Healthcare scientists are central to modern healthcare, applying specialist scientific knowledge to improve diagnosis, guide treatment, and drive service innovation across a wide range of clinical areas. At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we are proud to support a wide range of healthcare science disciplines, including:
-
Physiological scientists, delivering diagnostic tests and ongoing care across services such as audiology, cardiology, respiratory and neurophysiology.
-
Physical scientists, ensuring the safe and effective use of medical technologies including imaging systems, radiation safety, and non-ionising modalities such as lasers and ultrasound.
-
Life scientists, providing essential laboratory analysis of blood, tissue, and cellular samples to support diagnosis, treatment, and disease monitoring.
-
Data scientists, harnessing complex health data to drive service improvement, support clinical decision-making and advance population health.
We are committed to supporting career development at all levels, offering routes through the Practitioner Training Programme (PTP), Scientist Training Programme (STP), and Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST), as well as apprenticeship pathways and support for equivalence. We also promote flexible working to help our staff balance professional and personal commitments.
Healthcare science in Somerset offers a collaborative, forward-looking environment with strong links to training, research, and system-wide innovation. Join us and be part of a team transforming care through science.
Somerset offers a great quality of life, with beautiful countryside, vibrant towns, and a strong sense of community. From the coast to the Quantock and Mendip Hills, there’s plenty of opportunity for outdoor living.
Its market towns and villages provide a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere, while good schools, affordable housing, and a lower cost of living make Somerset a great place for families. With motorway and rail links to Bristol, Exeter, and London less than 2 hours away, you can enjoy rural living without feeling remote.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest UK NHS providers in the UK. Our Trust is committed to supporting our local community, offering a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where you can grow your career while making a real difference.
As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.
Our Trust website contains lots of information on working here: Home – Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (somersetft.nhs.uk)
Healthcare Science Roles
Healthcare Science Assistant and Associate
Healthcare science assistants and associates make a difference to patients’ lives by supporting assessment and diagnosis of disease and illness, or provide essential support to clinical services through the medical equipment life-cycle. Some will work in laboratories or workshops but others will work directly with patients every day.
NHS England – HCS Assistant and Associate
Healthcare Science Practitioners
Healthcare Science Practitioners work in specialist technical roles and may be responsible for the analysis of diagnostic tests or the testing of complex medical equipment. They have all undergone specific training and BSc level qualifications to work in these roles, such as the NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP).
NHS England – HCS Practitioner
Clinical Scientists
Clinical scientists are registered professionals who provide clinical, scientific, and research expertise across a range of specialist areas. Most clinical scientists train through the three-year Scientist Training Programme (STP), a postgraduate work-based learning programme supported by a Master’s degree. STP trainees are employed by an NHS Trust and required to gain experience across various settings before specialising in the final two years. Equivalence routes are also available, and may be more suitable for experienced scientists.
NHS England – Clinical Scientist
Advanced Clinical Scientists
Somerset is leading a new programme of advanced practice across non-medical professions, including structured development opportunities and support for advanced clinical scientist roles. Advanced Clinical Scientists (ACSs) perform a range of specialist healthcare science clinical, technical or scientific activities, provide expert advice, opinions, and training in a specialist area of activity, and undertake or lead research in their specialist field. ACSs may also lead and manage a team within their own specialist area.
Consultant Clinical Scientists
Consultant clinical scientists are trained to a high level of competence. They oversee an area of clinical or scientific practice, lead services and guide a wide range of healthcare staff. The Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) is a five year programme available to registered and experienced clinical scientists who wish to train and become eligible to apply for consultant clinical scientist posts. Equivalence routes are also available.