Time-based requirements
This program ensures adequate time for you to gain the necessary learning experiences across a range of relevant rotations during the total training time of 3 years (36 months FTE).
Training rotations
For Advanced Training in Clinical Genetics:
- 30 months of core training (including 12 months of general clinical genetics)
- six months of non-core training.
For Advanced Training in Clinical Genetics subspecialising in metabolic medicine:
- 30 months of core training (including six months general clinical genetics and 24 months metabolic medicine)
- six months of non-core training.
For Advanced Training in Clinical Genetics subspecialising in cancer genetics:
- 12 months of core general clinical genetics
- 24 months of cancer genetics.
Core training requirements
Clinical Genetics (General)
Trainees must spend a minimum of 30 months FTE in accredited core clinical genetics training positions.
12 months must be devoted exclusively to general clinical genetics and should include the equivalent of at least three clinics per week, which may include:
- general clinical genetics
- prenatal diagnosis clinic
- other clinics, e.g. follow-up clinics for previous patients or specialty clinics, such as for cancer genetics or
ophthalmological genetics.
- One journal club per week for Australian trainees, or at least one journal club per month for New Zealand trainees
- one review session per week, e.g. review of clinical cases seen
- discussion of dysmorphology slides
- discussion of counselling issues.
Throughout training, trainees are expected to attend the equivalent of one laboratory liaison per week on areas such as:
- cytogenetics
- molecular genetics
- serum/prenatal screening
- inborn errors of metabolism/biochemical genetics
- neonatal screening.
During the three years of training, core experience should include at least a week in a cytogenetics diagnostic laboratory, a week in a diagnostic molecular laboratory and a week in a biochemical genetics laboratory.
Metabolic Medicine
At least six months FTE training is to be spent exclusively in general clinical genetics including the equivalent of at least three clinics per week, which may include:
- general clinical genetics
- prenatal diagnosis clinic
- other clinics, e.g. follow-up clinics for previous patients or specialty clinics, such as for cancer genetics or ophthalmological genetics.
- One journal club per week for Australian trainees, or at least one journal club per month for New Zealand trainees.
- One review session per week, e.g.:
- review of clinical cases seen
- discussion of dysmorphology slides
- discussion of counselling issues.
Throughout training, trainees are expected to attend the equivalent of one laboratory liaison per week on areas such as:
- cytogenetics
- molecular genetics
- serum/prenatal screening
- inborn errors of metabolism/ biochemical genetics
- neonatal screening.
Core should include at least:
- one week in a cytogenetics diagnostic laboratory
- a week in a diagnostic molecular laboratory
- one week in a biochemical genetics laboratory.
Trainees intending to specialise in metabolic medicine should spend at least two years FTE in metabolic medicine. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, training should be completed in more than one metabolic genetics centre.
Cancer Genetics
Trainees are required to complete 30 months of core training comprised of at least 12 months FTE training exclusively in general clinical genetics, including the equivalent of at least three clinics per week, which may include:
- general clinical genetics
- prenatal diagnosis clinic
- other clinics, e.g. follow-up clinics for previous patients or specialty clinics, such as for cancer genetics or ophthalmological genetics.
- One journal club per week for Australian trainees, or at least one journal club per month for New Zealand trainees.
- One review session per week, e.g.:
- review of clinical cases seen
- discussion of dysmorphology slides
- discussion of counselling issues.
You are also required to complete at least 18 months FTE exclusively in clinical cancer genetics including:
- three family cancer clinics per week
- adequate exposure to oncology/paediatric oncology
- weekly attendance at a multidisciplinary cancer management meeting
- weekly journal club
- weekly laboratory liaison – primarily in molecular genetics; however, this should also include three months liaison in cancer cytogenetics
- the equivalent of at least one month’s full-time experience in a diagnostic molecular genetics laboratory.
Throughout training, you are expected to attend the equivalent of one laboratory liaison per week on areas such as:
- cytogenetics; molecular genetics
- serum/prenatal screening
- inborn errors of metabolism/ biochemical genetics
- and neonatal screening.
Throughout training, trainees are also required to revise and review the literature regarding oncology guidelines, such as EviQ, and contribute to familial cancer registries.
Core should include at least:
- one week in a cytogenetics diagnostic laboratory
- one week in a diagnostic molecular laboratory
- one week in a biochemical genetics laboratory.
Non-core training
Clinical Genetics (general)
A maximum of six months of non-core training may be undertaken in clinical training in other related disciplines, or in clinical genetics research.
If you wish to complete a period of non-core training, you must obtain prospective approval.
Metabolic Medicine
A maximum of six months non-core training may be undertaken in a discipline relevant to metabolic medicine in areas such as:
- metabolic/genetic research
- biochemical laboratory
- newborn screening laboratory
- other disciplines related to metabolic medicine.
Trainees wishing to complete a period of non-core training must obtain prospective approval
Cancer genetics
A maximum of six months of Advanced Training may be spent in clinical oncology (medical or surgical) or other acceptable disciplines. If you wish to complete a period of non-core training you must obtain prospective approval.
Joint certification in clinical genetics (general) and cancer genetics
Trainees may choose to subspecialise in both clinical genetics (general) and cancer genetics by completing the cancer genetics requirements and a further six months (minimum) in general clinical genetics. Trainees should seek prospective approval for combined training.
Training time
At least 12 months of Advanced Training in Clinical Genetics must be undertaken in Australia and/or New Zealand. This is to ensure that trainees receive adequate exposure to local practices and health services.