1. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Integrating Molecular and Cytogenetics Working Practices Jennie Bell Senior Training Lead Birmingham

2. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Traditional Situation  Scientists and technicians usually work in a designated area Constitutional cytogenetics Molecular Oncology Prenatal cytogenetics or Prenatal molecular  Focus on expertise in either molecular or cytogenetic techniques Sequencing Cell culture and harvesting

3. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Limitations  Molecular and cytogenetic laboratories are often physically distanced  Laboratory structure  Needs of the clinical service  Historical working practises The way we have always done it

4. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Why change?  Emerging techniques  Changing workforce  Cost implications  Modernising Scientific Careers

5. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Technology  Microarrays Global view Falling costs Increasing expertise Bridging technology Mixed skills required  MLPA Widely used Resolve cytogenetically identified abnormalities at the molecular level

6. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Changing Workforce  Important to review roles within a department  Is the most appropriate person doing the most appropriate job?  Develop individual skills

7. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 MSC

8. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 ACC/CMGS GT Training manual  Formal move toward integrated training programme  Recognises the need for technologists to have multidisciplinary skills  Module in cytogenetics or molecular for trainees recruited to specific discipline

9. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Impact of MSC  Training focussed on patient care pathways Learning Disorders Sexual differentiation and infertility Cancer Population Screening  Fully integrated training approach for both Scientists and Practitioners

10. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Skill requirements - Scientists  Managing patients rather than specific condition or disease  Knowledge of chromosome and molecular testing strategies  Provision of a combined report  Increase managerial skills

11. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Skill Requirements - Practitioners  Managed all technical aspects of laboratory  Knowledge of cell culture and DNA extraction – interlinking  Increase technical expertise across a range of sample referrals  Broaden analysis skills  Increase managerial skills

12. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Planning to provide integrated training  Team work  Cross sectional support  Appreciation of the need for change  Careful planning  Respect different working practises  A new way of thinking  A new way of working

13. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Delivering integrated training- Practitioners

14. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Delivering Integrated Training- Scientists

15. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Support  Trainee Mentors Paired cyto/molecular (Bristol model)  Trainee Assessors  In-house training Trainers Trainees Journal Club Seminars

16. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 New Ideas  Develop new processes  Use mixed-skill knowledge  Are there any communal areas that could be developed? Specimen reception Duty scientist  Look at particular laboratory scenarios Improve extraction of DNA from cultured cells

17. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Existing Staff  Important to involve existing staff  Open discussion  Open planning  Continue to support their development  Encourage junior members of staff to participate in training delivery

18. ACC/CMGS Technologist Training Day - 1st October 2009 Conclusion  Integration can be a positive thing  Staff become skilled in a broader range of techniques  Deploy staff in laboratory areas requiring maximum support  Improve patient care