Vasectomy Special Skills Module (SSM)

Our Special Skills Modules (SSMs) involve theoretical and practical training that enables healthcare professionals in the United Kingdom to deliver specialist care in an area of sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH).

The practical elements of SSM training are supervised by a Principal Trainer at a training centre, and are captured within a logbook that is submitted to us for review.

By completing the Vasectomy SSM, you will demonstrate your ability to deliver high-quality specialist care in this area, and will be awarded a Faculty Certificate.

We also offer an SSM in Ultrasound.

Who can apply for the Vasectomy SSM?

The Vasectomy SSM is for doctors in the United Kingdom who work regularly in vasectomy.

The essential entry requirements are:

  • Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise
  • Working in SRH, primary care, or any other specialty related to men’s health care

The desirable entry requirements are:

  • Holding a relevant post-registration qualification in contraception or sexual health (e.g. DFSRH)

How do I apply for the Vasectomy SSM?

You will need to secure a Principal Trainer before you apply. See the Principal Trainer tab below for how to do this.

You will also need to have a MyFSRH account. Find out how to create a MyFSRH account.

You can apply through our website as follows:

1.  Log in to your MyFSRH account and access the FSRH Training Hub
2.  Scroll to the FSRH Training Hub and click on 'Browse courses'
3.  Click on 'FSRH Special Skills Module' and then 'Go to course'
4.  On the FSRH Special Skills Modules page, scroll down to the 'Apply for an SSM' banner
5.  Open the banner and click on the 'Apply now' button
6.  Complete the SSM application form and pay for your chosen SSM

Once you have applied, we will let you know by email within 10 working days whether you have been accepted.

If you are not accepted, you will receive an email and a refund on your payment.

If you are accepted, you will be sent your logbook and trainee number by email. Once you receive these, you can begin your SSM training.

You must provide your GMC number when applying for this SSM, and you must have a current licence to practice medicine in the UK.

What does Vasectomy SSM training involve?

The SSM includes theoretical and practical assessments. These are met by the completion of pre-course reading, and by the submission of an SSM logbook that captures the practical training elements that are supervised by a Principal Trainer.

Training is not undertaken for any set period of time, but until the skills, knowledge and competency levels have been reached. SSM trainees vary in the speed at which they acquire competency.

Please see the Pre-course Reading and Logbook tabs below for more information.

Pre-course Reading

Pre-course reading should provide you with the basis for the essential knowledge required to complete training in this SSM.

The required pre-course reading will be provided in your Logbook, which you will receive once your application is accepted. This reading must be completed prior to your induction assessment with your Principal Trainer, at which point your knowledge will be assessed.

Logbook

The logbook outlines all the practical training elements that you will need to complete. You will receive an electronic version of the logbook when you are accepted on to the SSM. At the end of the logbook is a Certificate Checklist that lists each of the items that you need to submit to complete the SSM.

You can either print out the logbook and scan in each page when it is ready for submission, or you can complete the pages of the logbook electronically.

Once completed, the logbook will need to be emailed as an attachment to our Member Support Team at Support@FSRH.org

Principal Trainers

Principal Trainers supervise the entire training process for the SSM. They are responsible for the initial, interim, and summative assessments, and the final SSM logbook sign off.

They are also responsible for delegating additional surgical trainers if required. It is their duty to ensure that these delegated trainers are sufficiently competent and able to train you.

How can I find a Vasectomy Principal Trainer?

You will need to contact a registered Principal Trainer from the below list to ask if they could be your Principal Trainer for this SSM:

List of Vasectomy Principal Trainers

The coverage of Principal Trainers across the UK is limited in some areas. Additionally, some Principal Trainers may have waiting lists of trainees, so it is highly recommended to contact several Principal Trainers prior to applying.

Training may require you to travel to a Principal Trainer if one is not available locally. Please take the time, distance and costs associated with this travel into account before agreeing on where to do your training with your Principal Trainer.

If there are no Principal Trainers who are available, or within a reasonable travel distance, you will need to ask a suitable person - who is conveniently located for you - to apply to become a Principal Trainer.

For more information on how to determine a suitable person and how they can apply to become a Principal Trainer, click on ‘How do I apply to become a Vasectomy Principal Trainer?’ below.

How do I become a Vasectomy Principal Trainer?

Principal Trainers need both training and clinical skills to provide effective training and supervision of the practical elements of the Vasectomy SSM.

To become a Principal Trainer, you will need to meet these requirements:

  • Meet one of the following criteria:
    • Hospital training Consultant or Specialty Doctor
    • GP Trainer
  • Meet one of the following criteria:
    • Hold the new FSRH PGA in Medical Education in SRH
    • Hold the old FSRH LoC Med
    • Attended a Training the Trainers course (including training in assessment and feedback methodology)
  • Currently actively involved in vasectomy surgery
  • Minimum of 2 years’ experience of performing vasectomy surgery independently
  • Undertaking a minimum of 60 procedures a year, with a minimum of 200 completed procedures
  • Auditing their own practice
  • Offer training in the no-scalpel technique or access to this training by a competent trainer

If you would like to apply to be a Vasectomy Principal Trainer, please complete the below application form:

Apply to be a Vasectomy Principal Trainer

This form will be sent to the Education and Training team and will be reviewed by the Module Guardian. You will then be contacted by the Education and Training team, and you may be asked to provide further information and evidence to support your application.

Principal Trainers must re-register every five years following the same process as above.

Fees & Costs

The SSM requires payment of a £50.00 registration fee. This is payable online when you apply.

You may also need to pay a fee to your Principal Trainer, which will need to be agreed with them.

FAQs

Browse the Vasectomy SSM FAQs here.

If you cannot find an answer to your question after checking the Vasectomy SSM FAQs page, please email our Member Support Team at Support@FSRH.org