Cervical Screening for Healthcare Professionals – Distance Education

$850

(please note that clinical placement with True is an additional fee of $550 and subject to availability. Total of $1400 to complete all components)

Blended:

• Self-paced, online pre-reading
• Live-online workshop delivered via Zoom webinar
• Clinical attachment at a True clinic OR in own workplace

True also offers this training in-person in our Windsor (Brisbane) training rooms and clinic. Click here for more information.

Medical officers, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered midwives, enrolled nurses, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners particularly in rural or remote locations

• No prior experience or training in cervical screening necessary
• Current AHPRA registration
• Minimum 12 months postgraduate experience
• Must work in a setting where cervical screening services are provided
• Cervical screening must be within scope of practice
• Must have reliable internet connection and access to Zoom

All registered participants must:

• Complete and upload the Employer Endorsement form  
• Complete and upload the Application for Clinical Preceptorship Endorsement – Cervical Screening
• Complete and upload the CST Loan Agreement

This course provides an education pathway for healthcare professionals new to cervical screening who live in rural or remote areas. The course is run entirely online and is suitable for clinicians who are unable to travel to Brisbane for True’s face-to-face course.

For clinicians with previous training and experience in cervical screening and are looking to refresh their skills, True offers two modules on the recent updates in the National cervical Screening Program. Self-Collection in Cervical Screening Update and Changes to the cervical screening intermediate risk pathway. You can also access our Cervical Screening Hub for  up to date information on cervical screening in Australia under the National Cervical Screening Program. These updates are free of charge. 

 This course is comprised of three (3) components:

 1. Theory

• Approximately 6 hours of online, self-paced pre-reading completed within 6 weeks of attending the live-online course

• 1 day interactive, online workshop via Zoom

• Workshop will consist of small group activities that enable participants to develop their skills in communication and history taking, guided clinical simulation sessions with resource kit (provided) and case study discussions

2. Assessment

• Online, open book, multiple-choice assessment

• Takes place after workshop

• 80% pass mark is required before commencement of the clinical attachment

3. Workplace clinical attachment

• Follows successful completion of online modules and workshop components

• Clinical portfolio is provided to record training

• A minimum of 7 supervised cervical screens with a workplace preceptor (see below) are required, ensuring competency requirements are met

• Clinical attachment is to be completed and portfolio submitted within 6 months

• Can be undertaken in one day at a True clinic. 

Each participant is required to have a workplace preceptor who has been endorsed by True to provide clinical supervision in cervical screening.  Course participants are required to have a workplace preceptor irrespective of whether the participant is undertaking their clinical attachment in a True clinic or in their own workplace.

Please complete and upload the application for Clinical Preceptorship Endorsement Form before attending the face-to-face course.

Should your nominated clinical preceptor already be endorsed with True, please advise by emailing ceu@true.org.au before commencement of the course.

Training resources will be posted to participants ahead of the live-online sessions.

• Online, multiple-choice assessment completed after online session with 80% pass mark required
• Successful completion of minimum 7 supervised cervical screens (5 speculum examinations and 2 self-collect consultations), with competency achieved. Training is recorded in clinical portfolio, which is submitted and approved by True.

Clinical attachment completed within 6 months either in your own workplace with a True-endorsed cervical screening preceptor or at a True clinic to achieve competency with a minimum of 7 cervical screens.

Successful participants will receive a Statement of Completion for training.

The aim of this course is to provide an opportunity for health professionals to develop cervical screening knowledge and skills. Successful completion of the course will enable participants to be eligible to apply to their employers to expand their scope of practice and become non-medical cervical screening providers* in their workplace.

*Per the National Cervical Screening Program Quality Framework document, ‘Non-medical cervical screening providers’ is an umbrella term, used to describe all healthcare professionals who are not medical practitioners and who offer a cervical screening service. This includes Aboriginal Health Workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Enrolled Nurses, Registered Midwives, Eligible Midwives and Endorsed Midwives.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be awarded a Statement of Completion. This statement can be used to support a participant’s annual declaration of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of their registration requirements.

1. What is the difference between the face-to-face course and the distance education course? The theoretical content, assessment, and clinical attachment components of both delivery modes are the same. The difference is the workshop delivery: distance education takes place online via Zoom webinar, over one day and does not have the optional session with clinical teaching associates. The face-to-face workshop takes place in True’s Windsor training rooms, over 1 full day with optional session in the clinic (5:30pm-7:30pm) with the Clinical Teaching Associates. If you are interested in attending the face-to-face training in Brisbane, please follow this link.

2. I’m a doctor looking to upskill in this area. Do I need to attend this course? No. However, you may find completing our short modules on Self-Collection in Cervical Screening Update and Changes to the cervical screening intermediate risk pathway beneficial to updating your cervical screening knowledge and practice.  You can also access our Cervical Screening Hub for up to date information on cervical screening in Australia under the National Cervical Screening Program. These updates are free of charge.

3. I’m an experienced midwife or sexual health nurse with speculum experience. Do I need to attend the full course? Yes. Unless you have had prior training and experience in cervical screening, you will need to attend the full course. The content covered is comprehensive and goes beyond the practical aspects of speculum examination.

4. 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.

5. Is there any pre-reading? Yes, there is approximately 9 hours of pre-reading for this course. The pre-reading is provided via an online module.

6. When will I receive my pre-reading? After you have successfully registered and paid for the course you will receive your personal login to True’s Learning Management System via email. If you do not receive this email within 24 hours of successful registration, please email ceu@true.org.au
   

7. Is the pre-reading compulsory? Yes, the pre-reading is examinable material and must be completed in order to receive certification as a cervical screening provider. We encourage you to complete the pre-reading within 6 weeks of attending the theory course as the course is delivered at a level assuming prior knowledge of the pre-reading material.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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. 

11. I don’t have a suitable preceptor in my workplace. Can I still attend this course? Each participant is required to have a workplace preceptor who has been endorsed by True to provide clinical supervision in cervical screening to the course participant within their own workplace. Irrespective of whether the participants are undertaking clinical attachment in a True clinic or in their own workplace.

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

    • uploaded an Employer Endorsement Form;
      
    • at least one approved and endorsed cervical screening preceptor;
    • attended the course;
    • passed the assessment;
    • been given a clinical practice portfolio to record your clinical training in for later assessment/certification;
    • and have a current AHPRA registration.
      
      
13. How long do I have to complete the workplace clinical attachment? You have 6 months to complete the workplace clinical attachment following the theory course.

14. Can I have more than one workplace preceptor? Yes, you may have as many workplace preceptors as you like. However, all preceptors must be endorsed by True via the application process.

15. Can I attend a True training clinic to achieve my 7 cervical screens? Yes. You can undertake your clinical attachment at a True clinic (Brisbane). Availability of this option is limited and may not be available at all times. Email ceu@true.org.au as soon as possible to check availability.  Whilst every effort is made to ensure that participants have sufficient opportunities to achieve the minimum competency requirements, True cannot guarantee this. You will still require a workplace preceptor to provide you with any remaining training and supervision. You can read more about undertaking your clinical attachment at True here.

16. 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 ceu@true.org.au

17.  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.

Clinical Education Unit

Email: ceu@true.org.au

Phone: (07) 3250 0240