Biomedizinischer Fachanalytiker/Biomedizinische Fachanalytikerin für medizinische Mikrobiologie, Virologie und Hygiene

This advanced training takes place at healthcare educational institutions. For in-person events, the learning locations are classrooms. For digital learning formats (e.g., virtual classroom), learning occurs at home, or in classrooms during in-person phases if applicable. For combined learning formats (e.g., blended learning), classrooms are used for in-person events, and home for online learning units.

Occupation type: Advanced training occupation. Type of advanced training: Advanced training according to internal regulations of educational institutions. Duration of advanced training: Maximum 3 years (part-time). Tasks and activities: Biomedical specialist analysts for medical microbiology, virology, and hygiene examine tissue samples or body fluids for viruses, bacteria, and fungi, for example. They establish tissue cultures and conduct investigations with them to find, for instance, antibodies against specific pathogens. They participate in the extraction of substances for new medications and test their effectiveness, for example, against bacterial infectious diseases. In virological diagnostics, they detect pathogens or antibodies, for instance, through blood serum examinations. For the prevention of viral diseases, they test the effectiveness of vaccines. They coordinate and supervise the course of investigations, control and document sample data and investigation results.

Part-time: maximum 3 years.

Distribution of hours (example): Immunobiology: 30 teaching hours. Microbiological preanalytics, pathogen diagnostics, and screening tests: 20 teaching hours. Antibiotic diagnostics and infectious findings: 30 teaching hours. Molecular genetics and methods of molecular biology: 40 teaching hours. Special clinical microbiology with exemplary finding interpretation: 30 teaching hours. Special clinical virology with exemplary finding interpretation: 40 teaching hours. Special mycology: 20 teaching hours. Practice of scientific work: 40 teaching hours. Applied infection epidemiology: 30 teaching hours. Infection hygiene and hygiene management: 30 teaching hours. Total teaching hours: 310 teaching hours.

Course fees are generally incurred for attending advanced training courses, and examination fees for the examination itself. Further costs may arise, for example, for work materials, travel to the training location, or external accommodation. Funding opportunities: Support for particularly talented young professionals: Stiftung Begabtenförderung berufliche Bildung (SBB) - Weiterbildungsstipendium (Advanced Training Scholarship).

Specialization: Medical Microbiology and Virology AND Professional Qualification: Medical Microbiology and Virology OR Specialization: Hygiene Management and Infection Epidemiology AND Professional Qualification: Medical Microbiology and Virology as well as Hygiene Management and Infection Epidemiology. Common contents of the specializations and professional qualifications: Immunobiology, Microbiological Preanalytics, Pathogen Diagnostics and Screening Tests, Antibiotic Diagnostics and Infectious Findings, Molecular Genetics and Methods of Molecular Biology, Special Clinical Microbiology with Exemplary Finding Interpretation, Special Clinical Virology with Exemplary Finding Interpretation, Special Mycology, Practice of Scientific Work. Additionally in the specialization Hygiene Management and Infection Epidemiology: Applied Infection Epidemiology, Infection Hygiene and Hygiene Management.

In-depth knowledge in biology (e.g., when setting up pathogen or bacterial cultures) and chemistry (e.g., to detect enzyme activity in the laboratory) are good prerequisites for successfully passing this advanced training examination.

The advanced training consists of theoretical and practical lessons. Depending on the education provider, the instruction time is usually part-time, on weekends or in the evenings. For in-person events, lessons take place in a classroom setting at the educational institution. For digital learning forms (e.g., virtual classroom), learning occurs exclusively via electronic learning platforms and systems, predominantly from home in a classroom setting. For combined learning forms (e.g., blended learning), there are in-person events in a classroom setting at the educational institution and self-directed learning via electronic learning platforms and systems from home.

Participation in advanced training is not remunerated.

The following advanced training alternatives are available for the profession of Biomedical Specialist Analyst for Medical Microbiology, Virology, and Hygiene: In the laboratory field, you can become a Biomedical Specialist Analyst for Hematology, Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine, or Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry. The commonality is performing specialized tasks in medical laboratory analysis. In the health and social management field, you can become a Business Administrator (Fachschule) for Management in Healthcare or a Certified Specialist in Health and Social Services. The commonality is managing work processes in healthcare. In the medical field, you can become a Practical Instructor for Medical Technologists. The commonality is taking on specialized and leadership tasks in medical laboratory analysis.

In 2018, a new modularized advanced training and framework examination regulation was introduced by the German Institute for Advanced Training for Technologists and Analysts in Medicine (DIW-MTA). This regulation consists of three stages: Stage 1: Qualification as a Specialist, Stage 2: Specialist Qualification, and Stage 3: Master's Degree (optional).

Degree titles include Biomedical Specialist Analyst for Medical Microbiology & Virology (DIW-MTA) and Biomedical Specialist Analyst for Medical Microbiology & Virology and Hygiene Management & Infection Epidemiology (DIW-MTA). To acquire the aforementioned specialist qualifications, a corresponding specialization must be completed. These lead to one of the following sub-area degree titles: Specialist for Medical Microbiology & Virology (DIW-MTA) or Specialist for Hygiene Management & Infection Epidemiology (DIW-MTA).

Biomedical Specialist Analyst for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene is a professional advanced training (Weiterbildung). It is regulated by the internal provisions of the educational institutions. The part-time (Teilzeit) training lasts a maximum of 3 years.

Finding suitable employment after advanced training (Weiterbildung) is possible. Biomedical Specialist Analysts for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene work, for example, in specialist practices and hospitals. To secure employability, one can keep their expertise up-to-date, bring it to the latest standard, and expand it through adaptive advanced training (Anpassungsweiterbildung). The range of topics extends from medical laboratory to hygiene in the healthcare sector. With a higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung), one can also pursue university studies (Studium) and, for example, obtain a Bachelor's degree in Biomedicine or Molecular Medicine.

The course of study is internally regulated, for example, by the Advanced Training and Framework Examination Regulations for the advanced training courses at DIW-MTA from 01.01.2019.

The prerequisite for admission to advanced training (Weiterbildung) is usually: a final examination as a Medical Technologist for Laboratory Analytics or Medical-technical Laboratory Assistant (MTLA) (predecessor profession) or a final examination as a Medical Technologist for Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary-technical Assistant (VMTA) (predecessor profession) or a relevant completed Bachelor's degree.