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), and STP applicants' webinar January 2023 - see video in Recruitment process section below
• Become a Biomedical Scientist from the Institute of Biomedical Science
• 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, attend the open day for your specialism when available to learn more about the role.
  A list of the specialisms can be found on the STP website
• 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; 2023 applications are open 9-23 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:

• SRG
• CK Science
• Network Scientific
• Vector Recruitment.

• 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 2023 webinar for potential applicants

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGSaua4N1vE 

• 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, YUSU or your college to develop the skills you’ll need to demonstrate in an interview.
• Attend Careers and Placements events 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 aptitude tests to prepare for the STP application process.
• Apply for internships through York Internships.
• Look out for talks and events in your department or faculty - Biology usually runs an STP talk once a year and Physics organises a visit to a hospital medical physics department.
• Look out for research internships offered by some science departments, usually to 2nd year students.
• 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

Social media accounts

• @NSHCS
• @STPperspectives
• @STPBuddies
• @timefortea_stp
• @bame_STN