Healthcare Science Week 2023

13 to 19 March 2023

Healthcare Science Week is an annual celebration of the work of the many healthcare scientists across the NHS. It is an opportunity to showcase the variety of roles available in healthcare science, and the skills required to do them.

Did you know that there are more than 50 different healthcare science careers? Healthcare scientists work in one of these 4 areas:

  • bioinformatics and data science
  • physical sciences and biomedical engineering
  • life sciences
  • physiological sciences

The importance of healthcare scientists

Healthcare scientists use data analysis, product design, engineering skills and scientific knowledge to:

  • prevent, diagnose, monitor, and treat medical conditions
  • design and develop custom medical devices
  • commission and maintain medical equipment
  • make, improve, and adapt assistive technology

Over 80% of conditions will be diagnosed with the assistance of the healthcare science workforce.

Roles in healthcare science

Healthcare science is the fourth largest group in the NHSScotland workforce, with approximately 6,000 healthcare scientists working across the service.

There are many roles available in healthcare science, including:

  • anatomical pathology technologists
  • audiologists
  • biomedical scientists
  • bioinformaticians
  • cardiac physiologists
  • clinical embryologists
  • clinical photographers
  • clinical technologists
  • decontamination technicians
  • sleep physiologists

Explore healthcare science careers

Healthcare Science Awards in Scotland

On Thursday, 16 March, the Scottish Government's Chief Healthcare Science Officer Awards 2023 will take place. The ceremony will be a virtual event, with final details to be confirmed.

These new awards celebrate the skills and expertise of healthcare science staff across the NHS, with awards in the following categories:

  • Healthcare Scientist of the year
  • Rising Star
  • Sustainability Champion
  • Transforming service Delivery
  • Healthcare Science research
  • Inspiring the Future workforce
  • Improvement in Action

Follow Healthcare Science Scotland on Twitter

Get involved with Healthcare Science Week

Follow us on social media to keep up to date with Healthcare Science Week 2023:

Twitter - @NHSScotCareers

Instagram - @NHSScotlandCareers

Use the hashtag #HCSWeekScot2023 to join the conversation, ask questions, and share your Healthcare Science Week activities!

Kirsty, Audiologist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

"I knew when I was at school that I wanted to be part of the health service, I just wasn't sure what role I wanted to do, so once I had read about audiology it just seemed like a good fit for me."

Gillian, Trainee Clinical Embryologist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

"I didn't really know a great deal about embryology until I got the role of healthcare scientist support worker, and quickly realized that this was the field I wanted to work in and pursue."

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