The Scientist Training Programme (STP) is a 3 year programme of work-based learning, supported by a University accredited master’s degree. Click this link for further details about the Scientist Training Programme.
The STP offers a fantastic opportunity for people who are looking for a fulfilling career in healthcare science. It is important that you consider your application to the programme carefully. You must be committed to a career in healthcare science and to providing high quality scientific services to patients and the public. Entry onto the programme is extremely competitive and therefore you should be prepared to be measured on your commitment to the programme and on your understanding of the expectations placed on trainees as part of the selection processes. Read through the STP information for applicants and explore the specialties in more detail on the Health Careers website.
A range of applicants have been successful in being appointed to the STP. In addition to high standards of scientific ability, what they have in common is an enthusiasm for science, aspirations to be leaders in healthcare science and a focus on delivering high quality and compassionate care for patients. Above all else our successful applicants demonstrate the right values and behaviours integral to providing safe and effective healthcare science services to patients and the public. Click this link for a breakdown of the competition ratios for direct entry posts.
NHS England funds all trainees on the programme (both direct entry and in-service) to allow them to be supernumerary. This means they will be released from other duties for the entire time on the programme. Trainees should be under supervision at all times. This can be indirect or distance supervision as they become more experienced. They should not be taken out of their training to provide routine services or to do on-call sessions.
The curriculum for the programme is comprised of a series of core and scientific modules. Each of these modules is made up of academic learning and work-based learning and training. Full details of the STP curriculum is available in our Curriculum Library.
As part of your application, you will be asked to choose where in the country you want to train. This is referred to as your ‘sub-preference’ choices. You can find all available posts and locations on the website when available. This information is updated regularly throughout the application process, with posts added or removed depending on NHS workforce need and capacity. Think carefully about your sub-preference choices as this is where you will work and train for the duration of the 3-year course. Read the STP recruitment guidance for further information.
Health authorities in Scotland, and Northern Ireland manage their own STP recruitment. The NSHCS recruitment team do not have any involvement with this process.
Welsh health authorities are responsible for their own STP recruitment. Details about the Welsh training programme is available on the Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) website. The NSHCS recruitment team do not have any involvement with this process.
The Academy for Healthcare Science has developed equivalence assessment processes for Healthcare Science practitioners and scientists who have undertaken training, hold qualifications and/or have considerable professional experience, and who wish to show that these are equivalent. Visit their website for further information on equivalence.
There is an equivalence route open to all individuals, providing they can demonstrate the necessary standards. Visit the AHCS website for further information.
Yes, you can attend an open day to find out more. Details of STP open days are available in the events section of the website.
You may have to travel to other training centres to fulfil parts of the programme. These could be in different parts of the country and you may have to spend weeks at a time there. Whether you have to travel to complete your rotations will depend on the specialty and whether your host employer has the facilities to provide all the training aspects.You will also have to travel to the university to complete the master’s degree. The amount of travel involved for this will depend on the university and course you attend.
The STP is delivered by a number of universities. Click this link to find out which universities provide the academic part of the STP.
The university provider is determined by the employing organisation and confirmed by NHS England commissioners. It is not based on location or proximity of available posts. Applicants will not have a choice in what university they attend and will be expected to travel to complete the academic elements of the course. The university will provide you with a personalised timetable and advise if any classes are delivered virtually.
No, the tuition fees for the academic part of the training programme are fully funded.
During your time on the programme you will be salaried at AfC Band 6 per annum. Details of current AfC Bands are available on the NHS Employers website. Funding for any additional expenses is entirely a local decision and should be discussed and agreed with the commissioner, and managed by the employer.
The NSHCS provide an educational support fund for STP trainees, to primarily support travel and accommodation costs associated with attending university. This is provided directly to the employer so accessing this fund should be discussed with them directly. Further information is available here Guidance about the STP educational training support funding — Scientist Training Programme
The School is responsible for issuing a Certificate of Completion for the Scientist Training Programme (CCSTP). The certificate confirms that a trainee has met all the relevant mandatory completion criteria for the programme and that they are fit to practice. The School is the education provider for STP therefore issuing the CCSTP will also mean that trainees are eligible to apply directly to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registration as a Clinical Scientist.
There are a wide range of clinical scientist roles to choose from within any chosen specialty. Your experiences on the STP will help you decide what type of scientific job you may wish to apply for upon completing your training.
There is no guarantee of employment on completion of the STP. However, you will be eligible to apply for any suitable clinical scientist posts once you have obtained registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). If you are an in-service trainee, your ongoing employment continues as normal.
Master’s degrees from a Higher Education Institute are recognised academic qualifications under the European Qualifications Framework and is a component part of the award made on successful completion of the STP.
Currently the STP is a full-time 3 year training programme only.
This will be determined by the employer.
Yes, we welcome all applications if the entry criteria is met.
There is no tie in with the NHS for trainees who undertake the STP.
You would need to speak to the Trust HR department as funding is only provided to the minimum salary point.
You would need to speak with the NHS pensions department with any pension queries. The salary will increase with any agreed pay changes.
Details of annual leave entitlements are available on the NHS Employers website.
You are unable to choose how often you attend University.
You would need to speak with the relevant University/Trust/organisation to discuss this query.
Trainees are expected to attend the workplace in person for the duration of the course. Flexible or remote working requests can only be discussed with your employer after an offer has been accepted and are solely at the discretion of the employing Trust in line with their local HR policy and are in no way guaranteed to be approved.
Trainees are expected to attend the HEI in person and may only attend remotely if this an option provided by, or approved directly by, the HEI.