Medical Scientist (Pathology)
As a part-time Medical Scientist (Pathology), you’ll have the opportunity to use your existing qualifications and skills in exciting new ways.
If you’re looking to experience adventure and excitement outside the everyday, earn tax-free pay and work as part of a close-knit team, this is an exciting opportunity that can work around your lifestyle.
What you'll do
You’ll be responsible for advancing the healthcare of Army members, analysing biological specimens to assist in the diagnosis, monitoring and prevention of illness and injuries. You’ll work in a range of military environments, from purpose-built medical facilities to deployable mobile health facilities.
This is a position where you can challenge yourself and work in exciting new environments without compromising your current career goals. You’ll find giving back to the community extremely rewarding. Plus, you’ll get the chance to broaden your knowledge across a range of disciplinary areas, acquiring new skills to further develop professionally in your civilian role.
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.
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.
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 Laboratory Science degree (exact title may vary). Biomedical or single-discipline science degrees are not 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.
There is no minimum number of years required in the ADF Reserve as service is voluntary. You can volunteer until the Defence Reserve retirement age of 65, subject to the requirements and your suitability for further service.
Reserve service is flexible and can fit around your family, life and work responsibilities. In your first year, you can choose to serve between a minimum of 20 and up to 150 days, which includes Initial Employment and Military Training. After that, you can choose to serve 20 to 150 days each year, with the potential to extend to 200 days. On training completion, you can serve from as little as one night a week, one weekend a month, or in consecutive weeks - in a way that suits your lifestyle.
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: 14 days
Location: Army Logistic Training Centre (ALTC), Bandiana, Vic
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.