Medical microbiology CESR Portfolio Guide
Complete guide to the Medical microbiology Portfolio Pathway: 13 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs), 2 evidence sections, and a 10-year currency window. Based on official GMC Specialty Specific Guidance, published by Royal College of Pathologists.
SSG Version: 07/02/2025
Capabilities in Practice (CiPs)
The Medical microbiology SSG defines 13 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) that Portfolio Pathway applicants must demonstrate competence in.
Able to function successfully within NHS organisational and management systems
Able to deal with ethical and legal issues related to clinical practice
Communicates effectively and is able to share decision making while maintain appropriate situational awareness, professional behaviour and professional judgement
Is focused on patient safety and delivers effective quality improvement in patient care
Able to carry out research and manage data appropriately
Acts as a teacher and clinical supervisor
Able to provide clinical leadership and support to the laboratory
Able to use the laboratory service effectively in the investigation, diagnosis and management of infection
Able to advise on infection prevention, control and immunisation
Able to manage and advise on important clinical syndromes where infection is in the differential diagnosis
Able to lead and advise on treatment with and stewardship of antimicrobials
Able to provide continuity of care to inpatients and outpatients with suspected or proven infection
Able to manage and advise on imported infections
Evidence Requirements
The SSG specifies 2 evidence sections. Each section describes what evidence to provide and how to present it.
Evidence of training, qualifications, and employment
Evidence of your training as background evidence to allow evaluators to see your whole career pathway.
What to provide
- Primary medical qualification (PMQ)
- Specialist medical qualification(s) (e.g., FRCPath)
- Recent specialist training curriculum or syllabus
- ARCPs or formal periodic assessment during training
- Other training and experience (e.g., Internal Medicine training)
- Other relevant qualifications and certificates (e.g., MRCP (UK))
- CV
- Employment letters
- Job descriptions
How to present
Group evidence together to keep the number of individual electronic uploads manageable. Use the RCPath template to list, map, and provide commentary.
Suggested evidence to support the CiPs
Evidence mapped to the 13 CiPs demonstrating capability for unsupervised practice.
What to provide
- Logbook or structured portfolio of evidence of professional experience
- ARCPs and training assessments
- Appraisals and assessments (including WPBAs)
- 360° and multi-source feedback
- Management and leadership experience
- CPD record certificates, certificates of attendance
- Membership of professional bodies and organisations
- Audits and quality improvement activity
- Reflective practice
- Service improvement and clinical governance
- Colleagues (communications, MDT minutes, EQA participation)
- Research papers, grants, patent designs
- Teaching and lecturing
- Attendance at teaching courses
- Participation in assessment or appraisal and appointments processes
- Working in multidisciplinary teams
- Data protection awareness
- Laboratory experience
- Equality and human rights training
How to present
Map each piece of evidence to the relevant CiP using the RCPath template. Do not include multiple copies of evidence; cross-reference instead.
Knowledge Requirements
Primary Path
Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) by examination in medical microbiology
Alternative Path
Robust evidence of having passed a substantial examination (e.g. a nationally or internationally recognised postgraduate examination in medical microbiology) that demonstrates knowledge and skills to a similar standard as the FRCPath, OR an extensive and detailed portfolio of evidence mapping to each element of knowledge and skills examined in the FRCPath examination.
As no other qualifications are considered directly comparable, alternative paths will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will require the applicant to produce an extensive and detailed portfolio of evidence.
Referee Requirements
Referee Reports Required
Most recent 12 months of clinical practise (up to 3 years for a second consultant if working in a very small clinical team).
- At least one referee must be a clinical lead or clinical director who has been your clinical manager during your most recent 12 months of clinical practise
- At least two referees must be consultants practising in the specialty, with whom you have worked closely during your most recent 12 months of clinical practise
- At least one referee must be your most recent educational supervisor if you are in training, or have been in a training programme within the last five years
Volume and Assessment Targets
The SSG specifies minimum volume and assessment targets for this specialty.
Logbook or structured portfolio of evidence of professional experience
30-60 pieces of evidence
360° and multi-source feedback
at least once for every 5 years of practice
Audits and quality improvement activity
at least one complete cycle of audit/Qi activities
Reflective practice
approximately 10 detailed reflections
Currency Window & Evidence Volume
Currency Window
Years
Evidence from the last 10 years of clinical practise will be accepted, although a small amount of older evidence can be considered where it provides a more complete account of your breadth of practise, training and experience. Any significant gaps in training or experience (e.g. six months or more) in the last five years should be explained.
Evidence Volume
800-1000 pages
Additional Notes
You are strongly advised to contact the Royal College of Pathologists for guidance before you submit your application.
Please complete the template provided on the RCPath website which allows you to list your evidence, map each piece of evidence to the relevant CIP, and provide a commentary.
Assessors attach high value to evidence that is readily identified as being personal, or unique, to you (e.g., personally generated independent laboratory reports).
If you have an item of evidence that is relevant to more than one CiP, do not include multiple copies in your evidence. Instead, provide one copy and cross-reference it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Medical microbiology CESR portfolio?
How many framework units does Medical microbiology require?
What evidence is required for Medical microbiology specialist registration?
How long is the currency window for Medical microbiology?
Start Your Medical microbiology Portfolio
Map your evidence to the Medical microbiology framework, track readiness, and export your GMC submission.