Healthcare Scientists Working in Clinical Endocrinology

1. Laboratory Endocrinology

NHS laboratories support the investigation, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with endocrine disorders. The same laboratories are also active in collaborative research into the causes of endocrine disease and the derivation and evaluation of new treatments.

Two main laboratory disciplines are involved:

• Clinical Biochemistry – the quantitative measurement of hormones in blood and other clinical tissues
• Histopathology – cellular, sub-cellular and molecular investigation of tissue taken from patients with endocrine disease

A variety of laboratory techniques are involved in this work, including immunoassay, chromatography, mass spectrometry, microscopy, immunohistochemistry and a variety of molecular diagnostic methods.

2. Healthcare Scientists

Healthcare Scientists can be found in two main employment grades:

• Biomedical Scientists undertake the large majority of analytical investigations performed in NHS laboratories using established and quality controlled methods. Involvement in endocrine work is usually only part of their role as they will be trained in all areas of clinical biochemistry or histopathology and so apply their skills across a wide range of clinical conditions.
• Clinical Scientists interpret the results of laboratory investigations and work closely with doctors to agree the diagnosis, treatment and further investigation of patients. Clinical Scientists are usually responsible for the research performed in laboratories and may be specialists in endocrinology.

3. Education and Training of Healthcare Scientists

Biomedical Scientists study for a three-year BSc in Biomedical Science and courses are run from several UK universities. Increasingly these courses include a placement in an NHS laboratory so that achievement of the BSc degree is linked with registration as a Biomedical Scientist with the Health Professions Council. Postgraduate education and training to MSc level is undertaken, with specialisation being introduced at postgraduate level. The Institute of Biomedical Science is the relevant professional body. 

Training as a Clinical Scientist is an entirely postgraduate experience. Entry to the profession is subject to workforce planning and there is great competition for the training posts. Entry requires an honours degree in a relevant science although many enter with a PhD. Four years of training is required for registration with the Health Professions Council as a Clinical Scientist. The end point of training after a further four years is Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists.