Membership and Professional Registration

How does Professional Registration benefit me as an individual?

• Formally recognises your previous knowledge and experience.
• Is linked to you individually, and is transferable between roles and organisations.
• It demonstrates your commitment to continued professional development and shows you maintain knowledge by keeping up to date in your field of expertise.
• It is a mutually respected and harmonised level of professional competence and understanding.
• Is visible to potential employers when you add your level after your name on CVs and address blocks.
• Is internationally recognised - it assures employers, your team and your customers that you are an accomplished professional.

To support your Professional Registration we will:

• Provide resources that support your membership and registration process, such as time, financial support (for initial membership fees) and a mentoring scheme.
• Ensure that you have access to continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities which enable you to achieve and retain professional registration.
• Formally recognise our technical staff who have achieved professional registration.
• Embed professional registration within our recruitment processes, and use of our Technical Staff Structured Development Framework in personal development planning.
• Have clear policies and procedures that give confidence that our staff can raise concerns about situations that may conflict with your professional responsibilities.
• Links to Science Council community areas are available where you can ask questions and connect with the Science Council registration team, current registrants and other people applying for registration:
  
  • Science Council professionals (Twitter)
  • Science professionals (LinkedIn)

How do I apply?

Technical Staff at the University of Exeter are encouraged to apply individually through the Science Council’s online system.

Costs

As part of our continued commitment to our technical staff and their personal/professional development, Technical Services will cover the costs of initial membership fees for Technical Services staff.  Whilst Technical Services will pay for the initial professional body membership, individuals will be required to pay to cover their own individual registration fee and subsequent annual fees.

If you’re not already a member of one of our licensed professional bodies there is an introductory first year membership fee of £55 for RSciTech/RSci.  The introductory cost for registration are

• RSciTech        £15 + £15 application fee
• RSci                £20 + £15 application fee
• CSci                £45 +£15 application fee

How this works:

1. In your online application you will be asked to complete the “Who will be paying” box.  Please add your own personal details here.
2. Once you have submitted your application and you have been approved for the award you have applied for you will receive an individual invoice through the email address you used in your application.  Please pay this invoice yourself.
3. You can then claim back the initial membership fee of £55 via T1 expenses through the Technical Services budget code.

Note: For CSci you will need to pay the membership fee specific to your professional body, so please contact the Science Council if you have questions on this or visit their website for further information.

Face to Face Interviews

When applying through the Science Council there are also two assessment options: online or face to face.  Face to face interviews have been arranged for staff who attended the professional registration workshop.  Book your face to face interview now here.

If you ticked the box for face to face interviews you will not need to pay for this.  The invoice for this will go directly to technical Services who will pick up these costs.

Please note: your professional body may mandate a face to face assessment to ensure their membership requirements are met.

Science Council - Tips for completing your competency report.

What is the drive for University technicians becoming professionally registered?

Currently there are no formal statements out from the Research Councils as a group and the issue still under discussion. However, HEFCE, Gatsby and the BBSRC have already signed up to the need for professionalisation in the technical workforce. BBSRC are pushing this in their Technician Commitment. The University of Exeter is also a signatory to the Science Council Technician Commitment.

In terms of hard evidence, an increasing number of universities are advertising jobs with the JD document saying being a member of a professional body and having recognised (Science Council, Engineering Council, etc.) professional accreditation is "essential" (or will have gained this within 3 to 6 months of taking up the post).

Also with the majority of apprenticeships applicable in our sector require the apprentice to be a member of a professional body and at least working towards registration by the end of year 2. This means new staff coming in will have already got these requirements and therefore those not engaging could be left behind.

The third push is that if you are registered your institution is obliged to provide you with annual CPD (focussed on the role of course) which keeps you up to speed and definitely employable/retainable. You will meet the needs of the flexible and agile workforce which will definitely become the norm in all universities.

If staff don't engage then there is a possibility they will be left behind whether in teaching or research. Also other university professional services require professional registration and membership of a professional body as necessary to take the role in the first place (E.g CPID, AAT, etc) so we are simply professionalising the technical service.

At Exeter we are trying to get ahead of the game, so that when these changes come into force we will not feel any impact.

We highly recommend professional registration for technical staff. Professional registration:

• Formally recognises your previous knowledge and experience.
• Is linked to you individually, and is transferable between roles and organisations.
• It demonstrates your commitment to continued professional development and shows you maintain knowledge by keeping up to date in your field of expertise.
• It is a mutually respected and harmonised level of professional competence and understanding.
• Is visible to potential employers when you add your level after your name on CVs and address blocks.
• Is internationally recognised - it assures employers, your team and your customers that you are an accomplished professional.

Gatsby have a number of reports that are looking to address technician skills and development:

• Technician Roles, Skills, And Training In Industrial Biotechnology: An Analysis
• Our Work Supporting Technicians
• Professional Registration: The Status Our Technicians Deserve
• Professional Bodies And Apprenticeships

What licensed professional bodies are associated with the Science Council?

Please see the list of Science Council licensed professional bodies.  The professional registers they hold (in brackets):

• Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CSci)
• Association for Science Education (RSciTech, RSci and CSciTeach)
• Association of Neurophysiological Scientists (CSci)
• British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CSci)
• British Psychological Society (RSci, RSciTech and CSci)
• British Society of Soil Science (CSci)
• Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CSci)
• College of Podiatry (CSci)
• Geological Society of London (CSci)
• Institute of Biomedical Science (RSciTech, RSci and CSci)
• Institute of Corrosion (CSci)
• Institute of Food Science & Technology (RSciTech, RSci and CSci)
• Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (CSci)
• Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (CSci)
• Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (RSciTech, RSci and CSci)
• Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (CSci)
• Institute of Physics (RSci and RSciTech)
• Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (RSciTech, RSci and CSci)
• Institute of Science and Technology (RSciTech, RSci and CSci) - The University of Exeter are corporate affiliates with the IST.
• Institute of Water (RSciTech, RSci and CSci)
• Institution of Chemical Engineers (RSciTech, RSci and CSci)
• Institution of Environmental Sciences (CSci)
• Operational Research Society (CSci and RSci)
• Royal Society of Biology (RSciTech, RSci, CSci and CSciTeach)
• Royal Society of Chemistry (RSciTech, RSci, CSci and CSciTeach)
• The Nuclear Institute (CSci)
• The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs (CSci and RSci)

Should you decide that you would align to a different professional body, there is a mechanism to change and transfer your registered status across. This may vary between organisations. For more info contact your professional body.

What are the award levels/registers available to me?

You can apply for any of the following registers through the Science Council/awarding body.

• Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)
• Registered Scientist (RSci)
• Chartered Scientist (CSci)
• Chartered Science Teacher (CSciTeach)

Whichever your suggested register, always look through the competence guidance to make sure you can fulfil the requirements before applying.

Membership levels vary within organistaions. Within the IST memberships range from:

• Junior.  Junior membership of the Institute may be awarded to applicants between ages of 13 and 18 years old who have an interest in science technology. No qualifications are required for this grade of membership.
• Affiliate.  Affiliate Membership of the Institute may be awarded to an applicant who is over the age of 16 and who is working or studying in the field of science technology at NVQ/SVQ Level 1, the Institute’s Preliminary Vocational or an equivalent qualification.
• Associate.  The corporate grade of Associate may be awarded to an applicant who holds an approved qualification at NVQ/SVQ Level 2, the Institute’s Core Vocational Qualification or an equivalent qualification. Associate members are entitled to use the designatory letters AssocIScT.
• Member.  The full corporate grade of Member may be awarded to an applicant who holds an approved qualification e.g. NVQ/SVQ Level 3, a degree, HNC, HND, by Institute Higher Diploma examination, along with relevant professional experience (normally in excess of 3 years appropriate workplace experience). Alternatively Associate members may be upgraded to full Member grade following approved professional development. Members are entitled to use the designatory letters MIScT.
• Fellow.  Fellowship of the Institute is the most senior grade available and is an indicator of the highest level of achievement within the profession. Individuals may apply or be nominated, according to the guidance laid down by the Executive, and if suitable will be elected by the Fellowship Committee. Fellows are entitled to use the designatory letters FIScT.

Click here for more details.

How can I keep up to date with my Professional Development?

Continuous/Personal and Professional Development requirements vary slightly between awarding bodies. However, for a balanced portfolio you should aim to include a variety of activities/events that are relevant to your current or future role/practice.

Example activities (taken from the IST PPD form) could be any of the following:

Work based

• On the job learning
• Acquiring new skills, techniques and processes
• Refining existing skills, techniques and processes
• Sharing knowledge and expertise with others
• Devising/delivering training programmes
• Writing articles/papers
• Reflective practice
• Peer and guidance discussion
• In house presentations (delivering/receiving)
• Lecturing/presenting at an organised event
• Preparing presentations for colleagues and other professionals
• Work shadowing
• Promoting the organisation and the service externally (schools, colleges, industry)
• Writing reports and publications
• Job secondment

Professional activity

• Involvement in a professional body
• Acting as a coach or mentor for a fellow professional

Formal / Educational

• Attending events, seminars, exhibitions, workshops and conferences
• Completing in house/organisational training and development activity
• Obtaining validated and accredited qualifications
• Formal distance and open-learning courses)

Self-directed learning

• Structured reading
• Reading journal
• Reviewing books / articles / study packs
• Researching topics
• Personal learning from the internet / YouTube

Other

• Voluntary work
• Public service
• Non-work-related studies

There could be other activities that you can include, so the list should be used as a guide.

Your activities and events should be reflected upon and you should try to detail the personal benefits you got from the activity/event, along with any lessons learnt and how you are going to put your new skills/knowledge into practice.

There will be activities within our organisation that you can get involved in too - visit our  learning and development webpages to find available training. Let your line manager know if you would like to arrange an activity or event for your department or the whole of Technical Services. We are always looking for people to run sessions, workshops and assist with/lead on conferences and events.

What other examples of development opportunities are there?

Visit our  learning and development webpages to find all available in-house training.  Other examples of subjects and topics to help you identify your personal development needs (this list is not exhaustive):

Self-development

• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership and team management
• Decision-making
• Stress management
• Time management and delegation skills
• Career development and planning
• Professional ethics and rules of conduct

Communication

• Report and letter writing skills
• Interview skills
• Negotiating skills
• Managing meetings
• Information management
• Presentation skills

Management

• Writing business plans
• Health and safety legislation, policy and procedures
• Quality assurance and quality management
• Environmental management
• Employee relations and human resources management
• Equality and Diversity in management
• Training and development of others
• Project management
• Change management
• Procurement procedures
• Financial planning and budget management

Working with others

• Team leadership
• Motivation skills
• Negotiation skills
• Delegation skills
• Managing poor performance
• Performance appraisals

Information technology

• Use of in-house systems
• Personal computing skills
• Specialist software

Health, safety and welfare

• Health and safety legislation
• Environmental legislation
• Organisational policy and standards
• Personal responsibility for Health, Safety and Welfare
• Incident reporting
• Safety committee membership
• Management of Health and Safety
• Wellbeing
• Risk management

Background

During my career I have worked in multiple fields, both in and outside of academia.

Since my arrival in UK, I have returned to working in a laboratory as a Research Technician. However, I began to move away from pure research and directed myself toward a laboratory-based managerial role. Initially, I took on extra roles in my Research Technician capacity such as lab-related Health & Safety duties and dealing with equipment maintenance. This culminated in getting a promotion to a Laboratory Manager position that I currently fulfill.

Why I applied to be a Registered Scientist

Good career management is key to achieving your goals and the professional registration to IST is a fantastic and formalized process, designed to ensure your path is set up in the right way. At the same time it allows you take a deep introspective view of your goals, since the application requires you to take a good look at your successes and shortcomings.

I also thought that completing the qualification would boost my chances of getting promoted and I wanted it to serve as living proof of my achievements.

Benefits of Professional Registration

A successful application is a reassurance for the people I work with within this institution, and, maybe even more so, for the ones I don’t work with on a daily basis. Your colleagues will know your weaknesses and strengths from observation, but further collaborators may need extra certification for their peace of mind. A lot of lab work is based on trust in the quality of service and many projects suffer from the lack of that trust.

Experts review the application process, so the qualification gives its holder a guarantee of quality. Since it is uniform across the country, it is also useful if you are planning to change jobs or get your temporary contract prolonged, as the RSci certifies your skills.

As I mentioned before, the introspective view provided by a thorough application process is an essential benefit. The necessity of taking a critical look on the strengths and weaknesses was, in my case, a powerful stimulus to move my career into a slightly different area, as it highlighted that my greatest strengths lay in lab management. The process also provided an essential self-esteem booster and made me more confident to apply for my current role.

Conclusions and recommendations

The process is time consuming, but I would highly recommend it. Since there are similarities between the two, my advice would be to couple it with the University’s Performance Development Review (PDR). The application has to be done thoroughly; otherwise it loses most of its benefits.

My suggestion would be to start it before the review and use the PDR as a feedback to the application form. From my experience, third party suggestions are very useful (and actually recommended by the IST). This will make the whole process easier and also more likely to be successful.

Background

My first career was working as the equivalent of a paramedic and trainer for emergency professionals in Germany. I started my second career as a lab technician after moving to the UK for family reasons. After an internship at the University of Edinburgh, I worked as a lab technician in a variety of molecular evolution and ecology labs at the Universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh and ETH Zurich in Switzerland. When we moved to Cornwall, I started my own company, working as a consultant technician on several genotyping and qPCR projects, before joining the lab I currently work in.

Why I applied to be a Registered Scientist

I heard about professional registration at Exeter’s technical service conference in 2015, where I had the chance to talk to some people from the IST. I thought that a professional registration would be useful for my career especially given my unusual professional background. Through the registration, I documented what I have achieved, and how I gained experience, knowledge and skills.

Benefits of Professional Registration

In my opinion, the professional registration benefits both the individual and the university. For yourself, you can really see your own achievements by documenting how you have engaged with personal and professional development and how you have kept up to date with the knowledge and skills of your role. Through the assessment, you can recognize your strengths as well as any areas where you want to improve your skills or knowledge. The University can be sure to have highly skilled members of staff, which are motivated to take ownership of their continuing professional and personal development.

Conclusions and recommendations

I would recommend professional registration for anyone who is committed to a career as a technician. Through the registration process, I really saw how my skills are valued and it gives a great structure for future development.

Background

I completed a BSc (Hons) degree at the University of Hull in Physical Geography, and then an MSc in Mining Geology at the Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter. Following this, I worked as a research assistant at the University of Exeter (CSM) on a contaminated mine waste project which involved field and lab work. This experience led me to pursue and complete a PhD in Physical Geography at the University of Hull, which contained a large component of lab work. I then returned to the University of Exeter (CSM) as a research assistant working in a lab environment. Over the course of 10 years I was promoted from Experimental Officer to Facility Manager.

Why I applied to be a Chartered Scientist (CSci)

Applying for CSci was the next logical step in my career and was encouraged by a colleague. Initially, I was undecided about the benefit; however it has provided me with a route of professional recognition, given me a mark of professional quality and offered personal satisfaction.

Benefits of Professional Registration

The CSci provides a visible measure of professional development that demonstrates continued commitment to operate at a high level. For the institution, it demonstrates that it can attract and develop staff of a high calibre, who are able to mentor and contribute to the development of other staff, thereby raising the profile of the institution.

CPD and how I keep up to date

Applying for RSci/CSci is a qualification, a benchmark, that offers a competitive edge and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to a high quality of work. It highlights the abilities that technical staff have, which might not be obvious and provides a measure of pride. It is an ongoing commitment that requires continuous planning and development but the reward is personal satisfaction and career development that is recognised in many companies and organisations.

Recommendations

I gained my CSci through ongoing qualifications and experience, over a period of 15 years. The CPD is ongoing and an annual record of activities must be submitted that meet certain criteria. In my case, I must satisfy 3 out of 5 criteria. My work is assessed and must be passed by the CPD panel. Criteria include; Work based learning, Professional activity, Formal / Educational, Self-directed learning and Other (voluntary work, public service). For each of the criteria I complete, I must demonstrate how each has contributed to the quality of my professional practice and service delivery, and how each has benefitted the users of my work. I also must produce evidence of my activities, such as certificates of courses attended, publications or other documents. New achievements are required every year and therefore my commitment to learn new skills and stay current in my field of expertise is ongoing.

Why I applied to be a Chartered Scientist (CSci)

I am a Medical Physicist with more than 14 years of experience conducting diagnostic imaging procedures, with expertise on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and MRI safety procedures.

After graduating with a degree in Physics I completed an MSc in Medical Physics, then finished my PhD in MRI. I spent 2 years in MRI research before joining the University of Exeter MR Research Centre.

Benefits of Professional Registration

Being a CSci conveys to others, including the public, that you are professional and have the right experience, skills, training, and competence for your job. It is formal recognition of ongoing commitment for your achievement, skills and experience as a professional scientist in your field.

The requirements for maintaining CSci through the Science Council’s annual continuous personal development (CPD), will encourage you to achieve your professional objectives and reinforce your connection to the academic and research community across different sectors and disciplines, which can help you share their experiences and learn from them.

Being a CSci has assisted me to raise my profile, add to my credentials, given me credibility and boosted my confidence.

By undertaking an ongoing programme of CPD to achieve and maintain CSci, it helps me focus on my training needs and provides me with an agenda to support my future career development. It has also given me access to a wider community of scientists working across different sectors and disciplines.

Conclusions and recommendations

CSci represents, recognising high levels of professionalism and competence in science and it is an internationally recognised benchmark of professional quality and excellence for scientists.

Anyone who works within the science field, such as those involved in research and development and teaching, would all benefit in some way from being a Chartered Scientist. It will certainly help to: obtain professional recognition, demonstrate your commitment to the profession, increase your employability, and strengthen your CV so that you are ready for when promotion opportunities arise.

Finally, I would like to encourage others to prepare themselves to meet the requirements of CSci level as a way to progress in their career.

Background

I run a small, but highly trained team of technicians who provide technical support for the two laboratories which cover Biosciences and Natural Sciences. I joined the University as a trainee technician 37 years ago and have worked in a number of research labs and teaching labs during this time. Through this my skills were gained working alongside experienced professionals. In 2004 with the creation of a new large teaching laboratory for Biosciences, I was asked to head up a small team of technicians to run this facility, I oversaw the expansion of the laboratory from 120 to create 200 seats and more recently I have been involved in the creation of the new 60 seater collaborative laboratory.

Why I applied to be a Registered Scientist

I saw registration as a way to gain recognition for my skills and ongoing development gained over the years. Initially I was unsure at what level to apply for, as all of my skills and experience were gained via work based training. My family and work colleagues encouraged me to go for Chartered Scientist (CSci) and after talking to the Science Council regarding my skills I then felt reassured to apply for this level.

Benefits of Professional Registration

For myself on a personnel and professional level I can take pride and reassurance, thanks to this recognition, my work in this role is of the highest level. The benefits to the University are to show they have well trained professional staff and staff who are committed to continuing development.

Conclusions and recommendations

I would recommend professional registration to my colleagues regardless of their qualifications as a platform to gain the recognition for either via work base activities or in house training and thus a benefit for their future development. The qualification is seen as a mark of the professionalism within the service and the wider science community.

Background

I have more than ten years of laboratory-based work experience, solid qualifications and a comprehensive skill-set gained in both commercial and academic working environments.

My qualifications include M.Sc. (2004, Environmental chemistry, University of Wroclaw, PL) and recently obtained Ph.D. (2016, Polymer chemistry, Bangor University, UK). Over this time I have worked in a variety of labs and integrated my practical knowledge and experience with formal training to a wide range of scientific applications.

Why I applied to be a RSci

While working within the University environment I feel that some parts of the Academic community undervalue the work of technical staff. I wanted to demonstrate that as a Research technician, I possess a high level of practical competences and I deliver high quality work to the exacting standards associated with the Science Council.

While submitting my application I believed that I had the experience, knowledge and ability essential to satisfy the requirements. Furthermore, I wanted to be part of the scheme where technical staff are valued and respected for their skills, which are also recognised at a professional level.

I have very proactive and flexible approach to my Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities and where possible I try to attend appropriate training courses and seminars, read literature related to my work and learn from more experienced colleagues. Since I have been employed by the University I record my CPD on Trent and monitor my work progress by fulfilling the objectives listed in my Personal Development Review (PDR). Together, these help me with my year-to-year progress and provide feedback which allows me to focus on areas for improvement and future development.

Benefits of Professional Registration

I hope that the registration will provide me with access to new development opportunities within the University, improving my job security and career prospects. In my opinion, supporting professionally registered technical staff reflects well on the College. It demonstrates that we have qualified and experienced people supporting students, researchers and also industry related contracts. I am certain that it will help to raise the profile of technicians within the Institution.

Conclusions and recommendations

In science, the competition for jobs is high and I feel that professional registration will add a special spark to my CV. It boosts self-confidence, highlights work experience, independent working and a can-do attitude, and it promotes a high standard of service which is valued by employers and customers alike. Registered status indicates to current and future employers that you are proactive and committed to improve your skills and knowledge and I believe this will broaden the possibilities to develop my scientific carrier.

Background

In 2004 I graduated from the University of Surrey with BSc (Hons) Medical Microbiology degree. I completed a Professional Training Year (2003) in the PHLS laboratory at the R, D and E Hospital pathology department, where I worked as trainee Biomedical Scientist. After completing a MSc degree in Biomedical Science (Medical Microbiology) degree from UWIC, Cardiff, I was offered a PhD in Food Technology (Cardiff Metropolitan University) studying the effect of ozone on decontaminating food catering surfaces. I really enjoyed and I gained a lot of skills and experience.

Since completing my PhD, I have worked as a Research Technician (Cardiff University and University of Exeter) for 4 years whilst raising a young family. I am currently working at University of Exeter as a Laboratory Technician Level 1 in Bioscience department Teaching laboratory.

Why I applied to be a RSci

I applied to be an RSci as I felt I meet the required competencies and I felt the register would be beneficial to my career progression and would be able to demonstrate my capabilities.

I keep up to date by reading current scientific journals such as The New Scientist. I check up on courses relevant to my job role on websites such as ELE, Learn Upon, Trent and HEaTED, STEM courses.

Benefits of Professional Registration

The benefits of registration are: accredited recognition for the knowledge, skill and techniques I have gained throughout my career, to continually develop myself professionally and improved job security and career prospects.

Conclusions and recommendations

I would recommend Professional Registration to my colleagues as it is an accredited recognition for the work experience you have done, supports continual CPD and promotes high standards which is very important to the role of a technician.

Background

I run the Imaging Suite in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences (CEMPS), which contains cutting-edge equipment for microscopy and characterisation and provides analytical services for experimental applications at micro and nano scale to students as well as external users. Before my current role, I started as an Experimental Officer specialized in Transmission Electron Microscopy in the Imaging Suite in 2012, and I worked in Loughborough University (2008-2009), The University of Nottingham (2009-2010) and University of Exeter (2010-2012) as a Research Associate/Research Fellow in the field of Materials Science and Engineering.

Why I applied to be a Registered Scientist

I was inspired to apply and become a Charted Scientist (CSci) when I was studying in Loughborough University in 2005 realizing that my PhD supervisor was a CSci. To me, being a CSci is a recognition and reassurance for the knowledge, skills, performance and career development I had developed over the years.

Benefits of Professional Registration

Professional registration is a win-win for the individual, the university, and the students and customers, in my point of view. It adds value to myself and the role I play in the university; it shows the institute has talented staff nationally recognised in the work place and who are committed to further development; and it is self-evident to the students and customers that they receive high standard service from us.

Conclusions and recommendations

I would recommend colleagues in considering and participating in professional registration. It is a great opportunity in reflecting where we are, and a powerful stimulator for further development with satisfaction for the individuals.