Message from your Head of School
This month’s message is from Dr Lisa Ayers, Interim Head of School:
Welcome to the September Monthly Memo. September is a month of new starts for Healthcare Science training. Firstly, a massive welcome and congratulations to all the trainees joining programmes this month. We hope you enjoy this time attending Induction, getting to know your colleagues and fellow trainees, and starting the academic and workplace learning.
Thank you to all Training Officers and Supervisors for welcoming your new trainees and helping them to settle into the programmes. Your role is essential for the success of trainees and training within Healthcare Science as a whole. At the NSHCS we look forward to working with you over the coming years on your Healthcare Science training journey.
Information for trainees
Completion 2024
Unless you have an approved extension via the School’s Exceptional Extenuating Circumstances policy (EEC) or the University, you should be aiming to have achieved the following by 8 April 2024:
- 100% completion of your e-portfolio – One File
- Pass in the PGCert in Clinical Echocardiography
- Accreditation with the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) – theory and practical examinations
If you have concerns about meeting the requirements of the programme in the timeframe allowed come and talk to the School. We will be happy to advise you. You can email us at england.nshcs@nhs.net
Tips to help you complete your programme
We’ve pulled together a few top tips to consider now you are approaching the end of year 1 of your programme:
- Make sure you plan, review and act regularly and discuss your progress with your Training Officer.
- The BSE will endeavour to offer places for people on the ETP at the appropriate practical assessment. Please ensure they are aware you are on the programme if you are unable to gain a place immediately.
- Make sure you have planned to have completed both the theory and practical elements of the BSE accreditation before the completion deadline. If you fail the practical exam, you will be permitted up to 6 months to resit and pass it and still be able to complete the ETP. Any further time required will need to be discussed with the School.
- If you are having problems with collating sufficient cases for your BSE practical exam then speak to your Training Officer early and come and talk to the School about your options.
- Trainees who do not achieve the requirements by the deadline and who have not previously notified the School of any barriers to completion may fail the ETP. If you do not plan effectively and communicate early we won’t be able to help you.
- Completion of your e-portfolio is a mandatory requirement. If you don’t achieve this without sufficient reason this outcome will be reported to NHSE commissioners and quality teams, which may impact on future funding for the programme.
- If you have exceptional circumstances impacting on the progress and completion of your programme you can seek more time or adjustments via the School’s Exceptional Extenuating Circumstances policy.
Induction package for trainees starting in 2023
As part of the induction package for trainees starting in 2023 we have a combination of face-to-face and online sessions.
The Wednesday 4 October face-to-face induction day in central Birmingham is the same day as newly announced rail strikes. The NSHCS Events Team are looking into alternative options for the event and will contact all 2023 incoming trainees directly soon once a decision has been made about whether and how to re-arrange the event.
Information for training officers
ETP training standards and expectations
The training standards and expectations for the role of ETP work-based trainer are now available.
Taking on the trainer role is a significant responsibility and commitment. To support you and your departmental colleagues to navigate these responsibilities we have developed this set of training standards which clearly articulate what is expected of you.
There are 5 training standards and for each one there is a suite of training materials available on the NHS Learning Hub which we encourage you to access.
Induction package for trainees starting in 2023
As part of the induction package for trainees starting in 2023 we have a combination of face-to-face and online sessions.
The Wednesday 4 October face-to-face induction day in central Birmingham is the same day as newly announced rail strikes. The NSHCS Events Team are looking into alternative options for the event and will contact all 2023 incoming trainees directly soon once a decision has been made about whether and how to re-arrange the event.
Next Healthcare Science Education and Training Collaborative meeting
Our next Healthcare Science Education and Training Collaborative meeting will be online on Tuesday 7th November.
The Healthcare Science Education and Training Collaborative has been set up to enable collaboration between the healthcare science work-based training centres, the relevant Higher Education Institutes, the professional bodies and the National School of Healthcare Science.
As ETP training officers you should have received an invitation to our next meeting earlier this month. You can also find the agenda and registration link on our website.
Missed a previous edition of the ETP Monthly Memo?
We’ve published copies of the Monthly Memo for ETP trainees and training officers on our website.
Click here to view previous editions of the ETP Monthly Memo.