Clinical cytogeneticist : Training

The new training programme for clinical scientists leads to a specifically commissioned and accredited Masters degree and certification of workplace-based training. After a month-long academic introductory session, the trainees then do four separate three-month rotations, working in specific specialist areas in the workplace. Following this, they choose an elective for four to six months. The final workplace part is an 18-month placement of the chosen single specialist area. Throughout this, the trainee continues to study part time for a Masters degree.

Following at least four years in a pre-registration post, and having been awarded the certificate of competence by the Association of Clinical Scientists (ACS) , trainees are eligible to apply for state registration as a clinical cytogeneticist with the Clinical Science Board of the Health Professions Council (HPC) . During the pre-registration period, trainees are expected to have completed Part I of their MRCPath (membership of The Royal College of Pathologists ).

Pre-registration trainees are funded centrally by the National Health Service (NHS) (see NHS Careers ) so that securing a post-registration position usually involves moving to a different hospital if no posts are available in the hospital where the pre-registration training was based.

Post-registration training posts, at Band 7, are provided regionally by the NHS. These involve rotation schemes to a number of hospitals to provide balanced training. Again, a training record is kept which covers clinical liaison, service commitment, research and development, communication, clinical audit, laboratory management, critical appraisal of literature and data, and further study towards Part II of the MRCPath, which enables the post-registrant to apply for principal clinical cytogenetics and consultancy posts.

Clinical scientists are expected to achieve at least one further vocational qualification (for example, a Chartered award or membership of an appropriate professional body).

All post-registration clinical scientists are required to take part in continuing professional development (CPD). This is organised by The Royal College of Pathologists.