Clinical Scientist

Clinical scientists are healthcare experts who either work directly with patients or support clinical staff in their work with patients. Their work is very wide ranging and can include clinical or laboratory work and testing, rehabilitation, basic and applied research, management and teaching.

Individual jobs differ widely but the field of clinical science includes:

• working independently or closely with doctors, conducting tests to find out what is wrong with patients, interpreting the results of those tests, and using scientific knowledge to guide treatment
• devising scientific or engineering solutions to assist in the treatment of patients
• using research to develop and test new methods of diagnosis and treatment
• for some clinical scientists, the responsibility of managing a team of biomedical scientists, physiological scientists, medical laboratory assistants and clerical support staff.

There are many different jobs within clinical science, and scientists specialise in particular areas. Their work is instrumental in providing and improving medical diagnoses, treatments and procedures.

Salaries range from at least £24,103 a year for a trainee clinical scientist working in the NHS up to a maximum of £93,098 for an advanced practitioner clinical scientist or principal and consultant clinical scientist.

Clinical scientists usually work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday. There may be some on-call, evening and weekend work. Part-time work is possible. Work takes place in laboratories or specialist departments. Contact with patients varies widely between specialisms.

A clinical scientist should:

• have a high level of ability in science
• be able to cope with a high degree of responsibility
• be able to work in, and lead a team of professionals
• be capable of working accurately and with attention to detail
• have good problem-solving skills
• have a strong interest in science and medicine
• be concerned for the health and well-being of people.

Most clinical scientists are employed by the NHS. Other employers include the diagnostics and pharmaceutical industries, private hospitals, research institutes and the Health Protection Agency.

The NHS recruits between 130 and 150 new NHS clinical scientist trainees in England and Wales each year.

Entry is with a first or upper second class honours degree in a subject related to the specific clinical science specialism. Relevant subjects include biochemistry, biology, chemistry, engineering, genetics, microbiology, physics and physiology. Many applicants to clinical scientist training have a postgraduate qualification, such as an MSc or PhD.

Training lasts two to three years and combines study for an appropriate Masters degree or other higher education certificate, with gaining experience through on-the-job learning. After a minimum of four years in a training post, clinical scientists can apply for registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC).

Progression is to senior positions in the NHS that have equivalent status to that of a medical consultant. They usually involve the management of a large department or major departmental section. Clinical scientists may move into training or lecturing, or into technical support for sales and marketing. There are opportunities to work abroad.

Further details