Clinical Scientist

Typical Salary

£31,365 To £91,004

Typical Hours

38 to 40 a week

evenings / weekends on a rota

How To Become a Clinical Scientist

You can get into this job through:

a university course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role

College / 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

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

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a healthcare science practitioner degree apprenticeship.

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

Routes into this Career

You could apply to join the NHS Practitioner Training Programme without a degree.

You would study for a degree in healthcare science, which includes work-based training. You would 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

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of biology
thinking and reasoning skills
excellent verbal communication skills
the ability to use your initiative
the ability to read English
analytical thinking skills
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
complex problem-solving skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day To Day Tasks

Your duties will depend on your specific role, but you may:

interpret test results and suggest treatments to doctors
research, develop and test new methods of diagnosis and treatment
give doctors advice on buying and 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
in embryology - research infertility, including IVF treatment, egg retrieval and assisted reproduction
in pathology - investigate the cause and progression of illness, or reason for death
in genetics - study cells to check for inherited diseases
in haematology - analyse diagnose and monitor blood-based disorders

Working Environment

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

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

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

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.