MEDICAL SERVICES Biomedical Scientist CURRENTLY RECRUITING

As an RAF Biomedical Scientist, you will work at the forefront of pathology, diagnosing clinical illnesses and infectious diseases, as well as monitoring responses to treatments.

Learn more about this role

Pay During First Six Months £16,800+ + Benefits

After Successful Completion Of Phase Two Training £28,553 + Benefits

Please Note: This role is recruiting for a potential training year 23/24 intake.

Apply as a Regular


Is this for you?

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 17 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
  • Have GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or above or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Human Biology And Minimum of 120 UCAS points at A level (including Biology) or equivalent - See full details below
  • Be a UK, Republic of Ireland or Commonwealth citizen
  • Commit to minimum 12 years service
  • Meet the health and fitness criteria
  • Pass a Fitness test - Details below

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Analysis and maths
  • Gaming & Computers
  • Building and Problem solving

VIEW ALL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work in haematology, clinical chemistry, transfusion science, and microbiology
  • Receive, process and analyse clinical specimens
  • Perform compatibility testing to ensure safe use of blood and blood products

Biomedical Science focuses on the complexity of the human body and underpins much of modern medicine. As a Biomedical Scientist (BMS) you will receive, process and analyse a range of clinical specimens in order to diagnose a variety of clinical illnesses, infectious diseases and monitor their response to treatment. You will also be responsible for providing an effective blood transfusion service to treat trauma and support medical operations. You will work in more than one specialist area to ensure you develop and maintain your skills in the major disciplines of pathology, both in the UK and on deployed operations.

Unified Career Management (UCM) is a new approach to managing cadres of people where the capabilities they deliver are very similar across two or more of the single Services (sS). Personnel within UCM cohorts will benefit from new and bespoke career pathways which offer individuals the opportunity to progress a career within specialist cohorts. Serving personnel will transfer to UCM Medical Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) on 1 January 2024 under their current engagement/commission type and length of Service (LoS), those joining the sS on/after 1 January 2024 will automatically be aligned with UCM Terms of Service (TOS).

WHY JOIN THE RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

Salary
Benefits Salary
Civilian Role
RAF Role
  • Rent from £75p/m
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Health care
  • World travel
  • 6 weeks holiday

See All Benefits

TRAINING AND CAREER

TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE

Your career will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you’ll also learn about the RAF lifestyle.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

Whilst working in the laboratory, you will study for a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science at Aston University and complete your Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) portfolio to register with
the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC). You will then undertake the BMS Transition to Military Practice course and enrol on the IBMS Specialist Diploma in Military Biomedical
Science. at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Birmingham.

More Details +

YOUR FIRST TOUR

Your first tour will be to a Joint Hospital Group Unit within an NHS Hospital. You will work alongside civilian BMS to consolidate your skills and commence specialist training in readiness for your first operational deployment.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

As a BMS you will have extensive opportunities for further professional development, including the IBMS Specialist Diploma, the British Blood Transfusion Society (BBTS) Certificate, the IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice,MSc Biomedical Science and Chartered Scientist.

ONGOING TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

You will be required to maintain registration with the HCPC by participating in Continual Professional Development.

YOUR FUTURE CAREER PROSPECTS/PROGRESSION

After one year’s total service you will be promoted to Senior Aircraftman and be eligible for promotion to Corporal on successful completion of BMS Transition to Military Practice
course.

Qualified entrants will be promoted to Senior Aircraftman following completion of BRTC and promoted to Corporal on first day of productive service.

You will be eligible for promotion to Sgt after two years in the rank of Cpl, subject to the completion of service courses.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

The graduate and postgraduate professional qualifications you earn through your career as military BMS are civilian recognised and equivalent to what our civilian counterparts attain.

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

Your training will start with a Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) consisting of 4 weekends at your chosen RAF Reserves Squadron, followed by a 15 day residential training course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. This training course will prepare you for service life in one of the most respected military forces in the world; it is also designed to help you tune into the military environment and way of life. As well as military training, you will learn about the core values, code of conduct and history of the RAF, as well as its unique lifestyle.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

After successfully completing initial training, you will be trained for your specific role in the RAF either at your squadron or another RAF station in the UK.

Commitment and location

You will have to commit to 27 days per year for 12 years minimum.


Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.


You might be deployed to a UK or overseas base for up to 6 months after the first year.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Be aged between 17 and 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday).

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have these minimum grades:

  GCSE GCSE 2017 SNE
Mathematics C Grade 4 Grade 5
English Language C Grade 4 Grade 5
Chemistry C Grade 4 Grade 5
Physics C Grade 4  Grade 5
Biology OR Human Biology C Grade 4  Grade 5

Grade BBB in three A-level subjects including Biology. A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship Studies are not accepted but other qualifications may be considered. Visit www.aston.ac.uk for further information.

Graduates with non-accredited BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science must have their degree
assessed by the IBMS. Visit www.ibms.org for further information.

You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.

Qualified: HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:

  • 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

The second fitness test will take place at RAF Halton on day one of your initial training. This consists of the following:

  • Achieving the required score on the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 9.03 20 35
17-29 11.11 9.10 20 35
30-34 11.36 9.04 19 32
35-39 12 8.09 18 29
40-44 12.26 8.03 17 26
45-47 12.54 7.07 16 23

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 6.07 10 32
17-29 13.23 7.02 10 32
30-34 13.47 6.08 9 29
35-39 14.13 6.04 8 26
40-44 14.48 5.08 7 23
45-47 15.19 5.04 6 20

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRFV Protocols

You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:

RAF MSFT: Intro

RAF MSFT: Bleep Test

You can see a video demonstration of the PRFV Fitness Test here:

RAF PRFV Fitness Test

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
16 to < 18 17 27 27 27
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. 
    Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy:

A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available.

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Regular