Routes of Entry Overview
Please see the links to the left - Modernising Scientific Careers for details of the new Healthcare Scientist and Practitioner training schemes. In 2012 England will use this new scheme. The information below is relevant for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
There's a route into Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering to suit everyone. At 16 you'll need to study subjects such as mathematics and physics to A level, Scottish higher or advanced higher. At 18, you need to make a choice:
Clinical Technologist
You can become a clinical technologist by enrolling on a university vocational degree course in clinical technology. This can either be in physics based subjects or in engineering based subjects. Make sure the course is accredited by IPEM and allows you to register on the IPEM training scheme for clinical technologists. Some hospitals advertise for trainee clinical technologists and will allow you to take the degree course on a part-time basis whilst working in a medical physics or clinical engineering department.
If you already have post A-level qualifications these can be utilised. For example, if you have an HND in electronics and relevant experience, you will be able to have part of the degree course accredited through prior learning. This will shorten the training period needed for completion of the degree and enable registration with the VRCT at an earlier date. After about three years unsupervised practice you will be ready to think about applying for IIPEM membership. You will also be encouraged to join the IPEM CPD scheme. and think about CSci, EngTech, IEng and CEng as appropriate. Click on the Clinical Technologist Training Scheme link on the left for further details.
Medical Physicist or Clinical Engineer leading to the protected title of "Clinical Scientist"
You will need to take a more academic degree course in Physics or Engineering - look out for a course that is accredited by the Institute of Physics or one of the Engineering Institutions (IET or IMechE).
Route 1
After your degree you can either study for a PhD and then apply for a job within a medical physics or clinical engineering department, or you can apply for a place on a training scheme for Medical Physicists and Clinical Engineers. This provides a two year training place in a medical physics or clinical engineering department where you will obtain an MSc in Medical Physics or Engineering..
Once the two years are complete, and you have a post in medical physics or clinical engineering, you will be expected to undertake a further 2 years of advanced training leading to HPC registration following assessment by the Association of Clinical Scientists and the award of MIPEM, CSci or CEng as appropriate. You will also be encouraged to continue in the IPEM CPD scheme. Click on the Clinical Scientist Training link on the left for further details.
Route 2
This is often used by PhD students but is open to anyone who has a post as a trainee medical physicist or clinical engineer and is supervised by a registered clinical scientist. Six years of training and experience are required which are set out in a portfolio submitted to the Association of Clinical Scientists.
Applicants to the ACS (Association of Clinical Scientists) can use this link for more specific information.
Contact IPEM's Membership & Training Manager if you would like any further information.