CERTIFICATE OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN

MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
Infection Control
Mycology
Parasitology

Study Guide and Indicative Syllabus

12 Coldbath Square
London
EC1R 5HL
Tel: 020 7713 0214
Fax: 020 7837 9658
Email: qualifications@ibms.org
Website: www.ibms.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

GUIDANCE TO CANDIDATES

CERTIFICATE OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN MICROBIOLOGY -INFECTION

CONTROL

RECOMMENDED READING AND COURSES

CERTIFICATE OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN MICROBIOLOGY -MYCOLOGY
RECOMMENDED READING AND COURSES

8
9
10

CERTIFICATES OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN MICROBIOLOGY - PARASITOLOGY

11
RECOMMENDED READING AND COURSES

Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology

12

INTRODUCTION
The Institute guidance provides a nationally recognised framework
to enable biomedical scientists to demonstrate the essential level of
competence necessary to perform techniques in microbiology and to
demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of diagnostic applications.
The training syllabus covers the fundamental preparations and
analyses commonly used in laboratories.
Laboratories wishing to offer this training must have Institute
approval for registration training and be CPA registered. Training is
conducted in-house under the overall responsibility of a named
consultant pathologist, biomedical scientist or a clinical scientist of
equivalent standing.
Institutes Examination Structure
HCS Career
Framework
Stage

9
8

Additional
optional
qualification

Membershi
p
Class

Professional
Doctorate

Advanced
Specialist
Diploma
Fellow

Higher
Specialist
Diploma

MSc

Specialist
Diploma
5

Member

Diplomas
of Expert
Practice &
Certificates
of Expert
Practice

Licentiat
e

Certificate of
Competence
BSc (Hons)
Biomedical Science

ELIGIBILITY
The minimum requirements for entry to training for the
Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology are:

Member of the Institute of Biomedical Science Member (MIBMS)

Institute of Biomedical Science Specialist Diploma in Medical
Microbiology or equivalent.
Registered Practitioner with the HPC
A minimum of two years whole-time equivalent post-registration
experience Employment in, or secondment to, a CPA registered

Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology

laboratory or equivalent with Institute registration training

approval
A named supervisor (consultant pathologist and/or expert
biomedical scientist and/or clinical scientist of equivalent
standing)

GUIDANCE TO CANDIDATES
TRAINING LABORATORY
Any laboratory or laboratory network wishing to offer support for a
biomedical scientist preparing for the Certificate of Expert Practice
in Microbiology must have a significant annual through-put of cases.
NAMED SUPERVISOR
The decision to support any eligible biomedical scientist in this
training lies with the individual laboratory manager. The supervisor
must have an active interest in the subject area. All supervisors
including those who have taken responsibility for specific aspects of
the candidates training must complete the Supervisor/mentor
details section on the candidates application form and sign the
declaration.
ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE
Part A -Training portfolio
Portfolios should be submitted in hard copy format by the published
deadline. The exact date will be published in The Biomedical
Scientist and on the Institutes website. Candidates will not be
required to attend the portfolio assessment. The Institute will
endeavour to carry out all portfolio assessments within eight weeks
of the submission deadline.
Candidates must achieve a pass grade in the portfolio assessment
to be able to proceed to Part B. Unsuccessful candidates will be
advised on areas which require development, and on the time scale
for resubmission.
It is expected that the assessment of competence will be an ongoing process throughout the preparation period. The training
portfolio should allow for the recording of comments regarding
progress and aptitude.
i. Theoretical knowledge and practical skills
Each aspect of preparation comprises the theoretical knowledge
required to understand the processes that underpin the task
and the practical skills and competencies to successfully
execute the task. The eligible biomedical scientist will be
expected to acquire and demonstrate the knowledge that
accompanies the practical skills.
ii. Standard operating procedures
Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology

All aspects of laboratory work must be covered by individual

signed, indexed and dated standard operating procedures
(SOPs). Before commencing training it is mandatory that
appropriate SOPs or networks are in place to describe the
departmental protocols. The biomedical scientist must operate
within the SOPs or protocols at all times.
iii.Quality control and audit
Audit forms an integral part of the training process. The
requirement for review of cases forms the basis of continuing
audit of a biomedical scientists competence and performance.
Documentary evidence of this practice must be kept as part of
the training record.
The training portfolio must clearly demonstrate the organising and
recording of the candidates achievements and reflect the range of
required competencies, skills and experience. As a minimum, the
portfolio must include the following elements along with any
additional and appropriate documentation relating to the
candidates training:

A log of the case repertoire encountered during the training

period
Copies of method sheets and standard operating procedures
Evidence of cases reviewed with the supervisor
Copies of attendance certificates at training events and
evidence of involvement in training or teaching non-laboratory
staff in analytical/diagnostic practice outside the laboratory.

Part B - Written examination

Paper One (Short-answer questions 60 minutes)
Candidates will be expected to answer three out of four questions.
Paper Two (Multiple-choice questions 60 minutes)
Candidates will be expected to answer 26 questions. Negative
marking is employed for incorrect answers.
The minimum pass mark for each paper is 50%.
On securing a pass in both assessments candidates will be awarded
the Institutes Certificate of Expert Practice in Microbiology.
APPLICATION FORMS
Application forms are available from the Institutes Office using the
contact details below and may be requested by telephone or e-mail,
or they may be downloaded from the Institutes web site.
The completed application together with the correct fee must be
returned to the Institute.
Incomplete, illegible or applications without fees will be
returned for correction and resubmission before acceptance.
Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology

CONFIRMATION OF APPLICATION
Once accepted, candidates will be sent a confirmation of candidacy
and a reminder of the submission deadline for examination
portfolios.
DEFERRALS AND WITHDRAWALS
Candidates who wish to defer entry to an examination must contact
the Institute a minimum of six weeks prior to the date of the
examination will be entitled to a full transfer of their fees. Any
deferrals made after this deadline will only be entitled to a 50% fee
transfer unless proven mitigating circumstances exist. A maximum
of two deferrals is permitted.
Candidates wishing to withdraw from an examination at any time
will not be entitled to any reimbursement of the examination fee
unless proven mitigating circumstances exist.
Candidates who are required to submit a portfolio for reassessment
following a referral would be required to pay a reassessment fee.
APPEALS
Any candidate wishing to appeal against the outcome of the
assessment procedure must contact the examinations department
and request an appeals form. This must be completed and returned
to the Chief Executive within a maximum period of 40 days following
publication of the results.

Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology

CERTIFICATE OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN

MICROBIOLOGY -INFECTION CONTROL
AIMS
To evidence the candidates ability to act as an independent source
of information and advice on Infection Control issues.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of the Certificate of Expert Practice in Microbiology
Infection control.
Candidates will:
have an understanding of:
1.
2.
3.
4.

the theory behind Infectious Disease and its prevention

the clinical implications of healthcare associated infections
organisms which are specifically noteworthy
national and local policies on Infection Control

show competency at:

5.
6.
7.

the laboratory diagnosis of infectious agents capable of

causing infection control issues and the recommendation of
appropriate sample types
advice other health professionals on need for further tests and
relevance of results and the need for further tests when
necessary (i.e. Clearance swabs)
keeping up to date with new methodology that may enhance
infection control procedures

demonstrate the ability to:

8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of which organisms (both

bacterial and viral) pose the greatest infection control risk
liaise with other healthcare professionals on the optimum
method of preventing cross infection
maintain and develop the quality of the service
participate in project work and research and development
contribute to training and education.

Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology

RECOMMENDED READING AND COURSES

RECOMMENDED JOURNALS
Communicable Disease Report Weekly
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Infection & Immunity
Journal of Hospital Infection
Journal of Infection
RECOMMENDED COURSES
Diploma in Hospital Infection Control: Falfield Residential course in
infection control: steam sterilisation, washer-disinfectors, specialist
ventilation and other aspects of hospital hygiene
Health Protection Principles five-day course provided by University
of Bristol

Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology

CERTIFICATE OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN

MICROBIOLOGY -MYCOLOGY
AIMS
To evidence the candidates competence in the practice of isolation
and identification of human fungal infection.
This will be assessed using the following elements:
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of the Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical
Microbiology -Mycology candidates:
will have
an understanding of the:
1.
2.
3.
4.

range of fungal agents and diseases affecting man

sources of fungal agents causing human disease and their
diagnosis
treatment options available
services offered by National Reference Centres

competency in:
5.
6.
7.

laboratory
diagnosis
of
fungal
diseases
and
the
recommendation of appropriate sample types.
advising other health professionals on relevance of results and
the need for further tests where necessary
maintaining knowledge of current diagnostic methodology and
contribution to changes when appropriate.

demonstrate the ability to:

8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the fungi affecting

humans and methods for their diagnosis
liaise with other healthcare professionals to advise on the
optimum method and samples required to make a diagnosis.
maintain and develop the quality of the service.
participate independently in project work and Research and
Development programs
contribute to training and education.

Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology

RECOMMENDED READING AND COURSES

RECOMMENDED JOURNALS:
Medical Mycology
ADDITIONAL READING:
Identification of Pathogenic Fungi, (ISBN 0901144398)
Medical Mycology - a practical approach, (ISBN 0199630119)
Medically Important Fungi a guide to identification, (ISBN
1555810918)

A Colour Atlas of Pathogenic Fungi

An Introduction to Industrial Mycology
The Biology of Fungi, (6th Ed.1993)
(and others)
RECOMMENDED COURSES:
Training Course on Identification of Pathogenic Fungi
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, Myrtle Road, Kingsdown, Bristol
BS2 8EL
Training Course on Identification of Pathogenic Fungi. (biennial)
- Mycology Reference Centre,
Leeds general Infirmary, Great George Street, Leeds, LS1
3EX
Contact Name: Ruth Ashby
USEFUL WEBSITES:
UK Clinical Mycology Network steering group
http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/fungal_infections/ukcmn.
htm
British Society for Medical Mycology
http://www.bsmm.org/

Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology

CERTIFICATES OF EXPERT PRACTICE IN

MICROBIOLOGY - PARASITOLOGY
AIMS
To evidence the candidates ability to act as an independent source
of information on all aspects of human parasitic infestation.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On completion of the Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical
Microbiology Parasitology.
Candidates will:
have an understanding of the:
1.
2.
3.
4.

range of parasitic agents and diseases affecting man

life-cycle stages causing human disease and their diagnosis
treatment options available
services offered by National Reference Centres

show competency in:

5.
6.
7.

the laboratory diagnosis of parasitic diseases and the

recommendation of appropriate sample types.
advise other health professionals on relevance of results and
the need for further tests where necessary
maintaining knowledge of current diagnostic methodology and
initiating changes when appropriate.

demonstrate the ability to:

8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the parasites affecting

humans and methods for their diagnosis
liaise with other healthcare professionals to advise on the
optimum method of diagnosis
maintain and develop the quality of the service
participate in project work and research and development
contribute to training and education

Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology

RECOMMENDED READING AND COURSES

RECOMMENDED JOURNALS
International Journal for Parasitology
Journal of Parasitic Diseases
Journal of Parasitology
Trends in Parasitology
Tropical Diseases Bulletin
ADDITIONAL READING
Mansons Tropical Diseases
Atlas of Medical Helminthology and Protozoology
Basic Laboratory Methods in Medical Parasitology
RECOMMENDED COURSES
Residential course in Medical Parasitology (Liverpool and London)
NEQAS Teaching Scheme (updates)

Certificate of Expert Practice in Medical Microbiology