In New Zealand, the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Bill (2003) stipulates that all health practitioners must demonstrate their competence in order to be issued an Annual Practicing Certificate. In order to fulfil this requirement, IVF Scientists are required to be registered by the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand.
In contrast in Australia, there are no legislative requirements for IVF Scientists to be registered or certified. SIRT members have long been calling for improved professional recognition of IVF scientists in Australia, and therefore the development of a certification scheme was prioritised by the SIRT committee. SIRT developed a Competency Scheme in 2017 but this has now ceased to make way for an independent national scheme, Certification of Med Lab Scientists (CMLS).
In September 2021 CMLS announced the addition of a new category of certification for those meeting the NPAAC requirements of a Clinical Scientist. Certified Clinical Scientists will be entitled to use the post nominal CCS.
To apply for certification, first read the Requirements for Certification page to determine which level of certification you are eligible for. If you are still not sure, please email certification@sirt.org.au and we will be able to assist.
Once you have determined your certification level, download the relevant Forms below (files will download automatically):
Required for all applications:
Conditional Certification:
Or
Completed forms should be sent along with all relevant evidence attached to certification@sirt.org.au for review. As of August 2024, the Declaration of Experience & Competency must be submitted directly to certification@sirt.org.au by your supervisor responsible for completing the form.
Member organisations making up the Council include the Australasian Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Australian Institute of Medical Scientists, Australian Society of Cytology, Human Genetics Society of Australasia, Fertility Society of Australia/SIRT, Thrombosis Haemostasis Society of Australia and NZ, Australasian Society for Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Australian Society for Microbiology, and Australian and NZ Society for Blood Transfusion. Each member organisation has a representative on the interim Board and has contributed to the implementation of the scheme. Currently, the CMLS register is managed by AIMS. The current SIRT board representative is Dr. Kristy Demmers, Vice-Chair of SIRT.
See also FAQ | CMLS on the CMLS website
There is no cost for SIRT members to become CMLS Certified.
Your status as a certified medical laboratory professional is a public guarantee that you are qualified, competent and continuing your professional development. It is a formal recognition of scientific qualifications; your certification is aligned with competency development and assessment processes and acknowledges your participation in continuing educational activities. We also believe the scheme demonstrates increased professional credibility and prestige in the industry.
We hope employers may look to certification as a desirable attribute during the recruitment process.
Yes they can, provided they meet all the current criteria. The competency sign off by their supervisor states that they are competent “against their current role and position description within the last 12 months and that they demonstrate safe and ethical practice” so this will cover those in associated industries and roles.