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Guidance

NHS Cervical screening: cervical sample taker training

Guidance on the training of new cervical sample takers.

Updates to this page

From:
NHS England
Published:
14 December 2016
Last updated:
2 September 2026
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  1. Education pathway • section 3.1, added clarification to arrangements for nursing associates and physician associates • section 3.2, clarified the requirement for course accreditation • section 3.3, added the main elements of a quality framework • section 3.4, added employer responsibilities • section 3.6, clarifications to the role of NHS cervical screening mentor • section 3.7, clarifications to the training period • section 3.8, clarification to the duration of theoretical course • section 3.9, clarifications to the training model • section 3.11, added new topic 9: hrHPV self-testing • section 3.12, enhanced guidance on the use of pin code or code number • section 3.18, added the management of trainees exceeding the maximum sample limit • section 3.20, enhanced guidance on training records and portfolio documentation • section 3.21, clarified the assessment and ratification of trainee portfolios • section 3.22, clarified the certification process • section 3.23, clarified the management of trainee performance • section 3.24, added transfer of trainee progression between providers • section 3.25, added returning to cervical sample taker training (after absence) • section 3.26, added post certification competence and ongoing practice requirements • section 3.27, clarified update training requirements • section 3.29, added governance, escalation of risks, issues, and incidents Topic 1 • section 3.1, updated milestones • section 6.2, transgender (trans) men opt-in • section 6.6, people living with HIV Topic 2 • section 2.1, updated epidemiology Topic 4 • section 1.2, updated further reading and resources list • section 2.1, information leaflet on hrHPV self-test for under-screened individuals • section 3.1, added people with disabilities • section 3.3, enhanced guidance on screening people with a physical disability • section 4, updated pathway Topic 5 • section 5.2, hrHPV self-testing samples Topic 8 • section 10.1, mindful observation, and reporting of unusual findings Topic 9 • topic 9, hrHPV self-testing (self-test offer and clinical pathway)

  2. Updated link to cervix chart.

  3. Rewording of paragraphs in Topic 1 (sections 3.1, 6.1 and slides 5, 10, 11, 17, 18) and Topic 6 (section 3.3 and slide 8) to reflect extension of screening interval to 5 years.

  4. Removed references to PHE within topic 3. CSMS and colposcopy discharge updates. Removed outdated slides. Removed signposting to Jo's Cervical Trust web page.

  5. Added clarification that publication was previously published by Public Health England. Removed screening helpdesk information.

  6. The guidance has been updated to include: • the addition of registered paramedics working in primary care to the list of healthcare professionals eligible for training to take cervical samples (Chapter 3, section 3.1) • a change to name of the 'interim' test to initial test to provide clarity on when in the training programme it should be completed (Chapter 5) • clarification that trainee sample takers must not include patient identifiable information (PID) on their records of samples taken documented in their workbook (Recording form and template examples) • clarified that it is the sample taker's responsibility to provide evidence of completed update training to the NHS cervical screening laboratory that holds the sample taker register for their locality (Chapter 3, section 3.23) • the addition of information on adapting theoretical content for a virtual platform (Chapter 4, section 4.5) • clarification of when to take a cervical sample after any clinical intervention (Topic 8, section 3.4) • the addition of information on taking a sample when an IUCD is in situ (Topic 8, section 3.4)

  7. Update of guidance to include paramedics as registered sample takers

  8. Updated following the implementation of primary human papillomavirus (HPV) screening in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.

  9. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Education pathway

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Topic 1: the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP)

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Topic 2: background to cervical screening

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Topic 3: organisation of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme

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Topic 4: equality of access to cervical screening

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Topic 5: cervical screening sample requests

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Topic 6: understanding test results

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Topics 7 and 8: anatomy, physiology, and taking cervical samples

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Topic 9: hrHPV self-testing

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Training record template form examples

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NHS cervical screening programme core and supporting activities

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Details

This guidance describes a post registration education pathway for new cervical sample takers in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP).

It aims to:

  • promote high quality, specialist training that is consistent with national policy recommendations and programme requirements
  • provide a common core of learning for all sample takers to a required minimum standard
  • advise on the training requirements for all sample takers in the NHSCSP
  • endorse the cervical screening mentor and cervical screening assessor roles for consistency in training and assessment
  • promote interaction across the care pathway

The guidance also describes the requirement for update training to support sample takers in meeting their clinical and professional responsibilities for continuing professional development and revalidation.

The initial assessment for trainees is available on e-Learning for Healthcare (E-LfH).

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