Medical Scientist and Medical Laboratory Technical Officers
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE IN AUSTRALIA
In Australia, most of those engaged in medical laboratory science are employed in public hospitals while others work in private laboratories. There are two levels of practice:
Medical Scientists (also known as Medical Laboratory Scientists) conduct medical laboratory tests and apply knowledge and methodology from various scientific disciplines including biology, chemistry and physics to assist doctors in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of human disease. Duties involve determining the nature, cause and progress of disease through testing blood, body fluids and tissues in medical and pathology laboratories. Responsibilities include the quality and reliability of test results produced and may also include the responsibility for the interpretation of tests and the development of test procedures.
Medical Laboratory Technical Officers perform or assist with laboratory tests on blood, body fluids and tissues in medical and pathology laboratories under the direction of medical scientists and operate diagnostic and monitoring equipment used in support of health professionals.
Disciplines of Medical Laboratory Science in Australia comprise of: Histopathology; Immunology; Virology; Blood Transfusion; Haematology; Cytology; Clinical Biochemistry and Microbiology.
ASSESSMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
If you intend to migrate to Australia on the basis of your skills, the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists is the relevant assessing authority for the following occupations:
Your skills and qualifications will be assessed by A.I.M.S. to determine, for the purposes of migration to Australia, if they are suitable to work as a Medical Scientist/Medical Laboratory Technical Officer.
1. Have completed a professional medical laboratory science degree/or equivalent, or a non-directed science degree, which meets the minimum requirements for membership of the profession which prevailed at the time the applicant graduated from their course of training, and that is assessed as comparable to either an Australian Bachelor degree or an Australian Diploma based on the NOOSR educational assessment guidelines in the Country Education Profiles.
The minimum requirements for a Medical Science program includes basic subjects such as:
The professional subjects are as follows:
2. To have completed an award in medical laboratory science assessed as comparable to an Australian Associate Diploma from a Technical and Further Education college based on the NOOSR educational assessment guidelines in the Country Education Profiles.
3. Course Transcript including grades, as required.
4. To have a minimum of two years of medical laboratory experience *within the five year period immediately prior to applying for assessment. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of employment history.
1. To have completed an award in medical laboratory science assessed as comparable to an Australian Associate Diploma from a Technical and Further Education college based on the NOOSR educational assessment guidelines in the Country Education Profiles.
2. Course Transcript including grades, as required.
3. To have a minimum of two years of medical laboratory experience *within the five year period immediately prior to applying for assessment. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of employment history.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THE AIMS ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:
From 1 January 2007 the requirements for English Language proficiency were increased. All applicants are now required to provide a copy of their IELTS Report Form (Academic or General) showing an overall band score of at least 7.0.
From 1 April 2007 Certified documents will be accepted by AIMS only if they meet the criteria listed in the Guidelines for Assessment of Professional Qualifications (updated December 2006).
Documents certified in Australia may be certified by a Justice of the Peace, a Notary Public, a Solicitor or a Commissioner for Oaths.
Documents certified in a country other than Australia must be certified by a Notary Public.
Certification by a family member or by a migration agent acting for the applicant is not acceptable. When wording of the certification is in a language other than English, a certified translation must be provided.
As in most countries, the practice of a profession in Australia requires evidence of an appropriate level of education and practical experience. Registration in Australia is not a prerequisite for recognition or practice as a medical scientist, however membership of the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (A.I.M.S.) may enhance employment prospects and is the first step towards professional identity. The Professional levels of membership ensure that members are readily identifiable as medical scientists in the eyes of employers and fellow scientists. Likewise, the Technical levels identify the member as a technical officer or technical assistant.
The primary qualification for Medical Scientists in Australia is a three year degree of Biomedical Science with a Medical Laboratory Science major from a recognised Australian tertiary institution or a comparable qualification. The following directed medical laboratory science degree programs from Australia and New Zealand universities have been accredited by A.I.M.S. All other Australian Science or Applied Science degrees are classified as non-directed degrees. An individual holding one of these qualifications is eligible to be a GRADUATE member. An individual with this qualification and a minimum of two years postgraduate professional medical laboratory experience in an approved medical laboratory is eligible to be a MEMBER.
N.O.O.S.R.. is part of the Commonwealth Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (D.E.E.T.Y.A.) and is working together with the Australian States and Territories and professional bodies to improve recognition procedures and access to education and training in Australia for the overseas trained
Bridging Courses - Under the N.O.O.S.R. Bridging Courses for the Overseas Trained program, assistance may be made available to Australian residents preparing to meet recognition requirements for entry to their profession in Australia, such as examinations set by professional bodies.