Career advice Re: Biomedical science

strawberries

I have worked as a biomedical scientist outside of Ireland for 7 years. I left my job in 2012 when I had my baby girl and have been unemployed since then. I have the option to return to my old job but I am unsure for several reasons.

We want to return to Ireland within the next 2 years to raise our family there. I do not have the correct qualifications to work as a biomedical scientist there as I have a biotechnology degree and an MSc in microbiology, and not the biomedical degree from DIT etc.

Is it worth my while going back to work here and maybe persuing the MSc in biomedical science from the University of Ulster to try and increase my chances of becoming a member of AMLS? If it will even let me qualify.

Or should I just forget about the biomedical science and try for a biotech job, even though I have no work experience in that field? I have been working in a hospital since I finished my MSc.

Hopefully someone can help, thanks.

Dingle_berry

In the next 12-24 months CORU will take over the role of regulating the qualifications to call yourself a medical scientist (similarly to the HPC in the UK). It is assumed that CORU will assume the same guidelines as the AMLS but not garunteed.
The AMLS has a specific document called "pathways to membership" on their website that you should read. It states that to be an approved medical scientist you must have studied the core disciplines at undergraduate level and have experience of working in an accredited diagnostic lab.
Other than that, there are very few jobs available nowadays and most permanent positions have a locum holding the position open who is already fully trained... Very different to 10 years ago

strawberries

Thanks for the reply.

I have had a look at the website. I don't have the undergraduate subjects but have worked in an accredited diagnostic lab, just not an Irish one.

Guess I need to look into a career change.

Dingle_berry

I think the university of ulster run a cousmrse providing the undergrad modules, but they are technically outside the state so no fully recognised.

strawberries

Ok thanks. It's probably not worth the time and money if there's no guarantee I'd be accepted in.