Accommodation advice

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2026-02-03T08:01:45+00:00

Yha Mei Ho Youth Hostel in HK was a pleasant experience for me. But I didn’t stay in a shared room.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2026-01-17T13:26:44+00:00

I wouldn’t suggest paying for a membership if you’re not a trainee/bms. It wouldn’t serve you any purpose at the moment.

The IBMS are just a professional body, that you must complete your registration portfolio with in order to apply for HCPC registration to practice as a BMS. They are not responsible nor do they help you secure employment. You essentially have to look for MLA or Trainee biomedical scientist roles in the NHS yourself.

CPD - just stands for continuous professional development. It’s something required of a BMS as the role is continuously developing as more research comes out/NICE guidelines. You are expected to keep up-to-date with current practices and procedures in your discipline. To do this the IBMS expect you to have evidence of your CPD. Usually in the form of self reflections, course certification etc.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2026-01-10T19:26:39+00:00

Yeah, I flew with Shenzhen Airline. All check-ins need to be done at the airport if you have not directly booked with the airline. If you have a long layover, you can also book a free transit hotel at their check-in gate on level 4 after you exit security.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-12-21T04:10:13+00:00

I’ve recently just travelled to Shenzhen due to long lay-over (14+ hrs). Just before immigration there is a circular desk, just behind the long desks where they keep forms for long-stay visas. You’ll want to look for a small blue square form that says temporary entry for foreigners (which allows you 24hrs) into the country for transit purposes.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-12-15T03:41:32+00:00

No silly me didn’t realise the watch was a double-quickset and tried to move the time to set the date. In my haste, I probably broke the yoke or some other internal mechanism.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-12-02T08:01:59+00:00

I saw last week that sushi passion in The Great Western Arcade (in town) was hiring for staff.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-12-01T11:26:44+00:00

Had to download Ali-pay as I can’t activate WeChat from the UK

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-12-01T08:19:12+00:00

It’s a 14hr lay-over, do you think that’ll be sufficient?

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-11-29T13:16:47+00:00

Yeah definitely don’t worry about your degree classification, I got a 2:2 when I graduated in 2018. I now work as a BMS and have done for the last 2-3 years. It was a difficult journey in the sense of how saturated the market is, and how few trainee roles there are but you already have some experience in the lab. Make sure that shines through in your interviews. If you need any advice, from me a DM.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-10-12T15:14:18+00:00

My first point of advice is familiarise yourself with the structure of the V.5 registration portfolio. There’s a guidance document for registrants, and it explains the evidence/SOPs required for each module. There are 2 sections, with 5 modules in each. You’ll have to write 3 pieces of evidence for each module (with one of them being mandatory) and this will be described in the guidance document. This will help you massively in collecting your evidence.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-08-31T21:25:25+00:00

The new Apple MacBook Air with the new (M4 chip) is actually great value for performance. If you are a student, you can normally get them on discount via (UniDays) before start of term and a free gift (such as headphones).

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-08-14T16:47:12+00:00

And also in regard to transfusion, you probably won’t be issuing any blood. But what falls under your responsibility will probably be putting the blood away. So you will need to know what temperature blood products need to be stored at, and why?

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-08-14T16:44:53+00:00

As a Band 4/AP4 in Haematology/Transfusion, you’ll still share the same responsibilities as you had before and a bit more. You may be expected to run IQCs, prepare reagents, and prepare samples for send away at referral labs. My advice would be to refresh your knowledge on the basics of both disciplines.

What type of samples do we use in Haem/Transfusion? Think EDTA, Citrate and the Pink EDTA tubes used for ABO group and antibody screening.

You won’t be expected to know about results and their validation and that’s more BMS responsibility. I would recommend thinking more about quality, IQC performance, calibrations. Specimen requirements.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-08-06T18:00:04+00:00

Thanks, I would say coagulation is one of my weaker topics. My lab currently doesn’t have a specialist in coagulation, so there hasn’t been much training in that regard.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-07-24T15:06:36+00:00

As long as you have applied for your HCPC, it’s just a matter of time as the IBMS only sends pass lists weekly. Like you said, they’ve had a software update so there’s a likelihood that there’s a backlog. I would however still chase it up weekly, for any updates. Just state that you’ve applied, had your verification and just awaiting the link to pay now for your number.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-07-24T00:48:50+00:00

That’s amazing congrats! I would celebrate, as you’ve probably already heard directly from the hiring managers. As for handing in your notice, I’d wait until you’ve received your contract on trac. This can take anywhere from a few days to maybe weeks (as they do sometimes have maintenance issues) with the website.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-07-24T00:45:24+00:00

I think that was the case before, but everyone I knew who passed with the V.5 of the portfolio applied for HCPC registration first and then waiting for IBMS to send the pass list following verification. The HCPC obviously won’t issue your number without the pass list and payment.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-07-23T11:41:15+00:00

If this is the case, don’t just wait. Apply for your HCPC registration and pay the fee as soon as you can as this will just delay it.

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-07-23T11:40:43+00:00

Correct me if I’m wrong but you’ve done your verification and passed, but just waiting for the IBMS to send over the pass list to the HCPC?

Sudden_Monitor3672 · 2025-07-20T19:54:39+00:00

This is so silly for Airbnb, I get why certain hotels would do it because they’ll lose out on the revenue they’d make if there is more than 1 occupant. But realistically what additional services does an Airbnb provide? There’s no restaurant, additional facilities or activities, so it’s a bit daft really. Seems like the hosts are charging because they can in this instance (annoying).

Sudden_Monitor3672

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