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Cervical Smear Taking nurse talking to patient

Cervical Screening

HL1002

Course details

  • Jul 2024
    Feb 2025
  • One year, includes four full workshop days, 8.30am-5.00pm
  • Part-time
  • $2,007*
  • Level 7
  • Available for International Students. International Fee Guideline
  • Hamilton City Campus

Workshop dates

Semester 1: 2024 dates to be confirmed
Semester 2: 2024 dates to be confirmed

Summary

This course is designed to give health professionals up-to-date knowledge and skills in order to develop the confidence to become Cervical Screeners, conforming to the National Standards for competency. It is expected that you will make a commitment to uphold the policy and protocols of the National Cervical Screening Programme and the Register.

There is a lot of interest in the course, and priority will be given to those who are presently in a position to take cervical samples in the Midland region (eg General Practice) or intend reaching priority group women ie women 30 years of age who has never had a sample.

Programme content

You will study:

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Cytology
  • Communications
  • Cultural issues
  • Follow-up and referral
  • Women's sexuality
  • Legal / Ethical issues and education
  • National Cervical Screening Programme and Register
  • Client assessment and history taking
  • Screening

The programme will involve 2 two day blocks of theory training and a practical component. You are required to undertake a series of smears to ensure that you can achieve competent practice. You will achieve certification after completing 30 samples and demonstrating the necessary competency skills as described in the National Cervical Screening Programme's Standards of Practice.

To enrol

In the enclosed pack you will find information and the necessary forms for you to complete your application. Please include the following when you return your application to Wintec:

  • A verified copy of current annual practising certificate
  • A letter of support from your employer and / or supervising smear taker
  • Completed supervision agreement
  • Professional Indemnity Insurance Form
  • A copy of your Birth Certificate / Current Passport
  • Wintec Application Form

Please return your forms as soon as possible indicating which course you are interested in, to:

Centre for Health and Social Practice Consultant
Student Enrolment and Information Centre
Private Bag 3036
Hamilton 3240

Please do not include money with these forms. Please note: Definition of a verified Copy of your Practising Certificate. You need to get a photocopy of all parts of the original document. Take both the original and the photocopy to a person who can state that the copy is a true one - people who hold positions of authority in the community can sign for you. These include Justices of the Peace (JP's), Members of Parliament, Lawyers, School Principals and Institute staff and School of Health staff.

Ask the person in authority to compare your photocopy with the original document. When they are satisfied that the copy is a true one, they write on the photocopy "This is a true copy of the original document which I have sighted". The person must also sign and date their statement. If they have an official stamp of office, then this should also be put on the photocopy. We cannot accept faxes of verified documents.

Forms

Disclaimers

Entry criteria

  • Applicants must hold a New Zealand Health qualification and a practising certificate. They will also need to have professional/personal indemnity insurance.
  • Applicants will need to be able to provide proof of available support and supervision by an accredited smear taker for the practical component of the training. They will also need to show that they are able to access priority groups of women to meet the annual certification requirements of 30 smears per year.

Pathways

Health and social practice pathway diagram

To check what you need to gain entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.

Your first day

Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.

Programme information will be emailed to you approximately 2–4 weeks before your first workshop or at the start of your module.

What you will need

We recommend you bring a pen, notebook, and a laptop or personal device.

Logins for computer access
All course information, workshop timetables, and relevant content will be available online through Moodle.

Computer requirements 
We require students to have access to a device that has access to a video player, PDF reader and Microsoft software. Find more about device specifications here. Additionally, the Pharmacology module, Scopia, is required.

Timetable information

All Wintec timetables are available online here.

How to find your way around

Campus maps can be found here.

Parking and bus information

Both the Rotokauri and City campuses have parking available - permits are required. Learn more about parking and find out about discounted bus services here.

He reo pōwhiri, your official welcome to Wintec

Tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koe e piki nei, e kake nei ki te Kuratini o Waikato.

You are warmly invited to attend the official welcome to Wintec for all new students, staff and whānau (family) at either our marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa or Rotokauri campus. The pōwhiri is a welcoming ceremony involving mihimihi (speeches), waiata (singing), and will conclude with kai timotimo (light refreshments). Please gather at the campus hubs, and a staff member will guide you through our pōwhiri.

Click here to find out when the next pōwhiri will be.

Paying for your study

Course-related costs

Additional information

Booklist

Purchasing textbooks

If your programme requires you to have access to textbooks, these can be purchased through a range of suppliers listed below:

    New Zealand-based suppliers

    General book suppliers

    First aid certificate

    Health status

    Uniform

    Equipment

    Clinical placement

    Prospectus (course guide)

    The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.

    Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus

    The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.

    Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus

    Portfolio

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