Making a Science Council Application – new standards
The IBMS is proud to be a Licensed Body with the Science Council to offer the professional awards of Chartered Scientist, Registered Scientist and Registered Science Technician
Registration with the Science Council enables IBMS members to publicly demonstrate their commitment to professional standards, the biomedical science profession and to use the designatory award letters after their name. The professional standards for the registers were reviewed in 2020, with Licensed Bodies given 12 months to adopt the new standards and update application forms & guidance. Documentation on the IBMS website has now been amended to reflect these changes.
Charlie Cantwell of the Science Council explains the reasoning for the review of professional standards:
“Every five years the Science Council conducts a review of its professional registration standards to ensure that they are still relevant and up to date. Throughout 2020, the Registration Authority (RA) conducted various task and finish groups, as well as surveys, to review our standards in depth and update them. This has allowed the Science Council to assess applicants and registrants fairly and reflects the changes which have occurred across the science, engineering, and technological workforce”
Christian Burt, IBMS Professional Support Services Manager:
“Science Council registrants are spread across many different countries, but they all share a commitment to professional excellence. When you become registered, you also join a network community of other registered professional scientists. At our recent Licence Review, the IBMS was commended for being ahead of the curve and adopting the new standards ahead of the 1st of January 2022 deadline”
The professional awards are a way of demonstrating an adherence to standards for those working in a non-traditional (i.e., non-NHS environment) laboratory. Healthcare professionals such as research scientists and laboratory assistants, whereby HCPC registration is not an option through the protected title of biomedical scientist, can benefit from becoming registered through demonstration of the RSci and RSciTech standards.
The Chartered Scientist designation is for those holding a M-Level qualification or equivalent, and usually operating at NHS Band 7 or equivalent. Existing Chartered Scientists might also wish to expand their professional profile by becoming assessors of first-point applications for the Science Council Common Application Process. From 1st October 2021, the IBMS will only accept applications against the new standards and Christian will be happy to open an email conversation with IBMS members who wish to make an application for the Science Council awards or if a Chartered Scientist interested in assessing applications.
