Clinical
Biochemist
Industrial Biochemist
Research Biochemist
Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs
Biochemists study the chemistry of living organisms to increase
scientific knowledge and develop ways to apply this knowledge in areas such
as medicine, veterinary science, agriculture, environmental science and
manufacturing. Biochemistry provides a basis for all the life sciences.
ANZSCO ID: 234513
Specialisations:
Knowledge, skills and attributes
- enjoy chemistry, biology and mathematics
- able to think logically and analytically
- able to work independently or as part of a team
- creative and imaginative.
Duties and Tasks
Biochemists may perform the following tasks:
- study the chemical processes which occur within individual cells
- Studies the forms and structures of bodily organs and tissues by systematic observation, dissection and microscopic examination.
- Investigates the chemical structure and function of living cells and their isolated components, organs and tissues in humans, animals, plants, and micro-organisms.
- Examines micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, yeast and their enzymes, and uses the knowledge gained to create and develop new, and improve existing, products, materials and processes.
- study processes which involve whole organisms, such as digestion and growth
- undertake detailed chemical analysis using sophisticated instruments and techniques
- prepare, or supervise the preparation of, scientific reports and papers for journals based on observations and experiments.
Working conditions
You would normally work standard hours, Monday to Friday. For some jobs
you may need to work shifts, and during busy periods you may work longer
hours. Part-time work is also available.
Your work would mainly take place in a laboratory. In the manufacturing
industry, you would also spend some of your time in production areas. You
would be expected to wear protective clothing such as a laboratory coat and
safety glasses.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a biochemist you usually have to complete a science or applied science degree at university with a major in biochemistry, environmental chemistry, molecular biology or a related field. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, mathematics and physics are normally required. Most universities in Australia offer degrees in these areas.
Employment Opportunities
Employment of biochemists is expected to grow faster
than the average for all occupations.
The aging baby-boom population and the demand for lifesaving new drugs and
procedures to cure and to prevent disease likely will drive demand for
biochemists involved in biomedical research.
Areas of research and development in biotechnology other than health, such
as clean energy and genetically engineering crops, are also expected to
provide employment growth for biochemists.
Greater demand for clean energy should increase the need for biochemists who
research and develop alternative energy sources, such as biofuels. A growing
population and rising food prices are expected to fuel the development of
genetically engineered crops and livestock that provide greater yields and
require fewer resources.
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Did You Know ? New understanding in biochemistry has enabled many advances in biotechnology such as the development of pharmaceutical drugs or methods for diagnosing disease.  It has also enabled genetic engineering, which can be used to produce biomolecules such as vaccines as well as to aid in the treatment of genetic diseases. Whichever way you look at it, biochemistry is at the very centre of the life sciences today. (Source: BSc in Biochemistry, NUI, Galway) |
A clinical biochemist works in hospital laboratories where they study
the chemical composition of various tissues and body fluids to assist in
the study, diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Clinical biochemists diagnose and manage disease through the analysis of
blood, urine and
other body fluids.
While there is a lot of crossover with biomedical science, clinical
biochemists typically work within a medical setting, rather than an
industrial or academic setting.
ANZSCO ID: 234513
Knowledge, skills and attributes
- The ability to work both independently and in a team
- Attention to detail
- Methodical and thorough approach
- Commitment to patient care in hospital settings
- Numerical and written skills
(Source:
All the Science)
Duties and Tasks
Most of their time is spent in the laboratory analysing specimens of
blood, tissues or urine using computer-aided and automated testing
procedures.
- planning and organising work in clinical biochemistry laboratories
- carrying out complex analyses on specimens of body fluids and tissues - investigating abnormal biochemical conditions
- assuring the quality of clinical biochemistry investigations
- auditing the diagnostic and clinical use and performance of investigations
- developing new and existing tests, often automated and computer assisted but sometimes requiring considerable manual expertise
- liaising with clinical and other healthcare staff, often in a multidisciplinary team setting
- interpreting chemical testing results
- explaining lab results to professionals
- operating analysis lab equipment
- some patient contact
- writing reports
- working closely with other scientists including chemists, pharmacologists and toxicologists
- keeping up to date with scientific literature connected with their work
- submitting funding bids and conducting research with clinicians
A clinical biochemist’s other activities include
conducting periodic checks of automated testing equipment, carrying out
any necessary maintenance on the equipment and making sure that testing
conditions are accurately calibrated and kept constant at all times.
Senior clinical biochemists may also be responsible for managing lab
teams comprised of trainees, students, assistants and technicians.
To thrive in this profession, it’s also necessary for biochemists to
carry out research projects and keep up-to-date on clinical, diagnostic
and testing protocols; statutory and regulatory requirements; and
medical developments, inventions, treatments and therapies.
What
is a Clinical Biochemist?
https://youtu.be/L4u2EdXvnvo
Working conditions
Some evening and on-call work will be necessary. Part-time work is an
option.
In clinical biochemistry, working as a clinical scientist, you’ll help
to diagnose and manage disease through the analysis of blood, urine and
other body fluids. You’ll do this by producing and validating the
results of chemical and biochemical analyses.
You’ll advise clinicians and GPs on the appropriate use of tests, the
interpretation of results, and the follow up investigations that may be
required. You will usually be based in a hospital clinical
biochemistry/chemical pathology laboratory. Increasingly, you’ll work
outside the laboratory to support the investigation of patients at the
point of care, including in clinics and operating theatres.
Tools and technologies
A clinical biochemist is a lab-based medical professional, responsible
for the analysis and interpretation of results obtained through the
diagnostic testing of physiological samples (both solid and fluid).
Modern diagnostic testing methodologies are mostly automated processes
or are facilitated by information technology devices and applications.
Consequently, manual interventions are not required in the majority of
cases, where no chemical or biochemical anomalies are detected.
Clinical biochemists enter the diagnostic process once these anomalies
or abnormalities are encountered, performing advanced diagnostic tests
using tools and techniques such as chromatographs, spectroscopes,
electron microscopes, gel electrophoresis and
amino acid assay.
They then interpret and analyse the results in collaboration with other
clinical scientists and make sure that detailed records of the whole
testing cycle are maintained.
(Source:
Health Careers UK)
Education and training/entrance requirements
You need a bachelor degree in science or applied science majoring in
biochemistry, molecular biology, biomedical science or a related field
to work as a Biochemist. It is also common to complete postgraduate
studies.
Employment Opportunities
Clinical biochemist work
mostly in hospitals
but may work for a pharmaceutical
company.
Introduction
to Clinical Biochemistry Explained in 4 Minutes
https://youtu.be/pHrIdhx0mkI
An industrial biochemist works in laboratories in analytical and research work, such as checking the purity of food and beverages, or the enzymic production of fuels from waste products through fermentation procedures.
A research biochemist works in laboratories in universities, biotechnology companies, and agricultural, medical and veterinary institutes. They study areas such as the metabolism, growth and reproduction of fungi, bacteria, plants and animals, as well as the organisation of viruses. They frequently use the latest genetic engineering and molecular-biological techniques.
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Materials sourced from
Careers Online [Biochemist]
CareerHQ [Biochemist;]
Health Care Careers UK [Clinical
Biochemistry; ]
Target Jobs UK [Clinical
Biochemist; ]
Indeed [Clinical
Biochemist; ]
Allaboutcareers [Clinical
Biochemist; ]
Your Career
[Biochemist];
