European registration process
for genetic counsellors and
genetic nurses
Guidelines for applicants
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. Eligibility to register – master level education
2. Practical clinical experience
3. Assessment of competence and registration process
4. Eligibility under the Grandfather clause
5. Registration by an applicant already registered under an
approved national registration system
6. How to apply
7. Maintenance of registration
8. Fees
Key dates for Genetic Counsellor and Genetic Nurse
Registration process
Frequently asked questions
1. Eligibility to register
• Master level education
• GC: Master degree in genetic counselling
• GN: Master degree in genetic nursing
• Level of education should comply with core curriculum
• If not?
• Not eligible for registration
• Grandfather Clause
2. Practical clinical experience
• Required competences:
•
•
•
•
Period of two years
Within a multi-disciplinary team
Within a genetic healthcare environment
In one or more departments
• Specialist in one area of genetics: oncogenetics
• Experience in general genetics
• 10 cases outside their specialisation in the case log
• Potential applicants who are not certain should contact the
EBMG Genetic Nurse and Counsellor Division
2. Practical clinical experience
• Examples
• An applicant works 35 hours per week in a public genetics service
for 2 years. He spends 80% of his time providing direct patient
care and 20% of his time doing research related to genetic
counselling. He would be eligible to apply for registration after 2
years.
• An applicant works half time in a genetic service providing patient
care. She would be eligible after 4 years of practice.
• An applicant works full time in a university hospital. For 40% of
the time she teaches genetic counselling, for the remaining 60%
of her time she provides genetic counselling to patients. She
would be eligible for registration after 2 years.
3. Assessment of competence
and registration process
• Made by the EBMG Genetic Nurse and Counsellor division
• Experienced and registered GC and GN
• Divided in two parts due to the different needs
• GN
• GC
• Assessment may differ according to whether the applicant is
applying by the normal route or using the Grandfather Clause
Evidence required
Type of
application
a.References
(2x)
B. Case lof of 50 cases
signed by manager or
senior colleague
C. CPD for
past 2 year
D.Case
studies
(2x)
Normal route
X
X
X
Grandfather
Clause A
X
X
X
Grandfather
Clause B
X
X
X
X
Grandfather
Clause C
X
X
X
X
National
registration
route
X
E.Scientific
essays (2x)
F. Genetic
science exame
X
X
X
A. Two references
1. From a senior colleague
• Registered GN or GC
• Senior medical geneticist
This reference must address the ways in which the applicant:
• Works within the European genetic counsellor Code of Professional
Practice
• Manages a clinical caseload
• Has access to and uses both counselling and clinical supervision
• Maintains their professional knowledge and skills
• Interacts with members of the multi-disciplinary team
2. From the applicant’s line manager
B. Case log
•
•
•
•
50 cases
To demonstrate the required competences
Verified by the manager/senior colleague
Special points to remember
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Anonymously
Not > 3 years ago
Casus during the Master’s programma may not be used
Each clinical skill should be shown in at least 10 cases
In each case: at least 5 skills
Specialised? At least 10 cases outside your specialty
Use a legend
C. Continuing Professional Development
Record
• Shows CPD activities in past 2 years
• At least 30 hours education per year
• At least 10 hours: via external sources
• Remaining hours:
•
•
•
•
•
Conferences
Educational courses
Departmental seminars
Journal club
Private study (up to 5 hours per year)
• Registrants must record the date and type of education
• Write reflective comments on what they’ve learned and how
they have integrated that into their practice
=> Demonstration and integration of the learning into practice is
an essential part of the CPD process.
D. Case studies
• 2 case studies
• Focus on the use of counselling skills
• Focus on ethical aspects
• 2000-2500 words
• May be written in preferred language and professionally
translated in English
• Instructions for writing are available
E. Scientific essay and letter
• Two short pieces of work to demonstrate your scientific
knowledge:
• Essay
• An explanation of the underlying mutation or abnormality
• The method of laboratory testing used to support diagnosis
• Letter
• To a patient, explaining a specific condition
4. Eligibility under the
Grandfather Clause
• For GN and GC working in a country where there is no current
system of registration
• Limited period of 5 years
• Assessment will be based on the work carried out by the
applicant
• Following options are possible:
• Grandfather Clause A
• Grandfather Clause B
• Grandfather Clause C
Grandfather Clause
Type of
application
a.References
(2x)
B. Case lof of 50 cases
signed by manager or
senior colleague
C. CPD for
past 2 year
D.Case
studies
(2x)
Normal route
X
X
X
Grandfather
Clause A
X
X
X
Grandfather
Clause B
X
X
X
X
Grandfather
Clause C
X
X
X
X
National
registration
route
X
E.Scientific
essays (2x)
F. Genetic
science exame
X
X
X
Grandfather Clause A
• Two-year Master degree in genetic counselling
• Worked as GC for at least 3 years full time
• Reduced Portfolio
• A case log of 50 cases
• References from the line manager and senior colleague
• CPD record
Grandfather Clause B
• Specific course in genetic counselling
• Worked as GC for at least four years full time
• Reduced portfolio
•
•
•
•
Case log of 50 cases
References from the line manager and senior colleague
Two case studies
CPD record
Grandfather Clause C
• No specific course in genetic counselling
• 5 years of experience full time
• Full portfolio
•
•
•
•
•
•
Case log of 50 cases
References from the line manager and senior colleague
Two case studies
CPD record
Scientific essay and letter
Genetic science examen: written mult-choice questionnaire
examination to assess knowledge of genetic science
5. Registration by an applicant
already registered under an
approved national system
• Practitioners who are already registered may apply for entry
onto the European register without the need for additional
assessment.
• A number of national registration systems have been
approved by the EBMG
National registration route
Type of
application
a.References
(2x)
B. Case lof of 50 cases
signed by manager or
senior colleague
C. CPD for
past 2 year
D.Case
studies
(2x)
Normal route
X
X
X
Grandfather
Clause A
X
X
X
Grandfather
Clause B
X
X
X
X
Grandfather
Clause C
X
X
X
X
National
registration
route
X
E.Scientific
essays (2x)
F. Genetic
science exame
X
X
X
6. How to apply
•
•
•
•
Initial application by 15th September in each year
Full application by 15th January of the following year
Information about outcome of the application by 15th April
Each application will be
• Assessed in detail by at least 2 members of the Board
• Discussed at a full Branch Board meeting
• If a registrant is not approved for registration after 2 attempts,
further education and training may be suggested before they
can re-apply. Subsequent applications may have to be based
on new case studies.
7. Maintenance of registration
• 5 years
• Renew by
• submissing CPD record
• 2 references
• Senior colleague
• Line manager
• Maintenance by the record of the CPD
8. Fees
Application for registration
Includes assessment and
initial 5 year registration
cost
2015: 200 euro
Application for European
registration by a person who is
already registered under a
recognised national system
Includes assessment and
initial 5 year registration
cost
2015: 80 euro
Renewal of registration for 5
years
2018: 200 euro
All fees are payable to the EBMG.
After we make an initial assessment of your intention to register, the ESHG/EBMG office
will send you details about how to pay your fee, either by debit/credit card or bank
transfer. Those applying for renewal of registration will also be sent details of how to
pay.
Key dates
• Intention to register
• Between 15 July 2015 and 15 September 2015
• Closes 15 September 2015
• Final date for completed applications is 15 January 2016
• Response to applicants by 1 April 2016
Website EBMG
• https://www.eshg.org
• https://www.eshg.org/471.0.html
Questions?