RecordMove

Medical laboratory assistant to biomedical scientist

A medical laboratory assistant already meets 23% of what the biomedical scientist role asks for. The move turns on 76 required skills not yet in the profile.

Fig. 1 · Skill transfer ESCO v1.2.1 · directional

From medical laboratory assistant

Distant match

To biomedical scientist

29 You already bring

76 Still to learn

127 Skills in the target role2

Learning distance A rebuild

86.3/ 100

adjacentmoderatesubstantialcareer change

1 How much of what a biomedical scientist is expected to do is already part of a medical laboratory assistant’s work. Directional: the figure for the reverse move differs, because moving into a speciality is not the same problem as moving out of one. 2 Every skill the biomedical scientist role is recorded as needing, required and optional together. What these numbers mean.

Why

Why this move works

A biomedical scientist role treats 22 of its required skills as things a medical laboratory assistant already does. You would walk in with these on day one.

analyse cell cultures
apply safety procedures in laboratory
assist in the production of laboratory documentation
automated analysers in the medical laboratory
biological chemistry
blood transfusion

What stands in the way is 76 required skills the profile does not yet cover. Table 3 groups them; Table 4 says which to take first.

Table 2

Table 2 · What you already bring

Of the 29 skills that carry over, these are the ones fewest other occupations ask for. A biomedical scientist role needs them, and most people applying for one will not have them already. This is the part of a medical laboratory assistant background worth leading with.

Skill the target role also needs Area

already held carry out flow cytometry information skills
already held automated analysers in the medical laboratory health and welfare
already held blood transfusion health and welfare
already held perform cerebrospinal fluid analysis information skills
already held clinical biochemistry natural sciences, mathematics and statistics
already held densiometry health and welfare

All 29 carried skills, including the 22 the biomedical scientist role treats as required.

Table 3

Table 3 · What you may need to learn

The 98 missing skills fall into 14 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, numbered in the order worth working in. Areas carrying the most required skills come first, and inside each one the required skills sit above the optional ones. Nothing here is a verdict on you: it is a list of what this particular job asks for that your current one does not.

Skill to pick up Tier

01 health and welfare 17 required, 6 supplementary

still to learn biomedical scientists' role in health care system required
still to learn diagnostic methods in medical laboratory required
still to learn immunohaematology required
still to learn professional documentation in health care required
still to learn transplantation required
still to learn biological haematology required
still to learn clinical immunology required
still to learn clinical microbiology required
still to learn cross-matching techniques for blood transfusions required
still to learn epidemiology required
still to learn human anatomy required
still to learn human physiology required
still to learn laboratory methods in biomedical sciences required
still to learn medical informatics required
still to learn medical terminology required
still to learn pathology required
still to learn radiation protection required

optional, not held medical device vigilance reporting systems optional
optional, not held hepatology optional
optional, not held intracranial hypertension optional
optional, not held medical parasitology optional
optional, not held neoplasia optional
optional, not held first aid optional

02 communication, collaboration and creativity 13 required, 4 supplementary

still to learn support blood transfusion services required
still to learn accept own accountability required
still to learn advise on healthcare users' informed consent required
still to learn apply context specific clinical competences required
still to learn provide test results to medical staff required
still to learn work in multidisciplinary health teams required
still to learn develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship required
still to learn educate on the prevention of illness required
still to learn inform policy makers on health-related challenges required
still to learn interact with healthcare users required
still to learn listen actively required
still to learn provide health education required
still to learn work in a multicultural environment in health care required

optional, not held conduct training on biomedical equipment optional
optional, not held create solutions to problems optional
optional, not held use foreign languages for health-related research optional
optional, not held use foreign languages in patient care optional

03 natural sciences, mathematics and statistics 13 required, 1 supplementary

still to learn bioethics required
still to learn analytical methods in biomedical sciences required
still to learn biosafety in biomedical laboratory required
still to learn embryology required
still to learn biology required
still to learn biomedical science required
still to learn biomedical techniques required
still to learn biophysics required
still to learn biostatistics required
still to learn chemistry required
still to learn medical genetics required
still to learn molecular biology required
still to learn toxicology required

optional, not held proteomics optional

04 information skills 12 required, 5 supplementary

still to learn carry out biopsy required
still to learn implement quality control procedures for biomedical tests required
still to learn monitor the effects of medication required
still to learn analyse body fluids required
still to learn diagnose disorders of the urogenital system required
still to learn perform pathology consultations required
still to learn validate biomedical analysis results required
still to learn apply scientific methods required
still to learn conduct health related research required
still to learn keep up to date with diagnostic innovations required
still to learn manage healthcare users' data required
still to learn perform toxicological studies required

optional, not held interpret electromyograms optional
optional, not held perform diagnostic testing for allergies optional
optional, not held perform virological test optional
optional, not held research new treatments for blood related disorders optional
optional, not held apply numeracy skills optional

05 assisting and caring 9 required, 2 supplementary

still to learn apply good clinical practices required
still to learn comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice required
still to learn contribute to continuity of health care required
still to learn adhere to organisational guidelines required
still to learn comply with legislation related to health care required
still to learn deal with emergency care situations required
still to learn follow clinical guidelines required
still to learn manage infection control in the facility required
still to learn promote inclusion required

optional, not held ensure safety of healthcare users optional
optional, not held empathise with the healthcare user optional

06 management skills 3 required

still to learn provide treatment strategies for challenges to human health required
still to learn apply organisational techniques required
still to learn respond to changing situations in health care required

8 further areas in the appendix

Table 4

Table 4 · Where to start

The 3 entries a biomedical scientist role is least likely to hire without. The ordering is computed from the skill data, not from what pays.

Each entry opens a course search for that skill. Career Overlap earns nothing from these links.

Appendix

Appendix · The rest of the record

All 29 skills that carry over

Skill Type

already held analyse cell cultures skill
already held apply safety procedures in laboratory skill
already held assist in the production of laboratory documentation skill
already held automated analysers in the medical laboratory knowledge
already held biological chemistry knowledge
already held blood transfusion knowledge
already held clinical biochemistry knowledge
already held clinical cytology knowledge
already held communicate in healthcare skill
already held densiometry knowledge
already held dermapathology knowledge
already held histopathology knowledge
already held immunology knowledge
already held maintain medical laboratory equipment skill
already held microbiology-bacteriology knowledge
already held microscopic techniques knowledge
already held perform PCR covid test skill
already held perform cerebrospinal fluid analysis skill
already held perform reconstructive microsurgery skill
already held perform stem cell transplantation skill
already held techniques of blood-sampling knowledge
already held tissue cytogenetics knowledge
already held carry out flow cytometry skill
already held collect biological samples from patients skill
already held conduct routine blood testing skill
already held cryopreservation knowledge
already held electroencephalography knowledge
already held examine samples in dermatology skill
already held explain the molecular basis of a disease to patients skill

The 8 learning areas not shown above

Skill to pick up Tier

07 working with computers 2 required, 1 supplementary

still to learn use e-health and mobile health technologies required
still to learn record data from biomedical tests required

optional, not held have computer literacy optional

08 arts and humanities 2 required

still to learn health care occupation-specific ethics required
still to learn histology required

09 business, administration and law 2 required

still to learn health care legislation required
still to learn manage healthcare staff required

10 handling and moving 1 required, 1 supplementary

still to learn label medical laboratory samples required

optional, not held monitor biomedical equipment stock optional

11 services 1 required

still to learn hygiene in a health care setting required

12 working with machinery and specialised equipment 1 required

still to learn perform screening for infectious diseases required

13 education 1 supplementary

optional, not held pedagogy optional

14 generic programmes and qualifications 1 supplementary

optional, not held multidisciplinary research optional

22 supplementary skills, helpful but not required

Skill to pick up Tier

optional, not held medical device vigilance reporting systems optional
optional, not held ensure safety of healthcare users optional
optional, not held hepatology optional
optional, not held interpret electromyograms optional
optional, not held intracranial hypertension optional
optional, not held medical parasitology optional
optional, not held monitor biomedical equipment stock optional
optional, not held neoplasia optional
optional, not held perform diagnostic testing for allergies optional
optional, not held perform virological test optional
optional, not held proteomics optional
optional, not held research new treatments for blood related disorders optional
optional, not held apply numeracy skills optional
optional, not held conduct training on biomedical equipment optional
optional, not held create solutions to problems optional
optional, not held empathise with the healthcare user optional
optional, not held first aid optional
optional, not held have computer literacy optional
optional, not held multidisciplinary research optional
optional, not held pedagogy optional
optional, not held use foreign languages for health-related research optional
optional, not held use foreign languages in patient care optional

43 held skills the biomedical scientist role does not ask for

Skill Type

not needed by the target role analyse blood samples skill
not needed by the target role archive healthcare users' records skill
not needed by the target role blood collection on babies knowledge
not needed by the target role blood donation knowledge
not needed by the target role blood type classification knowledge
not needed by the target role calibrate laboratory equipment skill
not needed by the target role carry out quality control in microbiology laboratories skill
not needed by the target role check the received biological samples skill
not needed by the target role conduct cancer screening tests skill
not needed by the target role data protection knowledge
not needed by the target role dispose medical waste skill
not needed by the target role examine cell specimens microscopically skill
not needed by the target role fine-needle aspiration knowledge
not needed by the target role identify patients' medical records skill
not needed by the target role interpret hematological test results skill
not needed by the target role interpret medical results skill
not needed by the target role interpret urology diagnostic tests skill
not needed by the target role label blood samples skill
not needed by the target role laboratory techniques knowledge
not needed by the target role maintain healthcare user data confidentiality skill
not needed by the target role maintain laboratory equipment skill
not needed by the target role mix chemicals skill
not needed by the target role monitor stock level skill
not needed by the target role operate scientific measuring equipment skill
not needed by the target role order supplies skill
not needed by the target role paediatric phlebotomy procedures knowledge
not needed by the target role perform bone marrow transplant skill
not needed by the target role perform fertility laboratory procedures skill
not needed by the target role perform laboratory tests skill
not needed by the target role perform sample testing skill
not needed by the target role prepare samples for testing skill
not needed by the target role record test data skill
not needed by the target role send samples to laboratory skill
not needed by the target role stem cells knowledge
not needed by the target role sterilise medical equipment skill
not needed by the target role test chemical samples skill
not needed by the target role transport blood samples skill
not needed by the target role urolithiasis in the urinary tract knowledge
not needed by the target role use chemical analysis equipment skill
not needed by the target role virology knowledge

3 further entries not listed here

44 gaps that are knowledge rather than practice

Knowledge gaps usually close through study. Practical skill gaps usually need something you can point at.

Skill to pick up Tier

still to learn bioethics required
still to learn analytical methods in biomedical sciences required
still to learn biomedical scientists' role in health care system required
still to learn biosafety in biomedical laboratory required
still to learn diagnostic methods in medical laboratory required
still to learn embryology required
still to learn immunohaematology required
still to learn professional documentation in health care required
still to learn transplantation required
still to learn biological haematology required
still to learn biology required
still to learn biomedical science required
still to learn biomedical techniques required
still to learn biophysics required
still to learn biostatistics required
still to learn chemistry required
still to learn clinical immunology required
still to learn clinical microbiology required
still to learn cross-matching techniques for blood transfusions required
still to learn epidemiology required
still to learn health care legislation required
still to learn health care occupation-specific ethics required
still to learn histology required
still to learn human anatomy required
still to learn human physiology required
still to learn hygiene in a health care setting required
still to learn laboratory methods in biomedical sciences required
still to learn manage healthcare staff required
still to learn medical genetics required
still to learn medical informatics required
still to learn medical terminology required
still to learn molecular biology required
still to learn pathology required
still to learn radiation protection required
still to learn toxicology required
optional, not held medical device vigilance reporting systems optional
optional, not held hepatology optional
optional, not held intracranial hypertension optional
optional, not held medical parasitology optional
optional, not held neoplasia optional

4 further entries not listed here

Index

Other moves recorded from medical laboratory assistant

Full index of moves from medical laboratory assistant

FAQ

Common questions about this move

Can a medical laboratory assistant become a biomedical scientist?

Yes, and it is a career change move. A medical laboratory assistant already covers 23% of what a biomedical scientist is expected to do: 29 skills carry over, 22 of which the biomedical scientist role treats as required.

What skills does a medical laboratory assistant need to become a biomedical scientist?

76 required skills are missing, plus 22 optional ones. They fall into 14 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, led by health and welfare. The single most important is bioethics.

How hard is the move from medical laboratory assistant to biomedical scientist?

Its learning distance is 86.3 out of 100, which is the career change band. That accounts for both how much is missing and how specialised those skills are.

Note

How this record was compiled

Both occupations are taken from ESCO, which lists the skills and knowledge each occupation is expected to have and marks every one required or optional. Nothing here is a prediction about hiring, and nothing here knows that a particular employer wants a particular certificate. Treat Table 3 as a starting point for your own research rather than a syllabus. The full method states what these figures can and cannot tell you.