The IAPS is an independent assessment of a showcase of completed evidence for the Standards of Proficiency for Higher Specialist Scientists. The assessment consists of a scientific paper for review and an interview undertaken by 3 consultant level examiners. The assessment is independent from the workplace-based colleagues who have supervised and assessed the trainee throughout the HSST programme.
The IAPS is available twice a year in May and November. Three months before you intend to sit the assessment you must submit a showcase of your work on which to base the interview i.e. submission of your work is required in February or August. To plan completion of your portfolio and showcase check the IAPS deadline dates. You will be informed of a provisional date and time of your IAPS on receipt of your exit application. This will be confirmed when your showcase evidence has been approved by the Lead Examiner. Oversight for the IAPS for each specialty is provided by the Lead Examiner who is appointed with reference to the specialty’s professional body.
IAPS for Physiological, Physical and Bioinformatics trainees
The IAPS is the final assessment for Physiological, Physical and Bioinformatics trainees who do not obtain FRCPath status as part of the HSST. Life Science trainees do not need to take the IAPS as they are required to successfully gain the part 1 and part 2 Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) examinations.
To apply to sit the IAPS you must have completed and signed off evidence on OneFile for all 5 Standards of Proficiency and put together a showcase. Your evidence must be mapped against the 5 domains which are:
- Professional Practice
- Scientific Practice
- Clinical Practice
- Research, Development and Innovation
- Clinical Leadership