IBMS Diploma in Biomedical Science Guidance Notes

This document should be read in conjunction with the information provided within the
introductory pages of your individual Diploma in Biomedical Science.
This document aims to provide guidance to both training officers and candidates
undertaking completion of the Diploma.
Introduction
The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) has developed the Diploma in Biomedical Science
to enable the recognition of structured, standardised post-registration training and
assessment of registered biomedical scientists in newly emerging multi-disciplinary services.
The Diploma in Biomedical Science will be issued to current corporate members of the
Institute who have the support of their employer to ensure the provision of appropriate
training and assessment for completion of the portfolio. The laboratory must hold current
post-registration training approval for the disciplines in which training is being undertaken.
Successful completion of the portfolio will lead to the award of a discipline specific Diploma
in Biomedical Science. This qualification confers eligibility to upgrade Institute membership
to the class of Member, provided the individual holds the correct number of years
professional experience.
This qualification can be used as evidence for biomedical scientists to demonstrate specialist
knowledge and skills required for career progression.
How to Use this Portfolio
This portfolio is comprised of core sections for each discipline. A minimum of two sections
must be completed; however, more sections may be completed if desired. Selection of
sections should be guided by the service provision of the employer.
Each section has modules which address a range of knowledge and skill appropriate to the
discipline. Each candidate must complete all modules and fulfil the evidence of
achievement requirements.
The modules are informed by the IBMS Specialist Diploma modules but are not identical and
as such there is no formal top up mechanism available for members who wish to complete
subsequent additional modules from the specialist diplomas. However, as training is at the
same level as the specialist diplomas candidates will be able to transfer evidence across, but
must ensure it meets the evidence of achievement requirements of the relevant portfolio
and remains current.

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Constructing the Portfolio

Evidence of Achievement:

Assessed by trainer to work in accordance with standard laboratory procedures

No additional evidence is required for this section as a signature only is sufficient.
Training Officers can link this with in-house laboratory competence training and records.
This section must be signed by an appropriate competent member of staff who is
responsible for confirming the candidates ability, and will not necessarily be the training
officer.
Answered questions set by trainer on the principals and practice of named procedure
This ensures the laboratory has comprehensively assessed the candidates knowledge
against the standard. Remember this is at specialist level and therefore higher than
registration.
There are a variety of ways this can be evidenced:
Written questions and answers.
o This requires evidence that an appropriate competent person has marked the
work and provided feedback to ensure it is of a specialist standard.
o This is an opportunity to demonstrate the progression of the candidates
training by showing responses to feedback. Nobody gets it perfect first time!
o The candidate needs to be able to communicate what they have learned.
Verbal questions and answers.
o This could be evidenced by a witness statement by the person who tested the
candidates knowledge and the areas covered.
o A set of questions with expected answers could be prepared with them being
ticked off as the candidate answered them.
o This method would be good preparation for the laboratory tour, which
examines their working knowledge at specialist level.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
o Can be delivered as a homework assignment or as a test.
o Can be used for multiple candidates although beware of sharing between
multiple candidates.
This section must be signed by a qualified member of staff who has assessed competence
and will not necessarily be the training officer.

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One other piece of evidence chosen by the candidate as an example of their fitness to
practice in performing the named procedure
This piece of evidence is selected by the candidate. It should demonstrate the application of
specialist level knowledge and skill.
This is an opportunity to pick something that the candidate finds interesting.
This could be anything! For example:
Case study.
Annotated set of results.
Reflection on a training session.
Reflection on errors made during training.
Annotated morphology images.
Comparative lists (advantages and disadvantages) of techniques.
One piece of evidence will not cover the whole of the standard so dont bother trying!
This piece of evidence must relate to the standard and the candidate needs to be able to
justify its selection.
Reflective Log
At the end of each discipline completed the candidate is required to complete a reflective
log.
Period of training
This identifies how long completion of this section took.
Summarise the laboratory role
This identifies your current role, in the context of your multi-disciplinary training.
Personal reflection on training and selection of evidence
This is an opportunity to demonstrate your reflective learning skills. There should be critical
analysis of the training provided and how this resulted in completion of the portfolio.
You can justify the selection of a few key pieces of evidence, but it is not expected you do
this for all the standards.
Portfolio Hints & Tips
A plagiarism statement is a good way of demonstrating the portfolio is your own work. It is
important to acknowledge the various resources you used during your training. Each piece
of evidence should be signed and dated by the candidate.
All work needs to be signed and dated by the training officer, and show evidence of
marking/feedback. This shows it has been checked!

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The assessor box must be completed by the training officer after reviewing the portfolio and
ensuring all the evidence has been collected and is of a specialist standard.
Annotation of evidence which is not the candidates own work e.g. print out of results:
Every page should be annotated, if you cant comment about it, it shouldnt be in
your portfolio!
Highlighting alone is insufficient
You need to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding at specialist level
Link it back to the standard, make it relevant
During your post registration training you will generate many pieces of paper. You need to
select which pieces (if any) are appropriate to be placed into your portfolio.
Evidence should be indexed in the same order as the portfolio. If you can give your portfolio
to a colleague and they can find all the relevant evidence for each standard easily, the
examiner should not have a problem doing so.

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Examination
The aims of the examination are to:

Independently verify that competence has been met and assess the standard of the
candidate for suitability for the award of Diploma in Biomedical Science
Ensure consistency between disciplines and between laboratories
Check that professional body guidelines and criteria are applied nationally
Reassure the employer that their training is to the appropriate standard
Disseminate areas of good practice
Provide constructive feedback on areas of unsatisfactory practice

The examination will cover all the sections completed in the portfolio. Candidates need to
have a sound working knowledge at specialist level and be able to answer a range of
questions based on the modules completed.
Once the portfolio is complete the training officer should submit an application for
examination on behalf of the candidate. Examination of the Diploma in Biomedical Science
will take place at examination centres on fixed dates.
The role of the external examiner:
The examiner undertakes a dual role of both verifier and examiner. Through review of the
portfolio the examiner verifies the appropriate training has been given and completed.
Through an oral examination determines the suitability for the award of the Diploma in
Biomedical Science.
It is not the role of the examiner to determine the competence of the candidate; this is the
responsibility of the trainer, evidence of which is demonstrated in the portfolio.
The examiner will also determine if the laboratory is complying with IBMS standards for
training approval.
Examination Process
The examination process is comprised of two parts:
The Portfolio:
In addition to completing the evidence of achievement sections, two additional pieces are
required:

Statement from laboratory manager, indicating the range of investigations performed.

A power point presentation providing an overview of your training.

The candidate will need to submit their portfolio prior to the examination to allow time for
the examiner to review the portfolio. Please note, the portfolio does not have a separate

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pass mark and therefore you do not need to pass the portfolio in order to attend the
examination.
Oral examination
During the examination you will take part in a proactive verbal question and answer section
with an examiner from each discipline you undertook. The more disciplines undertaken as
part of the diploma will result in more examination sessions.
Questions will be based around your presentation, portfolio and the required knowledge
and competence stated in the relevant standards.
Each discipline should take approximately 30 minutes.
After the examination the candidate will be informed whether they have been successful.
Full feedback will be given in the form of an examination report (completed by each
examiner).
Any failures will be addressed on an individual basis and the candidate may need to re-sit
the examination in its entirety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I complete additional disciplines at a later date?

Yes. A minimum of two sections must be completed in the first instance in order to achieve
the diploma. However, subsequently additional single disciplines can be completed and a
revised certificate issued. Please note this will be subject to a further fee.
Our department does not cover all the tests required, what do I do?
Each discipline has been identified as a minimum content required to achieve the diploma
and as such needs to be completed in its entirety. If your department is unable to support
all the necessary training in house, arrangements for secondment to another laboratory will
need to be arranged.
How does this qualification fit in with IBMS laboratory training approval?
The Diploma in Biomedical Sciences is a post registration qualification and as such any
department willing to support the training of this qualification should hold current post
registration training in the disciplines undertaken. i.e. if a candidate is undertaking
haematology and biochemistry the department must hold post registration training for
haematology and biochemistry.
Is this a specialist diploma?
Since a discipline as defined traditionally is not being studies in its entirety, successful
completion of the qualification does not result in an IBMS Specialist Diploma. However the
training given for the portfolio is at the same level and provides the same recognition and
achievement albeit in a different scope of practice, reflected by the new emerging
disciplines in service delivery.
I want to do the Diploma in Biomedical Sciences, but my department is not a combined
department. Can I still do it?
Yes. However you need to have the support of your employer who will ensure a training
program is in place to ensure the portfolio can be completed.
How often will the examinations take place, and where?
The IBMS aim to have regional examinations at multiple times during the year. However,
this will be dependent on sufficient numbers to ensure an examination is viable. If an
insufficient number are ready for examination in your region, you will need to either wait
until one is arranged or attend at another region.

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How much does the Diploma cost?

There is an initial purchase fee for the portfolio. A further fee is then due when applying for
the examination. The cost is dependent on the number of disciplines which have been
completed (a minimum of 2 disciplines must be completed initially).
How long do I have to complete the portfolio?
A candidate must apply for examination no later than 3 years after purchasing the portfolio.
My portfolio is over 3 years old and I wish to complete additional disciplines. What do I do?
In this case please contact the IBMS, you may be able to continue with the version you
currently have. However if a revised version has been released, it may be necessary to
purchase the current version.
If I complete this portfolio will I be able to upgrade to member?
Yes. Successful completion of the Diploma in Biomedical Sciences will allow for upgrade to
the class of Member (assuming all other criteria are met).
Do I have to complete all the sections?
You have to complete all the sections within a discipline and you have to complete at least 2
disciplines.
Our laboratory cannot provide training for all the sections within a discipline, can I still do
this portfolio?
It depends on what sections training cannot be provided for, and whether this can be
covered during a secondment. This links with IBMS laboratory training approval, as a
laboratory should not be able to achieve post registration training approval without
demonstrating they are able to provide the necessary training.

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About this document

Title:

Diploma in Biomedical Science Guidance Notes

Produced by:

Wendy Leversuch

Version:

Version 1

Active date:

January 2015

Review date:

January 2016

Contact:

Education Department
T: +44 (0)20 7713 0214
E: specialistportfolio@ibms.org

Copyright and disclaimer

This document and its contents including the IBMS logo are the property and trademarks of the Institute of
Biomedical Science. The copyright on this material is owned by the IBMS (unless otherwise explicitly stated).
This document or no part of it may be copied, reproduced, republished, downloaded or transmitted in any
way, other than for your own personal, non-commercial use. Prior written permission must be obtained from
the IBMS, using the contact details on the final page, for any other use of this material. All rights are reserved.
copyright Institute of Biomedical Science 2011
About IBMS Publications
The Institute publishes a wide range of professional and scientific publications and guidance. Further
information and downloadable publications: wwww.ibms.org/publications

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