Genetic Technologist Registration and the AHCS Jake Miller ACGS Workforce and Development Subcommittee

Professional Registration Set standards of professional qualifications and standards of practice Keep a Register of qualified persons Award titles Determine the conduct of registrants Investigate complaints Apply disciplinary sanctions for professional misconduct. The sole purpose of Professional Regulation is to assure the quality of professional services in the public interest.

The Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) The Academy for Healthcare Science is the overarching body for the whole of the Healthcare Science Profession, working alongside the professional bodies. Aim to ensure that Healthcare Science is recognised and respected as one of the key clinical professions in the health and care system, this includes working towards statutory regulation of all our staff groups to ensure protection for the patients we serve. The AHCS was established as a joint initiative of the UK Health Departments and the professional bodies. The AHCS has been commissioned to undertake and support several key projects including Development of consistent regulation for the healthcare science workforce e.g. by establishing accredited voluntary registers where none exist. Implementation of a system to assess and confer ‘equivalence’ of the existing qualifications and experience individuals have, mapped to the outcomes of formalised quality assured training programmes. Quality assure education and training in partnership with other stakeholders Develop common standards for healthcare science practice.

The History of GT registration 2004 - A review of regulation of non-medical professionals by the then Secretary of State - Formation of the Voluntary Registration Council (VRC) - Formation of Associated Genetic Technologist Committee (AGTC) 2006 - VRC opens it register to Genetic Technologists 2007 - The Government publishes a White Paper ‘Trust, Assurance and Safety – the Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century’ which identifies healthcare scientists as a priority group for future regulation 2008 - The four UK health departments publish a consultation document looking at the future of the healthcare science workforce 2010 -The four UK health departments confirm that they remained committed to regulation

The History of GT registration 2011 - The Coalition Government publish a Command Paper ‘Enabling Excellence’, which sets out the new policy on professional regulation. The paper outlines a system of ‘assured voluntary registration’ and says that in the future statutory regulation will only be considered where there is a ‘compelling case’ and where ‘voluntary registers are not considered sufficient to manage this risk’. The coalition Government effectively ruled out the extension of statutory regulation with this publication 2012 - The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) is launched. Its role and duties are set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Launch of the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) 2013 - VRC engages with PSA and AHCS while investigating the best mechanism of achieving an Accredited Voluntary Register (AVR) 2014 VRC consults with members on best approach to achieving AVR Minimal response to consultation but all agree

As of 1st September 2014 VRC closed its register All VRC registrants transferred to the AHCS Register Jan 2015 the AHCS voluntary register became formally accredited by PSA.

Routes to Registration Through a Certificate of Competence as a Genetic Technologist By demonstrating Equivalence as a Practitioner By graduating from an accredited undergraduate PTP programme. These individuals can either choose to register as a BMS with HCPC or as a Practitioner with AHCS.

Certificate of Competence http://www.ahcs.ac.uk/the-register/join-the-register/ Certificate of competence application The full application fee (£50) A copy of a proof of identity (passport or Government-issued photo ID e.g. driving licence) A passport-sized photograph A valid Disclosure & Barring Service check (£26) A summary of professional experience Copies of relevant qualifications Two professional references

Prerequisite for Certificate of Competence ? Degree in approved subject, 3 years (or 5000 hours) experience in approved post Degree and NTP certificate of competence Degree and PTP certificate of competence 6 years (10K hours) experience, with 3 at career framework 5 or above

Equivalence? Equivalence to PTP undergraduate More stringent – portfolio of evidence Mapped against PTP curricula Initial application (£10 if rejected, £50 if accepted) ‘Gathering evidence’ – 6 months Assessment of evidence > Outcome Certificate of Equivalence

Graduates of an accredited PTP undergraduate course Practitioners who have completed an HCPC-approved PTP course in Life Sciences are eligible to either: Apply for Statutory Regulation as Biomedical Scientists. Apply for registration as a Practitioner

Application for Entry onto Register With certificate of competence or PTP qualification, can then apply to join register Online application Declarations Descriptions of training Documents (e.g. Cert. Of Competence) Evidence of CPD £50 registration fee

What’s next? Labs are likely to see registration for GTs as increasingly important Concept of voluntary register for Assistant and Associate level practitioners has been raised and is being looked at by AHCS Gold standard remains: Statutory registration as a professional group

Your views do matter and I will submit them to the ACGS For more information Email: registration@ahcs.ac.uk http://www.ahcs.ac.uk/ http://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/ Use your feedback form to submit your views, questions or concerns regarding registration – Your views do matter and I will submit them to the ACGS