The IBMS Certificate of Achievement is for biomedical science support staff working in laboratory services and is designed to reflect your training needs and your employer's.
The qualification comes in two parts which are portfolio based professional vocational qualifications that guide and assess the development of skills that underpin the biomedical science workforce.
These flexible qualifications can be used in a range of biomedical science disciplines, not just in pathology laboratories, and they will enable you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills and evidence your laboratory training.
The portfolios are a collection of knowledge and skill requirements that demonstrate you practice to the level and standard expected of a band 2 - 3 Assistant Practitioner or a band 4 Associate Practitioner.
Achieving an IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I enables you to become an Associate member.
Certificate of Achievement Part I
There is no eligibility criteria for this part.
Certificate of Achievement Part II
You must be an Associate of the IBMS, have relevant laboratory experience and hold a level 3 qualification (level 6 in Scotland) related to biological science, or have completed the Certificate of Achievement Part I.
The laboratory where you plan to undertake your IBMS Certificate of Achievement must have IBMS Biomedical Support Staff Training Approval.
If you are unsure whether your laboratory has IBMS laboratory approval please check with your manager or training officer.
Please note that current, paid membership must be maintained for the duration of this qualification.
The IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I and Part II are portfolio based professional vocational qualifications:
Certificate of Achievement Part I
Part I will enable you to demonstrate the level of knowledge and skills expected of band 2 or 3 biomedical science support staff.
Certificate of Achievement Part II
Part II will demonstrate you have the level of knowledge and skills expected of band 4 biomedical science support staff.
The portfolios are structured around specific modules of described knowledge, competence and evidence of achievement related to an area of professional practice.
They have a set number of core modules and a number of optional modules, a minimum number of which must also be completed. The optional modules can be chosen to reflect your own duties and the type of service your laboratory provides.
Assessment is by your training officer or the laboratory manager in your workplace.
Please note
The time limit for completing this qualification has been removed. However, there will be an expiry limit of 3 years on any outdated version of a portfolio from the date a new version is introduced. There is still a requirement for evidence to be current i.e. within 3 years of the declaration. Evidence older than this will be discounted.
Evidence of your training is demonstrated through signatures against performance criteria and comments by your line manager. There are also prescribed tasks that need to be completed. These are the only requirements for evidence.
The most appropriate person to sign off the performance criteria does not have to be a senior member of staff, but the member of staff appointed by the laboratory.
Obtaining your certificate
Once you have completed each of the performance criteria in the portfolio, and they have been signed off by your training officer or laboratory manager, you and your training officer or laboratory manager must complete and sign the declaration at the back of the portfolio before submitting.
To submit
Please scan the signed declaration and email to supportstaff@ibms.org, or post to:
Support Staff
IBMS
12 Coldbath Square
London
EC1R 5HL
Please note
The IBMS may audit portfolios to ensure standards are maintained.
On receiving your completed portfolio and signed declaration, you will be issued with your IBMS Certificate of Achievement, which will be sent to your address within two weeks.
Your Certificate of Achievement can also be used as evidence to demonstrate your level of knowledge and skill and to become professionally registered with the Science Council.
The portfolio must be applied for by the member of staff responsible for training.
Fees
Trainee portfolios, including administration fees = £133
Replacement copy = £32, swap copy = £62
To purchase
Please submit your electronically completed Order Form for Certificate of Achievement Portfolio and payment or purchase order to supportstaff@ibms.org.
Alternatively, you can also post application forms to
Support Staff
Institute of Biomedical Science
12 Coldbath Square
London
EC1R 5HL