Cytology

Following the practical training you will complete a PAD with a Smear Mentor and finally be signed off by an external assessor. It is imperative you have access to this.

Those who can apply are -

• Registered Nurses and Midwives

• Registered Nursing Associates

• Physician Associates registered on the Physician Associates Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR)

• General Medical Council (GMC) registered medical doctors.

NB: You need to be employed and have access to an assessor to support the completion of the Practice Assessment Document (PAD)

The whole training can take 6 months to complete - all parts are compulsory. Maximum time for completion of PAD is 9 months from the first day of the course. You need the full support of your employer to complete the course

Course Objectives

Day 1, Session 1: Understanding the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP)

• Explain the aim and importance of cervical screening.

• Describe the history and evolution of the NHSCSP.

• Understand current statistics and key success factors of the programme.

• Identify factors influencing screening uptake and barriers to access.

• Understand screening guidelines and the importance of adhering to scheduled screenings.

Day 1, Session 2: Anatomy and Physiology

• Understand the anatomy and physiology of the female genitalia.

• Recognise the impact of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and how to support affected individuals.

• Address challenges in passing the speculum during examinations.

• Identify possible cervical changes, including those related to HPV.

• Define Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) and the transformation zone.

Day 2: Advanced Cytology Topics

• Understand cervical cancer development, risk factors, and prevention strategies.

• Recognise the role of HPV in cervical cancer progression and the effectiveness of HPV vaccination.

• Learn cervical screening processes, sample management, and reasons for specimen rejection.

• Develop effective patient communication and history-taking skills.

• Interpret cervical assessment findings and cytology results.

• Understand colposcopy, post-treatment follow-ups, and Test of Cure (TOC) protocols.

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the purpose, evolution, and key success factors of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.

• Apply screening guidelines and identify barriers to access.

• Describe female genital anatomy, cervical changes, and the impact of FGM.

• Demonstrate speculum examination techniques and cervical assessment.

• Define Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) and the transformation zone.

• Understand cervical cancer development, risk factors, and HPV vaccination.

• Evaluate screening processes, cytology results, and colposcopy follow-ups.

• Develop effective patient communication and history-taking skills.