Intro 28/09/2020
IBMS Institute of Biomedical Science. HCPC Health and Care Professions Council.
Campus-Oct 19 genetics, Nov 16 biochemistry, Dec 7 virology (practicals 10-1 in UH219/011).
You get a disposable mask in there along with regular stuff. Week before, intro session at 4pm.
Quick quizzes-just exercises along with short essays. Formative.
Summative-theory (2 Nov, 2pm on Moodle); practical (14 Dec, same).
Biomedical Science and Biomedical Scientists pgs. 27-43
Biomedical scientist-scientifically qualified, registered (with HCPC) practitioners in the Clinical
Pathology departments. Quality Assurance Agency for Higher
Education subject areas in biomedical science: main two components
of biomed science is pathobiology and disease processes.
Highest standards for samples-correct specimen type from patient +
timely. Role-accurately test with the most suitable method. CPD-
Continuing Professional Development. CLINICAL AREAS-they have
been merging though (cytology in histopathology). Skills: learning how
to handle patient samples in a safe and responsible manner when
preparing these samples for clinical investigation, using aseptic procedures, using laboratory
instruments safely and appropriately to ensure accuracy, precision, and reproducibility, and
interpreting patient-related data in an appropriate manner. As well as generic skills: team-work,
communication, negotiation, numeracy, data analysis, and info technology.
Qualifications-academic (degree accredited IBMS), vocational (in training lab-met HCPC
standards). IBMS-professional body for those working in field on biomed science. ROLE-
represent its members; set standards of behaviour for its members; enable career development;
educate its members; promote biomedical science to the public; award qualifications
appropriate to the collective knowledge and skill base of its members
MEMBERS-biomed scientist (monthly journal)-up to date news, science, and job vacancies.
British Journal of Biomed Science (quarterly). Members can publish articles desc scientific
research. There are even scientific meetings-to see findings from research developments in
diagnostic testing techniques. You have to be invited to panels tho.
Membership categories: eStudent, person in training-Associate, eventually Licentiate, Member,
Fellow. Not just techniques, but can be managerial as well (health and safety).
It is expected that a newly registrant biomedical scientist will be safe and trustworthy in the
laboratory, but will need training in more depth in the work of the laboratory when they start their
first job. Accredited degree-covers all areas of pathology. Placement-one discipline mostly.
Test types: Diagnostic: Investigating an individual showing signs or symptoms of an illness.
Screening: Identification of ‘at risk’ individuals within a defined population who do not show any
symptoms, but may have an underlying undiagnosed clinical condition. Monitoring: Checking
the health status of an individual before undertaking a medical procedure; assessing an
individual following diagnosis and treatment; monitoring the progress of long-term or chronic
conditions
, Fitness to Practice (HCPC) pgs. 44-60
QUESTION-difference from IBMS and HCPC. HCPC is regulatory body for 15 HC professional
groups. Anyone working in a clinical lab (patient’s diagnosis and using biomedical science title)
must register with HCPC. Doctors have their own. Aim: protect the public who use the services
of practitioners.
Standards: Education and Training, Proficiency, Conduct and Performance and Ethics, as well
as Continuing Professional Development. Might need evidence you are continuing to study/train
about new science techniques. All 15 have the Standards of Proficiency and apply them to a
biomed scientist: “Interpreted” by the IBMS to make them appropriate to the type of work that a
biomedical scientist performs (portfolio of evidence).
Registration portfolio-lists of knowledge and competence necessary to meet each Standard of
Proficiency and give guidelines about collecting evidence. Students and trainees who are
successful in the IBMS Registration Portfolio verification are issued with a Certificate of
Competence. Reception-check labels and containers, enter into the system, sort into different
labs. SOP-standard operating procedures.
Complaints procedure: registrant is not meeting particular standards. “Fitness to practice”:
Unprofessional behaviour; Incompetence; Breaking the criminal law; Being physically or
mentally unfit. (Physiotherapists are more common to have this as they are in direct contact with
patient; biomed not really). If a registrant is not undertaking suitable continuing professional
development regularly. This is a process. IBMS-professional body for biomed, HCPC protect
patients, regulatory body.
Codes of Conduct are strong with this one. Clear expectations of members. Not satisfactory
behaviour, pointed out to them unambiguously. NO controls, NO release the results! Bound by
law to work safely in lab, process information in confidence, and treat others with respect.
Confidentiality-Health and Safety legislation. Biomedical scientists will do their best at all times
in all tasks. Behave politely and respectfully to everyone they meet professionally. Not to bring
themselves, their profession or the professional body into disrepute. 2 years till renew.
HCPS-Health and Care Professions Tribunal Service. They were reported to HCPC-hearing.
What can I do with a Biomedical Science degree?
Prospects. GET LINKEDIN!! Useful to get you noticed. Work for NHS-MLA (without placement
you get this job). Can be a clinical scientist physician associate or biomedical scientist as well.
, Other jobs: Teaching: How to become a teacher. Writing: Science writer. Patenting: Careers for
Scientists in the Patenting World. Medical Sales Representative: "Reps“. Financial Services
Companies: Analyzing Scientific Investments. Army: Medical Support. Department of Health:
Working for DH. Charity Job
Agency listing: careerscene.com: The Biomedical Science career network. Agency Central. The
recruitment agency directory. Biomedical Scientists recruitment agency listing.
Recruitment agencies: Atlantis Medical, Labmed (Maxxima), Matchtech, Mediplacements.
Newsletters: Institute of Biomedical Science: Careers, Pathology in Practice, NatureJobs.
Royal Society of Biology: Next Steps: Options After a Bioscience Degree
Further study: Find a Masters, Find a PhD. CfSS
QUIZ
Distinguish between the functions of the IBMS and the HCPC.
The Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) works as a regulatory body for fifteen
health care professional groups. Anyone working in a clinical laboratory must register with the
HCPC. The aim of the HCPC is to protect the public who use the services of practitioners. They
also have a HCPS, Health and Care Professionals Tribunal Service, which is where the public
can go to find out about those who were reported to the HCPC and have hearings.
The Institute of Biomedical Science is a professional body for those working in the field of
biomedical science. Its role, unlike HCPC, is to represent its members, set certain standards of
behaviour for its members, promote biomedical science field to the public, as well as award
qualifications based on the collective knowledge and skill base of its members.
Thus, the HCPC's main function is to care for the public, whilst the IBMS is more about
biomedical science and biomedical scientists.
Feedback
- IBMS: professional body (aim: professional and personal development)
- HCPC: regulatory authority (aim: to protect the patients)
What qualifications are required to become a Licentiate of the IBMS?
A licentiate must have an honours accredited degree and HCPC registration. The IBMS
Certificate of Competence is issues upon successful completion of the registration portfolio.
Feedback
• BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (IBMS accredited)
• IBMS Certificate of Competence
Name the HCPC standards.
The HCPC has a collective set of standards. They include education and training; proficiency in
their field; conduct, performance, and ethics; and continue their professional development.
Feedback
• Education and Training
• Proficiency
• Conduct
• Performance and Ethics
• Continuing Professional Development
Communications in Laboratory Medicine 05/10/2020
