Medical Scientist - Haematology and Transfusion

The Hospital:

The Royal Children’s Hospital’s (RCH) Vision is “A world where all kids thrive”.

RCH is a cornerstone member of the Melbourne Children’s Campus, partnering with Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

RCH has cared for the children and young people of Victoria for more than 150 years since it was founded in 1870. A full range of paediatrics and adolescent health services are provided plus tertiary and quaternary care for the most critically ill and medically complex patients in Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW and other states around Australia and overseas. The Hospital has more than 6,000 staff, a budget of $850M, 12 wards and 350 beds. Annually, the RCH has 300,000+ Specialist Clinic appointments, 90,000+ Emergency Department presentations and 20,000 elective surgeries.

The RCH is committed to the Child Safe Standards. 

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact.

For further Information on RCH is available here.

About the Role

A great opportunity exists for a Grade 1 Medical Scientist to join our Haematology Laboratory at the Royal Children’s Hospital. This is a full-time, 12- month fixed term role that would enhance your skills and provide you with a depth of knowledge of laboratory services required at Royal Children’s Hospital. The role involves 24/7 rotating shifts and on-call while working a 9-day fortnight.

The successful person will be responsible for the performance of laboratory duties, including but not limited to, Haematology, Transfusion and Specimen Reception as directed by the Principal Scientist. Rotation at the Royal Womens Hospital Core Laboratory may also be required as directed by the Principal Scientist.

What you’ll achieve

• Perform routine and specialised Haematology and Transfusion diagnostic laboratory tests, including validation and reporting, after appropriate training.
• Perform routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting on automated and manual instrumentation and equipment within Haematology and Transfusion.
• Active participation in a fully rotational roster, including early mornings, afternoons and evening shifts.
• Adherence to standard operating techniques and procedures documented in laboratory manuals as required by the International Quality System Standard (ISO 15189-2009).
• Participate in Departmental continuing education, ongoing competency program/s and external quality assurance programs.
• Report opportunities for improvement and/or implement initiatives in consultation with the Principal Scientist/ Scientist in Charge to provide continuous workflow improvement for the laboratory.

Classification for this position will range from RX1-RX7 (base salary $63,674.00 - $91,785.20 per annum, plus superannuation)

Your skills and experience

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Laboratory Science), Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Laboratory Medicine) or Bachelor of Science with a major in Haematology and/or Transfusion Science or equivalent, where ‘equivalent’ includes a degree awarded by an overseas tertiary institution which is recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition, which in the case of Medical Scientists is the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS)
• Demonstrated relevant technical skills and knowledge.
• Professional attitude in interaction with colleagues and internal and external stakeholders
• Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team.
• Major in haematology/transfusion science
• Knowledge of ISO15189 and its application to medical testing is advantageous.
• Satisfactory police check and Working with Children check.

If this sounds like you, click here to view the position description

About the Department:

The Haematology Laboratory, within the department of Laboratory Services, provides a comprehensive, high quality diagnostic haematology service to both the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Royal Women’s Hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What we offer:

• Salary Packaging – Increase your take home pay!
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ability to join Fitness Passport - Your pass to an extensive choice of fitness facilities

Other requirements:

• Current National Criminal Record Check, or willing to obtain.
• Valid Working with Children Check
• Compliance with RCHs “Staff Immunisation - Prevention of Vaccine Preventable Diseases” procedure

Application process 

To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description.

Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately, we encourage you to apply promptly! 

For more information about this position please contact Gurbaksh Kanda, Principle Scientist, Gurbaksh.Kanda@rch.org.au

Victorian Department of Health has endorsed the initiative to restructure existing public pathology by bringing together laboratories into pathology networks operating under a lead health service. 

Pathology services from the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the Royal Women’s Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital will transition to a single pathology service.  This creates an exciting opportunity to strengthen the scope, scale and reach of pathology services across the Parkville precinct to benefit all Victorians.

This role will be part of the new centre of excellence that will be led by Melbourne Health.

Why work at the RCH?

RCH enjoys high employee engagement and is committed to staff safety and a positive culture through enactment of our Compact. We offer the opportunity to work in world-class facilities, surrounded by Royal Park and only a short tram trip from the heart of Melbourne city.

We also offer discounted staff parking, salary packaging, and an award-winning health and wellbeing program.

The RCH is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse background, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

It is a requirement of your employment that you be vaccinated against Influenza annually for Category A and B roles, in compliance with any public health orders in place at the relevant time, unless you have a medical exception in line with those public health orders, which has been accepted by The Royal Children’s Hospital.  Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government Immunisation History Statement, it is a requirement of the RCH to collect, record and hold vaccination information.

It is also a requirement of your employment that you comply with any direction given by The Royal Children’s Hospital that you be vaccinated against, or prove immunity to, any other disease, unless you have a relevant exemption

Are you ready to join our team? 

 Apply online by clicking on the “Apply” button

Applications close 24 August 2025