Your responsibilities
As an assessor, you need to make sure you are prepared to use the Qpercom assessment platform before you assess. This includes completing a diagnostic test of your access to the system on your chosen device before the day of the assessment.
Preparing to use the assessment platform
Before the assessment, you need to identify the computer you will use to access the platform and the location you will log in from for the assessment and complete a diagnostic test to test your access.
Completing the Qpercom diagnostic test
In the weeks before the Final Year Assessment event begins, you will be sent a link to follow to undergo a test on your computer and network to ensure your setup will work on the day that you are assessing. You should do this well ahead of the day you are due to assess, not on the day. You should do this using the device, and from the location, you will use for the assessment. If, subsequently, you need to use a different device or location, you will need to repeat the test.
When you use the Qpercom platform, including when completing the diagnostic test, close all other applications on the computer, particularly applications that use the camera and microphone.
The video below shows you how to complete the diagnostic test.
If the diagnostic test identifies any issues with your computer or connectivity, you will be made aware of this in the diagnostic test report and provided with recommendations to resolve the issue. Once you have followed the recommendations, you can then complete the diagnostic test again.
Using the Qpercom platform on the day
You will have been sent your Qpercom username and password ahead of assessment day. On the day you will use these to log in to the Qpercom platform at: https://mdrs.qpercom.com/
The entire assessor experience on assessment day will take place within the Qpercom platform, including the assessor briefing.
View a video which provides a walkthrough of the assessor experience.
Selecting a device to use for the assessment
You need to identify a device which you can use for the assessment which:
- is a laptop or desktop computer – you should not use a tablet or a phone
- has a continuous power supply – we do not recommend using a device running on battery power alone
- has a working camera and microphone
- has a minimum screen size of 10 inches/25.3cm
- runs on Windows 10 and higher or MacOS Catalina and higher
- has Chrome or another browser that follows W3C web standards installed – this includes: Safari, Firefox, Edge, Opera but not Internet Explorer
You may also want to have a second device identified and prepared as a contingency.
Choosing your location for the assessment
You need to identify a location to assess from where:
- there is a stable internet connection, ideally a wired ethernet connection – we recommend you do not use a mobile hotspot or VPN
- you can be alone
- you won’t be disturbed or overheard, particularly by trainees
- you can access the Qpercom assessment platform, through any firewalls in place
If you plan to assess from your workplace, you will need to check that the Qpercom website is accessible through local firewalls. This can be done when you complete the pre-assessment diagnostic test (outlined below). Qpercom has already been used extensively for the assessment of healthcare professionals in NHS Trusts and is generally accessible through Trust IT systems. You may need to consider this in selecting the location and equipment you use for the assessment, and if necessary, allow enough time to request access from your local IT or find an alternative location. The School cannot support you to get access to Qpercom in your workplace.
Checklist for preparing to use the platform
- You have identified a suitable device to use for the assessment.
- You have identified a suitable location to take the assessment from.
- You have completed the Qpercom diagnostic test from the device and location you will be using for the assessment.
Where to get help to use the platform before the assessment
If you need help while conducting the diagnostic test, you should click on the green Help button within the Qpercom platform.
If you have important questions prior to the assessment about using the Qpercom platform please raise a ticket with our Digital Servicedesk at england.nshcs.digital@nhs.net