HCPC share statement on Clinical Scientist Titles
HCPC have shared the below statement relating to Clinical Scientist Titles:
The professions we regulate may have one or more designated titles that are protected by law and professionals must be registered to use them.
In this case we are referring to a Clinical Scientist which does not have any other official designated titles other than Clinical Scientist.
The HCPC define the function/role of a Clinical Scientist as ‘to oversee specialist tests for diagnosing and managing disease. They advise doctors on tests and interpreting data, and carry out research to understand diseases.’ Which is found here.
Under Article 39(1) of the Order, it is a criminal offence for a person, with intent to deceive (whether clearly or by implication), to:
– claim that they are on the HCPC Register;
– use a designated title protected by the Order to which they are not entitled; or
– claim falsely that they have qualifications in a profession regulated by us.
The words ‘by implication’ mean that an offence may be committed even if the designated title is not used directly (for example, if an unregistered person described the service they provide as ‘chiropody’ or ‘physiotherapy’).
Anyone who uses title with the wording ‘Clinical Scientist’ must have completed a HCPC-approved education programme to be admitted on our register. Variations of the title, such as ‘Clinical Vascular Scientist’ or Consultant Clinical Scientist, are not to be used, as this could imply the individual is on our register and regulated by the HCPC when they are not.
