You will need to demonstrate through the presentation of evidence, that you can meet the requirements of the Standards of Proficiency for Higher Specialist Scientists and you will do this by organising evidence within an e-portfolio. The e-portfolio helps you, with support from your workplace Supervisor, to collect evidence systematically. Whilst the e-portfolio will take effort and time to complete it is also a means of demonstrating your particular strengths and achievements to others.
The e-portfolio should be developed along with your achievements and take on a dynamic role as:
- a record of achievements to date
- a record of feedback and response to feedback between Supervisor and trainee
- a reference tool for appraisal
- a basis for career development
- a record of continuing professional development
In relation to the relevant specialist curriculum and Standards of Proficiency for Higher Specialist Scientists the e-portfolio provides:
- a clear demonstration of understanding and performance against learning outcomes and Standards of Proficiency
- a focus for assessment
- a means to bring together evidence for more than one learning outcome or Standard of Proficiency
- an opportunity for gap analysis of training/learning needs
The e-portfolio will help you work towards certification as a Higher Specialist Scientist and also provides a useful reference tool for your future career. The e-portfolio will contain:
- training plans agreed with the workplace Supervisor identifying progression through the programme
- records of meetings between trainee and workplace Supervisor
- written evidence that maps to the programme requirements
- uploaded attachments and narratives
- feedback on evidence
Can evidence from professional qualifications be used as workplace evidence and added to the e-portfolio?
Yes, evidence from the preparation and successful completion of professional qualifications (e.g. FRCPath, CEng) can be used as workplace evidence to meet some Standards of Proficiency. However, narrative should be provided to state how this evidence meets the selected Standards. There may be additional workplace evidence which also supports the meeting of those Standards and this should also be added to the e-portfolio.