Welcome to Education and training

Biomedical science plays an increasingly important and expanding role in medicine and the Institute is fully involved in the education and training of biomedical scientists in order to maintain the highest professional standards.

After graduation and registration biomedical scientists can follow a careers pathway of post-registration training and advanced qualifications.

		Education and registration
		How to become a biomedical scientist Careers information, leaflets and other resources. more... Degree accreditation The Institute accredits honours level degrees in biomedical science and named Masters degree relevant to biomedical science. more... Professional registration All biomedical scientists are required to be registered to practise in the NHS. more...

		Education and training: Extra
		Features and articles Education and work of Finnish cytotechnologists The HPC, CPD and reflective practice Quality management certificate: my experience Certificate of Extended Practice in Training: my experience all features... Timetable for IBMS qualifications in 2009

Career pathway: continuing training and qualification

After graduation and registration biomedical scientists can follow a careers pathway of post-registration training and advanced qualifications. The framework of qualifications allows biomedical scientists to demonstrate their expertise, skills and expertise and aids career progress from the point of registration to the far-reaches of specialised and higher laboratory practice.

Below is a diagrammatic overview of the Institute’s career qualifications - click on parts of the diagram for links to further information on each level of qualification.

Specialist Diplomas
Specialist Diplomas form a discipline specific progression as the next step from generic registration.

Certificates Of Practice
The Certificate of Biomedical Practice enables biomedical scientists to demonstrate knowledge and skills in a highly specific area of practice within their normal specialty.

Higher Specialist Diploma
Higher Specialist Diploma complements the academic knowledge attained through a postgraduate qualification and tests the candidate’s competence to practise at a high level within their chosen biomedical science discipline.

Expert And Extended Practice
Expert practice is the consolidation of high levels of skill and scientific expertise while extended practice is a move into new roles and responsibilities as boundaries between professional groups blur.

Advanced Specialist Diplomas
Advanced Specialist Diplomas demonstrate evidence of expertise within a discipline, build upon the Higher Specialist Diploma and link to professional doctorates. They are available in two flexible levels: general and advanced. They are offered in applied science areas, such as transfusion science, histopathological dissection and immunocytochemistry, or in more generic subjects such as quality management, information technology, health and safety and training. They are aimed at individuals wishing to pursue an extended or advanced role and require in-depth knowledge.

Professional Doctorate
The professional doctorate is an alternative pathway to a research doctorate . It may be considered the professionally oriented counterpart to the more focused PhD.

Continuing Professional Development
Continuing professional development is a required for HPC registration and status as a Chartered Scientist. The IBMS CPD scheme encourages biomedical scientists at all levels to meet these requirements whilst developing their knowledge, skills and practice.