INTRODUCTION.
This continuing education scheme has been designed by the Australian Society of Cytology for use by non-medically qualified persons engaged in the practice of diagnostic cytology. Its introduction provides both encouragement and a means by which we can all keep up to date and achieve best practice within our chosen discipline. The scheme is a product of research into similar schemes in Australian and overseas and takes into account the diversity of educational background of the individual and laboratory size, location and complexity.
Registrants Role
The process is essentially self-driven. Upon registration you will be provided with access to the CEC webpages. The ‘Continuing Education Categories’ webpage provides details of the various forms of continuing education which can lead to the gaining of credit points. At yearly intervals (submissions close on 30 January each year) you will be required to forward the Yearly CEC Activity Data Record sheet to the CEC Registrar or submit data via the CEC webpages.
In House Co-Ordinator
Laboratories will need to identify a person, usually a local experienced cytology person, who can act as facilitator to encourage participation. The In House Co-Ordinator will help provide access to continuing education and offer local encouragement.
It is the responsibility of the participant to comply with the goals of the scheme and give the appropriate feedback to the Society. The facilitator has no responsibility to ensure compliance.
Role of the ASC
As the sponsor of the Scheme the ASC will act as a registry. The Society will provide access to the CEC diary and act as a database for collation of individual and group continuing education activities. Participants will receive a certificate of participation.
Scheme Detail
The scheme is divided into groups of activities. Some can be initiated by yourself (eg journal reading, poster preparation, manuscript writing, accessing Websites and other electronic teaching systems). Other activities include tutorial reviews, scientific meeting attendance etc. The scheme requires that you select a reasonable range of activities; activities should be selected from 4 out of 9 groupings.
Recording of Activity
The diary is arranged to provide you with a variety of options to record your continuing education activities. A summary of credit points must be submitted at the end of the calendar year either by emailing or by directly entering your total credits via the CEC webpage.
Registrar
The ASC will nominate from its membership a person to act as Registrar for the CEC scheme and this individual will be supported by the secretariat. The Registrar will be the contact point as far as interpretation and implementation of the ASC scheme is concerned.
Certificate of Participation
Persons who are registered with the scheme will receive a certificate of participation at the end of each year. This certificate will indicate the total credits gained by the participant in the 12 month period. The minimum credits required are 600.