THE BIOMEDICAL ADVICE 54 Workforce

e are Generation Z – the tech generation and the youngest generation currently in the . We are the 1997–2012 generation and we are your children and mentees. The emerging workforce and Wfuture biomedical . I am a Gen Z student on my sandwich year at the cellular department at Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, with the intention of pursuing a career in healthcare. I am also the president of the IBMS-affiliated and newly founded University of the West of England Biomedical Society. After watching IBMS’ Deputy Chief Executive Sarah May’s talk about multigenerational workforces, I was inspired to write about my experiences. If you have not seen it, I would highly recommend it. It shows the differences and strengths between generations as well as their preferences for work environments. The video can be streamed on the IBMS website and a podcast in which Sarah discusses the issues can be listened to at ibms.org/resources/podcasts. While the generational characteristics are not 100% accurate for me – I lean towards Gen Y, probably due to the fact I was born in 1997 – it does help explain that different generations will have TALKING different preferences for communication methods, mindset and behaviour. Understanding these differences will reduce miscommunication and conflict. ABOUT MY Placements I have been lucky enough to secure a placement at a training laboratory to complete my registration portfolio. that offer placements are few and far between, often requiring a GENERATION direct email to the training officer, but a Biomedical science student Iggy Mason reply is not always guaranteed. I secured my placement through a job interview for on why Generation Z offers a fresh

IMAGES: ISTOCK a medical laboratory assistant post in early perspective on biomedical science. ADVICE THE BIOMEDICAL Workforce SCIENTIST 55

2019. The job interview went well, A visit to another hospital highlighted however, I could not start till after exams the difference in understanding of in June and the laboratory was looking technology when I was tasked with for someone to start sooner. One of my taking a photo on the iPad but was interviewers then asked if I would be told that I had to hold it a certain way. interested in a placement. It turned out that the staff had not It may also be infeasible for some known about the auto-rotate feature. students to undertake such placements due to a lack of funding. Students are Fresh eyes passionate about science and helping Gen Zs provide a fresh pair of eyes in a people, but sometimes they simply laboratory setting. Some processes and cannot afford to. methods can be modernised, such as Conversations about “what happens converting traditional reagent log- after graduation” often end in people keeping to digital –reducing time needed wanting to work in an NHS laboratory. But to scan each piece of paper and reducing with no portfolio, the highest role offered the risk of lost sheets. COVID-19 has is a Band 4 assistant practitioner, which shown that even verification may be done can be achieved without a university via online video calls and that final-year degree, or applying for a position at the biomedical science students who extremely competitive STP where, had previous IBMS-accredited according to the National School laboratory experience were Of Healthcare Science, there being asked to aid laboratories can be over 100 applicants around the country. per position. We are eager to help and are willing to work hard, even for free. Technology We just require an opportunity to My generation has grown up alongside do so. If your laboratories have spaces technology and it is thoroughly for placement students, perhaps it could embedded into our everyday . From be advertised; maybe a partnership when we wake up until we go to bed, our between your department and a local phones are glued to our hands and when university biomedical science society the older generations say that “kids these would be beneficial for both parties. days are always on their phones” it seems While I have received excellent support KEY POINTS like a fair statement to make (for me, at from the IBMS, the hospital, my training least), but why is that such a bad thing? officer and the university, I cannot help Gen Z can be valuable A modern smartphone is more but to wish that all biomedical science assets to the team, but there powerful than the Apollo Guidance student were afforded the same are not enough opportunities Computer used in the Apollo 11 mission to opportunities that I have been given. out there at present land on the moon. Mine is used Stronger links need to be forged between Technology should be better for a plethora of reasons from storing , the IBMS and the NHS. With utilised and the current reminders, taking notes, taking pictures, COVID-19 putting a halt on all placements portfolio could be improved navigating around new places, turning over the next year, many students will be More can be done to educate off the lights when I cannot be bothered graduating with a lack of NHS laboratory students on careers and to move from bed and much more. experience and registration, leaving them pathways within the NHS Use of technology is increasing with limited career choices. Biomedical Relationships between within the world of healthcare, from science is rapidly evolving and has an university societies and specimen tracking systems to the use of exciting future. I can only hope that more laboratories should tablets to take and store images. Gen Z laboratories see that the generation that be established. has grown up with these technologies enthusiastically embraces change can and we are familiar with them inside-out. be a fantastic asset to their teams.