Exploring My Role as a Clinical Computer Scientist in the NHS
06/06/24, 11:06
What my role entails
When we think about career choices, we’re often presented with singular choices. Clinical Scientific Computing is a field that combines healthcare and computing. Despite it being relatively unknown, it is an important cog in the healthcare machine.
When I applied for the Scientific Training Program in 2021, the specialism I applied for (Clinical Scientific Computing) had one of the lowest application rates out of approximately 27 specialisms. Awareness of this area has now improved, both thanks to better advertisement and exponential advancements in technology and healthcare. According to the NHS, there are now 26.8 thousand full-time equivalent healthcare scientists in England's NHS.
As a clinical computer scientist, one's expertise can be applied in diverse settings, including medical physics laboratories and clinical engineering departments. My role in radiotherapy involves overseeing the technical aspects of clinical workflows, ensuring the seamless integration of technology in patient care.
Training is a crucial part of being a proficient computer scientist. Especially with the growth of scientific fields in the NHS, there's always an influx of juniors and trainees, and that in turn, warrants the need for excellent trainers. A clinical scientist is someone who is proficient in their craft and able to explain complex concepts in layman's terms. As Einstein famously said:
If you can't explain it to a 6-year-old, you can't understand it yourself.
Although I am still technically a trainee, I am expected to partake in the training of the more junior trainees in my schedule. On a typical day, this may be as simple as explaining a program and demonstrating its application, or I may dismantle a PC and go through each component, one by one. At the core of clinical science is research. You won't go a day without working on at least one project and sometimes these may not even be your own. Collaboration with others is a huge part of the job. Every scientist has a different way of thinking about a problem, and this is exactly what keeps the wheels spinning in a scientific department. There are numerous times when I seek the help of others and vice versa.
It is difficult to talk about 'typical' projects because they are often so varied in scientific computing, but it is likely that you will find yourself working on a variety of programming tasks. Having clinical know-how is crucial when working on projects in this field, and that aspect is exactly what separates the average computer scientist from the clinical computer scientist. A project I am currently working on involves radiation dose calculations, which naturally involves understanding the biological effects of radiation on the human body. This isn't a typical software development project so having a passion for healthcare is absolutely necessary.
The unpredictability of technology means that troubleshooting is a constant aspect of our work. If something goes wrong in the department (which it often does), it is our responsibility as technical experts to quickly but effectively diagnose and fix the problems. The clinical workflow is highly sensitive in healthcare especially the cancer pathway where every minute counts. If a radiographer is unable to access patient records or there is an error with a planning system, this can have detrimental effects on the quality of patient care.
Addressing errors, like those in treatment planning systems, necessitates a meticulous approach to diagnosis, often leading us from error code troubleshooting to on-site interventions. For example, I may be required to physically attend a treatment planning room and resolve an issue with the PC. This narrative offers a glimpse into the day-to-day life of a clinical computer scientist in the NHS, highlighting the critical blend of technical skill, continuous learning, and the profound impact on patient care. Through this lens, we can hopefully appreciate the essential role of clinical scientific computing in advancing healthcare, marked by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes.
This narrative offers a glimpse into the day-to-day life of a clinical computer scientist in the NHS, highlighting the critical blend of technical skill, continuous learning, and the profound impact on patient care. Through this lens, we can hopefully appreciate the essential role of clinical scientific computing in advancing healthcare, marked by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes.
For more information on this specialism
Written by Jaspreet Mann