EDUCATION AND CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY IN AUSTRALIA

Education of clinical biochemists within Australia occurs primarily af ter the individual has attained a primary degree (Science or Applied S cience) and is employed within a clinical laboratory, public or privat e. In the case of medical graduates, professional education is conduct ed under the auspices of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australa sia and results in the successful candidate obtaining the status of Fe llow of that professional body. While scientists have a number of mean s of obtaining postgraduate qualifications in clinical biochemistry it is the Membership and Fellowship examinations of the Australian Assoc iation of Clinical Biochemists (AACB) which have greatest recognition within the profession. The majority of the continuing education of, an d training programmes for, clinical biochemists are undertaken by the AACB. Currently, there are no formal registration requirements for lab oratory scientists within Australia.