The Institute of Biomedical Science

www.ibmscongress.com

Institute degree accreditation: fit for purpose, fit for the future

The recent publication of a statement by the HPC on Modernising Scientific Careers – implications for education providers brings into focus the recognition of degrees that produce graduates eligible to apply for HPC registration and hence gain employment as biomedical scientists.

Higher education institutions seek to produce graduates who have good employment prospects and the opportunity to reach their potential in their chosen profession. Recruitment of students to accredited biomedical science degrees is proving to be more popular than ever, with greater awareness of the value of accreditation as a kite mark of excellence awarded by the Institute as the professional body for those working in the biomedical science sector, be it in the NHS, industry, the Armed Forces, academia or research.

The potential of these degrees to enable graduates to become eligible for registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC), either directly or indirectly through a clinical placement during or after the degree, has led to universities, employers and the Institute working in partnership to ensure that standards of education and training, commensurate with the ability to satisfy the HPC Standards of proficiency, are adopted and reinforced through the IBMS accreditation and HPC approval processes.

Clinical placements are integral to this process and, as new models for education and training in healthcare science are developed by universities, the HPC statement is a reminder that only degree programmes meeting its standards of education and training can be approved as a qualification leading to statutory regulation.

The current accredited biomedical science degree and associated clinical laboratory training system is well established and, as an education provider approved by the HPC, the Institute recognises the value of degree courses that include a clinical placement element. It accredits them in order for graduates to be eligible for registration, but also aims to ensure the degrees offer a range of career opportunities. Whether current degrees continue or new degrees emerge, the Institute sees its accreditation processes as the basis for education and training routes for Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 5 practitioners in life sciences, and will seek to accredit the new healthcare science (HCS) degrees where they are able to meet IBMS standards.

The Institute considers the current accredited biomedical science degrees and associated approval of clinical laboratories for training as being the foundation for producing fit-for-purpose biomedical scientists and healthcare science practitioners working in biomedical life sciences. It will continue to maintain these standards when considering the new HCS degrees. If it can accredit those which meet the MSC learning outcomes and the HPC Standards of Proficiency, as outlined in the recent statement, the Institute will continue to uphold professional standards and ensure that all its stakeholders can achieve their desired outcomes.

Alan Wainwright
Executive Head of Education

August 2011