Medical Scientist
Medical scientists perform medical laboratory tests on blood, other body fluids and tissues to assist clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.
Ability to work well under pressure.
Role Description:
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Medical scientists perform medical laboratory tests on blood, other body fluids and tissues to assist clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. Medical scientists also operate and maintain laboratory equipment and prepare scientific papers and reports.
The main differences between a medical scientist and a Pathology Laboratory Assistant is that a medical scientist:
- Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Science
- Performs more complex, less routine tests
- Usually specialises in a specific disease area (e.g. microbiology or genetics)
Where you might work:
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Medical scientists may work in hospital laboratories, private pathology laboratories, State Health laboratories and Universities. In larger hospitals and private laboratories, medical scientists usually specialise in a particular discipline (e.g. microbiology, genetics, immunology etc.)
Personal attributes:
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A medical scientist needs:
- good communication skills
- the ability to organise and prioritise work
- the ability to make clear and precise observations
- good problem-solving ability
- to work well under pressure
Salary:
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Medical laboratory scientists in Australia can expect to earn between $78,000 and $90,999 per year, depending on the organisation they work for, and their level of experience.
(Reference: www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au, 2019.)
Employment rates:
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12,000 job openings over 5 years in Australia (that’s about 2,400 a year!)
(Reference: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2018.)
Industry growth:
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Across Australia, Medical Scientists grew very strongly over the past 5 years and is expected to grow over the next 5 years: from 24,200 in 2018 to 25,700 by 2023.
(Reference: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2018.)
