Good Laboratory Practice & Professionalism in Biomedical Science

Vocabulary flashcards covering key regulatory bodies, professional standards, and behavioural expectations discussed in the lecture on Good Laboratory Practice and professionalism for biomedical scientists.

Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

Adherence to ethical practice, effective interactions, reliability, and continual improvement within laboratory work.

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

UK regulatory body that sets legal requirements, standards of proficiency, and CPD audits for protected healthcare professions such as Biomedical Scientists.

State Protected Title

A professional designation legally restricted to individuals registered with the HCPC (e.g., Biomedical Scientist).

Standards of Proficiency

HCPC-defined competencies that registrants must meet to practise safely and effectively within their scope.

Standards of Education and Training (SETs)

HCPC criteria that educational programmes must satisfy to gain approval for producing registrants.

Integrated Degree (HCPC-approved)

An accredited academic programme that simultaneously awards a degree and meets HCPC registration requirements.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Ongoing learning activities required by HCPC to maintain and enhance professional competence.

Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)

Professional body that defines codes of practice, accredits degrees, awards qualifications, and runs a CPD scheme for biomedical scientists.

IBMS Code of Professional Practice

Set of professional standards and ethical guidelines that IBMS members must follow.

Professionalism (in healthcare)

Combination of attitude, appearance, communication, competence, ethics, reliability, and accountability that fosters patient trust and teamwork.

Attitude

A positive, constructive outlook that promotes a productive working atmosphere in healthcare settings.

Appearance

Being dressed appropriately for the task or occasion, reflecting respect for the professional environment.

Communication

Clear, polite exchange of information essential for safe and effective patient care.

Demeanour

Respectful behaviour that ensures equal treatment of patients, service users, and colleagues.

Competence

Ability to understand and work within one’s professional limits, maintaining knowledge and skills through lifelong learning.

Accountability

Responsibility for one’s professional actions and decisions, including acknowledging errors and taking corrective steps.

Confidentiality

Obligation to protect patient, employer, and service-user information unless disclosure is legally justified and in the patient’s interest.

Delegation

Assigning tasks only to individuals who are trained, qualified, or experienced enough to perform them safely under appropriate supervision.

Bias / Conflict of Interest

External influences or personal preferences that must not override professional judgement in patient care.

Whistleblowing

Act of raising concerns without delay when patient safety or service delivery is at risk, following local or national guidelines.

Professional Suitability Procedure

University process used to address student misconduct on accredited courses in line with professional body regulations.

Fitness to Practise Hearing

HCPC legal process that investigates allegations of misconduct or incompetence to protect the public and uphold standards.