Download high resolution image [JPG 2428.93 KB]
In a bid to attract and keep pathology scientists in rural areas, Pathology Queensland have introduced a new Rural Graduate Trainee Scientist position at the Warwick Hospital Pathology Laboratory.
Emily Baartz has recently commenced in the role, after completing a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science.
“I’ve relocated from Toowoomba where I was working in the Toowoomba Hospital Pathology Laboratory as a Clinical Assistant.
“This position will train me in all aspects of the departments in the core laboratory, and once the training is complete, I can be signed off as a scientist.
“While in the trainee position, I’m hoping to expand on my competency and knowledge as well as my ability to do my job well and have a positive impact on patient care.
“I’m particularly looking forward to working with haematology and transfusion, they’re quite hands on and you get to see things under the microscope,” Ms Baartz said.
Supervising Scientist Warwick Pathology Laboratory, Donna Fisher said this is the first time the Rural Graduate Trainee Scientist role has been offered in Warwick and is hopeful it will continue to be offered for years to come.
“The position is part of our graduate program that runs every year with Pathology Queensland, graduates are normally placed in bigger labs.
The aim of the initiative is to train scientists rurally and keep them employed rurally.
Supervising Scientist Warwick Pathology Laboratory, Donna Fisher
“Throughout the trainee period, we cover everything, haematology, transfusion, then we’ll move onto to bio chem, phlebotomy and some microbiology towards the end. We’ll also incorporate the maintenance and troubleshooting of analysers as part of the training, there’s a lot on analysers in the lab and it’s not something that gets covered so much at uni.
“It’s not just lab skills Emily will be learning, there are some real benefits to completing your training at a lab and facility the size of Warwick Hospital. We’re really part of the wider team here, we’re always communicating with various hospital staff and we’ll often be down in the emergency department. You get to interact with patients and see them throughout their treatment,” Ms Fisher said.
Find out more about the Pathology Queensland graduate program.