Cervical Screening for Healthcare Professionals - Clinical Attachment

The True Cervical Screening clinical attachment follows the Workshop component of the ‘Cervical screening course for Health Professionals’. The clinical attachment component has been developed to provide nurse practitioners, registered midwives, registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and health workers with specialist skills to practice as non-medical cervical screening providers (NMCSP) in the Australian context under the renewed National Cervical Screening Program. 

 A minimum of 7 supervised cervical screening consultations (x5 speculum examinations and x2 self-collect consultations), at a True Relationships and Reproductive Health Clinic will enable the participant apply their theoretical knowledge of cervical screening and develop competency in their clinical practice. The clinical attachment day will have an adequate amount of cervical screening consultations booked. It is expected that participants will be able to complete the minimum clinical competency requirements in this one day session.

NB: True recognises that unforeseen circumstances may prevent some participants achieving the minimum required number of screens to pass the course. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that participants have the opportunity to meet the minimum requirements, some participants may require additional supervised time in order to be assessed as competent in cervical screening provision.  It is vital that participants have a workplace preceptor as True cannot guarantee availability of additional sessions. Any additional sessions will incur an additional fee and are subject to clinic availability

1 full day of supervised clinical practice

• Clinical attachment is to be undertaken within 6 months of True’s Cervical Screening workshop

• Clinical attachment with a True nurse educator offered at Windsor (Brisbane) clinic only

• Participants are required to demonstrate competency in 7 cervical screening consultations (5 x speculum examinations and 2 x self-collect consults) under supervision

• Successful completion of True's CST online modules and 1 day workshop (either face-to-face or distance education mode) this year (2024)
• Current AHPRA registration
• Minimum 12 months post graduate experience

Upon completion of the clinical attachment day, it is anticipated that participants will have fulfilled the minimum requirements to achieve competency as a cervical screening provider and will be awarded with a certificate of completion.

On completion of this clinical attachment participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficient and knowledgeable practice in all aspects of cervical screening provision reflected in the National Competencies for cervical screening providers
• Maintain professional skills within legislative guidelines

Nurse practitioners, registered midwives, registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and health workers who have completed True’s cervical screening course and would like to complete the clinical attachment component in a True clinic (and not in their own workplace with a preceptor)

• Completion of online theoretical modules and either the face-to-face or distance education cervical screening workshop
• Minimum 80% pass mark of assessment
• Endorsed workplace preceptor

$550

(includes full day at True clinic with True nurse educator to undertake minimum of 7 CSTs under supervision)

Clinical Education Unit

Email: ceu@true.org.au

Phone: (07) 3250 0240

1 day

Clinical training

Can I get an invoice sent to me so my workplace can pay for the course? Yes, as part of the online registration you can select your workplace/organisation as the “Bill To” contact and you can select either Credit Card or Invoice for payment. Please be aware that payment secures a position in the course. Failure to provide payment within 7 days from registration will result in your registration being cancelled.

Where is the clinical placement held? At this stage, clinical attachment is only offered at True's Brisbane clinic - 230 Lutwyche Road, Windsor, Queensland 4030. However, it may be possible to organise clinical attachment at other True clinics. Please contact the Clinical Education Unit on (07) 3250 0240 or email ceu@true.org.au to enquire.

Does the course entitle me to be an authorised cervical screening provider in other Australian states and territories? Yes, the cervical screening program is a national program and the course content and structure is based on requirements outlined within the National Cervical Screening Program Quality Framework. The knowledge and skills you learn in the course are transferable across Australia. If in doubt, consult with your employer and medical indemnity provider.

I am an authorised pap smear/cervical screening provider in another state. Do I need to attend your course to be authorised in Queensland? The National Cervical Screening Program applies across Australia. This means that certifications do transfer across states and territories in Australia. If your cervical screening practice is current and you have been consistently performing high-quality cervical screens and undertaking regular quality assurance activities, you should be able to practice in any state or territory of Australia with your prior certification.

Am I required to complete the clinical attachment? Participants are required to complete clinical attachment when undertaking their cervical screening course with True. However, participants can complete clinical attachment in their own workplace with a True endorsed clinical preceptor.

I don’t have a suitable preceptor in my workplace. Can I still attend this course? True requires you to have an endorsed clinical preceptor in case unforeseen circumstances on the day of your clinical attachment prevent you from being able to meet the minimum cervical screening tests required to achieve competency. 

What do I need to do to complete the clinical attachment? You need to have: 

• Uploaded an Employer Endorsement form                  
• At least one approved and endorsed cervical screening preceptor 
• Completed the online learning and attended the workshop
•  Passed the written assessment
•  Have your clinical practice portfolio to record your clinical training in
•  Have a current AHPRA registration

Can a True clinician train me in my workplace? Yes, this option can be discussed. Participants would be required to organise a full day of clients requiring cervical screening. A quote can be provided on application to the manager at ceu@true.org.au

How long do I have to complete the clinical attachment? You have 6 months to complete the workplace clinical attachment following the theory course.

 Cancellation fees

• If cancelling more than 28 days prior to your confirmed clinical placement session, you will be refunded 85% of the original invoice amount.
• If cancelling 8-27 days prior confirmed clinical placement session, you will receive a 50% refund
• No refund will be issued if you cancel 7 days or less before your placement.

Availability of clinical attachment days are limited. Please get in touch with CEU and speak with one of our team if you wish to undertake clinical attachment for cervical screening in 2024. 

Phone: (07) 3250 0240 or email: ceu@true.org.au 

The True Cervical Screening clinical attachment follows the Workshop component of the ‘Cervical screening course for Health Professionals’. The clinical attachment component has been developed to provide nurse practitioners, registered midwives, registered nurses, enrolled nurses, and health workers with specialist skills to practice as non-medical cervical screening providers (NMCSP) in the Australian context under the renewed National Cervical Screening Program. 

 A minimum of 7 supervised cervical screening consultations (x5 speculum examinations and x2 self-collect consultations), at a True Relationships and Reproductive Health Clinic will enable the participant apply their theoretical knowledge of cervical screening and develop competency in their clinical practice. The clinical attachment day will have an adequate amount of cervical screening consultations booked. It is expected that participants will be able to complete the minimum clinical competency requirements in this one day session.

NB: True recognises that unforeseen circumstances may prevent some participants achieving the minimum required number of screens to meet the minimum competency requirements on the day of their clinical placement. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that participants have ample opportunities to meet the minimum requirements, some participants may require additional supervised time in order to be assessed as competent in cervical screening provision. True clinics host a large number of health professionals upskilling in sexual and reproductive health skills. It is vital that participants have a workplace preceptor as True cannot guarantee the availability of additional sessions.

Additional sessions may incur further fees and are subject to clinic availability

1 full day of supervised clinical practice

• Clinical attachment is to be undertaken within 6 months of True’s Cervical Screening workshop
• Clinical attachment with a True nurse educator offered at Windsor (Brisbane) clinic only
• Participants are required to demonstrate competency in 7 cervical screening consultations (5 x speculum examinations and 2 x self-collect consults) under supervision

No catering is provided

Successful completion of the Cervical Screening for Health Professionals – novice course requires participants to complete the online pre- workshop reading, attend the workshop, complete their clinical attachment and submit the clinical attachment portfolio with a pass mark achieved in each to meet the assessment requirements. All assessment requirements must be completed within six (6) months of the workshop.