1. Genetic Technologist Registration and the AHCS
Jake Miller
ACGS Workforce and Development Subcommittee

2. Professional Registration
Set standards of professional qualifications and standards of practice
Keep a Register of qualified persons
Award titles
Determine the conduct of registrants
Investigate complaints
Apply disciplinary sanctions for professional misconduct.
The sole purpose of Professional Regulation is to assure the quality of professional services in the public interest.

3. The Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS)
The Academy for Healthcare Science is the overarching body for the whole of the Healthcare Science Profession, working alongside the professional bodies.
Aim to ensure that Healthcare Science is recognised and respected as one of the key clinical professions in the health and care system, this includes working towards statutory regulation of all our staff groups to ensure protection for the patients we serve.
The AHCS was established as a joint initiative of the UK Health Departments and the professional bodies. The AHCS has been commissioned to undertake and support several key projects including
Development of consistent regulation for the healthcare science workforce e.g. by establishing accredited voluntary registers where none exist.
Implementation of a system to assess and confer ‘equivalence’ of the existing qualifications and experience individuals have, mapped to the outcomes of formalised quality assured training programmes.
Quality assure education and training in partnership with other stakeholders
Develop common standards for healthcare science practice.

4. The History of GT registration
A review of regulation of non-medical professionals by the then Secretary of State - Formation of the Voluntary Registration Council (VRC) - Formation of Associated Genetic Technologist Committee (AGTC)
VRC opens it register to Genetic Technologists
The Government publishes a White Paper ‘Trust, Assurance and Safety – the Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century’ which identifies healthcare scientists as a priority group for future regulation
The four UK health departments publish a consultation document looking at the future of the healthcare science workforce
The four UK health departments confirm that they remained committed to regulation

5. The History of GT registration
The Coalition Government publish a Command Paper ‘Enabling Excellence’, which sets out the new policy on professional regulation. The paper outlines a system of ‘assured voluntary registration’ and says that in the future statutory regulation will only be considered where there is a ‘compelling case’ and where ‘voluntary registers are not considered sufficient to manage this risk’.
The coalition Government effectively ruled out the extension of statutory regulation with this publication
The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) is launched. Its role and duties are set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012.
Launch of the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS)
VRC engages with PSA and AHCS while investigating the best mechanism of achieving an Accredited Voluntary Register (AVR)
2014 VRC consults with members on best approach to achieving AVR
Minimal response to consultation but all agree

6. As of 1st September 2014 VRC closed its register All VRC registrants transferred to the AHCS Register Jan 2015 the AHCS voluntary register became formally accredited by PSA.

7. Routes to Registration
Through a Certificate of Competence as a Genetic Technologist
By demonstrating Equivalence as a Practitioner
By graduating from an accredited undergraduate PTP programme. These individuals can either choose to register as a BMS with HCPC or as a Practitioner with AHCS.

8. Certificate of Competence
Certificate of competence application
The full application fee (£50)
A copy of a proof of identity (passport or Government-issued photo ID e.g. driving licence)
A passport-sized photograph
A valid Disclosure & Barring Service check (£26)
A summary of professional experience
Copies of relevant qualifications
Two professional references

9. Prerequisite for Certificate of Competence ?
Degree in approved subject, 3 years (or 5000 hours) experience in approved post
Degree and NTP certificate of competence
Degree and PTP certificate of competence
6 years (10K hours) experience, with 3 at career framework 5 or above

10. Equivalence? Equivalence to PTP undergraduate
More stringent – portfolio of evidence
Mapped against PTP curricula
Initial application (£10 if rejected, £50 if accepted)
‘Gathering evidence’ – 6 months
Assessment of evidence > Outcome
Certificate of Equivalence

11. Graduates of an accredited PTP undergraduate course
Practitioners who have completed an HCPC-approved PTP course in Life Sciences are eligible to either:
Apply for Statutory Regulation as Biomedical Scientists.
Apply for registration as a Practitioner

12. Application for Entry onto Register
With certificate of competence or PTP qualification, can then apply to join register
Online application
Declarations
Descriptions of training
Documents (e.g. Cert. Of Competence)
Evidence of CPD
£50 registration fee

13. What’s next?
Labs are likely to see registration for GTs as increasingly important
Concept of voluntary register for Assistant and Associate level practitioners has been raised and is being looked at by AHCS
Gold standard remains: Statutory registration as a professional group

14. Your views do matter and I will submit them to the ACGS
For more information
Use your feedback form to submit your views, questions or concerns regarding registration –
Your views do matter and I will submit them to the ACGS