Healthcare science
Healthcare scientists use a range of science, engineering and technology skills to prevent, diagnose and treat a range of medical conditions.
There are more than 50 different specialisms in healthcare science. Our scientists work in laboratories and directly with patients to assess and diagnose disease and illness. Our engineers help patients live independent and fulfilling lives. Our data and technology experts improve systems that benefit patients.
Life Sciences
Whether you are helping couples with IVF or supporting doctors and other healthcare professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, roles in life sciences are a crucial.
Roles in the life sciences can be divided into three areas.
Pathology
Investigating the causes of illness and how it progresses; carrying out tests on tissue, blood and other samples from patients. Pathology plays an important role in helping doctors choose the best type of treatment for patients, and monitoring its effectiveness.
Genetics
Understanding the genetic components of illnesses
Reproductive Science
A rapidly developing field, creating life and providing other solutions to infertility.
Healthcare science teams work in:
- hospital laboratories including clinical pathology laboratories and laboratories in specialist hospitals
- the community including clinics
- organisations such as NHS Blood and Transplant, and Public Health England.
Physiological sciences
Healthcare science staff who work in the physiological sciences use specialist equipment, advanced technologies and a range of different procedures to evaluate the functioning of different body systems, to diagnose abnormalities, and to direct and in some case, provide therapeutic intervention and long-term management and care.
Most healthcare science staff in physiological sciences work in hospital clinics and departments, or as part of a surgical team. Some work in the community, visiting patients in their homes or in schools.
Roles include:
audiology
cardiac sciences
clinical perfusion
gastrointestinal physiology
neurophysiology
ophthalmic and vision science
respiratory physiology and sleep sciences
urodynamic science
vascular science
Clinical bioinformatics
This an area of healthcare science responsible for developing and improving methods for acquiring, storing, organising and analysing biological data that supports the delivery of patient care.
Staff working in clinical bioinformatics use computer science including software tools that generate useful biological knowledge by manipulating ‘big data’.
Informatics in health care science is broken down into three unique areas:
clinical bioinformatics (genomics)
clinical bioinformatics (health informatics)
clinical bioinformatics (physical sciences)
Physical sciences and clinical engineering
Healthcare science staff in this area develop methods of measuring what is happening in the body, devise new ways of diagnosing and treating disease, and make sure equipment is functioning safely and effectively.