r/NHS_STP

Hi all,
I’m thinking of applying to the STP next year, but trying to do some diligence on whether the career is for me, on top of recognizing that it is very competitive to get into.

I have genomics experience, so that’s what I’d be going for. What I’m wondering is:

is the job usually on site all time? or is there opportunity for hybrid work?

Do you actively do lab work still, or is it more project management of a lab team kind of thing?

do you work shifts, or Monday-Friday?

I understand this would vary by specialty, but just wondering if anyone currently in the program doing rotations or a current clinical scientist could weigh in

Thanks!

Hi mates,
Is there any policy like who didn’t pass the STP interview , they will know their feedback in detail which areas they need to improve etc
Any idea ??

Hi! I’m really interested in genomic counselling. I know the main path is through the STP. I also know that it’s highly competitive. I want to get some advice on what I can do to better my chances of getting in.

Recently graduated with a BSc in Biological Sciences with a first and will be completing a MSc in Genomic Medicine. I don’t have any lab experience outside of uni, my undergrad was very molecular biology focused and I pretty much had the same modules as my biomedical sciences friends. What else can I do to better my chances? I plan on getting more lab experience though my masters. Is that enough?

I also know care experience is really sought after. I did a lot of childcare jobs through the years not sure if that helps. But I’m also willing to get some carer experience whilst completing my masters. Do you all think that would help?

I’m feel really hopeless in terms of getting in tbh as so many people say it’s super competitive and have been trying for years but of course still want to give it a go. I have no idea what else I can do after my masters and would appreciate some advice on potential roles outside of the STP as well.

Thanks!

Hi guys,

I’ll be starting my training at KCH as a cardiac physiologist trainee. I was thinking of making a group chat on WhatsApp for London based trainees. That way when we have blocks where we go to our unis, we can commute together/find appropriate accom together or even just to support each other. If you guys put in details below, I can make a group chat.

WhatsApp link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LY34uYFxKXn3vddIAexwvh?mode=gi\_t

Whats the maximum most would say it worth commuting? I'm currently looking at about a 1-1.5 hour commute (depending on traffic) and wondering what anyone who's done that thought of it? I've heard some say it was a bit miserable but I'd also prefer not to blow £800 a month on rent around the manchester area. Even warrington seems to be about that unless you want to live in a mouldy dump but if the commute is truly hellish I'll probably consider moving.

Hi! I’m currently starting my undergrad in biomedical science in September. I went to uni previously last year at which point I found out about the STP and that I would love to do it, but had to drop out for personal reasons. Regardless, I’m starting again in September and wondered what advice people would offer me to maximise my chances of getting onto the STP after my undergrad. I’d also consider doing a masters after.

Currently (although this may change) I’m most intrigued by doing genomics / cancer genomics. My uni offers work experience in an NHS-Uni partnership lab which I could take advantage of.

Is it realistic to have a chance of getting onto the STP straight after my undergrad if I did work experience etc - things just seem to be getting more and more competitive.

Thank you in advance!

Hi guys just looking for advice.
I just received an offer this morning. Insane I was not expecting it at all and I’m so grateful to have made it this far. But as happy as I am I don’t know what to do and I feel super conflicted.

I got ranked pretty low in comparison to how many places there were on my specialism and tbh I felt like I’d done really poorly in my interview.
Because of this I’ve been making plans with my partner of 3 years to live together in Manchester together, he’s doing a masters at ManMet this September and I was planning on just finding a full time job as we’ve both just finished undergrad. I’ve been so excited about living with him, he’s my favourite person ever and my best friend in the world.

The offer I have received is for a trust in Birmingham, at least 1h 30min commute by train from the flat we were looking at, more if it’s a high traffic day and I don’t drive but if I did it’d be about 2 hours.

I’ve read on here people warning against long commutes because of the heavy workload of the STP but also I’ve been so excited about both living with him and doing the STP. I’m finding I’m at a crossroads of living with the love of my life and pursuing my dream career.

Any words of advice please talk to me because I’m crying in a bathroom and I only have till Saturday to make this decision.

Hi all, I’m 40 and thinking of a career change. Currently working in the NHS as a senior medical editor, but have a 1:1 in biomedical sciences (2009) a PhD in biochemistry (2013) and a few papers. I left research in 2015 and have been working in medical and healthcare publishing since. I’m a little rusty on lab skills and science but hoping to apply to the STP for the 2027 intake - am I in with much chance given I’m older and it’s been a while since I’ve been in science? I’ve been in the workforce so gained other skills and also been working for the NHS for the last 5.5 years. I’m thinking of applying for clinical biochemistry or cancer genomics. My friend who is a post doc is going to help me get some lab work experience. I really miss working in science and also love the idea of working in healthcare and having a role in patient care.

Also, some realities… if I am successful at securing a post on the programme this will represent a significant pay cut and a much larger commute (from Cheshire to Manchester or Liverpool, which will also incur a significant cost). How intense is the programme, is it always on site Monday to Friday (except uni days) or are there opportunities for home study now and then? What are the hours like? I may need a side job to help with bills (have a solo mortgage). Also, how many clinical scientist posts are actually available? I’d like to feel confident that there are plenty of jobs available after completing the programme and I wouldn’t struggle to find something with a reasonable commute.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom or advice!

Hi! So I’ve been working as a part time donor carer with NHSBT and have an undergraduate bachelors degree, I was wondering is it possible for me to apply for STP through the in-service post ? If so how does it work?

Just wanted to be sure, do you just send a scan of your qualifications as a reply to the email asking for them or do I need to send them as a separate email thread? And do they want anything other than your certificate?

Hi everyone,
I’m currently on placement as a Biomedical Science student, and my goal is to get onto the STP after I graduate.
I know it’s really competitive, so I want to use my placement and the rest of university as well as I can. I’m already getting lab experience, but I’m not sure what else I should be doing to make myself a stronger applicant.
If you’ve got onto STP or been involved in recruitment, what advice would you give? Is there anything you wish you’d done differently, or anything that really helped your application stand out?
I’d really appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Looking for advice here -

I found out about STP back when I was an undergrad doing biology. I figured I needed to make myself look more appealing as a candidate so I went ahead and did an MSc in Biomedical science. Well fast forward a couple years and a baby later, an STP doesn’t seem fair on my family (could mean moving across UK). As well as the stress of another masters whilst being a parent to a young child.

I have a job in NHS biochem lab, as a Band 4 and I’m currently doing my IBMS portfolio. But it’s not my calling, I am dead set on that clinical scientist role. I just don’t know how to get there now. I’ve heard of an equivalence but I don’t know much about it.

I’d appreciate any advice or experiences you guys can offer! TIA

does anyone know if your like 4th on reserve and if your specialty still hasn’t closed due to filled spaces how long it will take to continue recycling those offers.. because don’t applicants with the offer have 48 hours to accept?

Hi guys, ive been offered to train with oxford uni hospitals. I'm from Birmingham. Any suggestions- should relocate or commute? (its a 1 hr train journey). ive heard cost of living in oxford is quite high and so is rent... im so unsure and nervous- any advice please? Also if there are any groups i can join to find out more about oxford living please let me know thank you