Clinical biochemists research chemicals in the human body, analyzing samples to identify pathogens and abnormal conditions. They may work in medical labs or biotech/pharmaceutical companies, evaluating tissue and fluid samples to detect viruses, bacteria, or irregular substances. They require a PhD in chemistry or a related field and gain experience through postdoctoral research positions. They work approximately 40 hours a week, but may be required to work nights and weekends. Experienced clinical biochemists are in high demand to accurately identify diseases and prevent their spread.
A clinical biochemist is a skilled scientist who researches the structure and functions of various chemicals found in the human body. He or she may work in a medical laboratory, analyzing the contents of tissue, fluid, and blood samples to identify pathogens and other abnormal conditions. Some clinical biochemists work in biotechnology institutes or pharmaceutical companies, researching the medical implications of different drugs and chemicals in humans.
In hospitals and independent medical laboratories, clinical biochemists evaluate the chemical composition of human tissue and fluid samples. Biochemists, usually assisted by clinical laboratory technicians and technologists, perform experiments to detect the presence of viruses, bacteria, or irregular or maladaptive substances. A clinical biochemist typically uses a number of different complex laboratory instruments to conduct experiments, such as microscopes, cell counters, and chemistry analyzers. A scientist will carefully document his or her findings and report the findings to a physician, who can prescribe the appropriate drug or treatment for the patient.
A clinical biochemist working in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry closely studies the chemical structures of healthy and diseased tissue samples of living things. He or she may try to understand the makeup of a new or rare strain of disease in order to develop effective drugs or vaccinations against it. A clinical biochemist may also oversee research studies and clinical trials of new drugs. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the drug is effective and safe for humans before it can be marketed en masse.
To become an independent clinical biochemist, a person must typically receive a PhD in chemistry, molecular biology, or a related biological science field. Upon completion of a doctoral program, a scientist typically obtains a postdoctoral research position at a hospital or medical laboratory, where he gains first-hand experience assisting established clinical biochemists. After a full three years in a research program, a scientist finally gets the opportunity to start conducting independent research.
Most clinical biochemists work approximately forty hours a week with regular days off. Because hospitals typically operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, many scientists employed by on-site medical labs are required to work nights and weekends. Some professionals take on the call status, arriving at work when an emergency situation requires immediate analysis of a sample. There is typically a high demand for experienced clinical biochemists, especially in large hospitals, to accurately identify diseases and prevent them from spreading to others.
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