree accredited allows the IBMS to dictate to the university what module content, experiences and analytical techniques graduates will need for employment in a wide range of laboratory roles.
The IBMS states:
An IBMS accredited degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills that will give you the best possible start for your career. An IBMS accredited BSc honours degree will meet academic requirements for HCPC registration as a biomedical scientist.
If you wish to become HCPC registered but have not completed an IBMS accredited or HCPC approved BSc honours degree you will need to pay for your degree to be assessed. You may also need to take additional modules on an IBMS accredited degree course to meet the academic requirements for HCPC registration.
Secondly, the prospective BMS will need to complete the registration portfolio that will enable them to be awarded with the IBMS Certificate of Competence. This is what all Biomedical Science graduates that are looking to enter the industry are fighting so hard to achieve! This certificate indicates that the individual meets the HCPC standards of proficiency and can be trusted to act professionally as a BMS.
The HCPC states:
The standards of proficiency are the standards which every biomedical scientist must meet in order to become registered.
Once registered, biomedical scientists must continue to meet the standards of proficiency that are relevant to their scope of practice – the areas of their profession in which they have the knowledge and skills to practise safely and effectively. The standards of proficiency are the standards which every biomedical scientist must meet in order to become registered.
Once registered, biomedical scientists must continue to meet the standards of proficiency that are relevant to their scope of practice – the areas of their profession in which they have the knowledge and skills to practise safely and effectively.
Where to find a laboratory to complete the registration portfolio?
This is the question that I get asked most commonly. Whilst completing the registration portfolio, you will work (normally for free) as a Trainee Biomedical Scientist in an IBMS approved training laboratory. How to do this will be discussed here but be warned, some methods are easier than others!
Routes to obtaining the Certificate of Competence:
- Co-terminus/Intergrated Degrees
- Degree with Sandwich Year
- Self-arranged after Graduation
- NHS Advertised Trainee Position
There are many universities nationwide that offer what is known as a co-terminus or integrated degree whereby students are involved with clinical laboratory training throughout the whole degree. This is highly beneficial due to having lots of work experience, gaining lots of transferable skills and by graduating with a Certificate of Competence it allows immediate registration with the HCPC.
A degree with sandwich year is a ‘tasty’ option (bad joke, my apologies) that I completed at the University of East London. I completed my first two years of study, before taking a year out of studying, and completing one year working as a Trainee Biomedical Scientist. Here, I completed my registration portfolio and met all of the standards that are set by the HCPC and passed my assessment with the IBMS. I then returned to university for my thrid and final year of study. By completing the IBMS Certificate of Competence before graduating, like with the co-terminus or integrated degree, it allowed me to gain lots of transferable skills and CV bragging rights and by graduating with a Certificate of Competence it allowed immediate registration with the HCPC.
Some people have been lucky enough (although it is rare) to secure positions by themselves! With determination and self motivation, upon graduating they have contacted hospital departments that are IBMS approved training laboratories and have stated that they are willing to work for free in exchange for the departments Training Officer taking them through the necessary stages to complete the registration portfolio. This method will obviously result in again, being awarded with an IBMS Certificate of Competence and then HCPC registration but can be considered somewhat more risky by the hospital department. There would be no security or assurance from lecturers and university liaisons that you as an individual are necessarily suitable, or are committed enough to complete the portfolio or will work hard enough whilst in the department.
The NHS advertise all of their current vacancies online and Trainee Biomedical Science positions are no exception. It is possible to apply for these positions online and as these positions are advertised by the department directly, the positions are usually advertised as paid positions. It is for this reason that they are not very common (but they do come up from time to time so be sure to check!). This is because universities are able to offer students positions, and the department has free labour in return for the opportunity of obtaining the Certificate of Competence and becoming HCPC registered.
Lastly, with the certificate of competence and a completed degree programme, as stated many times already, it is possible to become accredited with the HCPC. The HCPC is in place to regulator health care professions inorder to protect the public.
To do this, the HCPC keeps a Register of health and care professionals who meet the organisations standards for training, professional skills, behaviour and health.
Rambles by Ranson 