Module information
Module details
- Title
- Introduction to Clinical Microbiology in the Laboratory
- Type
- Rotation
- Module code
- S-CM-R1
- Credits
- 10
- Phase
- 1
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Aim of this module
This module will introduce trainees to the principles of Clinical Microbiology in the laboratory. Trainees will gain an appreciation of the practice of Clinical Microbiology, including the role of the Clinical Scientist.
Work-based content
Training activities
| # | Learning outcome | Training activity | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Attend Microbiology and Virology meetings where departmental management, quality or governance are discussed and reflect on the meeting |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 2 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow a Clinical Scientist in Microbiology or Virology and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 3 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe specimen reception and reflect on the process |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 4 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Follow a range of samples from receipt in specimen reception to reporting, and reflect on the journey, including samples for:
|
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 5 | Learning outcome 1,3,4,6 |
Training activities
Explore a current innovation in Microbiology, and reflect on the impact this will have on practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 6 | Learning outcome 1,3,5,6 |
Training activities
Review the Standards for Microbiological Investigations (SMIs) related to samples you have followed through the laboratory and reflect on how this guides practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 7 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow a Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 8 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow the Quality Manager/Lead for the laboratory and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 9 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow a member of the department undertaking a quality or health and safety audit, and reflect on the process |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 10 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Attend a meeting where research findings, service improvement or research literature are discussed and reflect on the meeting |
Type OTA | Action View |
Assessments
Complete 1 Case-Based Discussion
Complete 1 DOPS or OCE
Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles
- Review internal quality control performance for one assay and discuss follow on actions.
- Under supervision, label, book and prepare a sample for analysis.
- Spread a plate to isolate single colonies
- Apply appropriate infection control procedure for the specialty area.
Observed Clinical Event Titles
- Gather a patient history relevant to the specialty from a patient, patient representative, or another member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Present a patient history relevant to the specialty to another member of the multidisciplinary team.
Learning outcomes
| # | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Explore the contribution of laboratory Clinical Microbiology to patient care. |
| 2 | Identify the roles and relationships of the multidisciplinary team working in the Clinical Microbiology laboratory. |
| 3 | Describe the working practices of Clinical Microbiology in the laboratory. |
| 4 | Examine the impact of innovation on laboratory Clinical Microbiology. |
| 5 | Review the effect of legislation on laboratory Clinical Microbiology. |
| 6 | Compare and contrast the practice of laboratory Clinical Microbiology with other specialties. |
Clinical experiences
Clinical experiences help you to develop insight into your practice and a greater understanding of your specialty's impact on patient care. Clinical experiences should be included in your training plan and you may be asked to help organise your experiences. Reflections and observations from your experiences may help you to advance your practice and can be used to develop evidence to demonstrate your awareness and appreciation of your specialty.
Activities
There is no clinical experiential learning associated with this module.
Academic content (MSc in Clinical Science)
Important information
The academic parts of this module will be detailed and communicated to you by your university. Please contact them if you have questions regarding this module and its assessments. The module titles in your MSc may not be exactly identical to the work-based modules shown in the e-portfolio. Your modules will be aligned, however, to ensure that your academic and work-based learning are complimentary.
Learning outcomes
- Discuss the basic organisation and functions of a Clinical Microbiology laboratory.
- Critically evaluate the design, operation, and performance of a range of diagnostic tests used in Clinical Microbiology.
- Describe the common pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) causing disease in humans and how these can be detected in the Clinical Microbiology laboratory.
- Discuss the functions of the immune system in health and in the protection against infection.
- Evaluate the quality management systems in place in the Clinical Microbiology laboratory.
- Appraise relevant health and safety legislation and how to apply this within the Clinical Microbiology laboratory.
Indicative content
- Replication and modes of transmission of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
- Pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical investigation of common commensals and pathogens.
- Role of the biome in health and infection.
- Diagnostic tools for culture, detection and identification of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
- Microbiology health and safety legislation and its application within the Clinical Microbiology laboratory.
- Current and new technological developments in diagnostic microbiology.
- Immune system in health and protection against infection.
- Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies and the significance of infectious diseases in the patient.
- Organisation and components of the immune system.
- Innate and adaptive immune response.
- Primary and secondary immune responses.
- Immunological memory.