What are your options?
While being a Healthcare Scientist is a highly rewarding career, it can also be quite draining. You are expected to perform your duties which are of a tangible nature. This sometimes leaves no space for research at all. So how do you add a research element to your career path?
First of all, look at your Job Description. It is highly possible that you are expected to take part in research activities, you just do not have protected time. Or it is squeezed out by day-to-day duties.
There are also a few documents that highlight Healthcare science position within the NHS. Look at them, see if they can help you fight your case (Interim NHS People Plan: the future healthcare science workforce, NHS Long Term Plan).
If there is little to no research happening in your department, think about introducing some. Think journal club ... I know it sounds dated, but if you got trainees in your department or junior members of staff, they might benefit from organising one or presenting.
Where to start
If you have not done any big research projects before start small. Check out our Forum section. Start a discussion. Sometimes we have limited access to equipment or certain manufacturers. Maybe start a collaboration or take part in one (anything from data collection and analysis, to work on your appetite for research).
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Research in addition
Agree to fit research as a part of your CPD or aims and objectives.
For more options and how this can work out watch this Webinar: Clinical Academic Careers for Healthcare Scientists- benefits and pitfalls
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Is what you doing considered research
To help you figure this out use this decision tool by NHS Health Research Authority to answer the question 'Is my study research?'
If you get a 'yes' you might need to look into 'Do I need NHS Ethics approval?' decision tool.