Non-Gynaecological Cytology

Applicants must be a Member or Fellow of the IBMS, HCPC registered and hold an IBMS Diploma in Expert Practice in Non-Gynaecological Cytology and /or the Diploma of Interpretative and Diagnostic Cytology. You must also have seven years post registration experience in non-gynaecological cytology with substantial experience (at least 4 years) in pre-reporting for consultant pathologists  and reporting negative sample as well as have more than three years at a senior level involvement with preparation, quality management, EQA and IQC of the relevant categories of non-gynaecological specimens

you must also:

• have a single named consultant pathologist trainer who has overall responsibility for mentoring and guiding you and monitoring your progress
• undertake your training in a laboratory with UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) registration
• undertake your training in a laboratory with IBMS post-registration training approval

Please note 
In the guidance document, the eligibility criteria state that you need to be a Fellow of the Institute to undertake either qualification. This is no longer the case. Applicants will be accepted from those who have Member (MIBMS) status of the Institute and who successfully completed the DEP in Non-Gynaecological Cytology as long as they meet the other stated criteria. 

 

IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) in Non-Gynaecological Cytology is a professional vocational qualification assessed by a portfolio of evidence and examination.

The portfolio of evidence provides a record of your training and should contain evidence of regular assessments of your competence in reporting the specimen types covered by this qualification by your named consultant pathologist supervisor. 

The portfolio of evidence must include:

• a prospectively constructed shadow reporting log of at least 500 cases
• ten different case studies/reports reflecting the case-mix within non-cervical cytology you encounter during your training period

Once your named consultant pathologist supervisor is satisfied that your training is complete you can submit your portfolio and go on to the written and practical examinations. 

Guidance to candidates and trainers

The examination of an  IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) in Non-Gynaecological Cytology involves three assessments:

• a portfolio assessment 
• a written examination
• a practical microscopy examination 

Portfolio assessment

You must meet 28 standards in order to pass your portfolio assessment and progress to the written and practical examinations.

Your portfolio will be independently assessed by two members of the Conjoint Examination Board. 

Written examination 

You will be expected to answer four out of six short-answer questions in 90 minutes, which will include including case-based scenarios.

Practical microscopy examination

Short Cases

You will be expected to review 12 cases in 72 minutes and provide their diagnosis along with any confirmatory ancillary tests that should be undertaken where appropriate.

Long Cases

Candidates will be expected to review five cases in 100 minutes. 

 

ASD in Non-Gynaecological Cytology - 2023 Exam Series 

Friday 17 March 2023: Portfolio Submission Deadline (Portfolios can be submitted from Wednesday 1 March)

Friday 7 April 2023: Shadow Reporting Log Submission Deadline (for those wanting to re-sit their exams)

Tuesday 2 May 2023: Written examination (sat in your local hospital)

Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 June 2023:  Microscopy Examination (The date will be dependent on number of candidates across the DEP and ASD Cytology qualifications). These will take place at NEPSEC in Wakefield. You will only be invited to the microscopy exams if you pass the written exam paper.

Portfolio Submission Information: Candidates intending to submit their portfolio in 2023 should note that the Institute will not be accepting hard copies versions of portfolio. It could be submitted either via email(s) or by providing a link to a shared folder such as, but not limited to, One Drive, We Transfer or Google Docs. The shared folder should not require the Head of Examinations to set up an account to access the information but could require a password which should be sent with the link to the shared folder. The portfolio can also be submitted by placing it on a USB stick and sending that to the IBMS marked for my attention as the Head of Examinations.

If the portfolio is being submitted via email(s) or a link to a shared folder the email address to use is examinations@ibms.org

Training Events

The North of England Pathology Screening and Education Centre (NEPSEC) are running events to support those undertaking this qualification. It is not mandatory to attend these events but they will be useful for those undertaking this qualification. Details on these training events will be published on the NEPSEC website which can be found here.

To apply for the qualification in the year in which you plan to submit your portfolio for assessment you will need to submit to the IBMS Examinations Team: 

• payment of £440 along with
• a completed application form 

You can apply to undertake an IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma (ASD) in Non-Gynaecological Cytology:

• before you begin your training or
• while you undertake your training and complete your portfolio of evidence

Once your application has been accepted you will be sent confirmation of your candidacy and a reminder of the submission deadline for your portfolio.  Please note that if you withdraw from the qualification at any point a £50 administrative fee will be applied to any refund.

Training Grant Available (New Process from August 2022)

We are pleased to inform a training grant is available to employers of candidates who work in England who are undertaking the DEP in Non-Gynaecological Cytology, ASD in Cervical Cytology or ASD in Non-Gynaecological exam. From August 2022 the process has changed to a prospective one where employers can claim £1,000 per candidate once their colleagues commences the qualification. More information on the grant that is available and how and when it can be claimed can be found here.

Guidance to candidates and trainers includes an indicative reading list

Guidance on Recognising and Avoiding Plagiarism

You can find discipline-specific reading lists to support you in completing an  IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma in Cervical Cytology on our Science reading page. You can find articles and online resources to support you in completing an  IBMS Advanced Specialist Diploma in Cervical Cytology in our Resources section. 

North of England Pathology Screening and Education Centre (NEPSEC) Training Events

The NEPSEC will be running two training events in February 2023 to help those undertaking this qualification. The first event will be held on 7 February 2023 via Teams and will cover the written paper. More details about this event can be held here. More details about this event can be found here. The second event will be held on 9 February 2023 at the NEPSEC in Wakefield and will cover the microscopy exam. More details about this event can be held here. These events are not mandatory, but they provide useful advice, tips, guidance and experience for those undertaking this qualification.

Position Statement on Role Requirements and Banding for Scientists undertaking Reporting within Cellular Pathology Departments

As an aid to departments wishing to utilise the opportunities offered by the scientist reporter the Institute has described in outline the expected job content, the qualifications required for each role and the appropriate Agenda for Change (or equivalent) pay grade. The position statement can be found here.

If you wish to defer, withdraw or highlight any mitigating circumstances please contact examinations@ibms.org as soon as possible.