Core modules

The 4 core modules are outlined below.

Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science

This module will provide trainees with cross-cutting skills and knowledge which form the foundations of their practice in healthcare as a Clinical Scientist. Central to this module is the provision of safe, effective, high-quality, patient-centred care. This module includes work-based and academic content.

The module does not have a phase and can be approached throughout the 3 years of training. Some training activities, however, have indicative time frames associated with them, such as the MSF (multi-source feedback) training activities which should be completed at the midpoint and towards the endpoint of training.

This module includes work-based assessments and requires 4 DOPS or OCEs and 4 case-based discussions to be completed. The DOPs and OCEs include options for trainees in both patient facing and non-patient facing environments.

Research Skills in Healthcare Science

This module provides the skills for trainees to complete their STP project. On completion of this module trainees will be equipped with knowledge of research, service evaluation and audit. Trainees will appreciate the lifecycle of a project and the methodologies required, including qualitative and quantitative research methods, ethical considerations, sharing results and the importance of public and patient involvement.

The module includes 2 training activities which aim to support the trainee preparing for their STP project in the workplace as well as at university.

STP project

For this module trainees will complete a project in their own specialty, applying knowledge developed in the Research Skills for Healthcare Science module. The project will contribute to the improvement of patient care through research, service evaluation or audit.

This module includes 2 training activities which aim to embed the project in the workplace and share the project conclusions with a wider audience.

This module provides an opportunity for trainees to develop their own professional practice. Continued professional development is a requirement of registration as a clinical scientist and the ability to identify individual needs and self-direct development is an important professional skill. Career-long learning and development ensure skills and knowledge are up-to-date and patient care continues to improve and remains safe and effective.

• Trainees need to identify a personal development need which is relevant to their current or future practice and improves the way they work and the quality of their practice. There are 3 training activities in this modules which guide trainees through this process.
• Trainees could develop their knowledge of a particular area of practice or understanding of the wider NHS and healthcare environment. It may be helpful for trainees to consider the feedback from training activities, or the MSF carried out in the Professional Foundations module when identifying a development need.

Trainees can meet their identified development aim through a single event or a series of events or development opportunities at any time during the programme. There is no phase associated with this module. It can be approached at the most appropriate point in the programme for each trainee.

• The training budget cannot be used to support trainees undertaking the Individual Professional Development module.
• It may be helpful to consider the trainee’s proposed development plan in the context of departmental or organisational policies or guidelines on continuing professional development.