Australian Government Project

The federal Department of Health and Ageing has funded a study into the Career Structures and Pathways for the Scientific Workforce in Medical Pathology Laboratories.

The consultants who have been engaged to undertake the project (Human Capital Alliance) have prepared an Information Paper which was released this month.

The Information Paper can be found here Documents -> Campaigns -> Pathology Workforce Inquiry.

A forum to discuss aspects of the Information Paper was held on Tuesday evening 22 March 2011 at RMH. The MSAV was represented by Rosemary Kelly, and there were scientists from across public and private pathology present.

Although the federal study is broader than looking at career pathways for medical scientists, as it includes technicians and laboratory assistants, the focus of the meeting on Tuesday was career paths for medical scientists, in the light of the looming shortage of experienced pathology scientists.

Presentation The presentation which was made on the night can be accessed here Documents -> Campaigns -> Pathology Workforce Inquiry.

There was a lot of discussion of the statistical material; the apparent increase of 4% pa in the scientific and technical workforce was greeted with much scepticism.

The difficulties involved in the retention of scientists in pathology, especially younger graduates, and on training and career paths (or lack thereof, particularly in private pathology) were canvassed. There is clearly a tension between the provision of appropriate career paths for scientists & of quality pathology services, and the objectives of management to continually reduce costs, in an environment where Medicare funding is being squeezed.

The career framework for the scientific workforce in pathology in the UK was outlined, including, at the top, the position of clinical scientists in pathology, who are registered, and can attain consultant status equivalent to pathologists.

Refer page 19 of the Presentation.

In part, this development can be seen as a response to the shortage of pathologists. In the UK, the Royal College of Pathologists recognised the equivalence of scientific consultants and medical consultant, and approximately 25% of members of the College are non-medical clinical scientists. (Note there are also clinical scientists in disciplines other than pathology, including audiology, embryology, genetics and medical physics).

We have a long way to go in Australia to reach this situation. The recent proposals to exclude senior scientists from the role of Director of Pathology under the NPAAC Guidelines are a case in point. For the MSAV response to this document and the MSAV letter to the Minister for Health go to Documents -> Working Parties.

The current project excludes issues around the workforce supply of pathologists. This needs to be included if sense is to be made of the UK structure.

For the majority of MSAV members, however, the real issue is around the lack of career progression for experienced and skilled scientists from Grade 1 to Grade 2, and Grade 2 to Grade 3, not the development of a consultant scientist at the top. In most other health professions, Grade 1 is seen as the entry level grade, after which practitioners move into Grade 2.

This is not the case for medical scientists, and anecdotally this is one of the reasons why young scientists are frustrated with the profession. This progression from Grade 1 to Grade 2 (and above) is an industrial matter which the MSAV continues to press in enterprise bargaining negotiations, and one which the employers continue to oppose.

In relation to career paths, the career path which we have just finished negotiating in the public sector, combined with the merit criteria, is superior in many respects to the more generalised UK model as presented.

Feedback Although not distributed on Tuesday night, there is a Feedback form (Documents -> Campaigns -> Pathology Workforce Inquiry). Submissions are apparently due by 15 April 2011. Members who would like to contribute to the MSAV’s written response should contact Rosemary Kelly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it