Clinical Molecular Genetics Supernumerary A Grade Training

1
Clinical Molecular Genetics Supernumerary A
Grade Training

2
How the training programme works

• TAB accreditation of labs. for training
• A training manual is prepared containing
  objectives for each module plus essay/assignment
  titles
• Training timetable
• Training portfolio maintained by trainee
• Assessments

3
General training format

• Introductory module - safety, specimen reception,
  databases, soln. making etc.
• Core topics - FraX, CF, DMD, adult neurological
  diseases, mutation detection, imprinting,
  cytogenetics
• Specialist topics
• Project
• Ethics, audit,QA, genetic counselling

4
Typical training programme
Module 1 Introduction 1-3 months Module
2 Fragile X syndrome 2 months Module
3 Haemochromatosis 1 month Module 4 Myotonic
dystrophy 1 month Module 5 Huntingtons
disease 1 month Module 6 Cystic fibrosis 2
months Module 7 SMA 1 month Module
8 PWS/AS 1 month Module 9 DMD/BMD 2
months Module 10 CMT 1 month Module
11 Sequencingcancer 5 months Module12 Cytogenetic
s 1 month Module 13 Project 3-5 months
5
Training procedure

• Each laboratory to have a named training officer
• Core competences clinical knowledge, scientific
  knowledge, technical skills, observation and
  interpretative skills, communication skills,
  innovative skills, managerial skills, health and
  safety awareness

6
Training methods

• Regular meetings with trainer to set objectives
  give feedback
• Tutorial style teaching
• Literature searches/textbook work to write notes
  prepare essays in a scientific style
• Problem solving by written practical work,
  including risk calculations
• Bench work - up to 50 caseload

7
Training methods continued

• Development/research projects within modules
• Regular in-house seminars
• Journal clubs
• Training meetings organized by the TAB e.g for
  risk calculation
• Attendance at national/international meetings
• Presentations in-house and nationally

8
Training requirements

• Attention to basic science - understanding
  functions of reagents equipment
• Self motivation a high level of personal
  responsibility for their own training
• Trainer is expected to adapt his/her style of
  teaching to trainee as long as this does not
  compromise the delivery of the programme
• Experience of report writing awareness of
  reporting times

9
Training requirements continued

• Knowledge of procedures for prenatal diagnosis
• Awareness of recent literature
• Time for background work
• Use of IT skills
• Time in other laboratories

10
Assessment

• Regular monitoring of progress of trainee
• End of module assessment - oral and via feedback
  forms
• Mock external assessment
• If there is a persistent problem, the TAB is
  informed by the training officer

11
External assessment

• Formal assessment by external TAB assessor at 6,
  12 24 months
• Examples of work index of work covered sent to
  assessor prior to assessment
• Assessor interviews trainee using competence
  statements
• Assessor interviews trainers involved for their
  view of the trainees progress
• Assessor prepares written report