Job and Person Specificatio ns
Title of Position: Medical Scientist
Administrative Unit: SA PATHOLOGY
Classification Code: MeS1
Directorate: Surgical Pathology
Discipline Code:
Site: RAH
Type of Appointment
X Permanent
Section: Principal / Cut Up Laboratory
Position Number:
 Temporary
Term
 Other
Term
Incumbent:
Job and Person Specification Approval
All excluding Executive positions
Executive Positions
Date
CEO/Delegate
Date
Commissioner for Public Employment
Job Specification
1.
Summary of the broad purpose of the position in relation to organisation goals
(Its expected outcome and how it is achieved)
The Medical Scientist MeS-1contributes to the provision of a high quality diagnostic Surgical Pathology service by
providing a scientific resource function for all areas of the department by:
 Performing routine and complex diagnostic testing.
 Applying scientific knowledge towards the performance, analysis and trouble-shooting of standard
diagnostic procedures including Cut-up, H&E slide production, Special stains and Immunohistochemistry.
 Using defined protocols examine, interpret, describe and dissect simple surgical and biopsy tissue
specimens submitted for histopathological diagnosis.
 Assisting with training technical and scientific staff as required.
 Perform other specialised techniques and procedures.
2.
Reporting/Working Relationship
(To whom the person reports, staff for whom the person is responsible for and other significant connections and working relationships within the organisation)
Reports to the Surgical Pathology Manager through the section leader of the laboratory.
3.
Special Conditions
(such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent overtime etc)
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The Medical Scientist will be required to work shift rosters and weekends, and may be required to work
extended hours on an overtime basis which may include public holidays. The appointee will be required to
participate in an “on-call” roster.
The Medical Scientist may be required to participate in a relieving and or rotating role with other Surgical
Pathology laboratories within SA Pathology at the discretion of their Manager.
Depending on work requirements the appointee may be transferred to other locations within SA Pathology
to perform work of a similar nature appropriate to the classification either on a permanent or temporary
basis.
Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Report obtained through the Screening and
Licensing Branch, Dept Families & Communities, to be renewed every three years thereafter from date of
issue.
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4.
Statement of Key Outcomes and Associated Activities
(Group into major areas of responsibility/activity and list in descending order of importance)
1. Contributes to the provision of a high quality, efficient and reliable Surgical Pathology service and apply
scientific principles by:
 Ensuring the efficient production of high quality slides for microscopic examination within a minimum
time frame,
 Evaluating section and stain quality and instigating corrective measures where appropriate;
 Appropriately identifying and describing specimens classified as category A (simple) as outlined in the
NPAAC Guidelines for the Performance of the Surgical Pathology Cut-up
 Taking appropriate blocks of specimens as required for Histopathology
 Providing scientific and technical advice to staff;
 Embedding, sectioning and staining of selected tissue,
 Performing more complex testing and staining as required,
 Performing immunohistochemistry including antibody evaluation,
 Cutting and staining of frozen sections,
 Evaluation, development and adoption of new reagents and techniques to establish whether they are
suitable for diagnostic applications,
 Operate, maintain and trouble-shoot laboratory procedures and equipment,
 Liaise with other units and departments to acquire and share scientific and technical information,
 Assist with co-ordinating and supervising staff within the Principal and Cut Up Laboratories.
2. Contribute to laboratory operations by:
 Performing routine laboratory maintenance,
 Maintaining stock control of all goods and equipment,
 Entering and collating workload data,
 Participating in the review and revision of protocols and procedures used in the area.
3. Training of technical and scientific staff in practices and procedures:
 Assist with the training of staff in histopathology procedures.
4. Contribute to the maintenance of appropriate standards within the department by ensuring the
requirements for ISO 9001:2008 Certification are met within the area through:
 Implementing and monitoring quality assurance programmes and ensuring that all methods and
procedures conform to approved manuals.
5. Contribute to Occupational Health and Safety within SA Pathology by taking reasonable care to protect
personal health and safety of other staff, wear protective clothing and use safety equipment as directed.
6. Provide services for the South Australian community consistent with the policies of the elected
Government by complying with the Code of Conduct for South Australian Public Sector Employees, SA
Pathology Code of Conduct and with all other policies contained in SA Pathology Corporate Manual.
7. Comply withy the Principles of the Code of Fair Information Practice, adopted by the Department of
Health, which regulate the collection, use, disclosure storage and transfer of all personal patient/client
information within the Organisation and throughout its funded service providers.
Acknowledgement by Occupant
Date
Person Specification
Essential Minimum Requirements (Those characteristics considered absolutely necessary)
Educational / Vocational Qualifications
(Include only those listed in the Department of Health, Human Resource Manual 3.1 as an essential qualification for the specific classification group)
Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Laboratory Science) or equivalent.
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Personal Abilities / Aptitudes / Skills
(Related to the job description and expressed in a way which allows objective assessment)
 Ability to work effectively with pathologists and trainee pathologists,
 Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines,
 Ability to focus on tasks and attend to detail,
 Ability to organise work, and prioritise tasks,
 Ability to supervise and motivate staff;
 Ability to work co-operatively and effectively in a team environment,
 Ability to implement routine instructions and procedures and work with general direction,
 Ability to carry out histopathological techniques involving embedding, sectioning and staining of tissues,
 Ability to perform specialised and complex staining procedures,
 Ability to cut frozen sections,
 Ability to perform immunocytochemistry procedures.
Experience (Including community experience)
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Experience with a range of specialist procedures relating to Surgical Pathology, specimen cut-up and
histological methods,
Experience in histopathology especially processing and sectioning of tissue,
Experience in performing specialised stains,
Experience in performing frozen sections,
Experience in Immunocytochemistry,
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Experience in performing ISO audits.
Knowledge
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An in-depth knowledge of all areas of routine diagnostic histopathology,
Knowledge of specialised staining procedures,
Knowledge of specimen processing,
Knowledge of Immunocytochemistry,
Knowledge of EEO and OH&S policies and procedures,
Knowledge of NATA accreditation and ISO 9001:2008.
Desirable Characteristics
(To distinguish between applicants who have met all essential requirements)
Personal Abilities / Aptitudes / Skills
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Proven ability to use scientific knowledge and technical expertise in the development of new methods,
Proven ability to carry out routine procedures in histopathology including sectioning and staining of tissue,
Proven ability to work well as a team member,
Proven ability to acquire and apply scientific and technical skills,
Proven ability to communicate effectively,
High level of ability to work with staff at all levels,
Ability to effectively resolve problems and complaints,
Ability to evaluate new techniques.
Experience
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Extensive experience in all facets of histotechnology.
Knowledge
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Knowledge of anatomy,
Knowledge of pathology,
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Knowledge of computing.
Educational /Vocational Qualifications
(Considered to be useful in carrying out the responsibilities of the position)
Other Details
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