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IBMS Verifiers and Examiners: Sarah Baker

Last updated: 9th August 2024
IBMS Verifiers and Examiners: Sarah Baker

Highlighting the Vital Role of Our Expert Volunteers

This year, we are celebrating the invaluable contributions of our verifiers and examiners by highlighting the essential work they do for the profession. These dedicated professionals play a crucial role in maintaining high standards, verifying the skills of the next generation of biomedical scientists, and ensuring the continuous improvement of our field. Through their tireless efforts, they uphold the integrity and excellence that define the IBMS and the biomedical science community.

This month we spoke to Sarah Baker, Senior Biomedical Scientist (Quality Officer) at Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.


Why did you get involved in completing IBMS verifications / examinations in the first instance?

Due to my passion for Biomedical Science and desire to pass on knowledge, I have always found myself contributing to the training of colleagues, either through the on-the-job training of assays or benches or through mentoring colleagues through their portfolios. When it was my turn to complete my Registration Training Portfolio and Specialist Portfolio in Microbiology, my assessors (Geoffrey Trew and Una Porter respectively) were not only excellent and thorough assessors, but they also advocated for me to join the pool of IBMS verifiers. This role represented a natural step to continue my support of colleagues in my laboratory setting, as well as an important and fulfilling addition to my CPD, and furthering my involvement in the IBMS community.

 
Would you say your practice, or your workplace has benefited from your involvement in verifications / examinations? 
Without a doubt. By being a verifier, you not only stay on top of your own CPD, but you gain useful insights into how other laboratories work across a wide geographical area, particularly when considering the virtual verifications and the general networking opportunities between other hospitals. I personally like to use the good practice I see in other laboratories and try to incorporate it in my own workplace. Also, as someone involved in my department’s Registration Portfolios, my knowledge gained has helped our own trainees navigate the verification process.
 
What's your favourite thing about being an IBMS verifier / examiner?
I would say being that person that gets to give the feedback on all the hard work the candidate has produced for their portfolio and reflect on how their lab tour went. There is nothing better than having the privilege of telling someone their hard work has paid off and they can now call themselves a Biomedical Scientist.
 
Would you recommend becoming an IBMS verifier / examiner to others?
Definitely. It not only is an excellent way to gain knowledge to help your department, but most importantly, it is helping increase the pool of Biomedical Scientists as a whole and given the shortages across the NHS, this has never felt so significant to be a part of. The more verifiers we have, the shorter the wait time will be to get candidates registered and able to start flourishing in their careers.

If you want to find out more about the eligibility criteria and download the application form to become an IBMS Verifier or Examiner click here>>>

Please also feel free to watch these refresher training resources we have provided for our existing verifiers and examiners:

IBMS Training for Trainers - Verifiers : Part 1


IBMS Training for Trainers - Verifiers : Part 2


IBMS Training for Trainers - Specialist Portfolio Assessors

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