A career in biomedical science: #NoWrongPath to a job in the NHS

#NoWrongPath to a career in healthcare science

I'm Katarzyna, and for a long time, I didn't see myself as a scientist. When I was in school, I was much more interested in sports and singing than I was in Biology or Chemistry. It wasn't until I started further education in Poland, at an Environmental School, that I discovered a real passion for science. Suddenly, a whole new world opened up to me.

After moving to Scotland, I knew I wanted to find a job as a scientist in the NHS. However, I didn't have the qualifications to jump straight in, so I took a different approach. I applied for a biomedical science support worker position in a blood sciences laboratory. I was so happy when I got the job! But for me, it was only the beginning.

Seizing opportunities: My biomedical science career journey

I knew I wanted to progress further in my career, so I kept my eyes open for new opportunities. When a job for an associate practitioner in blood sciences came up at another hospital, I went for it. I could see that the role would provide a great chance to grow, and I was successful in my application.

This new supervisory role really helped me develop my leadership skills. I was responsible for making sure that patient samples were processed correctly and communicating with service users, and other departments, including biochemistry, haematology and blood transfusion. I learned how to manage workflow to meet critical turnaround times, prioritise urgent tasks, supervise staff, and troubleshoot basic errors. It was an excellent way to prepare for the next step in my biomedical science career journey.

Making my career dream a reality: Becoming a registered biomedical scientist

Even though I enjoyed my role as an associate practitioner, I knew I wanted to become a registered biomedical scientist. The challenge was that I still didn't have the academic qualifications required for the role.

Fortunately, I work for an employer that believes in supporting its staff. They supported me in completing the academic qualifications I needed to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). I studied part-time to achieve a BSc in Biomedical Science (Hons) at Fife College, Edinburgh University, and NHS Lothian. The undergraduate degree programme is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS). Balancing my studies with my job was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it.

I recently completed my degree and am now a qualified HCPC-registered biomedical scientist! This means I can apply for biomedical scientist roles in NHS laboratories and continue my career journey.

My takeaway message

My best piece of career advice is simple. Make time to figure out what truly interests you. Then, use the resources and tools available to you to make it happen. My career path proves that there is #NoWrongPath. It might not be a straight line, but if you're determined, you can get there.