10 Years in Biomedical Science: Mehwish Khalid

Looking back to 2017, what was your role then, and how has it evolved into the role you hold today?

In 2017, I was a Senior Biomedical Scientist, with training and development already a core passion alongside my laboratory work. I progressed through section lead and Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory Manager roles before transitioning into my current role as a Pathology Practice Educator. The shift has been from operataional to strategic, and from local to national, with my work now spanning the IBMS, NHS England, Higher Education Institutions and the wider healthcare science community.

From your perspective, how has the biomedical science profession changed over the past decade?

 

Automation and digital innovation have transformed how laboratories operate, changing the nature of the biomedical scientist role and creating new opportunities for specialist and advanced practice.

There is a much stronger focus on workforce development and professional recognition than a decade ago, and the introduction of dedicated Practice Educator roles has given the profession a genuine strategic voice.

The pandemic also shone a spotlight on biomedical science, demonstrating its critical contribution to patient care in a way that has lasting significance.

What has been the most significant change in your specific area of practice during that time?

The most significant change has been the shift towards structured, nationally coordinated approaches to education and workforce development. When I began my career, training was often unstructured and inconsistent across organisations. Today, digital platforms, collaborative frameworks and a more strategic approach to workforce planning support biomedical scientists at every stage of their career.

There is now a genuine culture of professional development within the profession, one where progression is supported, visibility is growing and the value of investing in people is widely recognised.

In what ways has your work contributed to patient care over the last 10 years?

Earlier in my career, my contribution to patient care was direct, ensuring accurate, timely results from the bench and managing laboratory operations to the highest standards. Today it is systemic, developing and supporting the people who deliver those results every day, so that patients across the network consistently receive safe, high-quality diagnostic care.

Through the outward-facing elements of my role, I contribute to national training initiatives, outreach programmes, and collaboration with Higher Education Institutions to help strengthen and future-proof the biomedical science workforce.

What achievement or moment in your career so far are you most proud of, and why?

Stepping into the Practice Educator role and realising the breadth of what it made possible, collaborating with the IBMS, NHS England, Higher Education Institutions and the National Pathology Network for Workforce and Education Collaboration (NPNWEC), has been the most significant moment of my career.

Within that, spearheading the Specialist Portfolio programme remains my proudest achievement. Seeing biomedical scientists access the support they need to complete their portfolios, opening the door to career advancement in many laboratories, and knowing that what started as a London pilot is now accessed nationally, makes every effort worthwhile.

A decade of development and leadership

Mehwish’s journey reflects how much the profession has changed over the past 10 years, particularly in the growing focus on education, workforce development and creating clearer pathways for progression within biomedical science.

Her experience also highlights how careers in the profession can evolve beyond the laboratory itself, with biomedical scientists increasingly contributing to national training initiatives, collaboration across healthcare and supporting the next generation entering the workforce.