Training, development and registration (analytical toxicology)

Your training will include studying at postgraduate or doctoral level

Training and development

As a graduate entering the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP), you will be employed on a fixed-term, salaried training post and will study towards a relevant Master's degree qualification in clinical science (see below).

If you enter Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST), you will study qualifications at doctoral level.

For a career in analytical toxicology, graduates study for a Master’s degree in clinical biochemistry. Specialisation in analytical toxicology comes as Higher Specialist Scientist Training.

Programmes are often supported by the development of workplace-based assessment tools, assessment of equivalent learning and the development of academic careers.

Find out more about the entry requirements, skills and interests required to enter a career in analytical toxicology.

Continuing professional development

No matter what level you are working at, as part of your development you will be expected to do continuing professional development (CPD) to show that you are keeping yourself up to date with the policies and procedures in your area of work.

Find out more general information about professional development

Accredited Scientific Practice- development opportunities for healthcare science staff

Accredited Scientific Practice (ASP) provides an additional route for your ongoing professional and scientific development as part of the healthcare science (HCS) workforce. ASP allows employers to develop bespoke, responsive, short course programmes to meet training needs within the HCS workforce. ASP programmes provide you with a quality assured, rigorously assessed qualification which can lead to voluntary professional registration with the Academy for Healthcare Sciences (AHCS).

An ASP programme involves work based learning with academic study of modules from the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) portfolio programmes. Access to an e-portfolio is provided to record learning in the workplace while associated academic study is completed independently through an accredited university provider. In some cases, completion of academic study may also lead to an award of a postgraduate qualification from the university provider.

Read more about ASP on the NSHCS website.

Registration

As a clinical scientist, you'll need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You must also hold an Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) Certificate of Attainment granted upon completion of the MSC Scientist Training Programme or AHCS Certificate of Equivalence.

Find out more about the Academy's Certificates on its website.

Please check individual job vacancy details for information when applying.

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