Medical Scientist (Pathology)
As a Medical Scientist (Pathology), you’ll be an integral part of the healthcare team that assists in the treatment of injuries or illnesses to ADF members. You may work as a member of a small specialist medical team or individually.
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What you'll do
You’ll assist in the diagnosis, monitoring and prevention of disease through the analysis of biological specimens requested by Medical or Dental Officers under direct and indirect supervision. You’ll be adaptable to work within your scope of practice/protocols/guidelines and the limitations of equipment and the availability of resources.
From purpose built fixed medical facilities to deployable medical health facilities on land or at sea, you’ll work in a range of environments. You’ll need to make immediate decisions and take independent action during emergency situations.
Your duties may include:
- performing diagnosis, monitoring and preventing disease through analysis of biological specimens in a variety of environments
- assisting in the planning, coordination, assembly, deployment and function of an ADF pathology team within a deployed health facility
- assisting in the operation and maintenance of pathology equipment
- conducting biochemical, microbiological, haematological and blood transfusion testing
- collaborating with other members of the health care team developing and maintaining individual technical skills, including familiarisation with other Army Medical and allied health care professionals.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Army will provide you with leadership, management, and specialist skills training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related expertise. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Army.
Following training, you’ll be posted to one of Army’s field deployable hospital units. You may also be deployed to temporary facilities on combat, disaster relief, peacekeeping and aid provision operations. As a Medical Scientist (Pathology), you’ll likely be posted to one of the following locations:
- 2nd General Health Battalion, Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane, QLD
- 3rd Health Support Battalion, Keswick Barracks, Adelaide, SA
You may also have opportunities to be assigned to a Navy amphibious vessel. Officers selected for these appointments are based out of Sydney (Garden Island) and are more experienced Officers who have had previous postings. Members posted to Navy capabilities can expect to be at sea for extended periods of time supporting training exercises and operational deployments.
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Being able to apply my love of science in a setting I can help others is fulfilling.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 57 years.
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
The standard requirement for entry into this role is a Bachelor of Medical Science degree (exact title may vary) and accreditation with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) to be eligible.
Your science degree must include extensive theoretical and practical assessment in the following clinical areas:
- haematology
- biochemistry
- immunology/serology
- microbiology.
The degree course must be accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS), or you have qualifications to enable you to gain full professional membership with AIMS. Further information on membership, accredited university undergraduate and graduate degree courses and bridging courses can be found by accessing the AIMS website.
You'll also need to have completed a minimum of 12 months postgraduate on-the-job training (OJT) in a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited multi-discipline laboratory and have current experience in your job.
Some degree-qualified officers will start their careers at one rank higher that non-graduate officers. Please speak to your Careers Coach for further information.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Male
- Push-ups: 8
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
Female
- Push-ups: 4
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 4 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation and provide a minimum of 3 months’ notice.
Course: Specialist Service Officer First Appointment Course (SSO FAC)
Duration: 25 days
Location: Royal Military College – Duntroon, Canberra, ACT
You’ll learn fundamental knowledge of:
- leadership and military justice
- weapons handling
- command and control
- unit and personnel administration
- basic military skills
- the ideals of officer behaviour
- attitudes necessary for future employment.
This course is delivered in 2 parts for both full-time and part-time (Reserve) Officers.
- Part 1 – 10 days
- Part 2 – 15 days.
Course: Logistic Officers Basic Course (LOBC) – Health
Duration: 20 days
Location: Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC), Albury/Wodonga region
You’ll undertake this course in the first 12 months of your appointment, where you’ll learn the fundamental skills required to operate in a deployed environment. The course includes theory, practical and simulated activities.
The LOBC aims to provide Logistic and Health Officers with corps and integrated skills and knowledge to fulfil a range of command and health specialised appointments at the rank of Lieutenant in a foundation warfighting environment.
You may also be required to undergo further training in areas such as malaria microscopic diagnosis and advanced blood transfusion procedures.
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 60 years, less the Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS).
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
With Defence University Sponsorship (DUS), you won’t incur a HELP or HECS-HELP debt as the Army will cover the cost of your course up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. This may also cover any necessary equipment and education materials.
For Army DUS sponsorship, you’ll need to have completed one year of an Australian university Bachelor of Medical Science degree (exact title may vary) that will lead to accreditation with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS) prior to receiving sponsorship.
Your science degree must include extensive theoretical and practical assessment in the following clinical areas:
- haematology
- biochemistry
- immunology/serology
- microbiology.
The degree course must be accredited by AIMS or you must have qualifications that enable full professional membership with AIMS. Further information on membership, accredited university undergraduate and graduate degree courses and bridging courses can be found by accessing the AIMS website.
It’s recommended that you apply for DUS after you’ve completed your first semester and have received your results. Your sponsorship starts from the date of your appointment into the Army, it doesn’t cover any previous semesters of study.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Male
- Push-ups: 8
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
Female
- Push-ups: 4
- Sit-ups: 20
- Beep Test: 6.1.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS). Your IMPS will be 4 years full-time service after you have graduated and completed your sponsored university study and any required hiatus periods. Subsequent periods of service or open-ended appointment may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You’ll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation.
Course: Specialist Service Officer First Appointment Course (SSO FAC)
Duration: 25 days
Location: Royal Military College – Duntroon, Canberra, ACT
You’ll learn fundamental knowledge of:
- leadership and military justice
- weapons handling
- command and control
- unit and personnel administration
- basic military skills
- the ideals of officer behaviour
- attitudes necessary for future employment.
This course is delivered in 2 parts for both full-time and part-time (Reserve) Officers.
- Part 1 – 10 days
- Part 2 – 15 days.
Course: Logistic Officers Basic Course (LOBC) – Health
Duration: 20 days
Location: Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC), Albury/Wodonga region
You’ll undertake this course in the first 12 months of your appointment, where you’ll learn the fundamental skills required to operate in a deployed environment. The course includes theory, practical and simulated activities.
The LOBC aims to provide Logistic and Health Officers with corps and integrated skills and knowledge to fulfil a range of command and health specialised appointments at the rank of Lieutenant in a foundation warfighting environment.
You may also be required to undergo further training in areas such as malaria microscopic diagnosis and advanced blood transfusion procedures.