Daisy Duthie is a Biomedical Scientist working at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, having graduated from BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science at Leeds Beckett in 2022. In this blog, she talks through what she enjoys about her job and explains why it was so important to study the IBMS-accredited Biomedical Science course at LBU. 

Course: BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science (Pharmacology pathway)

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’ve been doing since you graduated?

Prior to graduating, I secured a trainee Biomedical Science position at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation trust in Haematology and Transfusion. I completed my IBMS registration portfolio and was verified in December 2022, becoming a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist. 

I have now completed my IBMS Specialist Portfolio in Transfusion Science at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust. I have a passion for blood transfusion and hospital transfusion science and hope to continue to develop my knowledge and progress in my transfusion career here at the Leeds General Infirmary. 

Tell us a bit more about your current role and why it’s amazing.

I am currently a Biomedical Scientist working in an NHS hospital transfusion laboratory at Leeds General Infirmary. As a Biomedical Scientist working in a hospital transfusion laboratory, I process patient samples both using an automated analyser and by hand. I prepare blood and blood products for patients as required and often deal with emergency situations requiring urgent blood and blood products. 

I take pride in delivering high quality patient care and it is immensely rewarding, knowing I have played a role in a patient’s treatment and in some emergency cases, helped to save a patient’s life. 

How did your course at Leeds Beckett help you get to where you are today? 

I chose to complete my Biomedical Science degree at Leeds Beckett University as the course is IBMS accredited. This ensured I complete all of the necessary modules to allow me to enter the workforce at NHS band 5 trainee BMS level without the need to complete further top-up modules. 

My degree provided me with a solid foundation of blood science knowledge which assisted greatly when completing my IBMS registration portfolio in haematology and transfusion. 

What support or opportunities did you receive at Leeds Beckett that have helped shaped your career?

I made the decision to not complete a placement year however, these were discussed and provided as an option to complete the IBMS registration portfolio. I was provided with information as to how to apply for trainee BMS roles and what to expect at an NHS interview. I was also provided with information as to what would be expected for an IBMS registration portfolio and where to find further information regarding this. 

What would you say to someone considering studying your course?

If you are interested in becoming a Biomedical Scientist and getting into the laboratory and science aspect of healthcare, this is a very informative and useful accredited degree.

What’s next for you?

I hope to utilise the knowledge gained during the completion of my specialist portfolio to train junior BMS staff to ensure the continued provision of high-quality patient care here at the LGI. I also hope to complete a master’s degree involving hospital transfusion science to help further my career to a more senior role with Blood Bank at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.