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Cervical Skills Training

Cervical skills training is only available to staff working in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Argyll Bute.

Core training (1 day training – training for new smear takers)

Core Training for New Smear Takers

This is aimed at those who have never undertaken cervical screening education.

The initial training programme consists of a one day course followed by both practical and self directed learning.  

This takes the form of

  • Observation of two fully person centred cervical screening consultations by practice assessor
  • Completion of 5 supervised person centred cervical screening consultations
  • 5 indirect supervised person centred cervical screening consultations
  • Attendance for 1 session at colposcopy
  • A Quality Improvement project
  • Completion of log book

The submitted evidence of the consolidation/assessment process will result in certification.

Please remember that you are accountable for you own practice and should work within your own limitations at all times.

Entry requirements

  • Student must be a qualified practicing Nurse/Midwife or qualified Medical Doctor
  • The student is able to complete the training criteria within a 26 week period
  • Student must have a practice assessor
  • NHS email
  • SCCRS login/ password

Students are to required to complete pre-course eLearning modules which will be forwarded once registration has been completed.

Please note spaces are limited to 25 per course.

Course fee: £75

Update training (three yearly half day update for current smear takers

Cervical Skills Update Training

This is aimed at those who have previously complete the core Cervical Skills Training. Update training is required to be completed every 3 years. Smear takers will update knowledge and skills; increase awareness of current practice; and address unsatisfactory smears. 

Please note spaces are limited to 30 per course.

Course fee: £30

All training sessions will include new and updated content to bring you up to date with the scheduled changes to screening.

If you have any queries, please contact ggc.phsu.admin@nhs.scot