Training & education

The training and education section of the website is intended to be as helpful and informative as possible for potential and current pathology trainees, as well as educational supervisors, specialty advisors and programme directors.

The Training and Educational Standards Department of The Royal College of Pathologists is responsible for:

• setting the standards for training in pathology, including issuing competency based curricula for chemical pathology, histopathology and medical microbiology and virology which are approved by the General Medical Council (GMC)
• administering the JCPT and CATTS who advise on all major issues relating to specialist training in pathology
• registering SpRs and StRs in chemical pathology, histopathology and medical micro biology and virology (including LATS and FTSTAs)
• setting the CCT date for SpRs and StRs including agreeing flexible training, LATs and FTSTAs, out of programme training and out of programme research
• providing guidance for training, e.g. for the Annual Review of Competence Progression
• agreeing specialty training programmes and posts and recommending them for approval to GMC
• registering clinical scientists in training for the FRCPath examination
• providing a learning environment for pathology trainees (LEPT) for speciality registrars to allow registered trainees to record their progress in training
• responding to initiatives from the Department of Health such as Modernising Medical Careers
• recommending individuals for the award of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) to GMC in chemical pathology, histopathology and medical microbiology and virology
• recommending to GMC whether or not the training and/or qualifications and experience of pathologists applying to the specialist register under CESR is equivalent in content and duration to that required for a CCT
• managing the sponsorship of international medical graduates for registration with the GMC.
• providing support from training through e-learning. e-pathpots.org.uk is a site of podcasts of pathology museum specimens
  

Information is also available for haematologists and immunologists, clinical scientists, oral microbiologists, oral pathologists and veterinary pathologists pursuing a postgraduate career in pathology. The Training and Educational Standards Department is not responsible for overseeing the training in all of these areas and where this is the case, appropriate links and contacts have been provided.