Virology attachment in a specialist virology laboratory virus reference laboratory

Details

Title

Virology attachment in a specialist virology laboratory virus reference laboratory

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HLS246

Requirement

Optional

Module objective

By the end of the training period trainees will be able to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply their knowledge, perform a range of technical procedures and clinical skills and demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for the role of a consultant clinical scientist with respect to i) laboratory and clinical aspects of virology ii) clinical presentation of infections due to viral agents in the community, hospital and critical care setting; iii) the importance of considering viral agents other in differential diagnosis of infection; iv) the basic principles of infection prevention and control for viral hospital-acquired infection and v) the role of the virologist in relation to public health microbiology.and be able to advise on appropriate investigations and control of infection measures for commonly seen infections caused by viruses.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to build on their previous virology knowledge and demonstrate the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant knowledge and its application to their professional practice in relation to: 

• laboratory aspects of clinical virology, including:
  • understanding of appropriate diagnostic
  • understanding the role of reference
• clinical aspects of virology, including
  • aetiology and clinical presentation of viral infectious diseases both in the community and hospital setting.
  • pathophysiology of infection related disease processes with special reference to the differences between immunocompetent adults and children, immunocompromised adults and children, pregnancy,
  • optimum treatment (including in neonates, children and pregnant women) of commonly seen viral infections and how to access current
  • common infection problems in the hospital setting
  • common causes of viral infection in returning travellers with measures for preventing such infections.
• public health and epidemiology
  • epidemiology and distribution of important tropical infections, e.g. viruses causing haemorrhagic fever, dengue fever
  • epidemiological consequences of different viral infections and of the systems available for control.
  • general principles involved in immunisation programmes, occupational and travel health, agents of biological
• demonstrate knowledge of laboratory aspects of clinical virology, including:
  • use of appropriate diagnostic
  • the role of reference centres.
  • the process and limitations of all routine microbiology specimens received in the laboratory.

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of current relevant research, theory and knowledge and its application to the performance, adaptation and mastery of the following technical procedures and laboratory skills to:

• determine specimen referral or comply with the indications for referral of specimens to reference facilities.
• select and interpret appropriate tests.

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to apply knowledge of virology, to perform, adapt and master the clinical skills necessary to manage:

• clinical, laboratory and epidemiological information and to use this to differentiate between infections and other conditions
• appropriate tests
• liaison between clinicians and laboratory
• specific infection problems in the critically ill
• the consequences of severe infection including bacterial super-infection in patients with viral infection, e.g. influenza
• investigation and diagnosis for infections in returning travellers
• advice on travel vaccination and prophylaxis for prevention of specific travel related infections
• accurate risk assessments and to recognise when urgent epidemiological action is required
• methods of vaccine delivery, surveillance of immunisation programmes and evaluation of vaccine efficacy
• basic health and travel advice and able to refer to sources of information
• abnormal patterns of infection and to deal with the unexpected.