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Clinical scientist
Hours
37 per week
Starting salary
£21,200 + per year
If you enjoy investigation and analysis, and you want to work in healthcare, this job could be ideal for you. Clinical scientists support healthcare staff and help patients.
To become a qualified and registered clinical scientist you will usually need a first or upper second class honours degree.
A clinical scientist has an enquiring mind and strong research skills. They also have excellent communication and 'people' skills.
WorkDesc
The work
Duties depend on their specific role, but may involve:
- interpreting test results and suggesting methods of treatment to doctors
- researching, developing and testing new methods of diagnosis and treatment
- giving doctors advice on buying and using commercial products and equipment.
As a clinical scientist, you would focus on one of three main areas: life sciences, physiological sciences or clinical engineering.
In life sciences, you could work in one of the following branches:
- embryology – researching infertility, including IVF treatment, egg retrieval and assisted reproduction
- pathology – investigating the cause and progression of illness, or reason for death
- genetics – for example, studying cells to check for inherited diseases
- haematology – analysing, diagnosing and monitoring blood-based disorders.
In physiological sciences, you are more likely to work directly with patients. For example, you could work in audiology or cardiac physiology, investigating how an organ functions to diagnose abnormalities and find ways of improving a patient's wellbeing.
In clinical engineering, you could be involved in:
- designing and developing instruments to monitor and treat patients
- creating new ways to treat and diagnose illness
- making sure complex equipment is set up and used correctly.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would usually work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. In some specialist areas, you may need to work evenings, weekends or as part of an on-call rota.
Depending on your specific job role, you could be based in a laboratory, an intensive care unit, on a ward, or in an operating theatre.
IncomeDesc
Income
Clinical scientists in the NHS may earn between £21,200 and £34,200 a year.
Team managers can earn around £40,000 a year, and consultants and heads of service can earn up to around £81,000 a year.
An additional allowance is usually paid to scientists based in London.
Salaries in the private sector may be linked to NHS scales but could be higher.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To become a qualified and registered clinical scientist you will usually need a first or upper second class honours degree in a subject related to the specialist area you want to work in. The most relevant subjects include life sciences (such as biology, microbiology, genetics or biochemistry), physics, engineering, and those related to medicine (such as biomedical science, medical physics or biotechnology).
To do a science-based degree course, you will usually need:
- five GCSEs (A-C) including English language, maths and at least two sciences
- two or three A levels, including science subjects.
Some universities offer a one-year foundation course for those without a science background. Check exact entry requirements with course providers as other qualifications may be accepted.
After your degree you will need to find a trainee clinical scientist job. The national Scientist Training Programme (STP) is a graduate entry, pre-registration training programme leading to more senior clinical scientist posts. You would be employed by an NHS trust or health authority, and would undertake a three-year programme combining workplace learning and a Master's degree in your chosen specialism. STP posts are advertised on the NHS Jobs website. See the following websites for more information.
With a further two years' experience, you can apply for a Certificate of Attainment, which involves an assessment by the Association of Clinical Scientists. Once you gain the Certificate of Attainment, you can register with the Health Professions Council.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Throughout your career you will need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date through continuing professional development (CPD) activities. You will also need to renew your registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC) every two years.
Joining a professional body that is relevant to your specific scientific area may help you meet HPC registration renewal requirements, as many provide opportunities for CPD. See the More Information section below for a list of relevant professional bodies.
You could also go on to study for further qualifications, such as a PhD.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To become a clinical scientist, you will need to have:
- a high level of ability in science
- the ability to use complex equipment
- accuracy and attention to detail
- the ability to concentrate for long periods
- high ethical standards
- an enquiring mind and strong research skills
- the ability to organise and prioritise your workload
- a logical approach to problem solving
- teamwork and leadership skills
- presentation skills
- excellent communication and 'people' skills.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) 
Fairmount House
230 Tadcaster Road
York
YO24 1ES
Tel: 01904 610821
www.ipem.ac.uk
Health Professions Council
Park House
184 Kennington Park Road
London
SE11 4BU
Tel: 020 7582 0866
www.hpc-uk.org
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line
Tel: 08000 150850
Society for General Microbiology
Marlborough House
Basingstoke Rd
Spencers Wood
Reading
RG7 1AG
www.sgm-microbiologycareers.org.uk
NHS Careers
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Association of Clinical Embryologists
www.embryologists.org.uk
Association of Clinical Cytogeneticists
www.cytogenetics.org.uk
Association for Clinical Biochemistry
130-132 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2TU
www.acb.org.uk
British Society for Immunology
www.immunology.org
British Society for Histocompatability and Immunogenetics
www.bshi.org.uk
Association of Clinical Scientists
c/o Association of Clinical Biochemists
130-132 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2TU
Tel: 020 7940 8960
www.assclinsci.org
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find job opportunities in the NHS, the pharmaceutical industry, and in private hospitals and research institutes.
Within the NHS there is a structured career progression route. Promotion is based on merit and performance. You could go on to become a consultant clinical scientist, leading a department.
You may find the following useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
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