Melissa Bathgate
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
Dynamic Medical Laboratory Scientist with extensive experience at The Royal Children's Hospital, excelling in haematology and blood bank analysis. Known for exceptional communication and empathy, I ensure timely, accurate results that enhance patient care. Seeking to transition from laboratory science to a more patient-facing role in clinical trials, leveraging strong scientific expertise and lived cancer experience to support high-quality clinical research and patient care.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Medical Laboratory Scientist
The Royal Children's Hospital
07.2009 - Current
- Conduct laboratory tests to analyse samples, ensuring accurate and timely provision of results to support inpatient and outpatient care.
- Troubleshooting minor instrument and equipment issues, ensuring optimal laboratory functionality.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and supplies, supporting operational efficiency and safety protocols.
- Assist in preparing specimens for analysis, adhering to established procedures and guidelines.
- Communicate critical haematology and blood bank test results to the care team to support timely and effective patient management.
- Identify and resolve unexpected results, directing secondary testing measures or collection efforts.
- Collaborate with team members to facilitate workflow and improve laboratory operations.
- Provision of compatible fresh and batched blood products to support patient care, often in urgent settings.
Medical Laboratory Scientist
ARL Pathology
03.2009 - 07.2009
- Conducted laboratory tests to analyse biochemistry and haematology specimens, ensuring accurate results for patient care.
Technical Officer
Launceston General Hospital
12.2002 - 03.2009
- Receipt and processing of specimens, ensuring timely processing of required tests in the appropriate laboratory departments.
- Phlebotomy, collecting required blood specimens from patients with efficiency and care.
- Preparation and analysis of samples within the haematology department, producing accurate and timely results to support patient care.
- Maintaining stocks of consumables within the laboratory to support processing and analysis of patient samples.
- Microbiology specimen processing including urine analysis and plating, antibiotic sensitivity testing, and gram stains to support the timely and accurate reporting of results by the scientific team.
- Performed quality control and instrument preventative maintenance as per standard operating procedures to ensure accurate and efficient patient sample analysis.
Education
Master of Cancer Sciences -
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC03-2025
Graduate Diploma - Medical Laboratory Sciences
University of Tasmania
Launceston, TAS12-2008
Bachelor of Applied Science -
University of Tasmania
Launceston, TAS09-1996
Skills
- Haematology and blood bank sample analysis and result interpretation
- Excellent written and oral communication
- Compassionate clinical interactions
- Extensive knowledge of medical terminology
- Specimen collection, handling, and processing
- Microscopy
- Quality control testing
- Commitment to continuing education and improvement
Certification
Good Clinical Practice (GCP) = Good Research Practice, facilitated by the Clinical Research Development Office at MCRI. Attended 26/08/2025
Timeline
Medical Laboratory Scientist
The Royal Children's Hospital
07.2009 - Current
Medical Laboratory Scientist
ARL Pathology
03.2009 - 07.2009
Technical Officer
Launceston General Hospital
12.2002 - 03.2009
Master of Cancer Sciences -
University of Melbourne
Graduate Diploma - Medical Laboratory Sciences
University of Tasmania
Bachelor of Applied Science -
University of Tasmania