NHS Higher Specialist Scientist Training
If you are a registered and experienced clinical scientist, you may be interested in training to become a consultant healthcare scientist.
Consultant healthcare scientists improve patient care by applying their specialist scientific skills.
What does the training scheme involve?
- a five-year programme at a similar standard to medical specialty training
- work-based training and study at doctorate level
- possibly gaining Medical Royal College qualifications (eg fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists).

What opportunities are there?
It can be possible to find posts in:
- clinical bioinformatics
- life sciences
- physical sciences and biomedical engineering
- physiological sciences
Click on the boxes below to find out more about each area and find out more about the different healthcare science roles [1].
How do I get a place?
There are two ways to get on to an HSST [2] programme:
- direct entry - apply for a newly advertised post in an accredited training department
- in-service training - be nominated by your employer to move into an existing post
How do I apply?
Applications are made in spring, for entry later the same year.
For the very latest information about important dates, please check the National School of Healthcare Science website [3]
For 2019 entry, the recruitment window is due to open at 13:00 on Monday 25 March 2019.
Direct entry applicants must submit their completed application by no later than 17:00 on Tuesday 23 April 2019.
In service applicants must submit their application by 17:00 on Wednesday 15 May 2019.
No late applications will be accepted.
Find out more about HSST and apply through the National School of Healthcare Science website [3]