In this module you will expand and develop the underpinning and applied knowledge and skills gained at level 5 and will apply these in your development as an autonomous professional.

Diagnostic Blood Sciences:
Core transfusion medicine including the major blood groups, red cell phenotyping, antibody screening and serological cross matching.
Overview of blood transfusion services, range of blood components and clinical / regulatory guidelines.
Core and specialist clinical immunology including investigation of autoimmunity, allergy testing, cancer immunology and haematological malignancies. Mechanisms and applications of key immunological assays and techniques.
Specialist clinical biochemistry including therapeutic drug monitoring, endocrine function and dysfunction, nutrition, biochemistry of chronic diseases, and the diagnosis, monitoring and biochemical effects of cancer.
Specialist haematology including blood film morphology (including the investigation of blood borne parasitic infections), haematological malignancies, haemostasis and monitoring of anticoagulation.
Specialist blood science topics including foeto-maternal haematology, serological aspects of ante natal screening, conception and pregnancy monitoring, biochemical abnormalities of the neonate and inborn errors of metabolism.

Diagnostic Infection Sciences:
Mechanisms and investigation of common bacterial, viral and fungal infections including tests commonly encountered for infections of the gastrointestinal tract, upper and lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, genitourinary tract, cerebrospinal fluid, wounds and the immune, nervous and circulatory systems.
Investigation and management of common parasitic infections.
Guidelines and monitoring of infections within the community and hospital healthcare setting including routes of transmission, testing and incidence reduction strategies, needle stick and occupational health screening.
The role of clinical microbiology in antenatal and genitourinary screening programmes.
The aetiology, investigation and management of high risk groups including infections that may compromise pregnancy, childhood infectious diseases, investigation of the immunocompromised patient and the multidisciplinary management of sexually transmitted infections.
The mode of action, optimisation and application of anti-microbial therapy including commonly prescribed antibiotics and antiviral therapies, vaccination strategies and antibiotic resistance.

Diagnostic Genetic Sciences:
The origin and basis of genetic disease.
Diagnostics of genetic disease, prenatal diagnostics, pre-implantation diagnostics.
Sequencing and analysis of the human genome and its potential applications
Isolation of genes associated with disease.
The use of fluorescence in situ hybridisation, array preparations and next generation sequencing.
Treatment and the potential for gene therapy of genetic diseases.
Ethical aspects of the medical applications of DNA technology.
Pharmacogenetics, personalised medicine and the role of bioinformatics.


Diagnostic Cellular Sciences:
Overview of the aspects of pathogenic processes (for example inflammation, embolism, infarction, congestion, fibrosis and neoplasia) and the cellular pathology aspects of their identification.
Aetiology, pathogenesis and presentation of common diseases to the major organs (for example heart, lungs, liver, kidney, GI tract, brain and muscle) and a comparative review of the role of histopathology and cytopathology techniques in their diagnosis.
The sampling, processing and visualisation of common diseases of the major organs including common and special stains, immunohistochemical markers and the use of molecular biology.
The application of prognostic and predictive markers and their role in stratified and personalised medicine.
An overview autopsy practice and process.
The role of the laboratory in the diagnosis of gynaecological and non-gynaecological malignancies using cytopathology.
The laboratory application of reproductive science including reproductive anatomy, physiology and assessment of reproductive dysfunction, applied embryology (including cryo-preservation and in vitro fertilisation) and regulatory issues.

* Module will be undertaken in either Blood Sciences, Cellular Sciences, Infection Sciences or Genetic sciences

Assessment for this module will consist of three components:

Component A (learning outcome 3) (0%)
Component A assesses the competent application of the skills required for clinical practice. This component is zero weighted and must be passed for progression. Component A consist of:

Completion and verification of the Health Education England Workplace Learning Portfolio – pass/fail (0%)
The HEE portfolio evidence will include:
4 Direct Observation of Practical Skills (DOPS)
2 Case Based Discussion (CBD)
2 Observed Clinical Event (OCE)

Component B (learning outcome 1) (50%)
An evaluative review of an analytical technique within the discipline of study (2000 words).

Component C (learning outcomes 1 and 2) (50%)
The final summative assessment for this module will consist of a final 2 hour examination

The module is delivered as a blend of DL and face-to-face.

Face to face contact (8 hours) will allow you to consolidate the material covered and demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the material covered.

Independent and Distance Learning Study Hours

80 hours – practice-based learning
20 hours – reading PowerPoint presentations
12 hours – on-line tutor led activity
44 hours - literature search/reading/ preparation for practicals and supplementing lecture material
44 hours - writing practical reports and workshop material
16 hours – competency assessment
76 hours - assessment preparation

Dependent upon the specialist pathway undertaken the following tests are referred to:

Ahmed N., Glencross H., & Wang Q. (2016) Biomedical Science Practice Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Orchard G., & Nation B. (2014) Cell Structure and Function Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Ahmed N (2016) Clinical Biochemistry Oxford University Press, Oxford, Uk

Hall A., Scott C., & Buckland M., (2016) Clinical Immunology Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Shambayati B (2011) Cytopathology Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Moor G., Knight G., & Blann A (2016) Haematology Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Orchard G., & Nation B (2011) Histopathology Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Ford M (2014) Medical Microbiology Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Knight R (2012) Transfusion and Transplantation Science Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

1: Discuss and critically evaluate a range of methods and techniques used within a named pathology discipline* and to apply these methods and techniques in relevant areas of clinical practice.
Learning
Analysis

2: Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of underlying anatomical, physiological, homeostatic or genetic function and dysfunction and relate these to disease manifestation, pathophysiology and treatment as applicable to a named pathology discipline* informed by the forefront of clinical practice and knowledge.
Knowledge and Understanding

3: Prioritise and undertake core and advanced investigations within named pathology discipline* conforming with standard operating procedures and to critically evaluate the results obtained with regard to quality, onward referral, validation and clinical communication as an autonomous professional.
Application
Problem Solving

* Module will be undertaken in either Blood Sciences, Cellular Sciences, Infection Sciences or Genetic Sciences