Profession biomedical scientist

Biomedical scientists perform all laboratory methods required as part of medical examination, treatment and research activities, particularly clinical-chemical, haematological, immuno-haematological, histological, cytological, microbiological, parasitological, mycological, serological and radiological tests. They perform analytical sample testing and report the results to the medical staff for further diagnosis. Biomedical Scientists may apply these methods in particular in the infection, blood or cellular sciences.

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Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic

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Knowledge

• Embryology

  The normal development of the embryo, the aetiology of developmental anomalies such as genetic aspects and organogenesis and the natural history of abnormalities diagnosed before birth.

• Laboratory methods in biomedical sciences

  The types, characteristics and procedures of laboratory techniques used for a wide range of medical tests such as serological tests.

• Hygiene in a health care setting

  The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used and infection control methods.

• Medical genetics

  The diagnosis, types and treatment of hereditary disorders; a type of genetics which refers to the application to medical care.

• Manage healthcare staff

  The managerial tasks and responsibilities required in a health care setting.

• Blood transfusion

  The procedures involved in blood transfusions, including compatibility and disease testing, by means of which blood is transferred into blood vessels, taken from donors with the same blood type.

• Bioethics

  The implications of various ethical issues related to the new advancements in biotechnology and medicine such as human experimentation.

• Molecular biology

  The interactions between the various systems of a cell, the interactions between the different types of genetic material and how these interactions are regulated.

• Microbiology-bacteriology

  Microbiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Health care occupation-specific ethics

  The moral standards and procedures, ethical questions and obligations specific to occupations in a health care setting such as respect for human dignity, self-determination, informed consent and patient confidentiality.

• Pathology

  The components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.

• Biomedical scientists' role in health care system

  The roles and responsibilities of a biomedical scientist under the health care regulation system.

• Biological haematology

  Biological haematology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Histopathology

  The procedures needed for the microscopic examination of stained tissue sections using histological techniques.

• Biomedical science

  The principles of the natural sciences applied to medicine. Medical sciences such as medical microbiology and clinical virology apply biology principles for medical knowledge and invention.

• Immunohaematology

  The reactions of antibodies in relation to the pathogenesis and manifestation of blood disorders.

• Medical terminology

  The meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.

• Transplantation

  The principles of organ and tissue transplantation, the principles of transplant immunology, immunosuppression, donation and procurement of tissue, and indications for organ transplantation.

• Epidemiology

  The branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution and control of diseases. The disease aetiology, transmission, outbreak investigation, and comparisons of treatment effects.

• Histology

  The microscopic analysis of cells and tissues.

• Microscopic techniques

  The techniques, functions and limitations of microscopy to visualise objects that cannot be seen with the normal eye.

• Immunology

  Immunology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Diagnostic methods in medical laboratory

  The various types of diagnostic methods in the medical laboratory such as clinical-chemical methods, haematological methods, immune-haematological methods, histological methods, cytological methods and micro-biological methods.

• Biostatistics

  The methods used to apply statistics in biology-related topics.

• Automated analysers in the medical laboratory

  The methods used to introduce samples into the laboratory instrument that analyses biological samples for diagnosis purpose.

• Analytical methods in biomedical sciences

  The various research, mathematical or analytical methods used in biomedical sciences.

• Biological chemistry

  Biological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.

• Biomedical techniques

  The various methods and techniques used in biomedical laboratory such as molecular and biomedical techniques, imaging techniques, genetic engineering, electrophysiology techniques and in silico techniques.

• Human physiology

  The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.

• Human anatomy

  The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.

• Clinical cytology

  The science of the formation, structure, and function of cells.

• Biology

  Tissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.

• Cross-matching techniques for blood transfusions

  The testing methods used prior to a blood transfusion to identify if the donor`s blood is compatible with the blood of a specific recipient.

• Clinical biochemistry

  The various types of tests performed on bodily fluids such as electrolytes, renal function tests, liver function tests or minerals.

• Biophysics

  The characteristics of biophysics which span across various fields, using methods from physics in order to study biological elements.

• Techniques of blood-sampling

  The appropriate techniques for the collection of blood samples for laboratory work purposes, depending on the group of people targeted such as children or elderly.

• Biosafety in biomedical laboratory

  The principles and methods for managing infectious materials in the laboratory environment, biosafety levels, classification and risk assessment, pathogenicity and toxicity of a living organism and their possible hazards in order to minimise any risks for human health and the environment.

• Toxicology

  The negative effects of chemicals on living organisms, their dose and exposure.

• Medical informatics

  The processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.

• Professional documentation in health care

  The written standards applied in the health care professional environments for documentation purposes of one`s activity.

• Chemistry

  The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.

• Clinical immunology

  The pathology of a disease in relation to its immune response and immune system.

• Clinical microbiology

  The science of identifying and isolating organisms that cause infectious diseases.

• Radiation protection

  The measures and procedures used to protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionising radiation.

• Health care legislation

  The patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.

Skills

• Analyse body fluids

  Test samples from human bodily fluids like blood and urine for enzymes, hormones, and other constituents, identifying blood types and determining whether donor blood is compatible with the recipient.

• Inform policy makers on health-related challenges

  Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.

• Follow clinical guidelines

  Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.

• Conduct health related research

  Conduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.

• Apply context specific clinical competences

  Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.

• Comply with legislation related to health care

  Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.

• Provide health education

  Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.

• Apply health sciences

  Apply a broad range of bio-medical, psycho-social, organisational, educational, and societal aspects of health, disease, and healthcare to improve healthcare services and to improve quality of life.

• Work in a multicultural environment in health care

  Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.

• Keep up to date with diagnostic innovations

  Keep up to date with diagnostic innovations and apply newest methods of examination.

• Label medical laboratory samples

  Correctly label samples of the medical laboratory with the accurate information, according to the implemented quality system in place.

• Record data from biomedical tests

  Use information technology to accurately record and analyse data from biomedical tests, writing reports on the data and sharing results with the appropriate persons.

• Provide treatment strategies for challenges to human health

  Identify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.

• Manage infection control in the facility

  Implement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.

• Educate on the prevention of illness

  Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and health conditions. Provide advice on the identification of risks leading to ill health and help to increase the patients' resilience by targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.

• Develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship

  Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.

• Support blood transfusion services

  Support blood transfusions and transplants through blood grouping and matching.

• Listen actively

  Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.

• Apply good clinical practices

  Ensure compliance with and application of the ethical and scientific quality standards used to conduct, record and report clinical trials that involve human participation, at an international level.

• Interact with healthcare users

  Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.

• Communicate effectively in healthcare

  Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.

• Accept own accountability

  Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.

• Use e-health and mobile health technologies

  Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.

• Perform toxicological studies

  Perform tests to detect poisons or drug misuse and help to monitor therapy by using chemical reagents, enzymes, radioisotopes and antibodies to detect abnormal chemical concentrations in the body.

• Adhere to organisational guidelines

  Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.

• Maintain medical laboratory equipment

  Regularly check the condition of medical laboratory equipment used, clean, and perform maintenance operations, as necessary.

• Implement quality control procedures for biomedical tests

  Follow quality control procedures, both internal and external, to make sure results from biomedical tests are accurate.

• Comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice

  Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.

• Analyse cell cultures

  Analyse cell cultures grown from tissue samples, performing also screening of the cervical smear to detect fertility issues.

• Apply organisational techniques

  Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.

• Advise on healthcare users' informed consent

  Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.

• Respond to changing situations in health care

  Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.

• Perform screening for infectious diseases

  Screen and test for infectious diseases, such as rubella or hepatitis. Identify micro-organisms causing disease.

• Monitor the effects of medication

  Carry out tests on laboratory cultures to determine the effects of medication and other programmes of treatment.

• Manage healthcare users' data

  Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.

• Deal with emergency care situations

  Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.  

• Validate biomedical analysis results

  Clinically validate the results of the biomedical analysis, according to the expertise and authorization level.

• Promote inclusion

  Promote inclusion in health care and social services and respect diversity of beliefs, culture, values and preferences, keeping in mind the importance of equality and diversity issues.

• Carry out biopsy

  Perform a microscopic examination of surgical tissues and specimens, obtained during surgery, such as a breast lump biopsy obtained during mastectomy as well as those submitted by non-surgeons.

• Provide test results to medical staff

  Record and pass test results to medical staff, who use the information to diagnose and treat patient`s illness.

• Assist in the production of laboratory documentation

  Assist in documenting laboratory work, especially paying attention to policies and standard operating procedures.

• Apply safety procedures in laboratory

  Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.

• Contribute to continuity of health care

  Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.

• Work in multidisciplinary health teams

  Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.

• Apply scientific methods

  Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB