Cervical Cytology – MSc

This course aims to facilitate you in taking a lead in your clinical area in the provision of this major aspect of preventative health, within the NHS cervical screening programme. The course addresses both the relevant skills and evidence base for your role as a cervical sample taker.

The content of the course examines the principles of the NHS cervical screening programme and principles of screening in the UK.

Course content includes:

• risk factors associated with cervical abnormalities
• the natural history of cervical abnormalities and cervical cancer
• current and future developments related to cervical screening.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for registered nurses, midwives, physician associates and medical practitioners wishing to develop their knowledge and skills in smear sample taking.

Timetable

This course consists of four teaching days, Monday to Thursday in the week commencing 15^th March. These will be a blend of online and face to face learning and will run between 09.30 and 17.00.

March: Monday 15, 16,17 and 18 March 2021

Module Submission Date: 19 April 2021

A date will be provided when a visit to a Pathology Laboratory will be arranged for students.

The exam for the module will be 19 April 2021. The submission date for the skills schedule of 20 supervised smear samples will be in September 2021.

Benefits

This course can be taken as a stand-alone course for nurses and other practitioners seeking to develop their skills in smear sample taking, and as part of a postgraduate diploma or MSc programme.

This course is worth 15 credits.

Credits

This course is worth 15 credits toward eligible programmes.

Course content includes:

• The role of the colposcopy clinic (part of one of the course presentations)
• the skill of cervical sampling
• history taking and infection control
• addressing the needs of individuals with special requirements.

By the end of the course you will be able to demonstrate the following:

Knowledge and understanding:

• To critically evaluate, apply and appraise knowledge and understanding of the NHS cervical screening programme and its implementation locally.
• To critically review, appraise and justify the clinical management options for the treatment of cervical abnormalities and cervical cancer.
• Critically evaluate and consider the aims of any screening programme and consider possible unintended outcomes.
• Critically evaluate and appraise proposed changes to the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.
• Demonstrate critical awareness of sources of information that inform the changes that occur in cells that are becoming cancerous.

Skills:

• Critically appraise and recognise the value and importance of self-audit and the requirement for continuous professional and personal development.
• To critically appraise and review the importance of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology in relation to cervical screening and cytology.
• Critically analyse current research and apply this knowledge in relation to cervical screening.
• Critically review, evaluate and appraise the relevant pathogenesis, risk factors and natural history associated with the development of cervical abnormalities and cervical cancer.

Values and attitudes:

• To build up and develop skills in information retrieval and critical synthesis.
• To demonstrate the specific skills needed to develop competency in cervical sample taking using the current evidence base.

Teaching

The style and format of teaching will include formal teaching, a clinical skills session and group discussion.

Assessment

Part one

You are required to undertake 20 supervised smear samples under the direct supervision of a mentor, who must be the same mentor for the duration of the time required to undertake all 20 samples. As part of your Skills Schedule, you will need to undertake an Interim Assessment with your mentor. The final aspect of the Skills Schedule is a Final Clinical Assessment which must be undertaken by an assessor who is independent from your place of employment.

The submission date for part one will be Monday 13 September 2021.

Part two

10 multiple-choice questions and one problem-based scenario question; 50% each.

The date of the MCQ and PBS exam will be Monday 19 April 2021.

Both part 1 and 2 must be passed.

Certificates

On successful completion of the module assessments, you will be issued with a Certificate of Achievement.

Credits

This course is worth 15 credits toward eligible programmes.

Non-EEA students can only apply as part of a programme, not as a stand-alone course.

• You must be registered in the United Kingdom as a nurse with a current NMC pin without restrictions on practice.
• You must have an identified assessor who will directly supervise the student taking 20 supervised smear tests.

English requirements

For those students whose first language is not English, the following qualification is also required:

• IELTS: 7.0.