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Education & development » Specialist diplomas » Summary of recent changes

Summary of Recent Changes

  • All modules in the Specialist Portfolios must be completed for a named award in a specific pathology discipline. 
  • The generic section has been removed from the revised portfolios. 
  • Those with specialist portfolios issued between 1st February and 31st August 2011 will not be required to complete the generic section.   
  • The Evidence of Achievement section will have three standard requirements for evidence.
    There are no changes to how portfolios are assessed.
  • A time limit of three years (with provision for mitigating circumstances) is to be introduced for completion of the portfolio with effect from September 2011  
  • Individuals who possess a portfolio issued before September 2009 will be expected to complete and submit for assessment by the end September 2012.  
  • The charge for the Specialist Portfolio (which includes the assessment fee) will be £125 from September 2011.
  • To enable members in routine service laboratories that reflect a more cross-discipline requirement for specialist practitioners, provision will be made for modules in one specialist portfolio to be substituted with one or more from other specialist portfolios. 
  • If a member fails to complete the Specialist Portfolio within three years and there are no mitigating circumstances there will be a requirement to re-apply for a new Specialist Portfolio at the designated fee.  Existing evidence and knowledge is transferable provided it meets the requirements described in the introductory section and main body of the portfolio. 

Summary of changes as of November 2011

Specialist Diploma

The Specialist Portfolios have been hugely successful since their introduction in 2007 with some 2,500 being dispatched to IBMS members, 600 successfully addressed for the award of a Specialist Diploma and two universities linking them to new MSc programmes. They continue to provide a framework for post-registration training and acquisition of specialist competence but a review has been undertaken to ensure they are fit for purpose and representative of current and emerging clinical laboratory disciplines.

The following paragraphs summarise the main changes that will be effective when the revised portfolios are introduced in September 2011. Members should note that assessment will be against the portfolio issued unless indicated below.

Summary of Structural Changes

1. Generic Section

Whilst updating scientific content has been required in some disciplines more than others, the most significant change has been to remove the Generic Section (Section 6). It is important to recognise that this does not in any way detract from the expected training or application of professional practice as these areas are an integral part of training for the discipline specific modules. Therefore, whilst still relevant, the explicit link to the Health Professions Council standards of proficiency is no longer required.

For those in possession of the specialist portfolio for several months it is expected that this section will already have been completed, particularly as it can be based on previous work for the registration portfolio (albeit updated). 

It has been agreed that those with specialist portfolios issued between 1st February and 31st August 2011 will not be required to complete the generic section. Those issued specialist portfolios before 1st February 2011 will be expected to complete all sections.

2. Evidence of Achievement

 The number and type of evidence specified in the Evidence of Achievement section has been standardised across all disciplines. It is felt felt that candidates should be able to take ownership of this section, with emphasis on reflective justification. The Evidence of Achievement section will therefore have three standard requirements:

  • Observed by trainer to carry out specific function/investigation (signature as evidence.
  • Answered questions set by trainer (single piece of evidence to demonstrate this).
  • Single piece of evidence chosen by candidate (not the trainer) to reflect an aspect of the training.

Candidates should still use the reflective log to describe their training experience,  and may wish to cross-reference to their chosen piece of evidence.

Completion and Assessment  

There are no changes to how portfolios are completed and assessed but to highlight the main points:

  • The evidence should be the candidate’s own work and reflect the appropriate standard of training and achievement commensurate with specialist practice.
  • The only evidence required is made explicit in the Evidence of Achievement Section.
  • It is the responsibility of a suitably qualified individual in the laboratory (Training Manager/Officer) to check prior to the visit by the External Assessor that the Evidence of Achievement Section has been completed in accordance with IBMS requirements. They must sign this off accordingly.

Time Limit

A time limit of 3 yrs (with provision for mitigating circumstances) is to be introduced for completion of the portfolio from September 2011. This will enable the portfolios to remain current (subject to revision) and focus individuals and employers on their completion.

Individuals who possess a portfolio issued before September 2009 will be expected to complete and submit for assessment by the end September 2012. Provision for mitigating circumstances will be made.

Cost

The charge for the Specialist Portfolio (which includes the assessment fee) will be £125 from September 2011.

Specialist Portfolios in Blood Sciences or other variations

All modules in the Specialist Portfolios must be completed for a named award in a specific pathology discipline.  However, it is recognised that the changes in service delivery and reconfiguration of pathology services is leading to combined disciplines or variations in the scope of practice for individuals within some laboratories. Such is the potential variation that a "one size fits all" Specialist Portfolio in Blood Sciences is not practical. 

To enable members in routine service laboratories that reflect a more cross-discipline requirement for specialist practitioners, provision will be made following purchase of the most appropriate discipline specific portfolio for modules to be substituted with one or more modules from specialist portfolios of other disciplines. The Specialist Diploma award transcript will reflect the main discipline plus altered modules.

Requests for this from laboratory managers wishing to use the specialist portfolios to reflect the test repertoire of their laboratory will be considered upon submission of proposed modules and rationale to the Institute’s Education Department.