Training and Education for Genetic Technologists David Baty (Chair TAB) Kim Smith (Chair ETC) Association of Clinical Cytogeneticists MTO Study Day: 28 th June 2006

Current Situation for Technologists Presently two separate disciplines; Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics Lack of clearly defined Career Path for Technologists No National training programme; locally delivered and different Range of different entrance qualifications Any joint-discipline training is dependant on local arrangements No recognised and assessed level of Competence MTO Study Day: 28 th June 2006

However……. Any future workforce planning will require appropriate mix of highly- trained Technologists and Scientists Requirement for Registration with Health Professions Council through Voluntary Registration Council Formation of Associated Genetic Technologists Committee Excellent model of joint partnership between Technologists and Scientists within Professional Bodies Key elements in place to develop future training

MTO Study Day: 28 th June 2006 Training of Technologists and Scientists is set to change!!

MTO Study Day: 28 th June 2006 Modernising Healthcare Science Careers Programme National Modernisation programme being driven by Dept of Health –Modernising Pre-Registration Education & Training –Acceptable to Health Professions Council –Training programmes accredited by Higher Education Institution –Embedding a qualifications and career framework for Health Care Scientists (UK-wide) Facilitating development of a local delivery infrastructure

MTO Study Day: 28 th June 2006 Pre-registration Education and Training Modernisation Approved by Ministers, UK wide acceptance Part of HCS work programme within Skills for Health Aim to modernise Pre-Reg education and training for both regulated groups and all aspirant groups (Scientists and Technologists) General principles - Fit for practice - Integrated skills and knowledge - Defined scope of practice linked to service needs appropriate to level of underpinning knowledge - Professional (workplace) practice embedded within programmes/awards informed by HCS NOS and linked to robust assessment of competence - Independently assessed and quality controlled - Opportunities for common approaches to delivery (Generic/Core)

MTO Study Day: 28 th June 2006 Modalities - Life Sciences Currently 46 disciplines across Clinical Science recognised by Health Professions Council Drive by Dept of Health & Health Professions Council to amalgamate Life Sciences into groups below –Clinical Biochemistry, Immunology, Paediatric Metabolic Biochemistry and Toxicology –Haematology, Transfusion, Tissue Banking, Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics –Microbiology, Virology, Bacteriology, Mycology and Parasitology –Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics –Embryology and Andrology –Cellular Science, Electron Microscopy, Molecular Oncology, Immunohistochemistry and Myology

MTO Study Day: 28 th June 2006 How will these proposals affect Technologists in the future? National Training programme accredited by Higher Education Institution Trainees will exit with an academic qualification Training programme likely to be generic or have common core modules Training programme is required for Registration First rung on career escalator.

A Career Framework for the NHS MORE SENIOR STAFF Staff with the ultimate responsibility for clinical caseload decision-making and full on-call accountability. CONSULTANT PRACTITIONERS Staff working at a very high level of clinical expertise and/or have responsibility for the planning of services. ADVANCED PRACTITIONERS Experienced clinical professionals who have developed their skills and theoretical knowledge to a very high standard. They are empowered to make high-level clinical decisions and will often have their own caseload. Non-clinical staff at level 7 will typically be managing a number of service areas. SENIOR PRACTITIONERS / SPECIALIST PRACTITIONERS Staff who would have a higher degree of autonomy and responsibility than Practitioners in the clinical environment, or who would be managing one or more service areas in the non-clinical environment. PRACTITIONERS Most frequently regsitered practitioners in their first and second post-registration / professional qualification jobs. ASSISTANT PRACTITIONERS / ASSOCIATE PRACTITIONERS Probably studying for foundation degree or BTEC HND. Some of their remit will involve them in delivering protocol-based clinical care that had previously been in the remit of registered professionals, under the direction and supervision of a state registered practitioner. SENIOR HEALTHCARE ASSISTANTS / TECHNICIANS Have a higher level of responsibility than support worker, probably studying for of have attained NVQ Level 3, or Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) SUPPORT WORKERS Frequently with the job title of Healthcare Assistant/technician - probably studying for of have attained NVQ Level 2. INITIAL ENTRY LEVEL JOBS Jobs such as Domestics or cadets requiring very little formal education or previous knowledge, skills or experience in delivering, or supporting the delivery of healthcare SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Healthcare Scientist Career Pathway Assistant 1-2 Senior Assistant 3 Associate Practitioner 4 Practitioner 5 Specialist Practitioner 6 Advanced Practitioner 7 Consultant Practitioner 8 Consultant Director 9 Linked to Functional Framework: Knowledge, training, expertise Analytical, physical, clinical skills Financial, physical human resources Planning, policy, service development Autonomy/freedom to act Research and development Patient care and public health Benchmarked against: National Occupational Standards Agenda for Change Supported by: Education and training pathways Award and Qualification framework

Scope of Practice Fit to practice at the point of Registration Knowledge and Skills Performance criteria and range Framework for design of training and development Framework for assessment of performance at work Training Manual Syllabus Learning Specification Work Objectives Workplace Assessment Actual workplace performance

MTO Study Day: 28 th June 2006 What do WE have to do now? Core Concepts Cyto and Molecular Discipline Specific Cytogenetics Discipline Specific Molecular AGTC / CMGS / ACC

MTO Study Day: 28 th June 2006 Any Questions?