Joanna Andrew

About Joanna Andrew

I have worked as a Biomedical Scientist for the entirety of my career. I first heard of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) while working as a placement student in the Biochemistry department at St Albans City Hospital. I discovered the “gazette” and liked the idea of joining a magazine and a club. 

I quickly started to take an active role in the IBMS. I first became an assessor for the registration portfolio and then for the specialist portfolio. I joined the IBMS Yorkshire Region and supported CPD events. I spent several years on the Clinical Chemistry specialist advisory panel, which included organizing the program for congress. In 2017, I was elected to council as the member for the Yorkshire region and this year I have been elected as President Elect – a huge honor which I will be very proud to fulfill. It will also be the first time there has been consecutive female presidents of the Institute.

After university, I began my career as a Medical Laboratory Assistant before working as a Biomedical Scientist in three different hospital laboratories: the Chemical Pathology and Immunology department at Leeds General Infirmary, the Biochemistry department at the Royal County Hospital in Winchester and the Biochemistry department at York Hospital.

My main passion is supporting the training and development of our biomedical scientists. The time I spent as training officer for the Biochemistry department in York was one of the happiest times of my career. I am an active promoter of apprenticeships to help support the development of our laboratory staff. The opportunity to offer a fully funded Level 6 Healthcare Science apprenticeship has supported recruitment and retention. It has enabled ambitious laboratory support workers with fewer opportunities to study to a degree level. The first graduates from the apprenticeship scheme are now working as fully qualified biomedical scientists in our network.