How to become a clinical scientist in immunology

What is a clinical scientist in immunology?

Our immune system defends our body against disease and infection. A dysfunctional immune system can lead to immunodeficiency disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, and cancer. 

Clinical scientists working in immunology are involved in the diagnosis and care of patients with:

• Diseases resulting from disorders of the immune system.
• Conditions in which immunological treatment is an important part of therapy. 

They bring their scientific expertise to all immunology investigations so that:

• Biomedical science staff carry out the appropriate diagnostic tests for immune-based diseases in the laboratory.
• Consultants and GPs have the information they need for an accurate diagnosis and monitoring of a patient’s condition.

Within the department, clinical scientists also have responsibility for service delivery, staff training and assessment, and quality control.

Starting your career as a clinical scientist in immunology

Choosing subjects at school

School subjects that could lead to a career as a clinical scientist in immunology include:

• English
• Maths
• Biology
• Chemistry

Speak to your guidance teacher or careers adviser about subjects offered at your school.

Education and training pathway

There are different education and training pathways to becoming a clinical scientist. 

Clinical scientist training programme

A clinical scientist training programme is one route you can choose. 

You’ll complete one of the following:

• Scientist Training Programme (STP)
• alternative work-based training programme

To apply to a clinical scientist training programme, you must have a relevant undergraduate honours degree at SCQF level 10. Subjects include:

• Immunology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Scientist Training Programme (STP)

Throughout your training, you’ll learn the skills, knowledge, and experience you need to become a clinical scientist in immunology.

Once your training is complete, 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.

Alternative work-based training programme

Some health boards offer alternative work-based training programmes if you already have relevant experience within a diagnostics laboratory setting and a postgraduate degree at SCQF level 11.

As a trainee, you’ll learn the skills, knowledge, and experience you need to apply for clinical scientist registration via the STP equivalence route.

If successful, you’ll register as a clinical scientist with the HCPC.

Clinical scientist equivalence recognition

You can apply for equivalence recognition if you already have significant professional NHS experience in immunology or have 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 immunology.

You’ll submit a portfolio of work to one of the following organisations for assessment and attend an interview:

• Academy for Healthcare Science
• Association of Clinical Scientists
• Institute of Biomedical Science

If successful, you can register with the HCPC as a clinical scientist.

Get to know the role

As a clinical scientist in immunology, you'll help in the diagnosis and care of patients with:

• Diseases resulting from disorders of the immune system.
• Conditions in which immunological treatment is an important part of therapy. 

As a clinical scientist in immunology, you’ll receive and prepare samples for analysis, validate results, and advise on specific types of treatment for individual patients.

Learning and development

As a clinical scientist, you’re expected to 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. Learn more about the HCPC’s guidance on CPD activities.

Career progression

During your career, you can also work towards additional qualifications, such as the Royal College of Pathologists examinations for immunology:

• Part 1 Examination (non-medical candidates)
• Part 2 Examination

Gaining qualifications could lead to more senior roles or the chance to advance into specialised practice areas.

Professional bodies

To work in the NHS as a clinical scientist, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Other professional bodies and societies include:

• Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS)
• Association of Clinical Scientists (ACS)
• British Society for Immunology
• Royal College of Pathologists
• Association for Clinical Biochemistry (ACB)