Training, development and registration (clinical engineering)

Training and development

• For the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP), you’ll need to apply for an accredited undergraduate BSc (Hons) healthcare science (clinical engineering). These are 3-year programmes which combine academic study with practical experience gained in the NHS. You can search for universities running the BSc degrees by using our course finder. Applications for degree programmes should be made through UCAS.
• If you’re considering the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP), you’ll need to apply for STP vacancies in disciplines such as rehabilitation engineering, clinical measurement and development or medical device risk management and governance. You'll study towards a Master's clinical sciences in your chosen area of clinical engineering.

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

• CPD, ASP and registration

  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

  You must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council to practise in the UK as a clinical scientist.

  For registration as a clinical scientist, you must 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.

  For those parts of the workforce not regulated by the HCPC, professional voluntary registers are in operation.

  Find out more about the Academy's voluntary register for healthcare science practitioners.

  Please check individual job or training place vacancy details for information when applying.