Getting started

Are you interested and want some advice?  Here are some tips on how to get started depending on where you are: 

At school / doing A-Levels:

• Focus on obtaining good science based GCSE and A-levels
• If you don't want to go to university you can check out these NHS apprenticeships
• Start looking at the UCAS website to identify physics or engineering courses which you might find interesting  (and check their entry requirements)
• Look at the NHS careers website for Careers in medical physics and clinical engineering
• Visit the medical physics / engineering department during an open day at your local hospitals
• Consider work experience or volunteering in a hospital or a patient facing role   
• You could also look at HNC or HND courses in Engineering and use these to gain entry to a work-based training scheme in a hospital or in industry.
• Many clinical technologists training posts are hospital based so you need to find a job first. (If you search in NHS Jobs or NHS Scotland for “clinical technologist" you may find some available on a trainee basis).  Many now require a science degree for this.
• Consider an apprenticeship to get started.  Check the main government website here
• Information for international students interested in apprenticeships 
• If you are interested in apprenticeships you should check your local hospital as so far most apprenticeships are on a local level and not nationally coordinated.   This might change and then they would be available on the NHS jobs website (see above)
• Watch our careers videos on YouTube

At university / doing an undergraduate or MSc degree:

• Look at the NHS careers website for more details on NHS careers in medical physics and clinical engineering. 
  
• If you are interested in applying for the NHS England Clinical Scientist Trainee Scheme see the details here.  It is very competitive and the deadline for applications is normally in January.
• Information about the training scheme in Scotland can be found here
  
• Visit the medical physics / engineering department during an open day at your local hospitals
• Consider work experience or volunteering in a hospital or a patient facing role.  Even if not exactly related to medical physics or engineering experience in a hospital is useful.  Useful for getting a job but also useful for you as you might not like a hospital environment!
• Many clinical technologists training posts require a degree and then you can receive further training. (Search in NHS Jobs or NHS Scotland)
• Check our FAQ if you are considering working in the Healthcare technologies industry.  There is a database of all UK companies working in the medical technologies sector.  If you find a suitable one why not contact them for placements or job opportunities?
• Check our FAQ if you are considering doing a PhD and staying in academia doing research in the field.     

Join IPEM as an Affiliate Member - it is free for full time students. 

At university / doing or have done a PhD:

If you are not staying in academia but want to work in the NHS:
Some hospitals will employ you at a lower level and allow you to train as a Healthcare Scientist and eventual clinical registration via a so called "Route 2".  See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more details on Route 2

If you want to work in industry:

Join IPEM as an Associate Member - it is free for full time PhD students.