Each instrument in our core facility requires specific training by one of our core managers before a user can be allowed to operate it by themselves. The exact length of training varies due to the complexity of the instrument and the previous experience of the new user. Training is charged at the the instrument's routine hourly rate plus a per hour staff labor fee (training rates for all of our instruments can be found in iLab). The core manager makes the determination as to when the user is ready to operate an instrument by themselves.
Training is often 2-3 sessions of 1.5 hours each. Because our rooms are small, we limit the number of trainees to a maximum of two individuals from the same lab. The first session is typically instructional, with the manager explaining principles of the optics, electronics, software, and data handling. The core sometimes uses a teaching sample for the first session. The remaining sessions are hands-on with the user's sample and the user learning to operate the microscope. We teach the trainee how to get the most of the instrument and often make suggestions about sample prep, alternate techniques, controls, etc.
For many of our instruments we have written resources (available online as PDFs) and we are working on developing D2L-based training to replace the instructional sessions for most of our instruments.
Please contact us if you have any questions.