Institute of Biomedical Science
Encyclopedia
The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) is the professional body for biomedical scientist
s in the United Kingdom
. The IBMS was founded in 1912 and represents approximately 16,000 members employed mainly in National Health Service
and private laboratories, veterinary laboratories, the National Blood Authority, Health Protection Agency
, Medical Research Council
and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
. Other members also work in related commercial fields and in teaching. Most members live and work in the United Kingdom and Ireland
but many are employed overseas. It aims to promote and develop biomedical science and its practitioners.
is a legal requirement for Biomedical Scientists working in the UK and the IBMS assesses and approves undergraduate and postgraduate courses and qualifications and candidates seeking registration. In recognition of attaining this first level of professional competence, the Institute also awards its own Certificate of Competence in Biomedical Science, which forms an important part of an individual’s professional portfolio. The IBMS approves laboratories for registration training on behalf of the Health Professions Council.
to award the designation Chartered Scientist to qualifying IBMS members. The designation Chartered Scientist is a mark of excellence awarded to scientists practising at their full professional level and who stay up-to-date in their scientific field. The designation was conferred to The Science Council by Royal Charter
in October 2003 and adds science to the now familiar list of chartered professions such as biologist, accountant or surveyor.
The Institute organises a diverse range of scientific and professional events including its three-day Biomedical Science Congress – the largest event of its kind in the UK.
The Institute publishes two periodicals, the monthly Biomedical Scientist and quarterly British Journal of Biomedical Science, which together carry scientific papers, news, articles, opinions, reports, diaries of events and job advertisements. It also publishes a number of laboratory and professional guidelines and careers information.
A network of Institute regions and branches in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, Cyprus and Gibraltar provides opportunities for members to participate locally in Institute affairs. The 11 Institute regions support local biomedical scientists, promote the profession, develop local networks and organise scientific and social meetings.
Biomedical scientist
A biomedical scientist is a scientist trained in biology, particularly in the context of medicine...
s in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The IBMS was founded in 1912 and represents approximately 16,000 members employed mainly in National Health Service
National Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
and private laboratories, veterinary laboratories, the National Blood Authority, Health Protection Agency
Health Protection Agency
The Health Protection Agency, or, in Welsh, Yr Asiantaeth Diogelu Iechyd is a statutory corporation. It is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards...
, Medical Research Council
Medical Research Council (UK)
The Medical Research Council is a publicly-funded agency responsible for co-ordinating and funding medical research in the United Kingdom. It is one of seven Research Councils in the UK and is answerable to, although politically independent from, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in the United Kingdom...
. Other members also work in related commercial fields and in teaching. Most members live and work in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
but many are employed overseas. It aims to promote and develop biomedical science and its practitioners.
Roles
- Set standards of practice to protect patients
- Represent the interests of biomedical science to UK government, media and universities
- Advises UK government departments and national organisations on all matters relating to biomedical science
- Promotes public awareness of biomedical science
- Awards Chartered ScientistChartered scientistChartered Scientist is a professional qualification in the United Kingdom that is awarded by the Science Council through its Licensed member organisations...
status - Assesses competence for biomedical scientists to practise
- Assesses qualifications for registration with the Health Professions CouncilHealth Professions CouncilThe Health Professions Council is a statutory regulator of 210,000 health professionals from 15 professions in the United Kingdom. It was set up in 2003 under the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002, to replace the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine ....
. - Accredits university degrees
- Update members through scientific meetings and professional events
- Organises a continuing professional development scheme
- Issues scientific and professional publications
- Provides legal and technical help for members
- Fund research
- Provides assessors for recruiting senior staff to laboratories
Biomedical Scientist registration
Registration with the Health Professions CouncilHealth Professions Council
The Health Professions Council is a statutory regulator of 210,000 health professionals from 15 professions in the United Kingdom. It was set up in 2003 under the National Health Service Reform and Health Care Professions Act 2002, to replace the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine ....
is a legal requirement for Biomedical Scientists working in the UK and the IBMS assesses and approves undergraduate and postgraduate courses and qualifications and candidates seeking registration. In recognition of attaining this first level of professional competence, the Institute also awards its own Certificate of Competence in Biomedical Science, which forms an important part of an individual’s professional portfolio. The IBMS approves laboratories for registration training on behalf of the Health Professions Council.
Chartered Scientist
The Institute of Biomedical Science has been granted a licence by The Science CouncilScience Council
The was established by Royal Charter in 2003. The principal activity of The Science Council is the promotion of the advancement and dissemination of knowledge of and education in science pure and applied, for the public benefit....
to award the designation Chartered Scientist to qualifying IBMS members. The designation Chartered Scientist is a mark of excellence awarded to scientists practising at their full professional level and who stay up-to-date in their scientific field. The designation was conferred to The Science Council by Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
in October 2003 and adds science to the now familiar list of chartered professions such as biologist, accountant or surveyor.
The Institute organises a diverse range of scientific and professional events including its three-day Biomedical Science Congress – the largest event of its kind in the UK.
The Institute publishes two periodicals, the monthly Biomedical Scientist and quarterly British Journal of Biomedical Science, which together carry scientific papers, news, articles, opinions, reports, diaries of events and job advertisements. It also publishes a number of laboratory and professional guidelines and careers information.
A network of Institute regions and branches in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, Cyprus and Gibraltar provides opportunities for members to participate locally in Institute affairs. The 11 Institute regions support local biomedical scientists, promote the profession, develop local networks and organise scientific and social meetings.