NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) - Situational Judgement Test PrepPack (2025)

The two primary modules are broken down into two primary segments:

• Work Experience – You will apply your knowledge, know-how, and skills in the workplace, as practical training.
• Master's Program – During your part-time study programme at university, you will primarily study blood science focusing on clinical biochemistry, including a research project. Additionally, you will delve into various subjects like ethics, professionalism, patient and carer perspectives, and communication skills.

These are the scientific skills that you must demonstrate in the context of either your prior work or study.

• Skillset 1: Show a background in patient care and a profound understanding and exploration of scientific practice in relation to clinical care.
• Skillset 2: Showcase your ability to assess and analyse various medical literature, design experimentation, and investigatory methods. Lastly, proper clinical judgment is crucial.
• Skillset 3: Be competent in quality control and management assurance. In short, as the product is developed, it must continuously remain relevant to current demands.
• Skillset 4: Follow Standard Operating Procedures and understand how to improve, find new uses for those procedures, or develop new methods.
• Skillset 5: Understand the ins and outs of medical equipment, how to identify incompatible results in testing and more. 
• Skillset 6: Understand your chosen medical niche in the general healthcare setting.
• Skillset 7: Be well-versed in computer software, being comfortable and knowledgeable in all the various systems used in the industry.
• Skillset 8: Able to draw from your experience to analyse and extrapolate complex data or laboratory work.

In addition to the many hard skills mentioned above, there are many other transferable skills, which are also critical for the job. Let's take a look.

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills - Both oral and written communication are critical for explaining a wide range of issues to health professionals or laypeople alike. From speaking with a patient, making a formal presentation, and writing day to day reports, these skills are a must-have.
• Be a Good Listener – Bedside manners is important, as well as being able to take constructive criticism from your bosses or co-workers. Additionally, one must also be adaptive, meaning that the health professional should have the ability to convey the same message to different people in a way that is right for them.
• Independence and Organisation – Next, you will need to be a self-starter, while strictly adhering to guidelines. Additionally, depending on the position, you may also have to demonstrate the ability to plan, monitor, and set policy on the team level.
• Safety and Support - You will come across patients in a range of conditions from light to severe and even those on death's door. Bedside manners are more important than ever. In a similar vein, knowing all the proper procedures for disposing of hazardous reagents and chemicals is important for your safety and those around you.
• Pressure and Values – These two really go together because it's in the toughest moments that we can lose the values and principles we value. Keep your emotions in check and your ability to plan and work with the patient always at heart.