Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

The Work

A Medical Scientist works in the diagnosis and research of disease in healthcare or research laboratories.

The work of a medical scientist includes:

• Managing the laboratory service and ensuring that the patient receives quality-assured, standardised results which aid in their disease diagnosis, prognosis and therapy.
• Providing infection surveillance to monitor hospital-acquired infections and many novel molecular tests for disease-related genetic aberrations.
• Working in Pathology sectors including Blood Transfusion, Medical Microbiology, Cellular Pathology, Haematology, Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Immunology, Molecular Diagnostics, Clinical Cytology, Transplantation and Virology.

Medical Science disciplines include the following areas:

• Blood Transfusion Science
• Medical Microbiology
• Haematology
• Cellular Pathology
• Clinical Chemistry
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Clinical Immunology

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
• Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
• Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
• Prepare and analyse organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
• Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analysing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
• Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
• Write and publish articles in scientific journals.
• Write applications for research grants.
• Standardise drug dosages, methods of immunisation, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.
• Study animal and human health and physiological processes.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Medical Scientists typically hold a level 8 honors degree. A CORU-approved course that includes a clinical laboratory internship is required to practice as a Medical Scientist in a hospital laboratory in Ireland CORU-approved courses.

The Medical Scientists Registration Board, for the purposes of Section 38 (2) (a) of the Act, hereby accepts the following qualifications are acceptable for the purposes of application for registration:Higher Education CAO Entry 

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Medical Science from the Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biomedical Science, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) or Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)
• Bachelor  in Science Honours degree in Biomedical Science from the Joint University College Cork – Cork Institute of Technology course AND Diploma in Clinical Laboratory Practice
• Certificate in Medical Laboratory Science, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) or Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) and Bachelor in Science (Applied Science) Honours degree (Biomedical option) from the University of Dublin/Dublin Institute of Technology (Awarded prior to 2002)
• Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) AND BSc (Honours) Biomedical Sciences, University College Cork (UCC) (Awarded prior to 2013)
• Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences of the Dublin Institute of Technology, (DIT) or the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) (Awarded prior to 1994)
• Certificate in Medical Laboratory Sciences awarded before 1997 by the Dublin Institute of Technology Kevin Street, the Cork Institute of Technology or the Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology

Schedule 3 Approved Qualifications

As per the HSCP Act 2005 (as amended), the following qualifications are also approved during the Transition/Grandparenting Period:

• Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences) (Honours) (Biomedical option) from the University of Dublin/the Dublin Institute of Technology Kevin Street
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biomedical Science from the Joint University College Cork — Cork Institute of Technology course
• Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences awarded before 1994 by the Dublin Institute of Technology or the Cork Institute of Technology
• Certificate in Medical Laboratory Sciences awarded before 1997 by the Dublin Institute of Technology Kevin Street, the Cork Institute of Technology or the Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology

 Search CAO courses

Graduates who have completed an CORU-approved honours degree and a clinical laboratory placement are then eligible to practise as medical scientists in clinical pathology (hospital) laboratories in Ireland as well as other countries.

Graduates of these degree programmes also work as scientists in commercial and private pathology laboratories, research laboratories and in biomedical science positions worldwide. 

Professional Development

Around 70% of medical scientists in Ireland have a Master’s degree and/or a PhD.

Postgraduate Study Options Pathology - Research, Pathology - Structured, Medicine & Health - Research at NFQ levels 9-10

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €75k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, experience, and sessional shift pattern & conditions.

Data Source(s):
HSE / Morgan McKinley / CPL

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The annual employment growth rate over the five-year period was above average for this occupation, with employment increasing by almost 2,000 persons between 2021 and 2022. Almost a third of employment was in industry with the remainder spread across many sectors. The number of new employment permits issued grew from 164 to 506 between 2021 and 2022, with two fifths of permits issued for roles in the manufacturing of chemicals/pharma sub-sector for scientists and analysts (e.g. quality control, chemists); other roles include medical scientists/technologists, microbiologists, process development and R&D scientists.

In June 2022, medical scientists were moved to the Critical Skills Employment Permit List due to issues with sourcing suitable candidates; in Summer 2023, the Government announced plans to expand the number of training places for medical scientists by 20 places. The Recruitment Agency Survey identified difficult-to-fill vacancy mentions for analytical and process scientists. Online job adverts for this occupation grew slightly in 2022, almost all related to posts for R&D managers.

This was the most frequently occurring occupation in online job adverts in 2022. With employment levels increasing and demand still evident, shortages are expected to persist for this occupation, particularly in the chemical/pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, for those with experience and/or in niche areas. The recent decline in the value of pharmaceutical exports in Ireland is unlikely to have a significant impact on the demand for skills as, in addition to being in strong demand in the pharma & biopharma processing industry, they are much sought after elsewhere in both the life sciences sector (e.g. medical devices) and other manufacturing (e.g. food & beverage); in addition, Government focus (and investment) on research and innovation will also sustain the already strong demand for these skills. Shortages of analytical, process and medical scientists are likely to continue.

• Academy of Clinical Science & Laboratory Medicine - ACSLM

  • 31 Old Kilmainham, Dublin 8, D08V062
  • 01-9059730
  • [email protected]
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