IBMS Professional Support Services Manager Christian Burt explains the benefits of professional registration and how to apply.
The IBMS is proud to be a licensed body member of the Science Council. This allows the IBMS to hold a register of Chartered Scientists (CSci), Registered Scientists (RSci) and Registered Science Technicians (RSciTech).
Being professionally registered is a mark of excellence. Each of the Science Council’s registers reflects stages in your biomedical science career, encouraging you to work towards high standards of professionalism, skills, and knowledge.
Professional registration provides independent recognition of your achievements and maintains the standards required to join the global community of professional scientists. The Science Council’s registers are open to all practising scientists, regardless of your discipline and geographical location.
There are many benefits of professional registration. The application process itself will encourage you to reflect on your career achievements so far, therefore, building up your confidence as a practising scientist. Being registered shows your level of competence by capturing on-the-job experience and it tells others that you are committed to working to high ethical standards. It also sets a mark of quality and competence that will make you stand out to employers.
There are many professional awards to fit different types of work and experience:
Registered Science Technicians (RSciTech) work with minimal supervision in technical roles, delivering essential scientific services and support within laboratories, schools, universities, hospitals and many other workplaces.
Those seeking to become an RSciTech need to demonstrate their competence by providing examples from their working life, usually from the last five years. The areas assessed are application of knowledge and understanding, personal responsibility, interpersonal skills, professional practice, and professional standards.
Registered Scientists (RSci) can be found in a huge variety of scientific and higher technical roles. They apply their skills and knowledge while working autonomously and can resolve problems and identify, review and select appropriate techniques, procedures and methods.
Applicants will need to demonstrate their competence across the same areas listed above and they must also maintain their status through meeting Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements each year.
Chartered Scientists (CSci) should have achieved independent recognition for their competence, ability and ethical conduct. Chartered Scientists demonstrate effective leadership, using their specialist knowledge and broader scientific understanding to develop and improve the application of science and technology by scoping, planning and managing multifaceted projects.
Applicants will have to demonstrate M-Level knowledge through qualification and practice (ideally at Band 7 or equivalent) and provide evidence of commitment to CPD for the two years prior to their application. Additionally, they will need four years of postgraduate-level professional experience that meets the Science Council’s CSci competencies.
Members and Fellows can apply for professional registration through the IBMS. Alternatively, applications can be made directly to the Science Council, as long as applicants are a member of one of their licensed professional bodies.
For help and more information, you can contact the IBMS registration team at [email protected].
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