Our Courses

We aim to fulfil the training needs of both trainee and fully qualified staff.  

To ensure that our aims are met, we offer training for various staff including cytology screeners, biomedical scientists, StRs/SpRs, pathologists and sample takers.  The number of course participants is currently restricted to a maximum of 17 to assist in delivering a high level of individual tuition.

Ad hoc courses and travelling workshops can be arranged according to specific requirements.

All our courses are appropriately accredited - CEC CPD NAC IBMS RCPath

PLEASE REFER TO OUR Calendar  FOR SCHEDULED COURSES.

PLEASE ALSO CHECK FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON OUR  Administration  PAGE.

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INTRODUCTORY COURSE
Sample Programme

The objective of the introductory course in cervical cytopathology is to provide students with theoretical and practical instruction in cervical cytology.  The course is designed to prepare students to take the examination for the City & Guilds Diploma in Cervical Cytology and is part of the formal structured programme of training described in the City & Guilds Handbook.

Trainees should commence the course during the first 6 months of their employment.  A preliminary period of at least 6 weeks’ work in a cytology laboratory is recommended for students to obtain the maximum benefit from the course.  During this time, the trainees should be taught how to use a microscope to visualise cells for interpretation.

Our introductory courses are of 4 weeks’ duration (120 hours).  These 4 weeks do not always run continuously but are normally delivered within a 6-week period.

A structured assessment system is used throughout the course to test the knowledge, understanding and skills of the student as the course progresses.  The assessment consists of written and screening tests.  Students are assessed at the end of each week of the course and the results are discussed individually.  A formal assessment is sent to the scientific head of the cytology department where the trainee is employed and to the departmental training officer to discuss with the student.

There is a formal review of the course programme and the outcomes at the end of each course.  As part of the process, participants are asked to complete an evaluation form.  

This course is offered in liquid-based SurePath and ThinPrep cytology.

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FOLLOW-ON COURSE
Sample Programme

Our Introductory Courses are supported by a Follow-on Course.  The aims of the follow-on course are to revise the topics taught on the introductory course, consolidate skills, identify problem areas and provide additional remedial teaching.  

Follow-on courses take place within 12 months of the introductory course.  The course comprises 5 days (30 hours) of training.  The course content, teaching methods and teaching materials complement those of the introductory course.

Students are assessed at the end of the course and the results are discussed individually.  A formal assessment is sent to the scientific head of the cytology department where the trainee is employed and to the departmental training officer to discuss with the student.

This course is offered in liquid-based SurePath and ThinPrep cytology.

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PRE-EXAMINATION COURSE FOR THE CITY & GUILDS DIPLOMA IN CERVICAL CYTOLOGY

Our Pre-Exam Course is a 2 day course held on consecutive days.   Participants normally attend between 3 months and 6 weeks before the examination for which they are entered.

The aim of the course is to assist in the final preparation leading up to the Examination for the NHSCSP Certificate or City and Guilds Diploma in Cytology with:

1. Revision of the knowledge and understanding required for the written examination
2. Practice in the screening techniques required for the practical examination.
3. Two mock examinations

Students are assessed at the end of the course and results are discussed individually.

This course is offered in liquid-based SurePath and ThinPrep cytology.

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UPDATE COURSES
Sample Programme

Our update courses aim to inform all grades of qualified staff working in the screening programme about developments in cervical cytology and the NHSCP.  We offer these updates as 1-day courses to offer maximum flexibility in achieving required updates over three years and to enable staff to meet their professional requirements for CPD.  These courses are continuously updated to reflect current developments in cytology and are offered in liquid-based SurePath and ThinPrep cytology.

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GYNAECOLOGICAL AND NON-GYNAECOLOGICAL CYTOLOGY MASTER CLASSES

Our master classes are specifically designed for consultant pathologists, consultant BMSs and very experienced cytology staff requiring an update and are presented by national speakers with a particular interest in the programme topic.

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NON-GYNAECOLOGICAL CYTOLOGY FOR TECHNICAL STAFF
Sample Programme

This is a two-day course ideal for anyone completing their Specialist Diploma in Cytopathology or non-medical staff wishing to gain experience in non-gynaecological cytology.  The course covers sample collection and preparation techniques, serious fluids, urine and respiratory cytology and includes lectures, workshops, multiheader microscope sessions and self-assessment elements.

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NON-GYNAECOLOGICAL CYTOPATHOLOGY COURSE FOR TRAINEE PATHOLOGISTS (Preparation for the FRCPath Part 2 Exam)
Sample Programme

This is a comprehensive 3-day cytology course that includes the salient aspects of diagnostic non-gynaecological cytopathology.  All the tutors on this course have considerable expertise and use a variety of techniques - lectures, workshops and multiheader sessions.  The teaching material used will be available for revision throughout the course.  There will be a mock exam that seeks to emulate the FRCPath Part 2 exam with an opportunity to discuss the "exam" cases with the tutor.

This course is also suitable for Advanced Practitioners and Senior Biomedical Scientists to update knowledge in specific areas of non-gynaecological cytology.  Single sessions are available.

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GYNAECOLOGICAL CYTOPATHOLOGY COURSE FOR TRAINEE PATHOLOGISTS (Preparation for the FRCPath Part2 Exam)
Sample Programme

This is a comprehensive 2-day cytology course that includes the salient aspects of diagnostic gynaecological cytopathology.  The course programme is a combination of lectures, individual microscopy and multiheader microscopy.  Reporting and management guidance for cervical samples will be covered prior to a mock exam in the format of the FRCPath Part 2 exam.  There will be an opportunity to discuss the "exam" cases with the tutor along with tips and techniques to help prepare for the exam.

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HISTOPATHOLOGY COURSE
Sample Programme

This is a comprehensive course lasting two working weeks and providing an overview of systemic histopathology.  There are topic-based lectures on the pathology of individual systems and facilitated video microscopy or multiheader sessions are undertaken.  These have proved extremely popular with previous attendees.  In addition, there are timed slide seminars in general pathology.  There is a mock exam that seeks to emulate the surgical, frozen section and macro sections of the FRCPath Part 2 examination followed by detailed feedback and an opportunity to discuss the "exam" cases with the tutor.

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BASIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, HISTOPATHOLOGY & COLPOSCOPY COURSE (in conjunction with BSCCP)
Pathology Day Sample Programme

This course is designed to provide colposcopists with an opportunity to have hands-on experience in aspects of cellular pathology which have an impact on the practice of colposcopy.  There are sessions with a multiheader microscope where you can look at cervical samples and cervical biopsies, as well as cases where findings at cytology / histology / colposcopy do not match.  Cases chosen for these sessions will be illustrative of the common situations faced in cervical screening e.g. the false negative and false positive samples.  There will also be a tour around the histology and cytology laboratories where you will see how the specimens you have taken have been dealt with.  Attendance at these sessions can be counted towards logbook requirements.

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BCTC SAMPLE TAKER UPDATE TRAINING COURSES

This is a half-day update training course for experienced cervical liquid-based cytology sample takers. The update includes sessions to discuss current changes in the NHSCSP and introduction of new policies with interactive quizzes and case studies.  This course provides the mandatory  3-yearly training required to maintain competancy as a sample taker.  

Birmingham & Solihull Cluster

Please contact your PCT or Birmingham Cytology Training Centre for further information.

Sandwell PCT

For further details regarding Sandwell PCT Sample Taker Update training please contact:
Daniel Stanyard Email: daniel.stanyard@sandwell-pct.nhs.uk

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If you are employed as a cytologist within the West Midlands region, our training facilities and resources may be used on an individual or group basis by prior arrangement.

The Training Centre reserves the right to cancel courses or change a course timetable, if necessary, at short notice

This page was last modified on Fri Apr 13 2012