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Useful experience for medical laboratory scientists includes:

• laboratory work
• scientific work
• work in the health sector.

Medical laboratory scientists may do some or all of the following:

• test and study blood, tissue and fluid samples
• prepare samples for pathologists
• evaluate tests and report results to doctors
• test, set up, use and maintain laboratory equipment
• maintain laboratory quality assurance and safety standards
• supervise and train other staff such as medical laboratory technicians
• develop new methods and equipment for laboratory testing.

Shortage of medical laboratory scientists

Demand for medical laboratory scientists is high due to:

• an ageing population with more health problems that require tests
• demand for new types of laboratory testing due to greater scientific understanding of biological processes.

Medical laboratory scientist (cytoscientist) appears on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled medical laboratory scientists from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 1,773 medical laboratory scientists worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Chances better for highly skilled scientists

Demand is particularly high for medical laboratory scientists who:

• have experience managing laboratory teams
• have specialist knowledge in laboratory technologies due to technological advances in diagnostic laboratory testing and analytical instrumentation
• specialise in cytoscience as genetic technologies are rapidly advancing and there is a shortage of workers.

Types of employers varied

Most medical laboratory scientists work for hospitals and private laboratory services. 

Other employers include:

• scientific research laboratories
• the New Zealand Blood Service
• universities
• veterinary clinics.

Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand

(04) 801 6250 - msc@medsci.co.nz - www.mscouncil.org.nz

NZ Institute of Medical Laboratory Science (NZIMLS)

(03) 313 4761 - cpd@nzimls.org.nz - www.nzimls.org.nz

Medical laboratory scientists may progress into managerial or supervisory roles in a laboratory.

With further postgraduate study, they may do research into particular disciplines and scientific methods, or become university lecturers. They may also move into other areas such as teaching, animal health, the food industry, or working for commercial science companies.

Medical laboratory scientists usually specialise in two or more of the following disciplines:

Clinical Biochemist

Clinical biochemists analyse samples of blood, urine, faeces and tissue for diseases such as diabetes and renal failure.

Clinical Immunologist

Clinical immunologists study the body's immune system to test for diseases such as allergies and HIV infection.

Cytogeneticist

Cytogeneticists investigate genetic disease and how chromosomes are affected by disease.

Haematologist

Haematologists analyse blood samples for diseases such as anaemia and cancer.

Histologist

Histologists prepare tissue samples for investigation by a pathologist.

Medical Cytologist/Cytoscientist

Medical cytologists/cytoscientists test cell samples for cancer.

Medical Microbiologist

Medical microbiologists detect, cultivate and test bacteria and fungi.

Transfusion Scientist

Transfusion scientists prepare blood and blood products for transfusion.

Medical laboratory scientists need to be:

• methodical and accurate
• careful and safety-conscious
• enquiring
• adaptable
• reliable
• good at problem solving
• good at communicating.