What is the Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme?

About the programme

The Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) programme aims to produce consultant scientists who are capable of meeting the scientific needs of the healthcare system. The design of the programme is underpinned by Good Scientific Practice, which sets out the principles, values and the standards of behaviour and practice for the healthcare science workforce. The programme offers plenty of scope for personal development and a wide range of opportunities to use specialist scientific skills and interests for the benefit of patients. A trainee on the programme will work directly with patients as well as being involved in innovation, research and development, education and training, to the benefit of the future scientific workforce.

The programme offers work-based training supported by an underpinning doctorate level academic programme, commissioned by NHS England through the Manchester Academy for Healthcare Scientist Education (MAHSE). In Life Sciences the doctorate is optional but there is an additional requirement to complete the Fellowship examination of the Royal College of Pathologists.

Trainee’s follow a bespoke training programme agreed in advance with their Supervisor, and record evidence of their work-based activity in an online e-portfolio. All evidence of activity for assessment is mapped against the Higher Specialist Standards of Proficiency.

The main components of the programme

There are 3 main components of the HSST curricula, which reflect the 5 domains of Good Scientific Practice:

1. Clinical and scientific skills, values, behaviours and attitudes relating to professionalism and the delivery of scientific/clinical services (Domains 1 and 3)
2. Scientific content (Domain 2)
3. Contribution to research, innovation and leadership in healthcare science (Domains 4 and 5)

These 3 components, mapped to Good Scientific Practice, cover both professional and specialty-specific syllabuses, as well as the related assessment programme, including an Innovation in Clinical Sciences project. Together, they comprise the curriculum for attaining the standards required for successful completion of the programme.

For those in Physical Sciences, Physiological Sciences and Clinical Bioinformatics, the Certificate of Completion of HSST also indicates that:

• the underpinning doctoral programme/award (DClinSci or PgDip with previous PhD) has been achieved
• the Independent Assessment of Professional Skills (IAPS) has been achieved

For those in Life Sciences, the Certificate of Completion of HSST indicates:

• the underpinning doctoral programme/award (DClinSci or PgDip with previous PhD) has been achieved
• attainment of the Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath)

What does the HSST curriculum deliver?

For all specialties the HSST curriculum delivers a mastery of higher scientific knowledge alongside clinical and scientific competence. It also requires a trainee to contribute to innovation or improvement through service delivery, patient safety, care, public communication/outreach and quality management. It delivers both personal and professional development in:

• high-level leadership skills
• management
• teaching
• values, attitudes and behaviours

All of which are appropriate for higher professional practice in the NHS.

The HSST curricula was developed through joint working with:

• the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges
• individual medical royal colleges
• senior scientists
• scientific professional bodies
• employers and patients

Its underpinning academic doctoral programme was established through joint working with the Council for Healthcare Science in Higher Education and workforce commissioners.