How to become a Medical Scientist

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.

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  Average age

  37

• 

  Future Growth

  Positive

• 

  Gender Share

  64% female

• 

  Average full-time

  42 hours

• 

  Weekly Pay

  $2,004

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  Skill level rating

  Very high skill

• 

  Unemployment

  Lower unemployment

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  Full-Time Share

  78%

• 

  Employment Size

  29,500

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  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%
  
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  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%
  
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  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%