Modernising Scientific Careers

Modernising Scientific Careers (MSC) was a UK-wide initiative which aimed to standardise education and training pathways. These pathways were developed for all healthcare Science job roles in all disciplines. The new pathway was designed to provide a clearer view of where to enter the pathway and how to move through the levels and progress your career. The MSC role titles are:

  • Assistant
  • Assistant practitioner
  • Associate
  • Practitioner
  • Scientist
  • Consultant Scientist

The Modernising Scientific Careers pathway should help to show how these roles link together. Modernising Scientific Careers at a glance, an overview of how to progress.

All these programmes integrate leadership and management training alongside a scientific discipline. They are also aligned to Good Scientific Practice (GSP), which outlines the underpinning qualities that the pathways are aiming to deliver. MSC training schemes also attract funding from Health Education England (HEE).

NHSBT employ trainees on multi-year Clinical Science training programmes – in Transfusion, Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, Bioinformatics and Virology. Participants are completing the 3 year Scientist Training Programme (STP) to enable them to become registered as a Clinical Scientist. Additional employees are   on the 5 year Higher Specialist Scientist Programme (HSST) which enables them to seek employment as a Consultant Clinical Scientist. Organisational training need for the roles is identified at management level as part of operational workforce planning. If you are interested in this career pathway, please discuss with your manager.

These MSC training posts are advertised and recruited by the National School of Healthcare Science.

More information, including eligibility criteria, is available at the National School of Healthcare Science.