1.3 IBMS Accreditation

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) is the UK’s professional body for biomedical scientists, responsible for accrediting degrees, ensuring labs meet high standards, and supporting professionals in their careers. They help students and scientists gain the skills needed to work in NHS labs by accrediting degrees and aiding in HCPC registration. The IBMS also provides training and development opportunities, while ensuring that healthcare labs across the UK follow strict regulations for accurate and reliable diagnostic testing.

Why is IBMS Accreditation Important?

IBMS accreditation can pave the way to becoming a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered biomedical scientist. Many universities allocate a certain amount of their budget to ensure that the modules included within their degrees are tried and tested to ensure graduates have the relevant experience and attributes to conduct themselves within a clinical laboratory setting. The reason for this being: 

Clinical Careers

These can include career paths in healthcare settings with the NHS, for example using lab skills to diagnose diseases, run tests, and interpret results. Since you will be directly associated and potentially be interacting with patients, the standards of IBMS accreditation are high and for good reason. That being said, there are more opportunities of selecting a career within the private healthcare sector, as competition to the NHS grows day by day.

Not Accredited? No Problem

You can still pursue a clinical career by completing top-up modules through IBMS-accredited universities and then apply for a Certificate of Competence to become HCPC registered biomedical scientist.

Another way in which you could become accredited to work within a healthcare setting is via the Scientist Training Programme; a 3-year fully funded programme by the NHS in which you will learn and hone skills required in a clinical laboratory, all whilst conducting work experience with a salary. You will also earn a Master’s degree on completion of the programme. In the next lesson, we will break down how this program is run and what you can expect from it.