NURSE CERVICAL SCREENING CREDENTIALLING INFO SHEET
Credentialling
Overseas/Interstate Eligibility
National competency-based standards of
practice for registered nurses (Division 1)
who provide Pap tests were introduced
within the Cervical Screening Program in
1997. To ensure these standards are
maintained, a mechanism called
‘credentialling’ has been established. This
system ensures nurses’ expertise is
recognised and provides tools and guidance
for nurses to demonstrate continued
competence. This process demonstrates to
women and employers that the nurse’s
competence is current. In addition, it
provides a means for the nurse to
demonstrate accountability to the Nursing
and Midwifery Board of Australia, through
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation
Agency and the cytology laboratory that
processes the nurse’s Pap tests.
If a nurse has satisfactorily completed an
equivalent Pap test provider education
course overseas or interstate, they are
eligible to apply for credentialling. They will
be required to supply information on the
aims, objectives, content, clinical experience
and assessment criteria of the course, along
with a certificate of completion. They will
also be asked to supply statistical evidence
of previous cervical screening experience.
Participation
It is recommended that all registered nurses
(Division 1) who provide Pap tests in Victoria
participate. It is essential for nurses who
use the Victorian Cytology Service for the
processing of Pap tests. These nurses,
following approval of their credentialling
application, are eligible to apply to the
Victorian Cytology Service (VCS) for a
‘practice’ number.
Eligibility
The nurse must have satisfactorily
completed a Royal College of Nursing
(RCNA) accredited course for nurse Pap test
provider training. Recognised course
providers include:
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Family Planning Victoria
Department of General Practice at
Melbourne University
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
Nurses submitting applications from
overseas or interstate are asked to first
make contact with Credentialling Coordinator
Sandy Anderson on 0407-190-207 or
sandya@ncable.net.au
Review of applications
A review panel has been established in
Victoria for reviewing credentialling
applications. The panel includes
representatives from key organisations
including the Australian Practice Nurses
Association (Victorian branch); Australian
Nursing Federation (Victorian branch); Royal
College of Nursing; Women’s Health Nurse
Association of Victoria; colposcopy clinics;
and PapScreen Victoria’s Credentialling
Coordinator. Three members of the panel
review each credentialling application. The
panel may also receive additional expert
advice from the VCS liaison physicians and
director of VCS.
The average length of time for processing an
application is two weeks. If an application is
incomplete, the nurse will be contacted to
provide further information.
In the initial credentialling application,
nurses are given the opportunity to provide
permission for VCS to forward their
statistical summaries directly to PapScreen
Victoria prior to their recredentialling due
date. Nurses will continue to receive their
six-month reports and their three-year
reports directly from VCS.
by VCS or through records kept by the nurse
on the PapScreen Statistical Record
Worksheet.
Consumer rights
Nurses are also required to collect Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander identification
information, language spoken at home and
country of birth status. Further requirements
are outlined on the recredentialling
application form.
If a nurse disagrees with the final decision of
the review panel he/she has the right to
appeal in writing to Hiranthi Perera, Program
Manager of PapScreen Victoria setting out
the reason why the review panel’s decision
should be overturned.
Credentialling Secretariat
Suspension of credential status
Funding has been provided for a
Credentialling Secretariat at PapScreen
Victoria, Cancer Council of Victoria, for
recording a nurse cervical screening
provider’s certification details. Confidentiality
of information stored on this database is
assured. Access to this information is limited
to personnel from the cervical screening
program via the Credentialling Secretariat.
A nurse involved in any disciplinary
proceedings conducted by the Nursing and
Midwifery Board of Australia or the Victorian
Civil Administration Tribunal which leads to
suspension or cancellation of registration
must advise the Credentialling Secretariat of
the outcome. Suspension or cancellation of
national registration will result in suspension
or cancellation of the nurse’s certification of
continuing competence as a nurse cervical
screening provider.
Credentialling
Changing Workplace
To apply for credentialling as a nurse cervical
screening provider, nurses must meet the
following criteria:
If a nurse changes workplaces, or takes on
an additional role at a new organisation,
he/she must submit a ‘New employer
application’ form, available from
www.papscreen.org.au
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Division 1 nurse
Current registration with Australian
health practitioner regulation agency
(AHPRA)
Have completed an accredited
cervical screening course
Employed in a work role that allows
them to undertake cervical screening
It is recommended that all nurses who
provide cervical screening participate in the
credentialling program. It is essential for
nurses who use Victorian Cytology Service
(VCS).
Recredentialling
Every three years, nurses are required to
recredential. At this time, nurses will be
required to submit documentation to the
Credentialling Secretariat for review by the
review panel. This documentation will include
a full three years clinical statistics of the
nurse’s cervical screening practice, provided
Adding a work location
If a nurse begins practicing at an additional
location under the same employer, he/she
must submit an ‘Additional Location
Application Form’, available from
www.papscreen.org.au
Deactivation of credential status
If a nurse ceases to be employed in a role
where he/she is required and able to provide
cervical screening, including Pap tests, the
deactivation form should be completed and
returned to the Credentialling Secretariat.
Reactivation of credential status
Formerly credentialed nurses who are
returning to a cervical screening work role
are required to fill in and return the
Reactivation form.