Biomedical scientists contribute extensively to health and care, working to identify, research, monitor and treat diseases across the broadest areas of modern science, focusing on the complexity of the human body.
Working in healthcare laboratories, diagnosing diseases and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment by analysing patient samples, biomedical scientists conduct over 1 billion tests in the UK each year.
Every person at some point in their lives will benefit from the services of a biomedical scientist.
Why you should choose a career in biomedical science
Modern biomedical science is a fast-changing, dynamic and complex science that requires accuracy, efficiency and attention to detail.
You should choose a career as a biomedical scientist if you enjoy:
- the personal satisfaction of using your scientific knowledge and research skills to investigate disease to help your medical colleagues save the life of a patient
- or, the diversity of an interesting and rewarding career with a range of opportunities for personal and career development
The role of biomedical science in healthcare
Biomedical scientists are at the heart of healthcare, providing other healthcare professionals with vital information on laboratory investigations, allowing them to make informed clinical decisions.
Biomedical scientists also ensure blood stocks are adequate at critical times, match blood to patients, measure chemicals to monitor patient conditions, investigate disease by looking at tumour samples and identify micro-organisms in the fight against infection.
Biomedical scientist roles also include:
- cancer screening
- identifying micro-organisms causing outbreaks
- such as food poisoning
- blood donation services
- infection control
- drug testing
- AIDS and HIV diagnosis and treatment
- rapid response labs for accident and emergency
- drug therapies
- quality
- research
- leadership
- training
How to become a biomedical scientist
To work as a biomedical scientist in the UK you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). IBMS Accredited university degree courses are designed to ensure students meet the HCPC standards to register with them as a biomedical scientist once they have graduated.
To study biomedical science at university you will need A-levels in biology and/or chemistry, or equivalent, as well as GCSE mathematics, or equivalent. Universities have different requirements for their biomedical science degree courses which can usually be found on their websites.