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CAREER STRUCTURES AND PATHWAYS FOR THE SCIENTIFIC WORKFORCE IN MEDICAL PATHOLOGY LABORATORIES



A CAREER STRUCTURE FOR MEDICAL SCIENTISTS - A Discussion Document for Feedback
Principal Author: Dr Tony Badrick on behalf of the Workforce Steering Group
Send comments to Tony_Badrick@snp.com.au

 
The purpose of this information is to initiate some discussion on possible career structures for Australian Medical Scientists. There are complications with trying to develop such a framework as it will necessarily involve both public and private organisations with different industrial relations instruments and with different disciplines.
 
The basic structure involves six distinct career phases; trainee scientist, scientist, pre-specialist training, specialist scientist, clinical scientist and laboratory manager. I am not fixated on titles, but the phases of career are important.
 
Overall Aim
The aim of the Career Framework for Medical Scientists is to:
  • Introduce a career framework encompassing all disciplines and employment groups within the workforce based on roles and function and linked to transferable skills and competences
  • Clearly identify pathways for progression, supported by learning and development
  • Provide national flexibility to support local service delivery, the expansion and extension of current roles
  • Provision of improved opportunities for learning and professional development will be provided supporting recruitment and retention into healthcare science disciplines, removing the barriers to career progression
  • An education and training framework will be developed based on a range of academic, vocational and professional qualifications/awards to recognise underpinning knowledge and skill acquisition relevant to functions being undertaken, based on equivalence within each career framework stage irrespective of initial entry point
  • The science base within the profession will be preserved such that career progression will not only be on the basis of increased management and financial responsibilities but also on specialised scientific service provision and research and development roles

There would need to be a transition phase for all those currently in the profession. Because of the multiple industrial instruments in different jurisdictions and enterprises it would be necessary for all of these organisations to voluntarily adopt this career structure. There is no tying of pay rates to these classifications, only a desire to make career advancement and transfer easier for scientist and their employers.
 
Personal development plans will help individuals who are not from academic backgrounds to identify needs and develop the skills and competences required for working at more senior levels. There will be a number of different kinds of learning programmes to help fill gaps.
 
The focus on skills and competences related to the service function to be delivered is absolutely fundamental to the success of the proposal. Educational and professional requirements will continue to be important in the design, delivery and assessment of programmes. These will need to be created and administered by the professional associations covering the various disciplines. It is expected that there be two levels of professional qualification offered, a specialist discipline Membership and a specialist Fellowship.  These contributions will be enhanced by added flexibilities so that the skills required to deliver patient and public focused services are able to transcend traditional professional boundaries.
 
Registration and Regulation
Registration is currently not available for medical scientists but a component of the successful implementation of this career structure would be the Registration and ongoing certification of medical scientists. It is envisaged that Registration would mark the end of the ‘trainee’ phase. An applicant would be required to show that they had been trained in an appropriate facility by suitably trained senior staff. There would need to be a syllabus and evidence of satisfactory achievement against this syllabus. Registration would be an annual event and would require the applicant to show ongoing CPD and include some data collection on current duties, role, location and future intentions. The Registration authority would be central and liaise with organisations such as NATA and NPAAC as well as the professions.
 
This would be to provide improved workforce planning capabilities into the future and potentially provide added protection for the public.
 
The Career Pathway
There are probably four broad categories of scientist working in Australian clinical laboratories.
  1. NPAAC defined Medical Scientists with a limited scope of practice in a particular specialty will usually have been awarded a basic degree in science or    applied science
  2. NPAAC defined Medical Scientists  who perform a broad range of clinical, technical or scientific procedures will usually have been awarded a first degree (vocational) or equivalent (multi-skilled scientists)
  3. Medical Scientists who provide a range of specialist services will usually have been awarded a post graduate qualification and equivalent to Masters level who would be described as scientific ‘experts’ in their field
  4. NPAAC defined Clinical Scientists, that is, scientists with a Fellowship or a relevant PhD and ten years experience
 
There will be a need in the future to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of all of these medical scientists working in appropriate geographical areas and disciplines to maintain the current, or better, levels of service provision.   To facilitate this, the professional associations through their respective examination systems could administer traineeships in specific subdisciplines in geographical areas, for example in toxicology or paediatric biochemistry, say two internships in each in area in the east and west. The internships would be designed to meet future workforce needs. 

Career Pathway
The proposed career structure is described below using a series of career steps:
Trainee Medical Scientist/Intern

First step of a scientists’ career. The Medical scientist enters this phase after achieving an appropriate qualification in science or applied science as defined by NPAAC. There will then be a period of defined training lasting between 12-24 months during which the trainee will be exposed to and learn the basic techniques of their discipline. The training will be in an appropriate laboratory and delivered by appropriate trainers. In some disciplines, may be working independently, usually as part of a team with practice appropriate for statutory regulation. At the end of the training period and with successful completion of workbooks and supervisors reports, the trainee would be registered.
REGISTRATION
Medical Scientist and Senior Medical Scientist
Medical Scientists performing a range of complex clinical or technical procedures, accountable for their own actions and for staff that they direct or supervise. Most frequently are regulated practitioners in first jobs prior to specialisation or taking on more senior responsibilities. Will be studying for or have attained a relevant vocational degree or equivalent vocational/professional qualifications or awards (or through other evidence of vocational achievement) appropriate to the role being undertaken.
Progression to the next step requires the candidate to be accepted into an appropriate training scheme for a Membership type qualification or a Masters degree in a specialisation. Some medical scientists in regional laboratories or other general sites may not progress to a higher level, but continue to move up a first band of salary.
ACCEPTED INTO SPECIALIST TRAINING
Principal Medical Scientists
Staff with a higher degree of autonomy and responsibility performing a complex clinical/scientific/technical role and/or manages and supervises a team. Specialist healthcare scientists will include clinical scientists in first post registration jobs who fulfil a complex clinical and scientific role. They will be studying for, or have attained a relevant postgraduate qualification or equivalent level vocational/professional qualifications and awards (or through other evidence of vocational achievement) appropriate to the role being undertaken.
Progression to the next level requires acceptance into a Fellowship Training scheme. These scientists may fulfil management, expert or training roles.
MEMBERSHIP or MASTERS
Scientific Registrar
Experienced clinical/scientific/technical professionals who have developed their skills and theoretical knowledge to a very high standard, performing a highly complex role and continually developing clinical, scientific and technical practice within a defined field and/or having management responsibilities for a section/small department. They will have their own caseload or work area responsibilities or will be studying for Fellowship or high level postgraduate qualification or equivalent level vocational/professional qualification and awards (or through other evidence of vocational achievement) appropriate to the role being undertaken. This requires Part I and Part II examinations.
The training for Fellowship will be conducted in appropriate training facilities and delivered as part of an approved training scheme. Candidates will be supported for part of this training period.
FELLOWSHIP
Clinical Scientist – General, Managing or Expert
Scientific staff working at very high level of clinical and scientific expertise within an area/discipline/s, bringing strategic direction, innovation and highly developed and specialised skills and/or having responsibility and accountability for the management and planning of services/departments or initiating or leading formal research activities. They will have attained high level post graduate qualifications (at masters or doctorate level) and equivalent level vocational/professional qualifications and awards (or through other evidence of vocational achievement) appropriate to the role being undertaken.
 
Senior Clinical Scientist
Scientific staff with very highly developed and advanced clinical and scientific and/or management expertise with responsibility for decision making and accountability, providing leadership across a number of areas/disciplines, bringing strategic direction, innovation and influence through practice research and education and carrying responsibility similar to consultant medical staff. They will have attained high level relevant postgraduate qualifications (PhD) and appropriate professional awards and qualifications (Fellowship)  (and vocational evidence). This group may require another level of recognition from the professional Associations.


COMPARATIVE SCIENTIST PAY AND CAREER PATHWAY

 

 

 

5

Clinical Scientist

8

 

4

7

3

6

2

5

1

8

Senior Medical Scientist

4

Principal Medical Scientist

 

 

7

3

 

6

2

 

5

1

 

4

Medical Scientist

 

3

2

1

2

Trainee Medical Scientist Intern

1



End of Document