Personal Story – The Clinical Scientist Dr P. Lewis White PHW Microbiology Cardiff

Professional Summary Degree BSc Biochemistry (Cardiff University 1995) PhD PhD Microbiology (Imperial University 1999) Post- doctorial Food Microbiology (IU and IFR 2000) Clinical Scientist Mycology (PHW 2000) Principal Clinical Scientist Mycology, WCM, Molecular Biology (PHW 2007)

Education Biochemistry BSc 2.1 (Cardiff ) –Clearing –Medicine Broad Scientific basis –Microbiology PhD ( ) –Initially Cardiff, –Supervisor offered Chair in Imperial at Wye –Broadened horizons

PhD The effects of Environmental warming on Antarctic soil microbial communities –Environmental Microbiology –Classical microbiology techniques Limited success –Lipidology –Molecular biology Limited biomass Difficult sample type Enhancing the process of warming Obtaining samples? Travel to Antarctica

The Gallery US Airlines! Business Class!

The Gallery Home, Sweet, Home! Taxi!

The Gallery Some Scenery!

PhD gains Technical skills Knowledge base –General scientific plus highly specific Adaptability –Responding to unexpected results –Working in unusual situations/under different pressures Standing on your own two feet –Interpretation of results –Decision making –Project planning Difficulty in obtaining grants

Clinical Scientist in Mycology PHLS – Cardiff –CV: No Mention of Fungi –Molecular skills were directly applicable to the post Develop non-culture diagnostics to improve the diagnosis of invasive fungal disease

Career development 2002 Lead Role in the Molecular Diagnostic Unit –Virology –Bacteriology –Mycology 2004 Scientific lead for the WCM –TB? –Incorporation of molecular techniques for diagnosis and typing

Clinical scientists Develops, evaluates and trouble-shoots – specialist tests for diagnosing, preventing and managing disease. Respond to emerging and emergency situations Clinical liaison – Understanding of disease in a clinical context – Understanding the test in a clinical context – Advise doctors on tests and interpreting data Perform research – understand diseases – Improve diagnosis – Improve patient management

Evolvin g practic e New tools Academia Industry Evolving practice Local, national, Global policy Service Improvement, Clinical utility Design, optimization, Analytical validity Clinical validity Clinical Trials

Clinical demand: Diagnosis of IFD Poor, Mortality rate >40% High use of AFT at great expense and toxicity R&D: Assay Design, optimization, analytical validity Clinical utility: Do results benefit patient and hospital policy: Early diagnosis to minimize mortality and can negative results prevent unnecessary treatment Clinical validity: Testing samples with no impact on patient management. Do the assays detect cases and/or exclude disease? National R&D to standardize methods International R&D to standardize methods Patient management beneficially altered: Cases diagnosed, also IFD excluded, AFT budgets reduced. Local policy altered International recommendations provided International policy under-review

Skills, interests and qualities Good knowledge of sciences specific to the field Interest in medicine and patient care High levels of accuracy and attention to detail Ability to concentrate for long periods Confidence to take responsibility for decisions Enquiring mind and good problem solving skills Excellent communication skill Teamwork and leadership skills Willingness to keep up to date with the latest scientific and medical research.

Modalities Audiology Clinical Biochemistry Clinical Genetics Clinical Immunology Clinical Microbiology Clinical Physiology Embryology Haematology Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics Medical Physics & Clinical Engineering

Salaries Lecturer Start point Senior Lecturer Start point

State registration Protected title: Clinical Scientist State registration with HCPC – Searchable register – Attain – Maintain Regulated by professional bodies – Association of Clinical Scientists (ACS) Number of registrants: 4,988 (10/06/14)

Attaining HCPC Registration 1 st March The ACS Certificate of Attainment – completed a pre-MSC approved training programme – Portfolio - six years relevant experience, three of which must have been in a clinical scientist role) 2. The AHCS Certificate of Attainment, awarded to applicants who have completed an approved course from the Scientist Training Programme of Modernising Scientific Careers. These combine an MSc and approved work-based training. 3. The AHCS Certificate of Equivalence, awarded to applicants who can demonstrate skills and knowledge equivalent to those who have completed an approved STP course.

Maintaining registration Record of continued professional development – Academic – Clinical – Professional Maintain professional standards Continue working in the field – Maintain satisfactory levels of performance – Advance field as required

Future Progression – Consultant Clinical Scientist Managerial role Clinical role –Fellowship Examination of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) Something different?

Pros and Cons Combined academic and clinical role –R&D, Clinical trials, Publications, Conferences –Without the Academic pressures No requirement to publish No requirement to attain grants No requirement to teach –Involvement with patient care –With only occasional routine diagnostic requirements Variable commitment Responding to emerging/emergency situations –Working within the NHS Long term/Permanent position Good salary/Pension Slow turning juggernaut

Points to consider for career progression Be adaptable –Use to difficult situations to your benefit Use your skills/knowledge –PhD: Specific skills –Transferable Skills applicable to many fields These will underpin many of your specific skills –Embrace new technologies Broad experience Good collaborators