Certificate of Expert Practice In

CERTIFICATE OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN

MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY

Infection Control

Mycology

Parasitology

Study Guide and Indicative Syllabus

12 Coldbath Square

London

EC1R 5HL

Tel: 020 7713 0214

Fax: 020 7837 9658

Email:

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

GUIDANCE TO CANDIDATES

CERTIFICATE OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN MICROBIOLOGY -INFECTION CONTROL

INTRODUCTION

The Institute guidance provides a nationally recognised framework to enable biomedical scientists to demonstrate the essential level of competence necessary to perform techniques in microbiology and to demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of diagnostic applications. The training syllabus covers the fundamental preparations and analyses commonly used in laboratories.

Laboratories wishing to offer this training must have Institute approval for registration training and be CPA registered. Training is conducted in-house under the overall responsibility of a named consultant pathologist, biomedical scientist or a clinical scientist of equivalent standing.

Institute’s Examination Structure

HCS Career Framework Stage / Additional optional qualifications / Membership
Class
9 / Professional Doctorate
8 / Advanced Specialist Diploma
/ Fellow
7
6 / Higher Specialist Diploma

MSc / Member / Diplomas of Expert Practice & Certificates of Expert Practice
5 / Specialist Diploma / Licentiate
Certificate of Competence

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

ELIGIBILITY

The minimum requirements for entry to training for the Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology are:

Member of the Institute of Biomedical Science Member (MIBMS)
Institute of Biomedical Science Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology or equivalent.
Registered Practitioner with the HPC
A minimum of two years whole-time equivalent post-registration experience Employment in, or secondment to, a CPA registered laboratory or equivalent with Institute registration training approval
A named supervisor (consultant pathologist and/or expert biomedical scientist and/or clinical scientist of equivalent standing)

GUIDANCE TO CANDIDATES

TRAINING LABORATORY

Any laboratory or laboratory network wishing to offer support for a biomedical scientist preparing for the Certificate of Expert Practice in Microbiology must have a significant annual through-put of cases.

NAMED SUPERVISOR

The decision to support any eligible biomedical scientist in this training lies with the individual laboratory manager. The supervisor must have an active interest in the subject area. All supervisors including those who have taken responsibility for specific aspects of the candidate’s training must complete the ‘Supervisor/mentor details’ section on the candidate’s application form and sign the declaration.

ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE

Part A -Training portfolio

Portfolios should be submitted in hard copy format by the published deadline. The exact date will be published in The Biomedical Scientist and on the Institute’s website. Candidates will not be required to attend the portfolio assessment. The Institute will endeavour to carry out all portfolio assessments within eight weeks of the submission deadline.

Candidates must achieve a pass grade in the portfolio assessment to be able to proceed to Part B. Unsuccessful candidates will be advised on areas which require development, and on the time scale for resubmission.

It is expected that the assessment of competence will be an on-going process throughout the preparation period. The training portfolio should allow for the recording of comments regarding progress and aptitude.

Theoretical knowledge and practical skills

Each aspect of preparation comprises the theoretical knowledge required to understand the processes that underpin the task and the practical skills and competencies to successfully execute the task. The eligible biomedical scientist will be expected to acquire and demonstrate the knowledge that accompanies the practical skills.

Standard operating procedures

All aspects of laboratory work must be covered by individual signed, indexed and dated standard operating procedures (SOPs). Before commencing training it is mandatory that appropriate SOPs or networks are in place to describe the departmental protocols. The biomedical scientist must operate within the SOPs or protocols at all times.

Quality control and audit

Audit forms an integral part of the training process. The requirement for review of cases forms the basis of continuing audit of a biomedical scientist’s competence and performance. Documentary evidence of this practice must be kept as part of the training record.

The training portfolio must clearly demonstrate the organising and recording of the candidate’s achievements and reflect the range of required competencies, skills and experience. As a minimum, the portfolio must include the following elements along with any additional and appropriate documentation relating to the candidate’s training:

A log of the case repertoire encountered during the training period
Copies of method sheets and standard operating procedures
Evidence of cases reviewed with the supervisor
Copies of attendance certificates at training events and evidence of involvement in training or teaching non-laboratory staff in analytical/diagnostic practice outside the laboratory.

Part B - Written examination

Paper One (Short-answer questions – 60 minutes)

Candidates will be expected to answer three out of four questions.

Paper Two (Multiple-choice questions – 60 minutes)

Candidates will be expected to answer 26 questions. Negative marking is employed for incorrect answers.

The minimum pass mark for each paper is 50%.

On securing a pass in both assessments candidates will be awarded the Institute’s Certificate of Expert Practice in Microbiology.

APPLICATION FORMS

Application forms are available from the Institute’s Office using the contact details below and may be requested by telephone or e-mail, or they may be downloaded from the Institute’s web site.

The completed application together with the correct fee must be returned to the Institute.

Incomplete, illegible or applications without fees will be returned for correction and resubmission before acceptance.

CONFIRMATION OF APPLICATION

Once accepted, candidates will be sent a confirmation of candidacy and a reminder of the submission deadline for examination portfolios.

DEFERRALS AND WITHDRAWALS

Candidates who wish to defer entry to an examination must contact the Institute a minimum of six weeks prior to the date of the examination will be entitled to a full transfer of their fees. Any deferrals made after this deadline will only be entitled to a 50% fee transfer unless proven mitigating circumstances exist. A maximum of two deferrals is permitted.

Candidates wishing to withdraw from an examination at any time will not be entitled to any reimbursement of the examination fee unless proven mitigating circumstances exist.

Candidates who are required to submit a portfolio for reassessment following a referral would be required to pay a reassessment fee.

APPEALS

Any candidate wishing to appeal against the outcome of the assessment procedure must contact the examinations department and request an appeals form. This must be completed and returned to the Chief Executive within a maximum period of 40 days following publication of the results.

CERTIFICATE OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN MICROBIOLOGY -INFECTION CONTROL

AIMS

To evidence the candidates ability to act as an independent source of information and advice on Infection Control issues.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of the Certificate of Expert Practice in Microbiology –Infection control.

Candidates will:

have an understanding of:

the theory behind Infectious Disease and it’s prevention
the clinical implications of healthcare associated infections
organisms which are specifically noteworthy
national and local policies on Infection Control

show competency at:

the laboratory diagnosis of infectious agents capable of causing infection control issues and the recommendation of appropriate sample types
advice other health professionals on need for further tests and relevance of results and the need for further tests when necessary (i.e. Clearance swabs)
keeping up to date with new methodology that may enhance infection control procedures

demonstrate the ability to:

demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of which organisms (both bacterial and viral) pose the greatest infection control risk
liaise with other healthcare professionals on the optimum method of preventing cross infection
maintain and develop the quality of the service
participate in project work and research and development
contribute to training and education.

CERTIFICATE OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN MICROBIOLOGY -MYCOLOGY

AIMS

To evidence the candidates competence in the practice of isolation and identification of human fungal infection.

This will be assessed using the following elements:

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of the Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology -Mycology candidates:

will have

an understanding of the:

range of fungal agents and diseases affecting man
sources of fungal agents causing human disease and their diagnosis
treatment options available
services offered by National Reference Centres

competency in:

laboratory diagnosis of fungal diseases and the recommendation of appropriate sample types.
advising other health professionals on relevance of results and the need for further tests where necessary
maintaining knowledge of current diagnostic methodology and contribution to changes when appropriate.

demonstrate the ability to:

demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the fungi affecting humans and methods for their diagnosis
liaise with other healthcare professionals to advise on the optimum method and samples required to make a diagnosis.
maintain and develop the quality of the service.
participate independently in project work and Research and Development programs
contribute to training and education.

CERTIFICATES OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN MICROBIOLOGY - PARASITOLOGY

AIMS

To evidence the candidates ability to act as an independent source of information on all aspects of human parasitic infestation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of the Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology –Parasitology.

Candidates will:

have an understanding of the:

range of parasitic agents and diseases affecting man
life-cycle stages causing human disease and their diagnosis
treatment options available
services offered by National Reference Centres

show competency in:

the laboratory diagnosis of parasitic diseases and the recommendation of appropriate sample types.
advise other health professionals on relevance of results and the need for further tests where necessary
maintaining knowledge of current diagnostic methodology and initiating changes when appropriate.

demonstrate the ability to:

demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the parasites affecting humans and methods for their diagnosis
liaise with other healthcare professionals to advise on the optimum method of diagnosis
maintain and develop the quality of the service
participate in project work and research and development
contribute to training and education

Certificate of Expert Practice In

INTRODUCTION

GUIDANCE TO CANDIDATES

CERTIFICATE OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN MICROBIOLOGY -INFECTION CONTROL

RECOMMENDED READING AND COURSES

CERTIFICATE OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN MICROBIOLOGY -MYCOLOGY

RECOMMENDED READING AND COURSES

CERTIFICATES OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN MICROBIOLOGY - PARASITOLOGY

RECOMMENDED READING AND COURSES