A biomedical scientist (or biomedical doctor, biomedician, medical scientist), is a scientist educated in the field of biological science, especially in the context of medicine. Biomedicians are typically active in biomedical research in fields such as Anatomy, Pathology, Physiology, Pharmacology, Microbiology and traditionally tend to have more limited contact with patients. The recent trend is that these scientists work closely with engineers and technologists to find innovative ways to cure diseases by developing advanced diagnostic tools and treatment methodologies where physicians play a pivotal role.
Biomedical sciences must not be confused with Pathology and microbiology.
The general motivation may be stated as: "to increase the body of scientific knowledge on topics related to medicine."[1] Biomedical scientists study disease, drugs, and other topics related to human health. Their role is to develop or improve treatments, vaccines, equipment, and techniques involving health care.[1][2]
Biomedical scientists tend to focus more on complex medical science and research over treatment techniques and day-to-day medicine as their more patient-oriented physician counterparts.
Professionals educated in fields other than medicine might also contribute to medical overall knowledge. Examples include biological scientists such as molecular biologists.
Contents |
Biomedical scientists study aspects of living organisms, such as reproduction, growth, and development to develop treatments, prevent disease, and promote health.[3] Their research can investigate health (basic) or investigate how to prevent disorders (applied). Scientists may use human volunteers or models. Workplaces include institutes, hospitals or industries, laboratory-based.[1]
People in this field may:[1]
Biomedical education programs (sometimes known as Medical Scientist Training Program) are given at most medical facilities around the world, usually with the aim to create professionals with future leading positions in medical research and development.[citation needed]
The education has a clear focus on human biology and basic science and how this knowledge can be transferred into a medical and clinical setting.
The programs usually encompass an initial bachelors degree, which is presupposed for two years of further studies eventually earning the students a medicine master's examina (that might however differ in extent and depth between different countries and/or faculties). Nevertheless many students choose to study on (for as much as) another 4 years to earn the higher Ph.D/Doctor's degree, at this time the students specialize in a certain medical area such as, for example, nephrology, neurology, oncology or virology (by now the student has passed a maximum 9 years of higher learning).
In the UK specifically, prospective undergraduate students wishing to undertake a BSc in biomedical sciences are required to apply via the UCAS application system (usually during the final year of college or sixth form secondary school).
A PhD in Biomedicine is however required for most higher research and teaching positions, which most colleges and universities offer.[3] These graduate degree programs may include classroom and fieldwork, research at a laboratory, and a dissertation.[2] Although a degree in a medicine or life science is common, recent research projects also need graduates in statistics, bioinformatics, physics and chemistry.[1] Abilities preferred for entry in this field include: technical, scientific, numerical, written, and oral skills.[1]
Students who complete a bachelor's degree can work in non-research positions such as performing, less advanced, medical tests at hospitals or assisting Biomedical doctors in their work. When in high school, students should prepare themselves for this field by taking science and health-related courses such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics.[3]
Medical scientists can specialize, for example, in the following areas, which are explained:[2][3]
Biomedical scientists are employed by federal and state governments, are consultants for chemical and pharmaceutical business firms, or work in laboratories where they perform tests and experiment.[2][3] In the United States, the average salary for research scientists is $86,393.[citation needed] In the United Kingdom, they are paid anywhere from £20,000 to £60,000, depending on experience, education, and position.[1]
Laboratory experiments often include toxic or radioactive materials and dangerous organisms.[1][2] Safety procedures must be followed to avoid contamination.[2] Ethical issues are brought up when research scientists work with animals and animal products, like stem cells.[1]
| Job growth[citation needed] | |
| 10-year job growth | 17.05% |
| Total jobs (2004) | 29,442 |
| Forecast (2014) | 34,461 |
| Average annual growth | 1,424 |
Biomedical scientist is the protected title used by professionals working within the pathology department of a hospital.[7] The biomedical sciences are made up of the following disciplines; biochemistry, haematology, immunology, microbiology, histology, cytology, bacteriology and transfusion services. These professions are regulated within the United Kingdom by the Health professions council. Anyone who falsely claims to be a biomedical scientist commits an offence and could be fined up to £5000.
Each department specialises in aiding the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Entry to the profession requires an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredited BSc honours degree followed by a minimum of 12 months laboratory training in one of the pathology disciplines, however the actual time spent training can be considerably longer. Trainees are also required to complete a certificate of competence training portfolio, this requires gathering extensive amounts of evidence to demonstrate professional competence. At the end of this period the trainees portfolio and overall competence are assessed if successful state registration is achieved. State registration indicates that the applicant has reached a required standard of education and will follow the guidelines and codes of practice created by the health professions council.More recently a co-terminus degree has been implemented to bring the profession in to line with the other professions allied to health care. Students now participate in a placement year,which lasts 15 weeks, in either the second or third years of their degree. Students are then awarded their state registration on completion of their degree. Placements are not guaranteed and places are limited to the top students, those who do not get placements can follow the old style of registration but are at a serious disadvantage when applying for posts.
Biomedical scientists are the second largest profession registered by the Health Professions Council and make up a vital component of the health care team. Many of the decisions doctors make are based on the test results generated by biomedical scientists. Despite this, much of the general public are unaware of biomedical scientists and the important role they play. This lack of awareness extends to many doctors and nurses; often biomedical scientists are incorrectly referred to as laboratory technicians.
Biomedical scientists are not exclusively confined to NHS laboratories. Biomedical scientists along with scientists in other inter-related medical disciplines seek out to understand human anatomy, physiology and behaviour at all levels. This is sometimes achieved through the use of model systems that are homologous to various aspects of human biology. The research that is carried out either in Universities or Pharmaceutical companies by biomedical scientists has led to the development of new treatments for a wide range of degenerative and genetic disorders. Stem cell biology, cloning, genetic screening/therapies and other areas of biomedical science have all been generated by the work of biomedical scientists from around the world.
| http://texashotjobs.org">Hot Jobs |
| • | Medical research takes place in higher education institutions, research institutes, hospitals and industry. | &bull | Medical research scientists plan and conduct experiments to increase the body of scientific knowledge on topics related to medicine. | &bull | Medical research scientists are also concerned with disseminating the results of their work to others. | |
| medical, or any other professional. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/virology">Virology at The Free Online Dictionary - virology - definition of virology by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia. |
| medical, or any other professional. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bacteriologist">Bacteriology at The Free Online Dictionary - Bacteriologist - definition of Bacteriologist by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia. |
| • | A clinical embryologist will be involved in research and laboratory investigation of various aspects of IVF treatment and other programmes of assisted reproduction. | &bull | Entry requirements:For information about entry requirements for training to work as a clinical scientist, please click here. | &bull | Training programmes:For more information on training as a clinical scientist, how to apply, and financial support available while training, click here. | |
| • | Biological Research Scientists work as consultants, or they are employed by private companies such as chemical or pharmaceutical, research facilities, the government, and laboratories. | &bull | They work regular hours, 40-hours a week, although if working in field research, hours can vary and the work may be physically demanding. | |
| http://www.the-aps.org">American Physiological Society - © The American Physiological Society |
| • | Program and Research Management: At the request of state and federal agencies, the NRC manages and evaluates research programs, conducts program assessments, and reviews proposals. | &bull | Information about the National Research Council is also available in a downloadable brochure. | |
| http://www.asm.org">American Society for Microbiology - Microbiology -- The American Society For Microbiology |
| • | Listen to audio interviews in which members talk about their research, why they became scientists, and other aspects of their research and careers. | &bull | The academies also urged the G8+5 governments, meeting in Italy next month, to "lead the transition to an energy efficient and low carbon economy, and foster innovation and research and development for both mitigation and adaptation technologies." | |
| • | Medical research takes place in higher education institutions, research institutes, hospitals and industry. | &bull | Medical research scientists plan and conduct experiments to increase the body of scientific knowledge on topics related to medicine. | &bull | Medical research scientists are also concerned with disseminating the results of their work to others. | |
| http://www.mrc.ac.uk">Medical Research Council - Medical Research Council - Home |
| • | Our 12,000 members work in industry, research, education and healthcare, amongst other areas. | &bull | We attracted a great line-up of speakers from business, policy, research and NGOs at our Natural Capital Initiative symposium: a partnership of the Institute of Biology, the British Ecological Society and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. | |
|
|