Physical Sciences and Clinical Engineering
Learn more about physical sciences and clinical engineering below…
What is a career in physical sciences and clinical engineering in health and social care?
In this area, healthcare science staff develop ways of measuring what is happening in the body, devise new ways of diagnosing and treating disease, and make sure that equipment is functioning safely and effectively.
Physical Sciences and Biomedical/Clinical Engineering is divided into:
- Medical physics with four areas: radiotherapy physics, radiation safety physics, imaging with ionising radiation, and imaging with non-ionising radiation.
- Clinical pharmaceutical sciences
- Reconstructive sciences
- Clinical engineering with three areas: rehabilitation engineering, medical device risk management and governance, and clinical measurement and development.
Entry routes and pay
To work in physical sciences and clinical engineering within healthcare, you typically need a 2:1 or higher in a relevant subject, such as:
- Physics
- Medical physics
- Engineering (e.g., biomedical, electrical, or mechanical engineering)
- Mathematics
- Computer science (for roles involving imaging or AI applications)
Some roles may accept a 2:2 degree with relevant experience or a higher qualification.
You must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for these roles.
If you have a degree in a relevant filed, you may be able to apply to NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) which will train you to work in a senior healthcare science role. For more information on the STP please click here.
Some organisations offer Healthcare Science Assistant (Level 2), Laboratory Technician (Level 3) and Healthcare Science Practitioner (Level 6 – degree) apprenticeships.
Healthcare science practitioners usually start on £29,970; trainee clinical scientists typically start at £37,338 and with further training and specialisms you could apply to higher roles up to £105,235.
Where can you work?
Hospital
