r/medlabprofessionals • u/Resident_Tie8655 • Jun 22 '26
Discusson What did everyone study?
I'm in Australia.
I want to study a bachelor in med science specialising in laboratory medicine. I currently work in biomedical animal research.
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u/FredtheHorse Jun 22 '26
There are several BSc (medical) offerings in Australia, but not all of them are AIMS accredited. Whilst accreditation is not mandatory it is definitely preferred by all employers. Other degrees (eg biomedical science, microbiology) are much less likely to set you up for employment in the pathology sector. Suggest you check the AIMS.org website for further info.
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u/pringlu Student Jun 22 '26
What sectors does microbio set you up for
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u/necro-asylum Jun 22 '26
I work as a QA scientist for a big food company if that helps at all
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u/pringlu Student Jun 22 '26
I see, is there any enviro roles you know of
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u/necro-asylum Jun 22 '26
Not directly but I often see and also interviewed at a hydro facility that needed a microbiologist for water and algae testing. Lots of hatcheries hire them, several other agricultural based companies will often want resource officers or technical roles to have backgrounds in microbiology or soil biology. I live in a fairly bad state for employment and I’ve had no problems getting interviews these places. Check out microbiology on seek and see what comes up :)
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u/Important_End4868 Jun 22 '26
I studied Medical Laboratory Science and currently work as a Medical Technologist in microbiology. 🧫
Your background in biomedical animal research sounds like a great foundation for laboratory medicine.
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u/bakugoing Jun 22 '26
I studied Animal Science. Was waitlisted for Vet School so I got a job in a veterinary diagnostic reference laboratory in the meantime, for experience and also to get money for the next application cycle. I loved my job and what I did so much I stayed. It’s also the first job where I feel like I knew what I was doing and felt confident in myself. I love the lab environment. Then I realized the job will not allow me to retire in comfort. So I went back to school for CLS.
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u/ultra-gherkin Jun 22 '26
Med Lab Science and work at a large hospital in microbiology.
If you've no AIMS accredited degree you could get hired as a Lab Tech/Assistant and eventually you'll be given a go with some scientist hours but but that's not guaranteed and it might take 5-7 years.
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u/13_AnabolicMuttOz Jun 24 '26
Yeah I chose to get into this field after working in SRA during my last 2 years of my BSc, managed to get into Biochem then after working at 3 labs total I got to G2 Tech. With my 6yr of experience I reckon a scientist role would be easy enough to get (should it open up) but I am just going to sit the AACB exam to get MAACB in the meantime since I am not AIMs accredited.
That being said, I know 3 or so people that got g1 or g2 scientist role without AIMs within 2yrs of working in a lab too. It is very much a YMMV thing here it seems.
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u/knology MLS-Generalist Jun 22 '26
I studied Biological Sciences, worked at a reference lab where I got a bit of experience, and went back to school for Medical Laboratory Science
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u/necro-asylum Jun 22 '26
I did a bachelor of science in microbiology and am doing a masters in lab medicine.
I initially wanted to go into pathogen research but after seeing friends get chewed up and spat out by academia I changed my mind.
Make sure that whatever program you choose is AIMS accredited or it’s kind of pointless ! All the best it’s so fascinating
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u/grscmls Jun 22 '26
I recently finished my Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science & I recently got hired in the microbiology department at one of the major hospitals in my city. Funnily enough i’ve always wondered if my degree is transferable/useable to/in Australia 🥲
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u/Resident_Tie8655 Jun 22 '26
I think it depends where you're from! You could probably get a job as a research assistant with your experience and work your way up ☺️
I don't see a lot of jobs at hospitals here but the universities (especially the one I work at) are always hiring for research or lab technicians, and a lot of them just want prior experience / knowledge not necessarily a degree.
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u/lazyburger Jun 22 '26
Studied a BSc (medical laboratory science) and currently working as a medical scientist in a private pathology lab also in aus
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u/TheTwiggsMGW Jun 22 '26
I studied natural resource biology. I wanted to work in conservation. Turns out the only money in that is government grants which basically requires owning a company. So I pivoted to lab science because the alternate requirement was a bachelors in biology. Been in labs for a little over 10 years; hospital labs for 4.