Genetic Counselling Programme Division Human Genetics University of Cape Town MSc(Med) Genetic Counselling 2015 Head of Division: Prof Raj Ramesar Programme conveners: Prof Jacquie Greenberg and Dr Tina-Marié Wessels Medical geneticists: Dr Karen Fieggen A/Prof Ambroise Wonkam Genetic nurses: Sr Diane Sklar Genetic Registrars: Dr Cedrik Ngongang Dr Ayman Hussein Dr Yushia Tsai Genetic Counsellors: Ms Nakita Laing (F/T)
Outline of programme The MSc(Med) in Genetic Counselling is full-time 24 months Master s degree (NQF level 9). The courses in the first year provide the foundation of medical genetic knowledge, genetic counselling skills and research methodology. These courses will be applied in genetic counselling practice in first and second year. Medical Genetics and Principles of Genetic Counselling are written off at the end of the first year. Some of the lectures/workshops or courses will be multidisciplinary. This means that there will be students from the Division of Palliative Care, registrars doing their MMed in Medical Genetics and occasional students from other programmes in the same lectures. Courses in the second year require application of the above knowledge and skills in the clinical situation by accurate assessment, planning and formulation of counselling sessions independently; and conducting research and writing a research dissertation, under supervision. Purpose of the programme The first purpose of the qualification is to provide the students with a wide range of masterlevel knowledge, attitudes and skills unique to genetic counselling which will equip them for life-long learning and competent clinical practice. Following a complementary internship it will enable them to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and to work independently in the public or private sectors in communities, hospitals, clinics, special schools and laboratories in southern Africa as well as internationally. There is an explicit commitment to a Primary Health Care approach of client and family management throughout the programme. The second purpose of the qualification is to equip the students with management, leadership and research skills which will enable them to participate in national health care development and policy making and contribute to the international body of knowledge in genetic counselling. The third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with a group of competent genetic counsellors to provide effective, efficient and accessible genetic counselling services while continuing to improve their knowledge and skills prior to proceeding to a PhD degree. Aims The general aims of the programme are that by the end of two years the student will be able to: Demonstrate a level of professional excellence; Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of basic medical genetics and its relevance to genetic counselling; Manage time effectively; Problem-solve autonomously and co-operatively with other disciplines; Communicate effectively and courteously; Have a keen interest in research and continuing education; and Demonstrate competency in professional life-skills.
Admission requirements Holds a degree in BSc (Hons) or BA (Hons) equivalent in genetics, nursing, psychology or social work, acceptable to the Health Science Faculty of the University of Cape Town. Knowledge of genetics is required. (Unless this has been passed at honours level students may be required to write an entrance examination.) MBChB degree Is a registered nurse and midwife who has a four-year diploma in nursing and midwifery plus at least one post-basic diploma and relevant experience. Such candidates will be expected to submit a full portfolio, a curriculum vitae, and may be required to complete a prerequisite programme and/or an entry examination. Applications from students with other qualifications will be assessed on a case by case basis. Selected applicants who meet all the criteria will be interviewed personally or telephonically. Content of programme The prescribed courses include: LAB5012F Module 1 Principles of Genetic Counselling LAB5013S Module 2 Principles of Genetic Counselling: Applied learning LAB5014F Module 1 Medical Genetics LAB5015S Module 2 Medical Genetics LAB5009W Genetic Counselling Practice LAB5007W Dissertation Mark allocation: Principles of Genetic Counselling Module 1 50% Module 2 50% Medical Genetics Module 1 40% Module 2 60% LAB5009W Genetic Counselling Practice 8 x end-of-block evaluations + 6 x patient counselling tests 50% 4 x patient counselling exams 50% LAB5007W Dissertation Dissertation: 80% 2 x Journal article reviews: 10% Seminar: 10%
Progression and readmission Students may be allowed to repeat a course they have failed, at the convenor's discretion. No course may be repeated more than once. A student failing a course twice will be asked to withdraw from the programme. No supplementary examinations will be offered. A deferred examination may be granted where applicable, e.g. on medical grounds. Students must pass all of the courses in the first year before progressing to the second year. In the case of LAB5009W Genetic Counselling Practice they must achieve an average of 50% for the two clinical exams. Any student whose performance is not satisfactory may be required to withdraw from the programme. In addition, a research proposal must be approved by the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Research Committee and the Faculty of Health Sciences Ethics Committee before the student is permitted to progress into the second year of the programme. Distinction requirements The degree by coursework and dissertation may be awarded with distinction where a student: (a) obtains an average mark of 75% for all components; and (b) obtains at least 70% for each component. Duly Performed requirements In order to qualify for the LAB5009W Genetic Counselling Practice examinations the student must: a) attend 80% of all classroom activities; b) attend all clinical counselling sessions; c) achieve 50% for Medical Genetics; d) achieve 50% for Principles of Genetic Counselling; e) achieve 50% for 7 out of 8 clinical block evaluations of LAB5009W Genetic Counselling Practice; f) achieve 50% for 4 out of 6 clinical tests of LAB5009W Genetic Counselling Practice; g) achieve 50% for the two clinical exams for LAB5009W Genetic Counselling Practice at the end of first year. Confidentiality and ethical conduct As with all staff and students in the Faculty of Health Sciences it is important to preserve and protect all confidential patient information and to conduct oneself in an ethical manner at all times. Confidentiality includes patients' as well as their family members' medical records (including computerised data and verbal information provided by or about them), diagnoses, test results, conversations, discussions, research records and financial information. Ethical conduct refers to clinical as well as research matters.
Students will be required to sign the Division's Confidentiality Agreement, Declaration for MSc Genetic Counsellor students and the Laboratory Safety Guidelines and Procedures at the beginning of the first year. Registration with the Health Professions Counsel of South Africa (HPCSA) Students are required to register with the HPCSA as an intern in Genetic Counselling at the beginning of year 1. Internship Any person who wishes to register with the HPCSA as a Genetic Counsellor in the category independent practice, needs to have completed two years of internship in an accredited training facility within three years of graduating. The second year of the MSc Genetic Counselling programme is recognised as one year of the internship. The second year of internship needs to be completed after graduation. The Division of Human Genetics does not guarantee that there will be funded internship posts available to students when they have completed the MSc (Med) in Genetic Counselling degree. Evidence for satisfactory completion of the internship is submitted as a portfolio to the HPCSA at the end of the internship for assessment. There is a HPCSA guideline document on how this portfolio should be completed. The portfolio includes a record of all activities including patient logs, seminars/conference/academic activity attendance, workshops and counselling assessments. Applicants to complete: An online application http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/applications/forms/ Attach a curriculum Vitae Include a motivation for wanting to do the course Contact details of two referees For further details regarding the administration of applications and formal registration Mrs Adri Winckler Manager: PG Admin Faculty of Health Sciences University of Cape Town 021 406 6327 (08:00 13:00 & 13:30 16:00) Adri.Winckler@uct.ac.za Course Convenors Professor Jacquie Greenberg Dr Tina-Marié Wessels 021 406 6299 021 406 6698 jacquie.greenberg@uct.ac.za tina.wessels@uct.ac.za For course fees consult the University of Cape Town website: http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/fees/