The Registration Process

1. The Registration Process Marcus Allen, AGTC Chair

2. Application Form • The application form is available to download with the Genetic Technologists guidance notes from the VRC website www.vrcouncil.org • PLEASE DO NOT FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORM WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE GUIDANCE NOTES • The VRC will bank the cheque regardless of the state of the application. There are administrative fees for incomplete forms.

3. Guidance Notes – Entry Routes • Route 1 • Direct Entry: “First degree in an approved subject or other suitable qualification approved by the Council and a minimum of 3 years relevant experience as a Medical Technical Officer (Grade 2 or higher) in an appropriate Genetic Technologist post approved by the Council, with evidence provided to support competent practice.”

4. Guidance Notes – Entry Routes • Route 2 • Grand-parenting: “A minimum of six years training and experience relevant to the work of a Genetic Technologist with evidence provided to support competent practice, including a minimum of 3 years relevant experience as a Medical Technical Officer (Grade 2 or higher) in an appropriate Genetic Technologist post approved by the Council. ”

5. Guidance Notes – How decide? • The aim of regulation is primarily to protect the public, therefore AGTC made the decision that registrants required at least 3 years experience at MTO 2 level. • Why? There are several different training manuals / competences nationally. • Different labs have different views on what MTOs can and cannot do. • No national guidelines - however introduction of AfC and the KSF should change this.

6. Guidance Notes – How decide? • High MTO turnover. • Employ directly at MTO2 level. • Most MTOs (75%) are entering the profession with a degree and frequently at the MTO2 level. • Therefore, we wanted them to have at least three years in-house training and we will only register those MTOs who definitely have enough experience.

7. Guidance Notes – Reference • “Your Head of Department should provide a written reference. However, if you are applying via the Grand-parenting route, it is also required that at least one reference should be from a person who is already bound by statutory regulation of practice. Please be aware if your Head of Department is not a registered practitioner you should supply a second reference from someone who has a good knowledge of your training and experience and who is either already on the Genetic voluntary register, or another state register”. • By signing the reference the HoD is taking responsibility that the MTO in question is suitable for registration.

8. Guidance Notes – Reference • If the MTO later proves to be unfit to practice and the referee was aware prior to signing the reference, the referee could potentially be facing a fitness to practice hearing with their own regulatory body. • HPC take an extremely dim view on this. • It is extremely important that we only register suitable applicants as everyone on the register will be transferred across to the HPC once we are accepted.

9. What happens to Application Form? • Send to EBS, secretariat for the VRC. • Once received cheque will be listed and banked. • Form read through to check it is complete and all additional items are present. • If incomplete, letter written to applicant requesting additional information. This will incur an additional fee. • Completed forms are sent to relevant scrutiniser for assessment.

10. Scrutinizing? • Each form will scrutinized by a member of the relevant profession. • Michelle or Sarah for cytogenetics. • BJ or Jane for molecular. • The form will be assessed against the Assessment sheet and the Standards of Proficiency. • The Assessment sheet will be filled in and returned to EBS. • This could take up to 6 months.

11. Scrutinizing? A final decision will be awarded: - ACCEPT: The registrant is entered on the database (can be viewed online) and awarded a VRC Certificate. A renewal fee will be required annually. - DEFER: The application form will be discussed amongst the modality scrutinizers and/or the full VRC if required. Additional information may be requested. - REFUSE: The registrant is refused entry and the VRC registrar will write and inform them of the decision.

12. Future registration • Once education and training routes into the profession are established, we will need to change the entry routes. • Modernisation of pre-registration training will lead to an HEI-accredited award which will then become the basis for entry onto the VRC. • If new education routes were to begin in Autumn 2008, the first cohort would exit in Summer 2011. These registrants would therefore be accepted for registration in Autumn 2011 at the earliest.

13. Future registration • This would create a third entry route and become the main route into the profession. • Keep Direct entry open until no longer required. • We must also ensure that those exiting with the educational qualification are fit for purpose. • We would always want an alternative entry route for unusual applicants e.g. a CS who wishes to become a GT.

14. Future registration • Earliest HPC application 2012. • Nationally accepted training manual based on NOS.

15. Thank you