Dr. Akram Ahmad, PhDMedical Laboratory Scientist – ANZSCO 234611 || Medical Laboratory Technician-ANZSCO 311213
Medical laboratory scientist (MLS) is an in-demand profession in Australia and the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) is the body that assesses international candidates who aspire to work as medical laboratory scientists and technicians in Australia. Applicants are assessed on the basis of scores on the AIMS exam.
Candidates who qualify AIMS exam are then evaluated on the basis of their educational qualifications and work experience and are then designated as either medical laboratory scientist (MLS) or medical laboratory technician (MLT) by the AIMS board members.
Medical laboratory scientists are employed in medical pathology laboratories, hospitals, clinical forensics, pharmaceutical industries, biotechnology companies, etc. In order to help physicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human disease, they perform medical laboratory tests on blood, body fluids, and tissues using information and technique from numerous scientific fields.
In addition to the interpretation of test results and the creation of new test protocols, responsibilities may also involve the validity and dependability of test results.
Average Salary of a Medical Laboratory Scientist
In Australia, a medical laboratory scientist makes an average pay of $80,543 per year or $41.30 per hour. Most experienced workers earn up to $116,286 per year, while entry-level posts start at $78,933 annually.
Steps for registering as a Medical Laboratory Scientists in Australia:
AIMS exam preparation: https://academically.ai/courses/medical-laboratory-technician-in-australia/
PET Exam preparation: https://academically.ai/courses/pte-exam-miles/
Here’s a list of syllabus and topics you need to cover in order to qualify for the AIMS Miles Exam with flying colours:-
Major Areas of Knowledge
The major areas of knowledge expected of candidates are as follows:
Anatomical Pathology
Preparation of specimens for light microscopy including fixation and tissue processing, decalcification technique and general staining methods such as Haematoxylin and Eosin stain, Van Gieson stain and Masson Trichrome stain
Normal histology especially basic tissue types
Histochemical methods as applied to light microscopy such as PAS and Perls Prussian Blue for Iron
Fixation of cytological specimens
The Papanicolaou staining technique
The cytological features of inflammation and neoplasia in cervical smears
Normal cell types in cytological specimens
Chemical Pathologyy
An understanding of the underlying techniques utilised and methodology behind the measurement of common chemistry analytes and their clinical utility including:
Blood gas and electrolytes measurement
Urea, creatinine, and creatinine clearance, uric acid
Glucose, glucose tolerance, HbA1c
Liver function tests
Lipid analysis
Plasma proteins and protein electrophoresis
Specific plasma proteins e.g., CRP
Principles of enzymatic analysis
Enzyme tests e.g., amylase, creatine kinase
Calcium, phosphate, magnesium
Bilirubin including neonatal bilirubin measurement
Myocardial function tests
Common tumour markers e.g., Prostatic specific antigen, CEA
Basic virology tests are now performed in core laboratory settings
Endocrinology such as Thyroid function tests and Adrenal function tests
Bioinstrumentation including Immunoassay, spectrophotometric assays and Point of Care Testing
Quality Control concepts as they apply to the automated biochemistry laboratory.
Genomic Pathology
Basic understanding of inheritance
Structure of DNA and all forms of RNA
Mitochondrial DNA
Transcription and translation
Influence of epigenetics on phenotypes
Chromosome structure and common pathologies associated with chromosomal abnormalities
Common mutations in oncology, inborn errors of metabolism
Principles of basic thermal and isothermal PCR techniques including sample preparation and use of controls
Principles of reverse transcriptase PCR, real-time PCR and multiplex PCR
Sample integrity for DNA and RNA-based techniques
Awareness of next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques.
Haematology
Principles of automated cell counting
Macrocytic anaemia
Microcytic anaemia
Normocytic anaemia
Myeloproliferative disorders
Lymphoproliferative disorders
Production of erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelets
Iron metabolism
Intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways and methods of testing
Bleeding disorders
Anticoagulant therapy and methods of monitoring this therapy
Natural anticoagulants
Fibrinolysis
Malaria testing and species
Quality control in haematology and coagulation
Pre-analytical factors in haematology and coagulation.
Immunopathology
Basic understanding of the structure and function of the immune system
Adaptive and acquired immune mechanisms
Cellular and humoral immune responses
Immunoglobulin properties and functions
Key cytokines i.e., IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, TNF and their functions
Monoclonal antibodies production, properties and uses
Mechanisms of hypersensitivity and their laboratory investigation
Acquired and inherited immune deficiency conditions, major autoimmune conditions and their laboratory investigation
Principles of immunology-based assays e.g., immunophenotyping using flow cytometry, immunochromatographic techniques, solid-phase immune assays, and immunohistochemical techniques.
Medical Microbiology
A basic knowledge of infectious diseases and organisms most commonly associated with these diseases. There will be a greater emphasis on bacterial diseases, but some knowledge of parasitic, fungal and viral diseases is also expected.
Collection, handling and processing of samples including the minimum criteria for acceptance of samples
Knowledge of normal flora (indigenous flora) of major body sites or absence of normal flora in sterile body sites
Presumptive identification of major groups of bacteria based on microscopic and colonial morphology on a variety of common media including chromogenic media and the use of key basic identification tests such as catalase, oxidase and atmospheric growth requirements
Principles of major methods of susceptibility testing i.e., disc diffusion, agar dilution and broth dilution and the relationship between breakpoints, MIC and susceptible/resistant categories
Microscopy: Function and maintenance of a modern binocular microscope, including setting up and using for bright-field, phase-contrast and dark-field microscopy
Staining techniques: Gram stain, Ziehl Neelsen stain, Modified ZN stains
General principles of quality control and quality assurance as it applies to microbiology
Safety in the microbiology laboratory, Biosafety Cabinets, and Biosafety levels.
Transfusion Science
Antibody structure and function
Antigen / antibody interaction
Antibody production
Blood donation testing
Blood components
Blood group systems
Antibody detection and identification
Pre transfusion testing
Haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn
Quality assurance in the blood bank laboratory
Internal quality control and external quality assurance in the blood bank.
Laboratory Safety and Quality Control
Safe handling of biological specimens.
Safe handling of hazardous chemicals.
Sterilisation and disinfection procedures.
Handling of infectious specimens.
Principles of Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Basic charting and rules for rejection of results
Simple statistical evaluation, Reference ranges methodology – parametric and non-parametric
The role of internal quality control and external quality assurance
Uncertainty of measurement.
Basic Laboratory Procedures and Equipment
Normal and molar solutions
Basic laboratory calculations
Basic laboratory equipment and its appropriate use
Spectrophotometry
Concluding Words:
It can get a little tricky and difficult to qualify AIMS exam if you do not have the right approach and guidance. Aspirants generally seem to be lost as they do not know where to start, what to study and which study material they should refer to. This turns out to play a major contribution to their failure. However, you need not worry anymore! You’re not alone in this. Academically.ai is here to help you get through it with flying colours. Our experienced team of teachers will help you ace this exam. Contact us now to book your seat!
Detailed blog about Laboratory Medical Scientist migration to Australia : https://academically.ai/2022/09/13/medical-laboratory-scientist-immigration-to-australia-on-pr-visa/
More information please visit AIMS website: https://www.aims.org.au
Academically provide the online AIMS exam coaching, please visit: https://academically.ai/courses/medical-laboratory-technician-in-australia/
Note: To the best of our ability, we give all information in a correct manner, although errors are possible. We cannot guarantee that this information is accurate, complete or current.
Dr. Akram Ahmad, PhD
Academically.ai is the brainchild of Dr. Akram Ahmad. He has done his PhD from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Australia. He is a self-motivated clinical pharmacist and committed lecturer with over 9 years of teaching and research experience in various subjects of medicine at the leading Universities in Australia, Malaysia, and India.
Dr. Akram is the recipient of prestigious “Best Promising Researcher Award” from the UCSI University (Malaysia). He has also published over 110 papers, book chapters, conference papers including in high-impact journals. In addition to that, he is a reviewer and editorial board member in
several journals of medicine and pharmacy.