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UK Skills Shortage Occupation 18 Nuclear medical scientist

Posted by: Lynette Daly June 2, 2017 in Blog, Health & Social Care

This is the 18th instalment in a series of blogs that provide information on occupational roles that employers struggle to fill. In this article we take a look at the role of the nuclear medical scientist.

In this series of blogs, we will be taking a look at skills shortages in the UK as published by workpermit.com, a leading international immigration consultancy firm. The occupations that we will cover in this series are listed as those where the skills shortage is such that employers struggle to fill the roles to such an extent that jobs on this list do not need to be advertised before they can be offered to a non-EEA (European Economic Area) immigrant.

There are regional differences in the skills and occupations where employers are experiencing shortages and throughout this series we will endeavor to provide information on where the greatest demand for the occupations and skills exist geographically.

What does a nuclear medical scientist do?

Nuclear medicine involves the use of small amounts of radioactive substances to diagnose and treat patients.

How nuclear medicine works

A small amount of the radioactive substance (radiotracer) is injected into, swallowed or inhaled by the patient. This accumulates in the area of the body being examined and a special camera or imaging device is used to see what is going on.

How do you get a job as a nuclear medical scientist?

If you are or are intending to study on a technical / vocational programme, then it is very important that you check whether these qualifications will be accepted and not all higher educational courses in healthcare science will.

There are two main routes into a career as a nuclear medical scientist – A-levels which include science, followed by an accredited BSc Degree programme in healthcare science which allows you entry to the Practitioner Training Programme, or, you could gain a degree in physics first and then join the PTP through the graduate diploma in healthcare.

The Practitioner Training Programme takes three years to complete and consists of academic study combined with 50 weeks of work-based training. The PTP starts off broad and with each year that passes you specialise further.

The skills that you need as a nuclear medical scientist

To succeed as a nuclear medical scientist you need to:

· Be calm

· Be sympathetic

· Be confident with technology

· Have a good academic background

· Have good communication skills

· Pay attention to detail

· Be able to work as part of a team

· Be committed to NHS values

See skills shortage occupation 17

About Lynette Daly

Lynette is the publishing editor of Moving On magazine. Moving On is devoted to helping young people make good choices for their future – education, qualifications and careers. Moving On really wants to motivate you! Our articles cover a range of topics to inspire and give ideas. Our magazines are delivered free to all schools, colleges and sixth forms in England and is also available online.

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