Healthcare sciences
If you have a degree in a science subject you could have a rewarding career as a scientist in a health-related role.
The NHS employs over 50,000 healthcare scientists, but there are also roles for health scientists in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, and in research roles in universities and research institutes.
There are many types of roles for you to consider, including life sciences (blood sciences, genomics, biomedical science), physical sciences (medical physics and clinical engineering), clinical bioinformatics and physiological sciences (audiology, respiratory physiology).
Start your research into healthcare science by looking at:
- Overview of careers in healthcare science from NHS Health Careers
- Overview of the NHS Scientist Training Programme (the main route into health sciences in the NHS for graduates)
- Careers in biomedical science from the Institute of Biomedical Sciences
- Careers in physics and engineering in medicine from the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
- Careers in the pharmaceutical sector from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)
- Listen to our podcast: What Do You Actually Do? with
Stefan Sipika, Laboratory Process and Production Manager
Research the sector and keep up with current issues by reading:
- Laboratory News and health news from news sources like the BBC
- New Scientist
As well as a degree in a sciences subject related to your chosen specialism, you’ll need to demonstrate:
- research planning
- problem-solving
- oral and written communication
- attention to detail
- teamwork
- good IT skills
- leadership
- laboratory skills for lab-based roles
- If you're going to work in the NHS, you'll need to understand and demonstrate the 6 core NHS values
Entry onto the Scientist Training Programme is particularly competitive, so work experience is essential to demonstrate your interest in the work.
- Arrange a visit or job shadowing opportunity with a laboratory/department in your area of interest, to supplement your lab experience from your studies.
- If you’re interested in the STP, check on the STP website or the IPEM website to see whether there is an open day for your specialism
- Take on a volunteering opportunity to develop your transferable skills.
- Consider a summer internship or a placement year - you will find opportunities in a range of STEM roles on Gradcracker.
- Look into part-time work in a role such as a laboratory assistant.
The STP usually opens for applications in January each year; 2024 applications are open 14-29 January, see key dates.
Other jobs are advertised on:
- job websites like HealthJobsUK, New Scientist, NHS Jobs and PharmiWeb
- company websites - Bionow has a map of biomedical and life science businesses across Northern England
- Jobs.ac.uk for roles in universities
Some science organisations prefer to use recruitment agencies, such as:
- The STP is very competitive, and has a multi-stage recruitment process including an online application, aptitude tests and interviews - find out more in the 2024 webinar for potential applicants
Recruitment in other roles will vary. You may be required to do any of the following:
-
- Complete an online application
- Send a CV and covering letter
- Assessment centre
- Competency tests
- Technical tests
- Interview
For help with these, see our pages on applying and interviewing.
- Volunteer through Careers and Placements, York SU or your college to develop the skills you’ll need to demonstrate in an interview.
- Attend Careers and Placements events and make use of online courses to develop your skills, such as project management.
- Use York Profiles and Mentors to connect with York graduates who have gone into your chosen career.
- Practise aptiPsychometric teststude tests to prepare for the STP application process.
- Apply for internships through York Internships.
- Look out for talks and events you can access - for example the talk about the STP and the Medical Physics module hospital visit.
- Look out for research internships offered by some science departments, usually to 2nd year students. See the Science experience page for suggestions.
- Book a careers advice appointment to discuss your options.
Connect with York graduates on York Profiles and Mentors
- Clinical Scientist (Genomics)
- Clinical Biochemist
- Trainee Clinical Scientist (Genomics)
Listen to these podcast episodes
- Stefan Sipika, Laboratory Process and Production Manager
- John Filby, Clinical Scientist in the NHS specialising in genomics