Molecular Pathology

Applicants for this module must, as a minimum requirement, hold the IBMS membership class of Licentiate and be working in a laboratory with Institute approval for post-registration training. It is not available to Associate members of the Institute or individuals undertaking pre-registration training.  

The Molecular Pathology module, whether completed as part of the Cellular Pathology Specialist Portfolio or as a stand-alone module, will be examined in an external location, not the candidate’s employing laboratory. This will usually be the Institute’s London office but may be an alternative location that is more convenient to both candidate and examiners.

The Molecular Pathology module does not confer eligibility for the award of a Specialist Diploma in its own right neither does it confer eligibility to upgrade from Licentiate to Member.

Please note
Candidates not completing the Molecular Pathology module as part of the Cellular Pathology Specialist Portfolio are asked to refer to the full candidate guidance on completion of Specialist Portfolios. This contains specific instructions on portfolio compilation and selection of evidence.

Please refer to the IBMS Specialist Diploma application form for the fee and methods of payment for the portfolio. 

Please submit to the IBMS Specialist Team your:

• completed Order Form for Specialist Portfolio
  
• payment or purchase order

You can also post application forms and payment to Specialist Portfolio, IBMS, 12 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL

Candidates who are already qualified and experienced at or above the specialist level are eligible to take this module in a standalone capacity and must complete the optional module application form. The Molecular Pathology module is issued on receipt of payment and acceptance of the application by the IBMS.

The fee is inclusive of the end-point assessment. Please note that the fee does not cover the cost of candidate travelling expenses for the end-point assessment, for which the candidate or candidate’s employer is responsible.

The Molecular Pathology module will be examined in an external location, not the candidate’s employing laboratory. This will usually be the Institute’s London office but may be an alternative location that is more convenient to both candidate and examiners.

The end-point assessment differs from the end-point assessment for Specialist Portfolios in that it does not include a presentation or laboratory tour. It will be in two parts:

Part one:
a review of the record of laboratory training to check all components have been signed off and to verify appropriate training has been undertaken, through a review of the Portfolio of Evidence. 

Part two:
a viva voce (30 mins oral examination) to examine the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the module.  

The process begins once the applicant’s training officer submits a completed request for the appointment of an external examiner. This should be accompanied by one papercopy of their record of laboratory training and one paper copy of the portfolio of evidence, together with electronic versions of both.

This will trigger the appointment within six weeks of the external examiner with expertise in molecular pathology in the context of cellular pathology. The external examiner will be sent a copy of the record of laboratory training and portfolio of evidence for review within 2 weeks. The candidate’s training officer will receive confirmation that this stage has been completed.

Each section of the Molecular Pathology module requires the candidate to demonstrate knowledge and competence of their practice.

If the candidate’s employing laboratory does not undertake some, or all, of the prescribed molecular pathology techniques and does not employ individuals with the knowledge and experience to deliver the necessary training, there may need to be an arrangement with another laboratory to provide the required additional training experience.