1. A fitting venue! Developments with the Royal College of Pathologists
Geraldine Hartshorne

2. Why did ACE get involved with RCPath?
promote high standards of practice in clinical embryology and to support the professional interests of embryologists working in the UK.
Problem: how to ensure that senior clinical embryologists are recognised by:
(1) their employers, (2) their peers in other scientific disciplines and (3) internationally

3. Mandate, ACE 1997 Go away and think about it!
Recognition needed for embryologists at high level, but reflecting job of clinical embryologist
Not agreed whether ‘every lab must have one’
Portfolio approach appropriate ie not MSc/University based
Legal basis of accreditation to be considered
Compatible with state registration
Go away and think about it!

4. Timeline (1) Early 1990s - first approach from ACE to RCPath
Establishment of ACE Professional Development Committee
Considered how to quantify and document senior status
Considered possible accrediting bodies
Exploratory meetings with shortlisted accrediting bodies (RCPath, RCOG, ESHRE)
Consultation of ACE membership
Consultation of ACE honorary members

5. Timeline (2)
May 2003 Feedback from consultation. Firm mandate to negotiate with RCPath
Embryology reps coopted to
Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC) Genetics (currently Ginny Bolton, Mike Hooper)
Standing Committee for Clinical Science (SCCS) (currently Dave Morroll)
April 2004 Negotiations concluded
May 2004 Approval by College Council

6. What is the Royal College of Pathologists?
The Royal College of Pathologists' mission is to promote excellence in the practice of pathology and to be responsible for maintaining standards through training, examinations and professional development.
The Royal College of Pathologists is the competent and authoritative body for professional training and standards in the pathology specialties in the UK. Fellowship and Membership of the College are widely respected indicators of specialist status and evidence of a commitment to high professional standards in the science and practice of pathology.

7. Membership conferred by examination

8. Who are the Pathologists?
Biochemistry
Genetics
Toxicology
Histocompatibility
Immunogenetics
Haematology
Histopathology
Immunology
Medical microbiology
Cytopathology
Neuropathology
Forensic pathology
Etc….
Proportion of medically qualified and scientifically qualified consultants varies across disciplines from 0% to 100%

9. Terms of agreement:
Clinical embryologists become eligible for full membership of college and election to Council
Able to take same roles as other disciplines (reps to CSSC and SAC formalised)
Initially to work closely with SAC Genetics (renamed to Genetics and Embryology) until gain 30 members, then can form own SAC
Grandfathering allowed through part I (2 yr window of opportunity) but not part 2
Eligibility for grandfathering (see later!)
Exams to be set up in clinical embryology (as for other disciplines)

10. Timeline (3) 2004 - ACE and College agree the terms
Preliminary discussions with College Examinations Officer re transitional arrangements and examinations structure
7 December 2006 – first grandfathered entrants examined (viva x 2)
15 March 2007 – first grandfathered entrants hopefully approved by council.

11. Structure of MRCPath exams
TWO PARTS
Eligibility. 1st or 2nd class hons degree (or others considered on individual basis)
Part 1 (~3 years after beginning training)
Part 2 (minimum ~2 years after part 1)

12. Part 1
aims to determine whether an individual has, at an early stage of training, successfully acquired a core body of knowledge that will underpin their ability to practise in their chosen specialty.
…..Knowledge

13. Part 2
Medical: to provide quality assurance that a trainee who has successfully completed the curriculum and programme (including assessment through the Record of In-Training Assessment [RITA] process) is able to practise as an unsupervised specialist and be awarded a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in the specialty.
Non-medical: passing the MRCPath examination indicates they have reached a standard of unsupervised practice.
…..Skills

14. Structure of MRCPath exams
Part 1
Theory exam (2 x 3 hour paper: one short answer, one essay)
(must pass theory before taking practical exam)
Practical exam (1 x 3 hour paper, plus oral)
Part 2
Written submission
case histories
PhD or MD during training
Dissertation (practical topic agreed in advance)
Portfolio of >6 published papers
(must have submission accepted before oral)
1 hour searching oral interview
prepared questions and free discussion
(science, regulation, management)

15. PART 1 PART 2 Awarded ACE certificate Get trainee embryology job
State Registration (4 years)
Relevant
BSc or
equivalent
ACE
certificate
2+ years
Further
supervised
experience
Independent
Practitioner
doing CPD
PART 1
PART 2
Do embryology Masters course
Theory
Practical & oral
Written
Oral

16. First RCPath Examiners Panel in
Clinical Embryology
Sue Avery, Mary Herbert, Greg Horne, Geraldine Hartshorne (Chair)
We will facilitate
Grandfathering past part I (via CV and interview) – UK only
Establishing discipline-specific exams for part I
Examination of part 2 submissions and interviews
Maintenance of standards equivalent to other disciplines
Aims:
Establishment of a recognised ‘consultant level’ qualification
Eventually available internationally

17. Grandparenting…. NB…GRANDPARENT THROUGH PART ONE ONLY To be eligible…
ACE Diploma plus
5 years working as a clinical embryologist Or
6 years working as a clinical embryologist
Part time pro rata

18. Grandparenting…. Evidence required…
Academic certificates
ACE Diploma (if you have one)
Detailed CV
Professional references
Statement of practice (ie HOW YOU TRAINED, WHAT YOU DO)
Interview
No fee!
NB, a grandparent application does not guarantee acceptance.
ACE setting up advisory group to prescreen potential applicants to help avoid problems.

19. Grandparenting…. What the examiners look for…
Basic theoretical knowledge
Safe and legal in lab
Know own limits
Range/breadth/depth of practice
Logical approach to problem solving
Responsibility
Presentation

20. Don’t miss out!! Grandparenting….
Window of opportunity = 2 years ONLY.
Likely dates, submission deadlines between mid 2007 and mid 2009.
Don’t miss out!!

21. Examinations Usually twice yearly opportunities
First Part 1 theory exams, likely 2008
First Part 1 practical exams, hopeful 2008
First Part 2 oral exams, as required - further to passing part 1 successfully.

22. Fees Grandfathered part 1 Free Exam part 1 theory £370
Exam part 1 practical £370
Exam part 2 written and oral £405
Annual membership fees
Fellow (Member of 8 yrs standing) £354
Member £279
Diplomate (after pt 1, before pt 2) £116

23. International applicants?…..
RCPath generally not restricted by nationality or where training undertaken
There are international centres where exams can be taken
International applicants not accepted for grandparenting (with possible exception of Ireland – for discussion with the College)
Exams oriented towards UK practice
Robust overseas training programme and/or secondment to work in UK

24. Conclusions Opportunity to reach the highest levels and be recognised!
Not (yet?) needed for career progression
Watch for the opportunity to apply
Get involved