RCP has been commissioned by NHS England to develop a range of professional certificates (credentials) for clinicians working in adult gender identity healthcare services.
Three professional certificates to meet Gender Identity Clinics (GIC) workforce credentialing needs
Three RCP professional certificate awards are available. To meet the credentialing requirements for statutorily regulated healthcare professionals (HCPs) working with gender diverse adults in GICs, and potentially in other adult service settings, such as primary care:
- Professional Certificate in Core Capabilities in Clinical Practice for Adult Gender Identity Healthcare (Certificate 1)
- Professional Certificate in Advanced Capabilities in Clinical Practice for Adult Gender Identity Healthcare (Certificate 2)
- Professional Certificate in Prescribing Capabilities in Clinical Practice for Adult Gender Identity Healthcare (Certificate 3).
Cost for October 2023
- Certificate 1: £2,000
How long will the Certificates take to complete?
Learners can complete each certificate in a minimum of three months and a maximum of 12 months, and there are three cohorts/entry points per year, sequenced in parallel with three portfolio submission points. Learners will have the opportunity to submit their portfolio of evidence in time to progress to the next level Certificate level entry point.
This provides flexibility for each learner to progress through the Certificate levels at their own pace, and facilitates learning across the range of employment patterns in gender identity healthcare settings.
Who are these certificates for?
Professional Certificate 1:
- designed for all statutorily regulated HCPs who work in the ‘Named Professional’ role described in NHS (England) Service Specifications for Specialist Adult Gender Services and other services intended specifically for transgender diverse (TGD) adults, such as Sexual Health, Urology or Obstetrics & Gynaecology Services for TGD people
- Certificate 1 may also be suitable for HCPs in other settings seeking to improve the experience of TGD adults using services intended for the whole population
- Certificate 1 is a prerequisite for certificates 2 and 3.
What are the key aims of the certificates?
Professional Certificate 1:
Learners who complete this certificate will be able to take a history, provide basic information and describe the care process. They will learn to facilitate and monitor an individual’s progress whilst working effectively with a multidisciplinary team (MDT). They will cover professional standards, good governance, and relevant legislation.
More information on certificates 2 and 3 is available below:
The certificates will centre on workplace-based learning and assessment:
How will learners study?
- Learners will be supported to learn in their workplace by a suite of e-learning resources that are hosted on the RCP’s dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
- Learners will be able to access and engage with these e-learning resources at their own pace, in the order that best supports their workplace-based learning
- Learners will also have opportunities to engage with other learners via online discussion forums; sharing their experiences of learning and creating networking opportunities
- Learners will attend an online induction day using our virtual classroom which will work through how to use the resources and complete their portfolio.
How will learners be assessed?
- Learners will meet the capabilities in practice (CiPs) of the relevant professional certificate. These CiPs describe the professional tasks or work within the scope of the relevant professional certificate that have been deemed essential attributes for clinicians working in adult gender identity services.
- Learners will submit a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate the CiPs:
- this includes evidence of workplace-based assessments, evidence-based reflective entries and feedback from patients and colleagues
- to do this they will need to identify a supervisor to support them
- the evidence needs to be gathered whilst working in an approved centre or network.
Dates for October 2023 Certificate 1 entry
Entry Point Certificate 1 only (Certificate 1 is a prerequisite for certificates 2 and 3).
W/C 2 October 2023: Successful applicants will be sent access to the online course log-on details.
11 October 2023: Online Induction Day 10am to 4pm. Learners will be expected to attend this day as an essential part of the programme and should book study leave at point of application.
Application details
Applications are now closed. Please register your interest on the form below, for the next cohort which will be opening in the Spring 2024.
NHS England funded places
There are a number of funded places for those working as statutorily regulated HCPs who work in the ‘Named Professional’ role described in NHS (England) Service Specifications for Specialist Adult Gender Services and other services intended specifically for transgender diverse (TGD) adults, such as Sexual Health, Urology or Obstetrics & Gynaecology Services for TGD people.
If you are interested in a funded place you should approach your line manager in the clinic in the first instance, and if you need any help or further information please email credential@rcp.ac.uk.
There will be a screening process to ensure an even spread across the GIH clinics in England. The places will then be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis after being assessed for eligibility from the application form data. Due to the expected popularity of these certificates, it may be that the module is fully booked when your application is received. We will include your details on a waiting list and allocate you a place on the next available intake.
Self-funded places
If you are interested in a self-funded place you will need to demonstrate the following criteria can be met in your application to the programme:
- you have the support of a suitably qualified work-based supervisor
- you have access within your role to clinical cases in an approved centre.
More information can be found in the 'Supervisor and Site' document linked in the ‘How will learners be assessed?’ section above. You can also email us at credential@rcp.ac.uk for more information. You can pay course fees by card or we can issue an invoice to your employer following receipt of a Purchase Order (PO) number.
Accreditation of transferable capabilities
We recognise that people join centres and networks throughout the year to train for the gender identity clinical workforce which provides services to adults. While they wait for the next credential course start date they will still be learning at work under supervision. Clinicians will be able to seek accreditation of meeting some of the requirements for a professional certificate prior to the commencement of the next cohort of that professional certificate programme. It will not be possible to receive prior accreditation for more than one third of the overall professional certificate requirements.
Clinicians joining the October 2023 cohort will be able to submit evidence collected up to 12 months prior to the date of starting the RCP professional certificate. For subsequent cohorts, this will be reduced to a 6-month window prior to the date of starting an RCP professional certificate.
There will be no reduction in the fee for the professional certificate.
Supported route for accreditation of experienced clinicians
The RCP will provide a supported route for the accreditation of experienced clinicians (sometimes termed ‘grandparenting’). This will be for registered healthcare professionals working within NHS provided gender identity services. Clinicians seeking accreditation based on their experience will need to submit an application endorsed by a referee who is working at a senior level within the field (eg clinic clead/head of service).
The grandparenting route will be open from January 2024 for 12 months after which entrants to the workforce providing gender identity healthcare for adults will be expected to complete the certificates in full.