Background to the scheme

The commitment, set out in the Genetics White Paper, to increase the genetic counsellor workforce by at least 50 posts through support for existing and new training opportunities is well on its way to being met through the Genetic Counsellor Training Post (GCTP) scheme. This scheme is profession-led and monitored, and funded by the Department of Health.

A total of 17 Centres were approved for genetic counsellor training and 43 trainees were appointed in the first two phases of the scheme. Approved Centres needed to provide access to a comprehensive learning environment suitable for genetic counsellor training, including a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, a named registered/eligible for registration genetic counsellor to act as a training supervisor/mentor and clinical and counselling supervision.

Appointment to the training posts was very competitive, with up to 70 applications received after advertisement for individual posts. This has meant that the GCTP scheme has been able to attract individuals with a high degree of commitment and enthusiasm.

Professional and educational backgrounds of trainees

One of the primary aims of the scheme, to ensure a diversity of backgrounds amongst the genetic counsellor workforce, has been achieved.

·         Around 1 in 3 trainees (37%, n=16) had a professional background in the health or social services, mainly in nursing. Four of these trainees had an MSc in Genetic Counselling in addition to a professional background.

·         Half the trainees (51%, n=22) had a scientific background and an MSc in Genetic Counselling.

·         The remaining 5 trainees had neither a health professional background nor a Genetic Counselling MSc, but were graduates who used their training post to obtain an “entry-level” MSc (permissible only in the first phase of the scheme).

Outcome data: the current situation

·         The vast majority of the 43 trainees (95%, n=41) now hold a substantive genetic counselling post in a Regional Genetics Centre

·         About two-thirds of past-trainees (63%, n=26) obtained a post in the Centre in which they trained, with the remainder moving to practice in a different Centre. 

·         Only 2 trainees (one of whom completed her training as a genetic counsellor and returned to genetic counselling 5 years later) left their posts for employment other than genetic counselling.

Professional registration

The GCTP scheme was designed to enable trainees to develop the competencies and prepare the portfolios required for UK genetic counsellor registration.  Of the 41 former trainees currently in post, 36 now I think! (85%) are now Registered Genetic Counsellors. The remainding six trainees intend to apply for registration imminently.

The third phase of the scheme

The GCTP Panel, the AGNC Committee and the Genetic Counsellor Registration Board remain committed to the continuation of structured training posts and approval of training centres. In 2010, the GCTP Panel were successful in obtaining DH funding for a third phase of the scheme, which will enable the White Paper commitment of 50 new genetic counsellors to be realised.

In this third phase, the DH agreed to part-fund up to ten training posts by providing 50% of the trainee’s salary and on-costs, as well as providing generous funding for an educational allowance and a training centre stipend. The GCTP Panel is again professionally monitoring the new phase of the Scheme.

Once DH funding was confirmed, Centres were invited to apply for re-validation as a genetic counsellor training centre. All re-validated centres were able to apply for training post funding after confirming that their host Trust would meet 50% of the salary and employment costs of a trainee. Mentors in this phase of the scheme must be Registered Genetic Counsellors.

Seven re-validated Centres were able to provide the remaining funding for a total of nine posts. All posts have now been filled. Two of the trainees have a professional background in nursing, with the remaining 7 trainees holding an MSc in Genetic Counselling.

The future

Although the DH support for training posts will end with the final phase of the scheme, the GCTP Panel will continue to  monitor non-DH funded training posts in a similar manner to the DH posts. Those Centres who fulfill the criteria for an approved GC Training Centre, and have such a training/Band 6 post in their department, can contact the Panel for further information. The Panel is committed to supporting Centres with their efforts to embed recurrent training posts in their department.

From 2012, Judy Tocher has taken over as Chair of the GCTP Panel, and Chris Barnes will continue to act as Panel Administrator as well as Panel member. Lauren Kerzin-Storrar and Heather Skirton will resign from the Panel in May, and new members will be confirmed soon.

Genetic Counsellor Training Post Scheme Panel