How to become a Medical Scientist
Medical scientists conduct medical laboratory tests to provide information for diagnosing, treating and preventing disease. A medical scientist may specialise in haematology, immunology, transfusion science, clinical biochemistry, microbiology, histopathology, cytology, molecular genetics or virology.
Personal requirements for a Medical Scientist
- Able to make clear and precise observations
- Able to work accurately with attention to detail
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Able to identify and analyse problems and develop practical solutions
- Able to perform under pressure
- Able to organise and prioritise work
Education & Training for a Medical Scientist
To become a medical scientist you usually have to study medical or biomedical science at university. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Duties & Tasks of a Medical Scientist
Medical scientists:
- Study blood and its diseases, count blood cells and examine blood slides with a microscope
- Identify blood diseases such as anaemia and leukaemia
- Determine the suitability of blood for transfusion by cross-matching the blood with the patient and checking for the presence of diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS
- Test blood for blood group antibodies that may cause disease in newborn babies and check the compatibility of bone marrow, kidney and other organs for transplantation
- Determine the chemical composition of specimens such as blood and urine, which are important in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease, liver disease and diabetes
- Grow disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi that are taken from a variety of clinical specimens
- Prepare body tissues (taken from the body during surgery or post-mortem examinations) for microscopic examination
- Prepare body fluids for microscopic examination and diagnose abnormalities
- Isolate and examine genetic material (DNA and RNA) for alterations specific to genetic diseases and cancer, to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions
- Supervise the work of other scientists, technical officers and assistants
- Advise medical practitioners on the interpretation of tests.
Tasks
- Preparing scientific papers and reports
- Maintaining laboratory quality assurance and safety standards
- Preparing tissue sections for microscopic examination
- Advising Medical Practitioners on the interpretation of tests and methods for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease
- Examining and analysing samples to study the effects of microbial infections
- Setting up the steps and rules of laboratory medical testing
- Operating and maintaining laboratory equipment
- Analysing samples of body tissue and fluids to develop techniques to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases
Working conditions for a Medical Scientist
They work as part of a team with doctors, pathologists, scientists, technicians and laboratory assistants.
Employment Opportunities for a Medical Scientist
Most medical scientists work in the health industry, especially in hospitals. There are also employment opportunities in universities and research organisations and in the private sector. There is a relatively stable employment base. Factors that may affect employment include the number and type of tests required to research, diagnose and treat diseases, and the incidence of new diseases.
Specializations
Medical Scientist
Medical scientists conduct medical laboratory tests to provide information for diagnosing, treating and preventing disease. A medical scientist may specialise in haematology, immunology, transfusion science, clinical biochemistry, microbiology, histopathology, cytology, molecular genetics or virology.
Average age
37
Future Growth
Positive
Gender Share
64% female
Average full-time
42 hours
Weekly Pay
$2,004
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
78%
Employment Size
29,500
Employment by state
ACT: 1.6%
NSW: 29.0%
NT: 0.6%
QLD: 17.6%
SA: 8.0%
TAS: 1.6%
VIC: 31.7%
WA: 10.0%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.1%
20-24: 4.3%
25-34: 32%
35-44: 28.5%
45-54: 19.6%
55-59: 8%
60-64: 4.9%
65 and Over: 2.6%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 3.2%
Bachelor degree: 53.3%
Below Year 10: 0%
Certificate III/IV: 0.5%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 40.9%
Year 10 and below: 0%
Year 11: 0.1%
Year 12: 2%
Years 11 & 10: 0%
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