Medical Science is a rewarding profession, where you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives. For information on entry/progression, see here
CORU, the regulatory body, will provide you with information on approved qualifications. Additional information on the profession can be found on Academy of Clinical Science Laboratory Medicine or by visiting the Careers Portal.
If you have qualified outside of Ireland, you will find further information here.
Medical scientists work in healthcare, usually in hospital pathology laboratories, and are involved in the analysis of patient samples in order to detect disease and to monitor the effectiveness of any treatment prescribed by clinicians. It has been estimated that 70% of diagnoses by clinicians are made as a result of tests carried out by laboratory services.
There are a number of clinical services that underpin laboratory medicine. These include Cellular Pathology, Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, Immunology, Medical Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, POCT, Transfusion and Transplantation Science and Virology.
Medical scientists also work as surveillance scientists, haemo-vigilance officers, bio-informaticians, as well as providing expertise and advocacy through their representation on many national HSE and HSCP groups and committees.
Additional medical scientist roles also include training of scientific and medical staff, translational research and test development, scientific publication, editing and reviewing, and lecturing.
As with all careers in the HSE, there are great opportunities for career advancement. Continuous professional development is available, encouraged and supported.
Medical scientist training is continuous and at least 70% of medical scientists in Ireland have a Master’s degree and/or a PhD. Increasingly, medical scientists also hold the Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists in the discipline most relevant to their area of practice.
Career progression pathways
Clinical pathway: Staff Grade Medical Scientist; Senior Medical Scientist
Management pathway: Specialist Medical Scientist; Chief Medical Scientist; Laboratory Manager.
Educational pathway: There are opportunities available across the Health and Social Care professions for educational roles.
There are many ways of deepening your skills pertinent to your role as a medical scientist within a specific setting. This can be achieved, for example, through postgraduate training or clinical courses. These are delivered by various bodies and can be free, fully or partially funded by the organisation you work for, ACSLM or the HSE HSCP Office.
Visit CPD for Medical Scientists where you can see examples of what the ACSLM offers to its members for professional development.
CORU also offers guidance and support to Medical Scientist Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Information on education and development can be accessed by visiting the HSCP Hub on HSeLanD, the HSE’s training portal.
Working in a rewarding and challenging career is just one of the many benefits you’ll enjoy as a HSE employee. We offer attractive pay and benefits, professional supervision, career support and development opportunities, friendly colleagues, and an excellent quality of life.
Staff Testimonials coming soon.
