Careers

Pathology, like other areas of medicine, employ a number of administrative officers to help with routine behind the scenes tasks to ensure the organisation runs smoothly. These positions do not require any formal qualifications however those with Certificate III/IV in Business/Business Administration/Government and good computer skills are highly regarded.

Medical typists are specialised administrative officers who have been trained in medical terminology. Although there is no requirement for a formal qualification, holders of the unit of competency BSBMED301—Interpret and Apply Medical Terminology Appropriately who have good computer skills are highly regarded.

Laboratory assistants perform the pre-analytical testing and processing in the laboratory. This includes registering clinicians' requests into the laboratory information system and ensuring that samples received are suitable for testing. The laboratory assistant will centrifuge the samples and aliquot various samples to aid the technicians and scientists in formal testing procedures. This role does not require any formal qualifications but a Certificate III in Laboratory Assistance or equivalent is highly regarded.

Phlebotomists are front line staff who greet the patient and collect their blood and other samples ensuring that these are suitable for testing. The role does not require any formal qualifications but a Certificate III in Specimen Collection is highly regarded.

Medical technicians must have a formal qualification—an associate degree in medical science or equivalent. The main function of the role is to perform quality analysis of patient samples and interpret the results. As a medical technician you will also be required to ensure that all of the laboratory's analysers are working to specifications and you must be able to troubleshoot any discrepancies.

Occasionally opportunities for medical technicians become available in rural and remote locations. If you have the qualifications and are interested in working in a rural or remote location, please contact us.

Medical scientists must have formal medical science qualifications at degree level. Medical scientists, like medical technicians, perform testing on patient samples and deliver these results to clinicians. Medical scientists can also progress into management positions where they are responsible for the smooth operation of laboratories.

Occasionally opportunities for medical scientists become available in rural and remote locations. If you have the qualifications and are interested in working in a rural or remote location, please contact us.

Pathologists are medical specialists who have qualified as a medical doctor who then specialise in Pathology. They complete many years of post-graduate studies.

As a registrar at Pathology Queensland, you will have the opportunity to undertake training in a pathology discipline of your choice including: anatomical, chemical, microbiology, genetic, haematology, immunology and general pathology. Our registrar training program is accredited by the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia (RCPA).

We recruit our registrars via Queensland Health's Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Campaign. To discuss the recruitment process, please contact the Medical Support team on +61 7 3096 2055.

Pathology Queensland provides excellent training programs for both medical scientists and medical technicians through our graduate programs. Preference is given to students who have studied medical science qualifications at university.

To apply for the graduate program as a medical technician you will need to have completed an associate degree in medical science and have studied haematology, blood banking, clinical chemistry, anatomical pathology and clinical microbiology.

Similarly, to apply for the graduate program as a medical scientist you will need to have studied the above units at university to bachelor level.

To apply for the graduate program students will need to have studied directed qualifications in medical science. Not sure what this means? Contact us before you start your science degree. If you do not have the right qualification, you may not qualify to participate in our graduate programs:

• Graduate Medical Scientist Program
• Graduate Medical Technician Program

Pathology Queensland's Skills Development Unit
Phone +61 7 3646 6900
Email pathology_SDU@health.qld.gov.au
Business hours 9 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday

Postal address/location
Level 9, Block 7
Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Herston Road
Herston Qld 4029