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Find sources: "Clinical biologist" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) A **clinical biologist** is a [health professional](/source/Health_professional) such as a [doctor](/source/Physician) of [medicine](/source/Medicine), [pharmacist](/source/Pharmacist), [biologist](/source/Biologist) that is specialized in clinical biology, a medical specialty derived from [clinical pathology](/source/Clinical_pathology). The concept includes [interventional biology](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Interventional_biology&action=edit&redlink=1), including [assisted reproductive technology](/source/Assisted_reproductive_technology). These professionals follow a [medical residency](/source/Medical_residency) whose duration varies between countries (from 3 to 5 years). This term is frequently used in France, Switzerland, Belgium, and other countries in Western Europe, Africa or Asia. ## Europe ### France In France, a **clinical biologist** (*biologiste médical*) is a doctor in medicine or pharmacy who has completed a four-year specialization in medical biology. The profession is strictly regulated, and clinical biologists are responsible for overseeing and interpreting laboratory analyses. Their training includes a national competitive exam (internat de biologie médicale), followed by a structured residency program in clinical laboratories. They play a key role in laboratory diagnostics, clinical decision-making, and quality management of biological analyses.[1] ### Italy In Italy to become clinical or medical Biologist, you must achieve a BSc. and a MSc. in Biological Sciences and then four years of medical school of specialization in clinical Pathology ex general Pathology, ex Clinical biology. ### Switzerland In Switzerland, the equivalent profession to a clinical biologist is the **FAMH Specialist in Laboratory Medicine**. This title is awarded by the *Foederatio Analyticorum Medicinalium Helveticorum (FAMH)*, the Swiss organization responsible for the postgraduate training and certification of specialists in medical laboratory diagnostics.[2] To obtain this title, professionals must complete a four-year postgraduate training program, which is carried out alongside employment in an accredited medical laboratory. The program is open to individuals holding a medical degree (MD), a pharmacy degree, or a master’s/PhD in biomedical sciences, biology, or related disciplines. The training covers several specialties, including hematology, clinical chemistry, medical microbiology, immunology, and genetics. The FAMH Specialist in Laboratory Medicine plays a key role in medical diagnostics. They are responsible for the supervision and interpretation of laboratory analyses, validation of results, and communication with clinicians. They also ensure quality management and compliance with ISO 15189 standards, while contributing to the training and supervision of laboratory technical staff. The FAMH Specialist title is federally recognized and is a mandatory requirement to lead and validate medical diagnostic laboratories in Switzerland. ### Belgium In Belgium, a clinical biologist (biologiste clinique) is a medical doctor or pharmacist who has completed a five-year postgraduate specialization in clinical biology (biologie clinique). This specialization is regulated by the Belgian Ministry of Public Health, and clinical biologists work in both hospital and private laboratories. Their training includes rotations in different laboratory disciplines, including hematology, microbiology, and clinical chemistry. They are responsible for interpreting laboratory results, ensuring quality control, and advising clinicians on diagnostic strategies.[3] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Ordre National des Pharmaciens – Biologie médicale"](https://www.ordre.pharmacien.fr/Les-pharmaciens/Les-missions-du-pharmacien/Biologie-medicale). *ordre.pharmacien.fr*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["FAMH – Postgraduate Training in Laboratory Medicine"](https://www.famh.ch/formation-postgraduee-continue/formation-postgraduee-famh/). *FAMH*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Institut National d'Assurance Maladie-Invalidité (INAMI) – Biologie clinique"](https://www.inami.fgov.be). *inami.fgov.be*. ## See also - [medicine portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Medicine) - [Biological pharmacist](/source/Biological_pharmacist) - [Medical laboratory](/source/Medical_laboratory) - [Clinical laboratory scientist](/source/Clinical_laboratory_scientist) - [Clinical pathology](/source/Clinical_pathology) v t e Pathology History Principles of pathology Disease Infection Neoplasia Cause Pathogenesis Hemodynamics Ischemia Inflammation Cell damage Wound healing Cellular adaptation Atrophy Hypertrophy Hyperplasia Dysplasia Metaplasia Squamous Glandular Cell death Necrosis Coagulative necrosis Liquefactive necrosis Gangrenous necrosis Caseous necrosis Fat necrosis Fibrinoid necrosis Myocytolysis Programmed cell death Apoptosis Pyknosis Karyorrhexis Karyolysis Accumulations pigment Hemosiderin Lipochrome/Lipofuscin Melanin Steatosis Anatomical pathology Surgical pathology Cytopathology Autopsy Molecular pathology Forensic pathology Oral and maxillofacial pathology Gross processing Histopathology Immunohistochemistry Electron microscopy Immunofluorescence Fluorescence in situ hybridization Clinical pathology Clinical chemistry Hematopathology Transfusion medicine Medical microbiology Diagnostic immunology Immunopathology Enzyme assay Mass spectrometry Chromatography Flow cytometry Blood bank Microbiological culture Serology Category Commons --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Clinical biologist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_biologist) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_biologist?action=history)). 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