Certificate of Achievement
Demonstrate your knowledge, skills and evidence of laboratory training
The IBMS Certificate of Achievement is for biomedical science support staff working in laboratory services and is designed to reflect both the employer's and individual's training needs.
This qualification comes in two parts. Both are portfolio based professional vocational qualifications that guide and assess the development of skills that underpin the biomedical science workforce. They will enable you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills and evidence your laboratory training. These flexible qualifications can be used in a range of biomedical science disciplines, not just in pathology laboratories.
The IBMS Certificate of Achievement portfolios are a collection of knowledge and skill requirements that demonstrate practice to the level and standard expected of a band 2 or 3 Assistant Practitioner or band 4 Associate Practitioner.
On achieving an IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I you will be able to join the IBMS as an Associate.
Please Note:
During the COVID-19 pandemic the IBMS have switched to issuing electronic copies of our portfolios. These electronic versions are identical to the physical portfolios and can be completed and assessed electronically when the qualification is completed.
We have taken this step to ensure that candidates can continue all qualifications during the pandemic. The feedback has been positive and we are pleased that we have been able to work in a greener and more sustainable way whilst continuing our usual level of service.
To ensure a timely response to your documentation we would encourage you to submit everything electronically to us via email.
Further information
About the qualification
The IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I and Part II are portfolio based professional vocational qualifications.
There are two IBMS Certificate of Achievement portfolios:
Certificate of Achievement Part I
The IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I enables you to demonstrate the level of knowledge and skills expected of band 2 or 3 biomedical science support staff.
Certificate of Achievement Part II
The IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part II enables you to demonstrate the level of knowledge and skills expected of band 4 biomedical science support staff.
The portfolios are structured around specific modules of described knowledge, competence and evidence of achievement related to an area of professional practice.
The portfolios will have a set number of core modules and a number of optional modules, a minimum number of which must also be completed. The optional modules can be chosen to reflect your own duties and the type of service your laboratory provides.
The IBMS Certificate of Achievement is assessed by your training officer or laboratory manager in your workplace.
Please note that the time limit for completing this qualification has been removed. However, there will be an expiry limit of 3 years on any outdated version of a portfolio from the date a new version is introduced. There is still a requirement for evidence to be current i.e. within 3 years of the declaration. Evidence older than this will be discounted by the IBMS.
Who can apply
There are no eligibility criteria for candidates for the Certificate of Achievement Part I.
Candidates for the Certificate of Achievement Part II must be an Associate of the IBMS, have relevant laboratory experience and hold a level 3 (6 in Scotland) qualification related to biological science or have completed the Certificate of Achievement Part I.
The laboratory where you plan to undertake your IBMS Certificate of Achievement must have IBMS Biomedical Support Staff Training Approval
If you are unsure whether your laboratory has IBMS laboratory approval for please check with your laboratory manager or training officer.
Please note that current, paid membership must be maintained for the duration of this qualification.
Completing the portfolio
Evidence of the candidate's training is demonstrated through signatures against performance criteria and comments by their line manager. There are also prescribed tasks that need to be completed. These are the only requirements for evidence.
The most appropriate person to sign off the performance criteria does not have to be a senior member of staff but the member of staff appointed by the laboratory.
You will be issued with an IBMS Certificate of Achievement once:
- you have completed the portfolio
- each of the performance criteria in the portfolio has been signed off by your training officer or laboratory manager
- you and your training officer or laboratory manager have completed and signed the declaration at the back of the portfolio and submitted this to the IBMS office
Once completed:
- scan the signed declaration and email to supportstaff@ibms.org, or
- post the signed declaration to: Support Staff, IBMS, 12 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL
The Certificate of Achievement will be sent to the candidate's address within two weeks of the IBMS receiving the completed portfolio and signed declaration.
The IBMS may audit portfolios to ensure standards are maintained.
Your Certificate of Achievement can be used as evidence to demonstrate your level of knowledge and skill and to become professionally registered with the Science Council.
Registering with the Science Council
Registered Science Technician (RSci Tech)
You will be able to apply to the Science Council to become professionally registered as a Registered Science Technician (RSci Tech) once you have:
- completed the IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I
- become an Associate member of the IBMS
Find out more about becoming professionally registered with the Science Council as an RSci Tech
Registered Scientist (RSci)
You will be able to apply to the Science Council to become professionally registered as a Registered Scientist (RSci) once you have:
- completed the IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part II
Find out more about becoming professionally registered with the Science Council as an RSci
Fees and how to apply
The portfolio must be applied for by the training member of staff.
Please refer to the IBMS Certificate of Achievement application form for the fee and methods of payment for the portfolio.
Please submit to the IBMS Support Staff Team your:
- completed Order Form for Certificate of Achievement Portfolio
- payment or purchase order
You can also post application forms and payment to Support Staff, IBMS, 12 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL.
Mary Macdonald Bursary
The IBMS Mary Macdonald Bursary is awarded to enable biomedical science support staff to undertake the IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I or II qualification.
Visit our Mary Macdonald Congress Award and Bursary pages for more information and to find out how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
You can find detailed guidance about the portfolios, training support and requirements, the qualification and employment issues in our IBMS Certificate of Achievement FAQs.
Click to download the IBMS Certificate of Achievement FAQs.
Reference copies
IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I Reference Copy
IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part II Reference Copy
Bound reference copies of IBMS Certificates of Achievement Part I and II for laboratory managers and training officers can be ordered from the IBMS by completing the Order Form for Certificate of Achievement Portfolio.
Please contact our Support Staff Team for further information on the IBMS Certificates of Achievement.
Resources
You can find articles on laboratory techniques and online resources to support your training in our Resources section.
For further information about the IBMS Certificate of Achievement Part I or II please contact supportstaff@ibms.org.