At a glance
As a qualified medical professional, you’ll already have many of the skills we need. Becoming a Biomedical Scientist (Reserve) is your opportunity to use them as part of a global effort, protecting the people who keep our nation safe.
Job Role
Biomedical Scientist Reserve
As a qualified medical professional, you’ll already have many of the skills we need. Becoming a Biomedical Scientist (Reserve) is your opportunity to use them as part of a global effort, protecting the people who keep our nation safe.
- Undergraduate Degree
- Surface Fleet
- Royal Naval Reserve
- Rating level
Tax-free
Annual bounty for training commitment
Paid Leave
Proportionate to attendance
Pension
Membership of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme
Travel
All around the world
Extra
Pay if mobilised
I’m multi-disciplinary, which means I get really varied work, whether I’m on board ship, or in an NHS hospital.
Role details
What you’ll do
As a qualified medical professional, you’ll already have many of the skills we need. Becoming a Biomedical Scientist (Reserve) is your opportunity to use them as part of a global effort, protecting the people who keep our nation safe.
You’ll still have your day job, but for 24 days a year, you’ll also be part of our Medical branch. That means providing essential clinical laboratory services to everyone from trauma patients in conflict zones to injured personnel in NHS hospitals.
Your role
- Deliver world class healthcare as part of a highly skilled and motivated team.
- Provide vital support to maritime and wider military operations across the globe.
- Provide support in a range of challenging conditions at sea, on land or in the air. Adapt to a variety of platforms including state of the art warships such as the new Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier.
- Travel the world as part of the front line medical services team.
Pay & benefits
- Daily rates of pay equivalent to those of full-time personnel
- Annual tax-free bounty subject to meeting the minimum training commitment
- Paid leave in proportion to the number of training days attended
- Automatic membership of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme
- Expenses and allowances when undergoing training
- Access to sports and fitness facilities
- Opportunities for Adventurous Training (AT)
Skills for life
Qualifications you'll gain
- Experience working in a multi-disciplinary laboratory
- Courses to further develop your career
- Leadership and management qualifications
Skills you'll develop
- How to support medical teams with a clinical laboratory service, wherever they are in the world
- Experience every laboratory discipline and develop your knowledge
- Learn to be adaptable, flexible and disciplined
Eligibility
- You must be aged 20 and up to 52, (or 56 if you're serving or an ex-regular), when you start training
- 5 GCSEs grades C/4, which must include English Language and Mathematics
- A degree in Biomedical Science
- Registered as a Biomedical Scientist in Haematology, Biochemistry, Blood Transfusion or Microbiology
- Membership of the Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC) without restrictions
- You must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen who has lived in the UK continuously for 5 years prior to applying, or a Dual National. Dual nationality restrictions do apply
- You need to be within the healthy range for Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Pass the Naval Swimming Test
Skills & Interests
- A high level of clinical skill
- A caring and compassionate nature
- A passion for helping people
- Be highly organised, and calm under pressure
- A sense of adventure
Joining Process
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
Step 1
Submit an application
Your first step is to request and fill in your online application. If you have any questions beforehand, you can phone us on 0345 600 3222
Step 2
Presentation
You will be invited to attend an Initial Maritime Reserves Presentation (IMRP) at your nearest Unit. This is your chance to have a look around, meet the team, ask any questions and find out about life in the Reserves
Step 3
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) and interview
You will be invited to an interview, which is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform, where we will check your eligibility and outline the joining process. See more advice here. You will then sit the DAA, which assesses: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension. You will also be invited to have an interview with the medical recruiting team
Step 4
Join your local Unit
You will then be invited to join your Unit for Attestation. This involves swearing allegiance to His Majesty The King and signing the Official Secrets Act. At this point you’ll be a Phase 0 recruit, and will attend weekly drill nights, however you won’t be able to start formal training until you pass your medical and fitness test
Step 5
Medical and fitness test
The medical tests are carried out by your nearest Ministry of Defence approved doctor, but eye tests can be completed at selected high street centres. The Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) requires you to complete a 2.4km run on a treadmill at a local approved fitness centre
Step 6
Phase 1 training
You’ll now be a signed-up member of the Royal Naval Reserve as a Phase 1 recruit. At this stage you’ll be given your Royal Navy identification card and uniform, and be able to conduct formal basic training
Step 7
Training
During your Phase 1 training you will learn about life in the Royal Navy. This takes place on weekly drill nights. You’ll also spend two weekends learning about life in the military and what it is like at sea
Step 8
Confirmation course
This two-week course is held at HMS Raleigh. Once you’ve completed this you will go on to specialise in your chosen discipline
Got a question?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day