Cervical Screening Training

Upcoming Cohorts

September 2025 – Fully Subscribed
Spring 2026 – For all participants on the New-to-Practice Nurse & NA Foundation Programme
Summer 2026 – For all HNY General Practice Nurses and NAs (CPD Funded)
Autumn 2026 – For all HNY General Practice Nurses and NAs (CPD Funded)

Funded places:
– Bookings for funded places are prioritised by a waiting list. Funded places will be allocated on a fair share basis across the region, and first-come-first-served from the waiting list within this.
– If you would like to join our waiting list or have any queries please get in touch on hnyicb.traininghub@nhs.net

Course Lead Contact – Deb Smith: debra.smith8@nhs.net

How do I apply?

Once dates are confirmed, we’ll contact those at the top of the waiting list with the application form for the next cohort, based on number of funded places available
If you would like to join the waiting list please email hnyicb.traininghub@nhs.net
Places will be allocated on a fair share basis across the region with equal access for each locality, and first-come-first-served within this
As part of the 2025/26 CPD offer, places are fully funded by NHS England for Practice Nurses/NAs employed within Humber and North Yorkshire
If you’re outside of this eligibility and would like to enquire about self-funding a place, please get in touch on hnyicb.traininghub@nhs.net

What does the training entail and how long does it take?

We are pleased to offer training for new cervical sample takers involved in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme based on the guidance developed by Public Health England. The aim of the training is to provide practitioners with the latest evidence-based knowledge to be able to confidently advise on and undertake cervical samples.

Initial training takes place over 2 days, a theory session, followed by a practical session.

Following initial training you will have 9 months to complete the practical training within your practice. You will be allocated an assessor who will visit to complete an initial assessment, then a final assessment following the required number of adequate samples. You will also need to identify an in-house mentor for support.

Further details can be expanded in the sections below:

Study Days: Initial Theory & Practical Training Sessions

The programme is a blended learning package. The initial live training is delivered over 1.5 days followed by additional self-directed study:

Day 1 – Theory – Full day training via MS Teams
Day 2 – Practical Simulation – Half day face-to-face (in Hull or York)
Self-directed:
– Complete accompanying self-directed recommended reading
– Complete specified ‘e-Learning for Health’ module
– Record written reflections on your electronic portfolio

Initial training covers the following core topics:

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme – overview and background
Organisation of the programme
Equal access to cervical screening
Understanding the test results
Anatomy and physiology of the pelvic organs
Practical aspects and professional responsibilities

After attending the initial training, you will then have 9 months in which to complete the practice based training and assessment.

Practical Training and Practice Based Assessment

After attending the initial training, practitioners are required to complete practical training consisting of:

A cervical screening clinic at your practice with an external assessor for initial practical training – you will observe your assessor performing at least 2 samples and then perform at least 5 observed samples
Taking 10 cervical samples with an in-house mentor available in the building
Taking a further 10 samples as above once initial results have been reviewed by your assessor
A cervical screening clinic at your practice with an external assessor for final assessment – Your assessor will observe you performing at least 2 samples
Completing written reflections and records of training
Training progress will be recorded using the Cervical Sample Taker Database (CSTD) e-portfolio
Final assessment should be satisfactorily completed within 9 months of the initial study days

Preparation

Before you start your training your practice CSTD administrator (this may be a lead nurse or practice manager) will need to request a new sample taker code for you for Open Exeter and CSTD.
It would also be helpful prior to starting if you can take the opportunity to observe one of the other sample takers in your practice if you haven’t done so before.

In order to undertake the training, you will need:

An in-house mentor, who must meet the criteria outlined below
An external assessor, who will be allocated to you upon starting the course

Your practice cervical cytology lead will need to apply for a new sample taker code for you before the start of the course.

Mentors and Assessors

In-House Mentor:

You will need to identify a suitable in-house mentor to support your training, meeting these criteria:

Is a current sample taker
Has taken a minimum of 50 samples
Has an adequate sampling rate

External Assessor:

You will be allocated an external assessor and be informed of their details upon starting the course. Following the study days it is your responsibility to contact your assessor to arrange a suitable time for the first assessment visit. Once you have started the training you will use the CSTD e-portfolio along with your assessor to record the progress of your practical training. Details about the e-portfolio and what the assessment visits entail will be discussed during the study days.

Commitment and Eligibility

Eligibility:

Candidates should meet the below criteria:

Qualified nurse/ nursing associate, and have been qualified for a minimum of 6 months
A minimum of 6 months experience in a nursing post. If new to general practice, candidates must have completed an induction period and the in-house mentor deems them suitably experienced to undertake the course

Commitment:

Release time to complete training, including:

Two initial study days
A visit to the pathology labs
An arranged cervical screening clinic at your practice with an external assessor for training
Performing 10 cervical screening procedures with the in-house mentor available in the building
Following adequate results, performing a further 10 procedures as above
An arranged final assessment clinic at your practice with an external assessor
Any further training required if initial results are not within the guidelines
The in-house mentor must also be contactable during the assessor visits, and ideally present in the building.

Please Note: You will need to complete your practical training within 9 months of the study days to complete the course.

I’m interested in becoming a Cervical Screening Assessor, how do I get involved?

If you are interested in being a Cervical Screening Assessor please contact us on hnyicb.traininghub@nhs.net
A form for entry to the H&NY Cervical Screening Assessor Register can be found here.

How can I find out more?

Email – hnyicb.traininghub@nhs.net

Phone – 01482 303986

HNY Cervical Screening Assessor Register - Application

File type: DOCX · File size: 181.96 KB

APPLICATION-FOR-ENTRY-TO-THE-CERVICAL-SCREENING-ASSESSOR-REGISTER-FOR-HUMBER-AND-NORTH-YORKSHIRE