Genetic Technologist Registration - update

1. Genetic Technologist Registration - update Marcus Allen, AGTC Education Lead

2. A Brief History • Associated Genetic Technologists Committee formed and met 21.09.04 • AGTC remit – “To facilitate the regulation of MTOs in NHS Genetic diagnostic labs through the Voluntary Registration Council.” • Act as the registration body to assess the GT applicants for regulation by the VRC. • Act as the professional lead on all matters relating to Technical Staff.

3. AGTC Roles • AGTC Member as Technical Lead on both the ACC Executive and the CMGS Executive • AGTC Member as Technical Lead on both ACC Education and Training Committee & CMGS Training and Accreditation Board • AGTC Secretary & Registrar attend the VRC as Council members.

4. What have the AGTC done so far? • Genetic Technologists – proposed title at registration? • Input into all paperwork for the VRC - Articles of Association - Memorandum of Incorporation - Application form - Codes of conduct (both Council members & Registrants) - Fitness to practice procedures

5. What have the AGTC done so far? • Produced all VRC paperwork relating to Genetic Technologists - Guidance notes - Entry routes - Assessment of Qualification & Competence forms - Scrutinisers forms • Scope of Practice for Genetic Technologists • Standards of Proficiency

6. Awaiting applications • VRC started accepting applications for Voluntary Registration in September 2006 • Applications scrutinised by AGTC members • ~400 Genetic Technologists • Please visit www.vrcouncil.org

7. What next? • Future Education and Training of Genetic Technologists • Currently, no defined entry route to profession or training schemes • Skills for Health & DH - Modernisation of Pre-Registration Education and Training of Healthcare Scientists

8. SfH Key Aim To help the sector achieve a skilled and flexible workforce in order to improve health and healthcare by: • Developing and managing national workforce competences • Profiling the UK workforce • Identifying workforce trends and needs • Improving workforce skills • Influencing provision of education, training and development

9. Scope of the SfH HCS Programme • Integration of HCS NOS into Skills for Health • Development of an Awards and Qualifications Framework • Modernisation of pre-registration education, training to ensure programmes are: • Fit for purpose • Competence based • Allow a variety of entry routes • Embed HCS NOS in practice and learning across the career framework.

10. DH Education & Training requirements • Entry to register through approved qualification (e.g. HNC/HND, 1st degree or Masters) or by grandparenting • Practitioner must meet standards of proficiency • Validity of qualifications i.e. who awards them and are they independently assessed and monitored • 3 years, with registration as end-point

11. 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 both regulated groups and all aspirant groups • General principles - Fitness for practice programmes - Integrated skills and knowledge - Defined scope of practicelinked 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 QA - Clear APEL arrangements to facilitate fast tracking - Opportunities for common approaches to delivery ( generic/core) • Funding and commissioning arrangements

12. Possible graduate programme

13. Possible learning packages: general Audit Communication Personal Development Data & Information Management Problem solving Ethics Quality Management Health and Safety Research & Development Key skills for health Statistics and data analysis Management Maths and statistics Multidisciplinary / multiprofessional / team working NHS Policy, Priorities & Organisation Underpinning Science inc anatomy, physiology, cell biology

14. Possible learning packages: common • Specimens and samples • Equipment and technology • Reporting results • Analysis of data • Knowledge of disease processes • Communicating with patients & carers • Quality • QA, Clinical Governance, QC, interpretation of quality data • Service improvements related to area of work

15. Possible learning packages: specific • Equipment and technology • Science applied in own work area • Plan, perform, interpret, report, review, advise • Knowledge of disease processes – specific and detailed • Knowledge of Human Body systems – specific and detailed • Skills, including professional practice - limitations, scope, SoP, etc

16. CMGS Training & Accreditation Board • Genetics Paperwork - Split ‘Scope of Practice’ into what can be taught to i) All Healthcare disciplines ii) All Life Science disciplines iii) All Genetic disciplines iv) Molecular / Cytogenetic discipline

17. Outcome • Not keen for CS training to be condensed into 3 years to registration • Some could be ok for GTs. • Used with NOS and Competence to draw up HEI-accredited course.

18. Latest developments • SfH to concentrate on NOS and Competence • DH to take back Modernisation of Pre-registration training • National Competence Manual on hold

19. What now? • AGTC and TAB keen to push forward with a training scheme for GTs • Possibly through online package with University • Accredit current training schemes • Will DH fund?!

20. Further information • Visit www.cmgs.org, updates to appear on Genetic Technologist section