Training and Education for Genetic Technologists

1
Training and Education for Genetic Technologists

• David Baty (Chair TAB) Kim Smith (Chair
  ETC)

MTO Study Day 28th June 2006
2
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 28th June 2006
3
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 28th June 2006
4
Training of Technologists and Scientists is set
to change!!
MTO Study Day 28th June 2006
5
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 28th June 2006
6
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 28th June 2006
7
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 28th June 2006
8
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.

MTO Study Day 28th June 2006
9
A Career Framework for the NHS
MORE SENIOR STAFF Staff with the ultimate
responsibility for clinical caseload
decision-making and full on-call accountability.
9
CONSULTANT PRACTITIONERS Staff working at a very
high level of clinical expertise and/or have
responsibility for the planning of services.
8
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.
7
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.
6
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
9
PRACTITIONERS Most frequently regsitered
practitioners in their first and second
post-registration / professional qualification
jobs.
5
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
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.
4
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)
3
SUPPORT WORKERS Frequently with the job title of
Healthcare Assistant/technician - probably
studying for of have attained NVQ Level 2.
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.
1
10
Healthcare Scientist Career Pathway
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
Supported by Education and training
pathways Award and Qualification framework
Consultant Director 9
Consultant Practitioner 8
Advanced Practitioner 7
Specialist Practitioner 6
Practitioner 5
Associate Practitioner 4
Senior Assistant 3
Assistant 1-2
Benchmarked against National Occupational
Standards Agenda for Change
11
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
Work Objectives
Syllabus Learning Specification
Workplace Assessment Actual workplace performance
12
What do WE have to do now?
Core Concepts Cyto and Molecular
Discipline Specific Cytogenetics
Discipline Specific Molecular
AGTC / CMGS / ACC
MTO Study Day 28th June 2006
13
Any Questions?
MTO Study Day 28th June 2006