Guidance into Biomedical Science entry level

Biomedical science can be a rewarding career path. However before pursuing it, it is very important to fully grasp the expected reality. All institutes and organisations will sell you a fruit full dream of the career but fail to highlight the reality which can be dim for some. This post gives brief guidance to those embarking on their journey to becoming a biomedical scientist.

Ensure the biomedical science degree course you enrol onto is accredited by the institute of biomedical science (IBMS). This is essential. Failure to graduate with an accredited degree will result in an additional year of study to undertake top up modules, to meet the academic requirements to register as a biomedical scientist. Top up modules can benefit individuals who undertook other science based degrees such as biology, immunology and chemistry, which meet some, but not all the IBMS requirements, thus top up models would allow such individuals to meet the academic requirements. Doing the top up modules as soon as possible would be wise. I would recommend Ulster university. They are budget friendly and meet the requirements of the IBMS https://www.ulster.ac.uk/

 A registration portfolio is need before becoming a registered biomedical scientist. This is a portfolio that is used to demonstrate an individual’s proficiency to work as a biomedical scientist. Unless you are awarded with the certificate of competence after the completion of this portfolio you cannot practice under the title of biomedical scientist. A lot of students are under the false illusion that you become a biomedical scientist straight away. This is sadly not the case. Finding a laboratory to support completion of the registration portfolio is vital and should be at the forefront for all potential biomedical scientists. This is not an easy stage to overcome. You can start as early as first year of university to get a foot in the door of a lab. A reference registration portfolio copy is available online on the IBMS  website, this can’t be used to get a head start of the game in terms of portfolio completion, some sections of the portfolio do not require the labs input, these sections can be completed without the help of a lab.

You do not need to do the registration portfolio in the same discipline you wish to specialise in. You can undertake the registration portfolio in a histology laboratory but then go on to do the specialist portfolio in biochemistry. It would be a smoother transition if you stuck to the same discipline when moving to the  next step of your career; but with the shortage of opportunities some may wish to go for any discipline they can get an opportunity in.

 

Your degree classification does not hinder you as an entry level biomedical scientist. It is just as difficult to get the opportunity to complete the registration portfolio regardless of which classification you have come out of university with. It is your personal transferable skills that set you apart from candidates. The ability to demonstrate these qualities during interview and on the job will be more beneficial than a certificate dictating how smart you are; because the honest truth is, majority of what is learnt at university does not actually hinder you from physically doing your job as a MLA or a trainee biomedical scientist. Of course the theoretical knowledge is the foundation and that's needed to complete the registration portfolio, but in day to day life it is almost always lost. Your people skills, how you interact and influence others as well as your prioritisations skills, amongst others, are what will impact the decision of whether you fit the role. Your degree classification is just a formality at this stage. There are things text books cannot teach you. The  employer hires you as a whole not just the portion of your brain that memorised answers for an exam.

I would suggest keeping all university lecture notes including practical work. Throughout your career you will find them useful to be able to flip back to any pieces of information that may reoccur during the completion of portfolios. The fact that they are your own lecture notes will help you grasp the information faster and some materials can be used as evidence during the completion of the portfolio.

For most biomedical science graduates at some stage you may begin to stray from the career because of no luck. But keep this in mind. If it was easy everybody would be doing it. The ones that make it into the profession are part of the elite. You are not alone in the struggle. The percentage of individuals that graduate with a biomedical science degree and enter the profession is VERY low. Only the ones that persevere make it. This is the same for all careers. Just keep at it. Climbing the biomedical science career ladder is long and steep with a lot of hurdles compared to other professions so brace yourself.

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