Cancer genetics
The Advanced Training Program in Clinical Genetics allows adequate time for you to gain the necessary learning experiences across a range of relevant rotations during your 3-year total training period (36 months FTE).
Training |
Time requirement |
Total core training |
30 months |
— Cancer genetics |
18 months |
— General clinical genetics |
12 months |
Total non-core training |
6 months |
Trainees who commenced in 2022 onwards must undertake 24 months minimum of Advanced Training in Clinical Genetics within Australia and/or Aotearoa New Zealand.
Trainees who commenced before 2022 must undertake 12 months minimum of Advanced Training in Clinical Genetics within Australia and/or Aotearoa New Zealand, however 24 months minimum is recommended.
This is to ensure that you receive adequate exposure to local practices and health services.
Core training (30 months FTE)
Trainees specialising in cancer genetics are to complete 30 months of core training.
Core cancer genetics (18 months FTE)
You’re required to undertake at least 18 months FTE exclusively in cancer genetics, including:
- 3 x family cancer clinics per week
- adequate exposure to adult and paediatric genetics
- weekly attendance at a multidisciplinary cancer management meeting
- weekly journal club
Core general clinical genetics (12 months FTE)
At least 12 months FTE training must be dedicated solely to general clinical genetics. This requires at least 3 clinics per week (or equivalent) that include:
- general clinical genetics
- prenatal diagnosis clinic
- other clinics like follow-up clinics for previous patients or specialty clinics (cancer genetics or ophthalmological genetics)
- journal club
- 1 per week for Australian trainees
- 1 per month (minimum) for Aotearoa New Zealand trainees
- 1 review session per week, for example:
- a review of clinical cases seen
- discussion of dysmorphology slides
- discussion of counselling issues
Throughout training, you’re expected to attend the equivalent of 1 laboratory liaison per week covering areas like:
- cytogenetics
- molecular genetics
- serum/prenatal screening
- inborn errors of metabolism/biochemical genetics
- neonatal screening
During your 3 years of training, core experience should include:
- 1 week (minimum) in a cytogenetics diagnostic laboratory
- 2 weeks in a diagnostic molecular laboratory*
- 1 week in a biochemical genetics laboratory
* Trainees who commenced before 2022, only 1 week in a diagnostic molecular laboratory is required, however 2 weeks is recommended.
Laboratory experience must meet the standards set out in the Laboratory Genetics section of the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board’s Specialty Training Curriculum for Clinical Genetics — August 2010 (Amendments 2016) (PDF).
Throughout training, you’re also required to revise and review the literature regarding oncology guidelines, such as EviQ, and contribute to familial cancer registries.
Non-core training (6 months FTE)
A maximum of 6 months of non-core training can be spent in clinical oncology (medical or surgical) or related oncology research.
To complete non-core training, trainees must obtain prospective approval.
Trainees should contact the College as early as possible about proposed non-core training and seek advice from the ATC prior to accepting a position.