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Clinical scientist

Alternative titles for this job include Healthcare scientist

Clinical scientists research and develop techniques and equipment to help prevent, diagnose and treat illness.

Average salary (a year)

£31,365 Starter

to

£91,004 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends on a rota

How to become

How to become a clinical scientist

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

University

You'll need a first or upper second class honours degree in a subject related to the specialist area you want to work in. For example:

  • life sciences like biology, genetics or biochemistry
  • biomedical science
  • medical physics

Once you have your degree, you can apply for the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP), which will qualify you to work as a clinical scientist.

You may be able to apply for the STP with a lower second class degree if you also have a postgraduate qualification relevant to the specialist area you want to work in.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and physics
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start by doing a higher or degree apprenticeship. The following apprenticeships are available for this role:

  • healthcare science associate higher apprenticeship
  • healthcare practitioner degree apprenticeship
  • clinical science degree apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could apply to join the NHS Practitioner Training Programme.

You would study for a degree in healthcare science, which includes 50 weeks of work-based training. To apply, you'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including English, maths and a science subject
  • at least 2 A levels including maths or a science, or equivalent qualifications

Direct Application

You can apply for the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP), if you're already working in the health service and have a recognised scientific background.

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a clinical scientist from Health Careers.

What it takes

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of biology
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • science skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • maths knowledge
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You could work in 1 of 4 main clinical science areas:

  • clinical bioinformatics
  • life sciences
  • physical science and bioengineering
  • physiological sciences

Depending on your area, you could:

  • research, develop and test new methods of diagnosis and treatment
  • advise medical staff on using commercial products and equipment
  • work directly with patients in audiology or cardiac physiology
  • investigate organ abnormalities and find ways of improving a patient's wellbeing
  • research infertility, including IVF treatment and assisted reproduction - embryology
  • investigate the causes of illness or death - pathology
  • study cells to check for inherited diseases - genetics
  • analyse, diagnose and monitor blood-based disorders - haematology
  • collect and analyse complex data to help develop treatments - bioinformatics

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, in a laboratory or at a university.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Career path and progression

You could go on to study for a PhD or apply for the NHS Higher Specialist Scientific Training Programme (HSST).

As an experienced clinical scientist, you could become a consultant, move into management or take up university teaching.

Current opportunities

Current opportunities

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