We have a variety of different roles throughout the All Wales Genomics Service and Genomics Partnership Wales.
If you're considering a career within Genomics, why not have a look at the following role profiles below and be sure to routinely checking out our website for the latest training & events and current vacancies.
What is the PTP (Practitioner Training Programme)?
This is a 3-year undergraduate programme that leads to an approved and accredited BSc in Healthcare science. It is an integrated approach including both academic learning and workplace learning. An undergraduate will undertake 50 weeks of workplace-based training in the NHS over three years. There are limited Universities in Wales that offer this option. Not all laboratories have open positions for the PTP in Wales, so it is worth contacting a University direct. There are a limited number of Welsh Government funded places available.
The list of Universities in Wales that are offering this course are located here.
What is the Scientist Training Programme ‘STP’?
The Scientist Training Programme or STP is a three-year fixed term post graduate training programme, which includes an MSc and work-based learning which is assessed via an e-portfolio. The successful candidate is employed on Agenda for Change (AFC) band 6 for a period of three years. At the end of the programme, when all requirements have been met, the trainee is awarded a certificate of attainment. This includes the MSc from the accredited Higher Education Institute (HEI) and the Certificate of Completion of Scientific training (CCST). This will make you eligible to apply to the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) to become a registered and practise as a Clinical Scientist.
The specialisms that we have previously recruited for are:
Genomics
Cancer Genomics
Clinical Bioinformatics
Please keep an eye on our Twitter page and on our news and events page, where we will announce when applications are open for recruitment in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Welsh STP application process and recruitment timeline differs slightly to the STP process in England. Candidates graduating from STP trainee roles in Wales undertake the same academic teaching and achieve the same qualification as those in England.
Currently in Wales for the STP positions in Cancer Genomics and Genomics, we do not require applicants to undertake any online tests. Candidates will be shortlisted based on their application form submitted.
Students will attend teaching blocks at the relevant University, while being employed and training at the All Wales Medical Genomics Service (AWMGS) based at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. If you meet all the relevant criteria at the end of the three-year training programme, you will achieve the same qualification as those graduating in England.
Where will I be based in Wales?
The Genomics, Cancer Genomics and Clinical Bioinformatics: Genomics trainee roles are currently based at AWMGS, which is hosted by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
How often do I have to travel for my academic teaching?
The relevant University delivering the academic content will set the schedule for the teaching blocks. This will be issued directly to the students from the University. The teaching blocks vary across the three years and is dependent on the course you are following. Typically, in the first year a student will spend about 3 or 4 weeks in total attending teaching blocks, these may be spread across the year or may be in consecutive weeks.
You will also be required to attend a University induction in the relevant University.
We caught up with a couple of former AWMGS STP Trainees to find out what are the 'need to knows' before commencing on the STP in Wales?
"The Welsh STP is the same as the English STP, while the format of recruiting is different, we receive the same academic content, but just work elsewhere"!
"The role of a Clinical Scientist is often misunderstood, and it is not a wet-lab role, most of your time is spent in an office. Your training will cover aspects of the wet lab process, to gain a background understanding in the technologies used, but this will not be for the remainder of your career. If you want to work in the wet lab, you should think about a career as a technologist".
"The STP programme is very different and a lot of self-motivation is needed in terms of self-directed learning. There is a lot of information and this can be over-whelming. Genomics changes so quickly, even now I don’t know where we’ll be in three years! It’s exciting"!
What is the Equivalence Route?
The equivalence route is an alternative way to Clinical Scientist registration that is directly comparable that of the STP pathway. This pathway is for those individuals who hold qualifications and/or have considerable professional experience that is deemed equivalent to the relevant specialist scientific programme that is accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS).
An individual will collate a summary of their work and academic experience and map this into a relevant template to create a portfolio, while continuing to work in a diagnostic genomics laboratory. The portfolio is then submitted to the Academy of Healthcare Science. If your portfolio is accepted at the first stage, you are then invited to an interview where you will be questioned and assessed regarding the Domains of Good Scientific Practise (GSP). The Equivalence route is available for PTP, STP and HSST programmes. You must be employed in a suitable role in order to apply for equivalence. Find out more about equivalence here.
Useful Links
Health Careers
National School of Healthcare Science
Academy for Healthcare Science
Health Education Improvement Wales
Health Care Professional Council
Genetics Counsellor Registration Board
General Medical Council
Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors