The specialist clinical areas where a biomedical scientist could prosper include pathology: cytology, clinical chemistry, haematology, histopathology, immunology, medical microbiology, transfusion science. (Pitt and Cunningham, 2009). NHS (2006) briefly describes each specialist area in detail such as medical microbiology, evolves with micro organisms which are identified and treated with antibiotics. Food poisoning, meningitis are a few common diseases. Similarly, haematology is referred as “the study of blood”. (IBMS, 2010). Leukaemia, malaria and anaemia are diagnosed if any abnormalities are present in the blood. Transfusion science works along with haematology discipline, as the biomedical scientist prepares the blood transfusions and also ensures that the blood group of the donor and the patient are “compatible”. (NHS, 2006). Clinical chemistry works with the analysis of body fluids such as blood which assists in diagnosing diseases such as diabetes. (NHS, 2006) states that biomedical scientists “carry out toxicological studies, test kidney and liver functions and to help monitor therapies.” Immunology associates with the human body’s immune system for example, dealing with infectious disease such as AIDS. (NHS, 2006). Histopathology is the study of tissues where the samples are obtained from surgeries to detect abnormalities which cause the disease. (Pitt and Cunningham, 2009). Qualified and registered biomedical scientists are allowed to perform laboratory tests but supervision is required in exceptional cases such as in different pathology departments. (Pitt and Cunningham,2009; IBMS,2010). Biomedical scientists tend to work as a large group which includes other healthcare professionals and clinical scientists in one particular discipline and this enables to acquire the knowledge in depth.
IBMS (2010) illustrates that “70% of the diagnosis are based on the pathology results provided by the biomedical scientists.” Majority of their work deals with processing routine specimens, carrying out various experiments and interpreting scientific results. However the work associated depends on each discipline. (Pitt and Cunningham, 2009). Other works include observing the effects of the medication by carrying out further tests. They also play a major role in producing laboratory documentation, developing new techniques and ensuring that they are updated with the new developments. (Duncan, 2010). Biomedical scientists take part in various research projects where various records of scientific data are analysed using computer which enables in quicker and improved patient care service. IBMS (2010) refers the field of biomedical science as a “continually changing and dynamic profession. It offers a fantastic variety of exciting career opportunities with excellent promotion prospects including specialist laboratory work, expert and consultant roles, research, education and management.” Generally most biomedical scientists work in a hospital assisting doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals but a diminutive percentage works in the public health sector which is working for health protection agency (HPA). For example, examining water, milk and other food materials that are essential for human consumption. (IBMS, 2010). Pitt and Cunningham (2009) states that a small fraction of biomedical scientists progress “lecturing at a university or working as a representative for a company which makes laboratory equipment and reagents.”
Understanding of scientific knowledge in depth, such as anatomy, physiology and pathology is essential as the work involved in biomedical science consists of a wide range of complex and diverse investigations. Hence a broader array of skills is vital to put the scientific knowledge into practical use. (IBMS, 2010). Biomedical scientists should be capable to work accurately and efficiently, as this allows executing their scientific knowledge to analyse and interpret scientific data. Good communication skills are essential and this forms an integral part in demonstrating laboratory techniques. Pitt and Cunningham (2009) highlights that as “a registered practitioner, a biomedical scientist can work autonomously” which means that they are expected to be able to prioritise tasks such as planning and experimenting laboratory tests. Biomedical scientists need to be updated regularly with modern scientific advances and current issues on pathology. Over the biomedical scientist trainee period, technical and transferable skills are developed in order that they can progress into senior roles. Professionals are expected to work at highest standards of conduct set by the professional body. Biomedical scientists play a major role in supporting patient care through their diagnostic investigations which aids the clinicians to decide the effective treatments. It is however a “rewarding and challenging” career which gives immense opportunities to develop expertise in various disciplines. (Pitt and Cunningham, 2009; IBMS, 2010).
References
Duncan, M. (2010), Biomedical scientist: Job description and activities [online]
Available at [Accessed on 29/11/10]
IBMS, (2010), Careers in biomedical science [online]. Available at [Accessed on 29/11/10]
NHS, (2006), Biomedical scientists [online]. Available at Accessed on [29/11/10]
Pitt S. P., Cunningham J. M. (2009), An introduction to biomedical science in professional and clinical practise. John Wiley and sons, Ltd. U.K, Pages 1- 3, 8, 30, 145-148.
