Pathology training: entry requirements and selection

Program structure

How Immunology (Pathology) training is structured.

Before you start

Entry to the RCPA training program, not to medicine. General registration, or limited registration on the Specialist International Medical Graduate or Competent Authority pathway with an Australian Medical Council report. At least 24 months of general clinical work after the primary medical degree. Employment in a training position at an RCPA accredited laboratory, which is arranged with the laboratory rather than with the College.

Training duration

A minimum of 5 full-time equivalent years of certified training in accredited sites, 4 of the 5 in immunopathology. On the joint route with the RACP one year is credited back for Basic Physician Training, so the pathology side is 4, and both Fellowships are awarded.

Training pathway

1
Immunopathology training
5 years
Competencies
- An immune system that can fail in two directions. Underactive gives immunodeficiency and infection, overactive gives autoimmune and allergic disease
- Designing, performing and supervising the tests of the immune system, and examining specimens to find the cause of a disease or to follow its progress
- Autoimmune disease reaches every organ, from skin and joints to the pancreas, the thyroid and the clotting system, so the case mix is the whole body rather than one part of it
- A balance of clinical practice and laboratory medicine that few disciplines have. Some immunopathologists hold clinics and manage patients directly
- Advice on transplantation medicine and on recurrent miscarriage, which are among the referrals this discipline takes
- Running the laboratory and its quality processes, and research, which in this discipline has produced both new tests and new management protocols
To complete
- 4 of the 5 years in immunopathology, with at least one aggregate year available in other branches of pathology
- No more than 4 years accredited in any one laboratory, so a rotation is built in rather than optional
- A short-term rotation runs a minimum of 2 consecutive months
- Up to 1 year of research or project work can be accredited, applied for prospectively
- Part-time training averages at least 8 hours a week, or 16 on the joint route

Required courses

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

Immunopathology Part I

Two components. The written paper is sat online from home or a venue of your choice. The practical and test interpretation paper is printed on the at home list AND on the local venue list, the only paper of the 23 that is on both, so confirm which one applies to you before you plan the day.

After a set period of accredited training

Immunopathology Part II

Written, practical and oral components. Neither the at home list nor the local venue list carries a Part II component for this discipline, so the practical and the oral are the August examinations, with venue and day emailed two weeks beforehand.

Ordinarily the final year

Dual training

Clinical Immunology and Allergy
1 year retrospectively accredited
A program of both colleges, overseen by the Committee for Joint College Training, awarding FRACP and FRCPA. Completing RACP Basic Physician Training is credited back as one of the five pathology years. Clinical and laboratory training cannot both sit inside one institution, and the part-time floor is 16 hours a week rather than 8. Either RACP basic training stream reaches it, adult medicine or paediatrics and child health.

Selection criteria

One set of categories across every specialty, so two can be compared. Only those with criteria recorded for this specialty are shown.

Score your portfolioagainst RCPA criteria

Clinical experience

Rotations, logbooks, procedures, and exposure

Laboratory rotations (if available in PGY years)
Genuine interest in diagnostic pathology demonstrated through exposure

First Nations

Selection points and pathways for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants

First Nations — Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori applicants who meet the eligibility criteria proceed directly to interview

Academic

Exams, qualifications, courses, and teaching

Basic Pathological Sciences (BPS) examination — compulsory (pass or exemption) before any Part II component; may be sat before training starts or early in training

Publications & research

Papers, impact factor, audits, and QI

Research interest — publications or presentations in pathology or basic science

Referees

Who is asked to report on you, and what they are asked

Referees — nominate at least two; their standardised reports feed the professionalism/ethics and communication criteria the guideline weights most heavily

Application process

Registration mechanics and logistics not covered above

Eligibility — general medical registration and a minimum of two years of post-degree clinical experience (or an Overseas Trained Specialist route requiring no more than two years of additional assessment)
Selection format: Employer-level interview with a College-prescribed panel: the training coordinator, the head of the appointing department (or representative), and at least two other department heads. An RCPA representative must also sit on the panel and reports the process and outcome back to the College — if no RCPA nominee is on the panel, training time cannot be accredited. Applicants nominate at least two referees, who are sent standardised College proformas. On the application proforma, applicants rank their preferences across the available positions; the final offer weighs the appointing organisation's own requirements and preference alongside the applicant's ranking. The employer participates in selection and appoints the trainee. Trainees must then register with the RCPA in an accredited position with an RCPA supervisor to sit examinations.

Immunology (Pathology)

Applications

Timeline

When to apply

Selection format

Competition

Program structure

Before you start

Training duration

Training pathway

Immunopathology training

Required courses

Dual training

Clinical Immunology and Allergy

Selection criteria

Clinical experience

First Nations

Academic

Publications & research

Referees

Application process

Entry tips

State workforce data

Available Immunology (Pathology) training positions

Official resources

Official links

Applications

Timeline

When to apply

Selection format

Competition

Program structure

Before you start

Training duration

Training pathway

Immunopathology training

Required courses

Dual training

Clinical Immunology and Allergy

Selection criteria

Clinical experience

First Nations

Academic

Publications & research

Referees

Application process

Entry tips

State workforce data

Available Immunology (Pathology) training positions

Official resources

Official links

Related specialties