AIMS Exam Preparation Course Become a Registered Medical Lab Technician in Australia

Normal cell types in cytological specimens

The cytological features of inflammation and neoplasia in cervical smears

The Papanicolaou staining technique

Fixation of cytological specimens

Histochemical methods as applied to light microscopy such as PAS and Perls Prussian Blue for Iron

Normal histology especially basic tissue types

Preparation of specimens for light microscopy including fixation and tissue processing, decalcification technique and general straining methods such as Haematoxylin and Eosin stain, Van Gieson stain and Masson Trichrome stain.

Quality control concepts as they apply to the automated biochemistry laboratory

Bioinstrumentation including immunoassay, spectrophotometric assays and point-of-care testing

Endocrinology such as thyroid function tests and adrenal function tests

Basic virology tests performed in core laboratory settings

Common tumour markers

Myocardial function tests

Enzyme tests

Calcium, phosphate, magnesium

Principles of enzymatic analysis

Specific plasma pr

Plasma proteins and protein electrophoresis

Lipid analysis

Liver function tests

Glucose, glucose tolerance, HbA1c

Urea, creatinine and creatinine clearance, uric acid

Blood gas and electrolyte measurement

Awareness of next-generation sequencing techniques

Sample integrity for DNA and RNA-based techniques

Principles of reverse transcriptase PCR, real-time PCR and multiplex PCR

Principles of basic thermal and isothermal PCR techniques including sample preparation and use of controls

Common mutations in oncology, inborn errors of metabolism

Chromosome structure and common pathologies associated with chromosomal abnormalities

Influence of epigenetics on phenotypes

Transcription and translation

Mitochondrial DNA

Structure of DNA and all forms of RNA

Basic understanding of inheritance

Pre-analytical factors in haematology and coagulation

Quality control in haematology and coagulation

Malaria testing and species

Fibrinolysis

Natural anticoagulants

Bleeding disorders

Anticoagulant therapy and methods of monitoring this therapy

Intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways and methods of testing

Iron metabolism

Production of erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelets

Lymphoproliferative disorders

Myeloproliferative disorders

Normocytic anaemia

Microcytic anaemia

Macrocytic anaemia

Principles of automated cell counting

Principles of immunology-based assays

Acquired and inherited immune deficiency conditions, major autoimmune conditions, and their laboratory investigation

Mechanisms of hypersensitivity and their laboratory investigation

Monoclonal antibodies, their production, properties and uses

Key cytokines I.e., IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, TNF and their functions

Immunoglobulin properties and functions

Cellular and humoral immune response

Adaptive and acquired immune mechanisms

Basic understanding of the structure and function of the immune system

Safety in the microbiology laboratory, biosafety cabinets, biosafety levels

General principles of quality control and quality assurance as it applies to microbiology

Staining techniques: Gram stain, Ziehl Neelsen stain, Modified ZN stains

Microscopy: Function and maintenance of a modern binocular microscope, including setting up and using for bright-field, phase-contrast and dark-field microscopy

Principles of major methods of susceptibility testing I.e., disc diffusion, agar dilution and broth dilution and the relationship between breakpoints, MIC, and susceptible/resistant categories

Knowledge of normal flora (indigenous flora) of major body sites or absence of normal flora in sterile body sites.

Collection, handling, and processing of samples including the minimum criteria for acceptance of samples

A basic knowledge of infectious diseases and organisms most commonly associated with these diseases. There will be a greater emphasis on bacterial diseases, but some knowledge of parasitic, fungal and viral diseases is also expected.

Internal quality control and external quality assurance in the blood bank

Quality assurance in the blood bank laboratory

Haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn

Blood group systems

Pre-transfusion testing

Antibody detection and identification

Blood components

Blood donation testing

Antibody production

Antigen/antibody interaction

Antibody structure and function

Handling of infectious specimens

Sterilisation and disinfection procedures

Safe handling of hazardous chemicals

Safe handling of biological specimens

Uncertainty of measurement

The role of internal quality control and external quality assurance

Simple statistical evaluation, reference ranges methodology - parametric and non-parametric

Basic charting and rules for rejection of results

Spectrophotometry

Basic laboratory equipment and its appropriate use

Basic laboratory calculations

Normal and molar solutions