CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP IN HAEMATOLOGY

Course Director:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurasyikin Yusof

Duration of training:

3 months -12 Months, full time or part time (or duration as recommended by the RCPA for RCPA trainee only).

Training Centre: Haematology Unit, UKM Medical Centre/ Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Cheras 56000 Kuala Lumpur (accredited training centre by RCPA).

Eligibility: Specialist Pathologist or trained medical doctors who wish to undergo clinical attachment in Haematology laboratory or to pursue for RCPA fellowship.

Objectives of Program• To have advanced knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of the cellular and protein elements of blood and of the haematopoietic, lymphatic, vascular and reticuloendothelial systems;

• To have advanced knowledge of pathophysiology of haematological disorders;

• To Have theoretical and practical knowledge of the full range of haematological laboratory investigations performed in and referred from a tertiary referral hospital;

 • To be familiar with laboratory organisation and management, safety, equipment selection and maintenance, quality control, external and internal quality assurance and quality improvement;

• To be able to set up new test methodologies and be responsible for quality assurance;

• To understand the principles of and interpretation of tests performed in other disciplines which are relevant to haematology practice, including methodologies in molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, cytogenetics and tissue typing,

• To understand the principles, application, interpretation and limitations of haematological tests in relation to clinical problems;

• To have advanced knowledge of transfusion medicine, including aspects of donor selection, blood product collection, preparation, storage and distribution, supply, pre-transfusion testing and transfusion safety;

• To understand clinical/laboratory liaison issues in transfusion safety including patient/specimen identification and the diagnosis and management of adverse transfusion-related events.

The general aims of the training program relate to four functions of haematologists;

1. Discipline-specific functions as a medical specialist in the laboratory
2. Management functions in the haematology laboratory
3. Research and scholarship
4. Professional qualities

Furthermore, the policy on patient expectations of pathologists specifies that pathologists will:

• Demonstrate and maintain competence

• Be respectful of patients

• Treat specimens respectfully

• Foster constructive collegiality and teamwork within the laboratory

• Be part of the medical team looking after patients

• Provide accurate and timely results

• Be professional in their approach

• Be involved in appropriate accreditation and quality activities

Activities/Task:

The laboratory component will be undertaken in an RCPA accredited laboratory, where one of the mandatory supervisors is a Fellow of the RCPA or equivalent.

1. Major emphasis on laboratory practice, trainee will be required to perform all haematological lab activities at the level of a specialist or medical registrars devoted to acquiring detailed knowledge and practical experience.

2.Trainees may continue in any general or sub-specialty area of haematology, e.g. haematological cytogenetics or transfusion medicine.

3. A period devoted to a research project in haematology is desirable (although not mandatory, however see requirements for a dissertation during training).

4. Other educational activities such as case presentations, preparation of case reports or subject reviews, quality and audit activities and attendance at scientific meetings are regarded as essential components of the program.

5. Candidates are recommended to write a report on an audit activity or a complex  clinical case. A write up of a formal research proposal is highly encouraged.

6. Candidates are required to exercise the standard quality management and laboratory safety at all times. The candidate will also be assessed on their ethics of conduct and professionalism

Trainees who have completed the requirements of the training program should have sufficient knowledge and experience for safe, unsupervised practice in haematology in the medical multidisciplinary team.

Certificates;

1. Certificate of ‘completion of training’ certified by Course Director and Dean, Faculty of Medicine UKM will be given to all candidates who has successfully undergone attachment in Haematology laboratory.

2. Certificate of the Fellowship of Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia will be presented upon completion of the examinations by the RCPA.

Important requirements:

1. Please apply at least 6 months before intended start date. For those who want to pursue the FRCPA examinations, go to the RCPA website for further informations and to register on the courses as a RCPA trainee.
2. You will need Temporary Practising Certificate (TPC) by Malaysian Medical Council (MMC). Please ensure you fulfil all the requirements for TPC. https://mmc.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/TPC_July_2019_2.pdf
3. Application for TPC will be forwarded to MMC by UKM except for Letter of Good Standing.
4. Please contact Miss Razlein (Secretary, Pathology Office 03-91459487) for training informations in UKMMC.