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Pathology covers Anatomical Pathology, so this is the parent specialty entry.
RCPA
When Anatomical Pathology applications run, and what the round looks like.
Eligibility requires current general (AHPRA) medical registration and at least two years of clinical experience after the primary medical degree — so typically PGY3+ at commencement. In exceptional circumstances, applicants without two years may be considered if they can show alternative relevant experience of a similar level; Overseas Trained Specialists assessed by the College as requiring no more than two years of additional assessment/training may also apply.
Training positions and workforce figures below are limited to New South Wales. Selection criteria, requirements and application dates are set by RCPA nationally and apply in every state.
Moderate
How Anatomical Pathology training is structured.
5 years
Competencies
To complete
Basic Pathological Sciences examination
Open to medical, science and dental students, interns and resident medical officers as well as registered trainees, and cheaper as a student. A pass or an exemption is required of everyone. Not a prerequisite for Part I, but required before sitting any component of Part II.
Before training starts, or early in it
Anatomical Pathology Part I
Two components. The written paper is sat online from home or a venue of your choice. The digital slides paper is online but at a local venue.
After a set period of accredited training
Anatomical Pathology Part II
Digital slides, small biopsy, special techniques and cytology, sat at a local venue. A repeat slides paper exists for a candidate who has to sit again.
Ordinarily the final year
One set of categories across every specialty, so two can be compared. Only those with criteria recorded for this specialty are shown.
Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure
Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants
Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching
Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI
Who is asked to report on you, and what they are asked
Registration mechanics and logistics not covered above
Timed steps, grouped by when each one is worth doing.
Before applying
Before the examinations
During training
After Fellowship
Queensland Health is the only state department publishing these figures so far.
No published figures exist yet for New South Wales. This is being worked on. The selection criteria and requirements above apply Australia wide regardless of state. See the Queensland figures.
24 posts across 21 hospitals in New South Wales. Each circle counts hospitals.
Dorevitch Pathology (Albury) is not shown on the map, with no location on file. Their posts are still counted above.
Show these kinds of site
Select a region to see the hospitals inside it.
Hospital locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. State boundaries from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Published by RCPA and the Medical Board unless stated.
Connected to this specialty by the Medical Board’s specialty structure, by college, or by a shared training pathway.
Requirements, windows, and criteria change annually. Verify with RCPA before making career decisions. Report an error on this page.
General registration with AHPRA and eligibility to enrol as an RCPA trainee, with a medical degree recognised for registration in Australia.
At least 2 years of clinical experience after the primary medical degree by the time employment starts.
Or assessment by RCPA as an overseas trained specialist requiring no more than 2 years of additional assessment or training.
Evidence of vocational interest in anatomical pathology.
Demonstrated clinical competence.
Able to work effectively in a team.
Metropolitan: Concord, Gosford, John Hunter, Liverpool, Nepean, Prince of Wales, Royal Prince Alfred, Royal North Shore, St George, Westmead (ICPMR), Wollongong and Southern IML.
Regional: Coffs Harbour, Orange, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga.
Specialised units: The Children's Hospital at Westmead, and Neuropathology at Royal Prince Alfred.
Private practices: Australian Clinical Labs at Bella Vista, Douglass Hanly Moir at Macquarie Park, and St Vincent's at Darlinghurst.
Applicants with Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency must be offered positions before non-residents.
An overseas trained non-specialist without full Australian Medical Council accreditation, general registration and a valid working visa is not considered.
First-year contracts are for one year, and some are 6 months in a regional laboratory and 6 months in a metropolitan one. Accommodation is provided for trainees in regional laboratories.
Laboratory location preferences are considered alongside where the vacancies are and what each laboratory needs.
NSW Health Pathology hosts an annual meet-and-greet each June with talks from pathologists and current trainees at every NSW training laboratory.
Vacancies sometimes arise mid-year and are advertised outside the Annual Medical Recruitment.
Candidates judged suitable but not placed go on a reserve list and may be offered a position later.