This could take the form of a list of skills and attributes you would be expected to be able to demonstrate on day one of your new role as a Consultant Clinical Scientist. It would make sense to derive this list and plan with reference to the HSS Standards of Proficiency against which submissions the e-portfolio will be mapped. You may develop a list of key and daily deliverables for a consultant clinical scientist in your specialty (for inspiration look at the job descriptions for consultant posts). You may then wish to split this list by the year of training when you believe each skill or competence becomes achievable, or identify whether the deliverable represents a common thread throughout the entire training period.
You could also produce a matrix that specifies your intended development milestones by some key themes in your training. These key themes may include academic development, professionalism, clinical skill and scientific understanding. Again, you may wish to derive your themes from the domains and standard titles contained in the HSS Standards of Proficiency. Below are some examples of how milestones may be specified for development of research skills. The work that is done to achieve these milestones should be submitted in the e-portfolio and mapped to the relevant HSS Standards of Proficiency.
The milestones below show a clear incline of challenge that is appropriate for HSST. Although they may not be achieved in such a linear fashion as is presented here. The achievement of each milestone would create a wealth of evidence that can be recorded in the e-portfolio to demonstrate progression.
Possible milestones for research skills and competencies
Year 1
Milestone
Understand the framework for academic and professional development in my specialty.
E-portfolio task
Develop and upload a map of the most relevant websites, conferences, online discussion groups, journals, networking opportunities, congress meetings etc.
Year 2
Milestone
Submit to the annual congress/conference an abstract for a poster presentation based on work submitted for the Professional Doctorate module ‘Professionalism and Professional Development in the Healthcare Environment’.
Begin an outline for a paper for publication.
E-portfolio task
Upload abstract and PDF of poster.
Write reflective piece on own performance at conference.
Year 3
Milestone
Submit to the annual conference an abstract for a 10 minute oral presentation.
Ask colleague to complete a feedback evaluation form on my performance during oral presentation.
Develop the ideas for and set up a ‘journal club’ with colleagues; aim to read and critique one paper a month
E-portfolio task
Upload PowerPoint presentation and presentation notes.
Complete reflective piece on own performance, including questions asked and thoughts about your responses.
Upload feedback evaluation and thoughts and actions for improving weaker areas.
Year 4
Milestone
Present an oral presentation.
Submit a co-authored outline for a pre-conference workshop.
Present a seminar at another centre in my region, and request completion of an evaluation.
E-portfolio task
Upload presentation and notes.
Upload pre-conference workshop abstract and any accompanying materials.
Upload seminar presentation and notes; write reflective piece based on evaluations.
Upload a list and written critique of the papers read for the journal club.
Year 5
Milestone
Contact conference organiser and offer to chair a symposium at the annual conference.
Co-author a paper based on your research.
E-portfolio task
Upload all evidence relating to symposium, including agenda, questions and answers, speaker biographies that were used to introduce speakers.
Upload draft paper and plan for publication (target journal, timeline etc).