Australian Society of CytologyContinuing Education for Cytotechnologists
(CEC) Program
Program Information
Introduction
This continuing education scheme has been designed by the A.S.C for use by non-medically qualified persons engaged in the practice of diagnostic cytology. Its introduction provides both encouragement and a means by which we can all keep up to date and achieve best practice within our chosen discipline. The scheme is a product of research into an assessment of other similar schemes in this and other countries and takes into account the diversity of educational background of the individual and laboratory size, location and complexity.
Registrants Role
The process is essentially self driven (see "Candidate Instructions"). Upon registration with the scheme you will be provided with a diary. This gives details of the various forms of continuing education which can lead to the gaining of credit points. Educational activities which have been undertaken are recorded in the diary and this is your individual responsibility. At half yearly intervals you will be required to forward the record sheet of the diary to the CEC Registrar for inclusion in the data base and appropriate feedback.
In House Co-ordinator
Laboratories will need to identify a person, usually a local experienced cytology person, who can act as facilitator to encourage participation. The In House Co-ordinator will help provide access to continuing education and offer local encouragement. (See "Guidelines for In House Co-Ordinators").
It is the responsibility of the individual not only to register but to participate in the scheme and give the appropriate feedback to the A.S.C. The facilitator has no responsibility to ensure compliance.
Role of the A.S.C.
As the sponsor of the Scheme the ASC will act as a registry. The Society will provide the CEC diary and act as a data base gatherer of individual continuing education activities. Participants demonstrating successful compliance will receive a participation certificate together with a peer profile of continuing education activities.
Scheme Detail
The scheme is divided into groups of activities. Some can be initiated by yourself, eg journal reading, poster preparation, manuscript writing; and accessing Webb site and other electronic teaching systems. Other group activities include tutorial reviews, scientific meeting attendance etc. The scheme requires that you select a reasonable range of activities in that activities should be selected from 4 out of 8 groupings.
Recording of Activity
The diary is arranged to provide you with a means of recording the detail of all your continuing education activities. This part of the diary is for your own records and these should be kept by you. The diary also provides for a summary of credit points to be listed (CEC Activity Data Sheet). It is this page only that should be forwarded to the Registrar every six months.
Registrar
The ASC will nominate from its membership a person to act as Registrar for the CEC scheme and this individual will be supported by a secretary. The registrar will be the contact point as far as interpretation and implementation of the ASC scheme is concerned.
Credit Accumulation
Registrants will be required to gather 600 points/annum to obtain a certificate of participation.
Audit
Like any reputable self driven scheme provision for an occasional audit is to be set in place. It is proposed to call in 20% of CEC diaries for sighting by the Registrar.
Certificate of Participation
Persons who are registered with the scheme will receive a certificate of participation at the end of each year.
Guidelines for In-House Co-Ordinators
The CEC Working Party has identified that for the program to be successful a local in-house experienced cytology person (medical or non-medical) should be available to act as a facilitator/mentor. It is envisaged that a single co-ordinator for each work place would be selected; the person chosen may have an established role in Quality Control or staff education. The role of these persons would be to help direct candidates to sources of CEC both within and external to the laboratory and would also make themselves available for general advice. There would be no obligation on the in-house co-ordinator to police the system, or be involved in submitting information to the CEC Scheme, or evaluating the feedback provided to an individual registrant. However the in-house co-ordinator should inform the CEC Registrar of any problems arising with the CEC program.
Candidate Instructions
Complete the Registration Form and send it to the CEC Registrar. If you are not a member of the ASC you should enclose a cheque for $170 made payable to the "Australian Society of Cytology Inc". The Registrar will then forward your diary which includes full details of the scheme and a means to file records of your CEC activities.
The diary includes a master copy of an "Individual CEC Activity" and an "Group CEC Activity" record sheet. Obtain good quality photocopies of these sheets so that you can enter details of your continuing education activities. File these sheets in the folder supplied. The diary also contains a table summarising the credit points allocated for both individual and group activities. Credits must be acquired from a minimum of FOUR of the total number of categories in any one year.
At six monthly intervals complete the yellow "Half Yearly CEC Activity Data Record" sheet. Take a photocopy for your file and forward the original to the CEC Registrar.
