Euroguidance Austria
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T +43 1 534 08 - 0
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E lebenslanges-lernen@oead.at
Austrian education system
Here you can download (pdf) a grafical overview of the austrian education system.
Educational institutions for clinical assistants
Educational institutions for clinical assistants ( Schulen für den medizinisch-technischen Fachdienst) provide vocational training and entitle their graduates to work as clinical assistants ( Diplomierte medizinisch-technische Fachkraft) (completion: diploma examination). The programme takes thirty months and is offered at five sites in Austria.
> Access
• age of not less than 17 years
• medical fitness
• good character and standing
• successful completion of compulsory schooling
> Programme
Theoretical instruction/subjects:
Basic Programme: anatomy and physiology; introduction to physics, in particular electricity; general pathology; hygiene; first aid and wound dressing; basic health, labour and social security legislation; introduction to operational management in hospitals.
Clinical-technical part: introduction to laboratory science; simple clinical-technical laboratory methods (chemistry, histology, microbiology, serology, haematology, clinical microscopy and clinical laboratory testing, blood-typing techniques).
Radiological-technical part: assistance in the use of X-rays for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes (radiation biology and protection, radiation physics and radiological dosimetry, patient positioning / parameter setting and imaging techniques, handling and care of equipment, preparation of and assistance during radiological examinations, X-ray photography).
Physiotherapeutic part: anatomy and pathology oriented to physical medicine; simple physiotherapeutic treatment methods (thermotherapy, electrotherapy, light therapy, hydrotherapy, balneotherapy and massage).
Practical training:
at relevant hospital departments, institutes and other facilities available to the school.
> Job description / field of activities
On a doctor's orders and under a doctor’s supervision only,
• application of simple laboratory methods (simple urine and blood tests, smear preparation for the analysis of body fluids, excretion and secretion products)
• simple physiotherapeutic treatment in the fields of thermotherapy, light therapy, hydrotherapy and balneotherapy as well as simple massage
• assistance in the use of X-rays
> Career
Clinical assistants may be employed by hospitals, other establishments under medical management or supervision that specialise in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of diseases or in the nursing of persons needing care, or by medical practitioners.
> Further opportunities for education and training
There are the following opportunities for education and training for clinical assistants:
- vocational matriculation examination ( Berufsreifeprüfung)
- education and training for biomedical scientists, radiological technologists or physiotherapists
- short training course for medical masseurs
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