A bursary that opened doors: Karlie’s path to biomedical science

Karlie works as a Biomedical Associate Practitioner in Blood Sciences at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, where she supports biomedical scientists and biomedical support staff in processing diagnostic patient samples. 

While working as a Band 2 Biomedical Assistant in Virology at Leicester Royal Infirmary, she successfully applied for the Mary McDonald Bursary, which helped fund her Certificate of Achievement Part 2 (CoA Part 2). She is now a qualified biomedical scientist.  

Can you tell us about your current role and the work you do?

I currently work as a Biomedical Associate Practitioner in Blood Sciences, which includes working in haematology, transfusion and biochemistry at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. The role includes tasks such as preparing samples, running analysers, carrying out testing, and performing quality checks to ensure an efficient, reliable diagnostic service.

 

What inspired you to pursue a career in biomedical science?

"I left school midway through my A-levels and was very confused about what to do with my life. I was learning administrative skills at an educational charity that helped young people find work. I wasn’t getting any interviews found for me, so I started applying for jobs myself. I applied for an apprenticeship as a biomedical support worker and for a role in pathology IT, which were jobs I didn’t even know existed.

I got an interview for the support worker role and was successful. When I started working in the laboratories, my love for healthcare sciences grew, and I finally knew what I wanted to do: pursue a career in biomedical science"

What made you apply for the Mary Macdonald Bursary in 2015?

"I wanted to complete further relevant education, and it wasn’t a guarantee that there would be funds to support this in my current place of work, so I applied in hopes of being awarded the bursary."

 

How did receiving the bursary help you achieve your Certificate of Achievement Part 2?

When I received the bursary, I worked as a Band 2 Biomedical Assistant in Virology at Leicester Royal Infirmary. I wanted to do something that supported my development, and a colleague told me about the IBMS CoAs. When I asked about this, I was told it wasn't something they offered, but they said they would investigate whether funds were available. 

There was a chance there might not be any funds, so I saw the Mary Macdonald bursary and decided to apply, and I was lucky enough to be awarded it. This helped me complete the CoA 2.

Looking back, what impact did the bursary have on your confidence, career development or future opportunities?

"It really supported my career development as it allowed me to complete the CoA Part 2 and meant I could move from a Band 2 Biomedical support worker to a Band 4 Associate Practitioner, which also opened up future opportunities for career progression and further education.

I was then able to apply to complete an Applied Biomedical Science apprentice degree, alongside my IBMS registration portfolio, allowing me to now apply for HCPC registration and look for a Biomedical Scientist role.

This entire educational, developmental journey has positively contributed to my career; it has helped expand my skills and knowledge so I can feel confident in what I do every day."

How has your career progressed since receiving the bursary, and what have been the key milestones along the way?

After completing the CoA made possible by the bursary, I progressed to an Associate practitioner role. I had more responsibilities and was able to carry out more laboratory tasks to advance my skills and experiences. I have also been very fortunate to help the Research and Development team at Leicester Royal Infirmary with their projects, which meant I could be an author on some research papers!

I then moved to Hinchingbrooke as a Band 4 in Blood Sciences, and I was successful in the interview for the Applied Biomedical Science degree. My most recent milestone is graduation, completed with a 2:1 with honours!

 

You're about to complete your Biomedical Science apprenticeship degree. What does reaching this milestone mean to you?

"It means absolutely everything to me! I have spent 16 years working hard to reach this milestone. I have cried so many happy tears; I have grown and learned so much since starting my career, and all of this is to be able to contribute positively to science and help people."

Have there been any particular challenges during your career, and how have you overcome them?

"I have effectively been actively pursuing or completing qualifications while working, and there have been some very tense moments with managing education and work. But an important skill to have is time management, organisation and the ability to prioritise, so that helped me get through. That and the ambition to become a biomedical scientist."

What advice would you give to biomedical scientists who are considering applying for the Mary Macdonald Bursary or taking the next step in their professional development?

Do not be afraid to step into the unknown. At every educational step, I was a bit hesitant, but it isn’t as scary as you think, and the benefits aren't just to you personally, but to your colleagues and your department. It’s worth it, and you won’t regret it.

 

Looking ahead, what are your career aspirations, and what excites you most about the future?

Funnily enough, the unknown excites me! I don’t know where I want to specialise or where I will end up, and I can’t wait to see what happens. When I find my place, I would like to specialise, and I might even be tempted to complete a master's degree.

You can find out more about the Mary Macdonald Bursary here.