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Clinical scientist in embryology
How to become a clinical scientist in gastrointestinal physiology
To become a clinical scientist in gastrointestinal physiology, you'll need to complete a postgraduate-level work-based training programme. Alternatively, if you already have significant professional experience and relevant qualifications, you can apply for registration as a clinical scientist through an equivalence route.
What is a clinical scientist in gastrointestinal physiology?
Clinical scientists working in gastrointestinal (GI) physiology carry out diagnostic tests for suspected diseases or disorders in the digestive system. These include:
- swallowing disorders
- gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- lactose intolerance
- small bowel bacterial overgrowth
- chronic constipation
- faecal incontinence
They report on test results to help doctors make informed decisions about patients' medical and surgical care.
Clinical scientists in GI also work with nurses and doctors to offer specialist treatments, undertake research projects and participate in teaching and training.
What is the human digestive system?
Your body's digestive system is a group of organs that break down food and liquids into glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids. These components are used for energy, growth, and cell repair.
Within your digestive system is a long tube that starts at the back of your mouth and ends at your anus. The tube can be up to 9 meters long in adults and is known as the gastrointestinal tract. It is made up of the following organs:
- mouth
- oesophagus
- stomach
- small intestine
- large intestine
- anus
Other important organs in your body that help with digestion include the salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
At the end of the digestion process, metabolic waste leaves your body in several ways:
- sweat
- urine
- faeces
- carbon dioxide when you breathe out
Find out more about the function of the digestive system.
Starting your career as a clinical scientist in immunology
Choosing subjects at school
If you’re interested in a career as a clinical scientist in gastrointestinal physiology, useful school subjects include:
- Chemistry
- English
- Biology
- Maths
- Physics
Speak to your guidance teacher or careers adviser about subjects offered at your school.
Workplacements and volunteering
Clinical scientists in gastrointestinal physiology work directly with patients. You may find it helpful to get some healthcare experience by doing a work placement or volunteering. You’ll get training, increase your knowledge, and learn new skills. This could help you when applying to college, university, or a new job with NHSScotland.
Education and training pathway
There are different education and training pathways to becoming a clinical scientist in gastrointestinal physiology.
Clinical scientist training programme
Clinical scientist training has 2 pathways. You’ll complete one of the following 3-year programmes in the workplace:
- Scientist Training Programme (STP)
- alternative work-based training programme
Throughout your training, you’ll learn the skills, knowledge, and experience you’ll need to become a clinical scientist in gastrointestinal physiology.
What you’ll need to apply
You'll need an undergraduate honours degree at SCQF level 10 to apply to a clinical scientist training programme. Acceptable degree subjects include:
- Physiology
- Anatomy
- Medical Physiology
- Medical Biosciences
- Physiology and Pharmacology
- Biomedical Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Biology
Once you complete the clinical scientist training programme, you’ll register as a clinical scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
You can apply for training opportunities on our recruitment website.
Clinical scientist equivalence recognition
You can apply for equivalence recognition if you have either of the following:
- significant professional NHS experience in gastrointestinal physiology
- completed a training programme that does not directly lead to registration as a clinical scientist
It is a route you can take to demonstrate that you already have the skills, knowledge, and experience to become a clinical scientist in gastrointestinal physiology.
You’ll submit a portfolio of work to the Academy for Healthcare Science or the Association of Clinical Scientists for assessment and attend an interview. If successful, you can register with the Health and Care Professions Council as a clinical scientist.
Get to know the role
As a clinical scientist in gastrointestinal physiology, you’ll carry out complex investigations of patients’ digestive systems using specialist equipment. You’ll then provide an accurate diagnostic analysis that will be used by doctors to inform patient care.
Your main tasks could include:
- clean, set up, and calibrate equipment ready for use
- carry out quality control procedures to make sure equipment is measuring accurately
- troubleshoot equipment technical problems
- investigate a range of suspected digestive disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, swallowing difficulties, constipation, and faecal incontinence
- insert measurement catheters into the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract
- carry out diagnostic investigations, such as oesophageal manometry, pH and impedance studies, urea breath tests, anorectal manometry, small bowel capsule endoscopy, and endoanal ultrasound
- support patients during specialist investigations, which they often find embarrassing or cause them to become anxious
- interpret data from diagnostic tests
- create concise reports for referring medical staff
- update hospital patient management systems
- mentor and support trainee clinical scientists
You’ll need these skills: ·
- communicating
- collaborating
- critical thinking
- leading
- sense-making
You’ll work with:
- consultant gastroenterologists
- colorectal surgeons
- dietitians
- speech and language therapists
- nurses
- other clinical scientists
- trainee clinical scientists
As a clinical scientist in gastrointestinal physiology, you could work in:
- outpatient clinics
- hospital theatres
Learning and development
As a clinical scientist in gastrointestinal physiology, you must undertake continuous professional development (CPD) activities to:
- keep your knowledge and skills up to date
- maintain your registration with the HCPC
Clinical scientists must meet the HCPC’s standards for CPD. You could complete accredited training programmes and attend conferences and seminars to update your skills and knowledge. Learn more about the HCPC’s guidance on CPD activities.
Career progression
During your career as a clinical scientist in gastrointestinal physiology, you can also work towards additional qualifications, such as:
- higher specialist development
- PhDs and professional doctorates
Gaining experience and qualifications could lead to more senior roles or the chance to advance into specialised practice areas. You could also move into research or teaching roles.
Professional bodies
To work in the NHS as a clinical scientist, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Once you’ve qualified, you can also join the following organisations:
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