Program Overview

Medical and Laboratory Science Program

The Medical and Laboratory Science program at Southern Cross University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of medical and laboratory science.

Program Overview

The program includes two courses: the Bachelor of Biomedical Science and the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science. Both courses provide students with a strong foundation in the principles of medical and laboratory science, as well as practical experience in health and research facilities.

Bachelor of Biomedical Science

The Bachelor of Biomedical Science course requires students to complete 140 hours of work-integrated learning (WIL). This learning provides invaluable work experience in health and research facilities, such as pathology or research labs. Information on the timing of placements can be found on the WIL calendar.

Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science course requires students to complete 560 hours of work-integrated learning (WIL). This learning provides invaluable work experience in health and research facilities, such as pathology or research labs. Information on the timing of placements can be found on the WIL calendar.

Attendance Variation Application

Students may request a variation in their attendance due to certain circumstances. The Attendance Variation Application (AVA) process allows students to request a change to their placement dates or location, or to record an absence on placement. Students are limited to one approved AVA per unit for each category, and must meet the eligible grounds listed in the AVA Approved Grounds.

Uniform Requirements

Students are required to adhere to the uniform requirements whilst attending placement. The Medical & Laboratory Science Uniform Requirements - Faculty of Health Guideline provides further instructions on how to order uniforms through Mediscrubs.

Extension Application

If students need more time to complete their Fit to Practice (FTP) requirements or Site Checks, they can submit an Extension Application through Sonia Online. To be considered for an extension, students must meet one of the Extension Approved Grounds.

Fit to Practice Exemption

Students may request a temporary or permanent exemption from mandatory requirements by submitting an Exemption application through Sonia Online. To be considered for an exemption, students must meet one of the Exemption Approved Grounds.

Travel and Accommodation

Students should be prepared to travel to their allocated placement, which may be outside their local area. The University provides an off-campus accommodation database called UniStays, where students can find vacancies for students.

Site Checks

Some placement sites require additional site checks, which must be completed by the relevant deadline. A list of common site checks is provided, and students should refer to their Checks tab in Sonia Online to confirm which ones apply to them.

Certificates and Clearance

Students must submit certain certificates and clearances, including:

• Hand Hygiene Certificate
• Mask fit test
• NDIS Workers Screening Clearance
• NSW Working with Children Check
• Qld Blue Card (Working with Children Check)

Forms and Modules

Students must complete certain forms and modules, including:

• Tuberculosis Risk Assessment form
• Qld Health iLearn Modules
• Qld Health Student Deed Poll
• Qld Health Student Orientation Checklist
• Record of Allied Health Student Training
• Qld Health Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment Questionnaire for Students

Vaccination Checks

Students must provide documented evidence of certain vaccinations, including:

• COVID-19
• Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (dTpa)
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza (Flu)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)