Message from Dr Owen Driskell, HSST Training Programme Director
At induction these past couple of weeks we welcomed the new cohort to HSST. There is a lot to take in as you start your programme and things may seem a little uncertain. I hope that hearing from our current and past HSSTs on the second webinar reassured you that there is a way forward. It was a privilege to hear them speak of their experiences as it will be to hear about yours in the coming years.
Your journeys and challenges will be akin to those you heard at induction but will be individual to you. It is important to know when to ask for help. There is support available from a number of sources and it is important you use this support when you need it. At the university, the School and at your workplace there are people with experience of supporting candidates through training programmes. Keep those people informed of your progress and keep engaging with them.
Planning is key. Know what you need to do and when you plan to do it. Be creative and innovative about how you meet the requirements of the programme. Know the components of the programme you need complete and how you are going to tailor them such that you can complete them through your training plan. Be adaptable, things will happen that will necessitate that plan to change. These may be unpredictable, like the Pandemic. Be aware they may throw up opportunities to develop yourselves and contribute to your HSST experience and be open to those opportunities to be able to take them when they come round. One of the principles behind HSST is that it is broader than just your expert scientific practice. You need to develop a broad appreciation of your role as a Consultant Clinical Scientist in NHS service provision. Be aware of what science does for the NHS. Take opportunities to be outward thinking. Outside of your department, outside or your organisation, outside of your immediate area of practice. And record your development in OneFile as you go. Best wishes, good luck and enjoy!
For other HSST cohorts the Annual Review of Progression is happening. This is another opportunity to take stock of where you are at and where that compares to where you wanted to be, worse or better. It is vital for you and your workplace supervisor to take part so arrange a meeting to discuss your responses and get those submissions in so we can avoid any challenges further down the line.
Information for trainees
Annual Review of Progression 2021
The Annual Review of Progression 2021 (ARP) for trainees on the HSST programme will open on Thursday 14th October at 9am and close on Monday 15th November at 5pm.
HSST trainees in their final year of training will be asked to anticipate their ‘readiness to exit’ the HSST programme.
As part of the process, all trainees and supervisors are required to complete an individual, separate online evaluation form pertaining to the trainee’s progress appropriate to the trainee’s stage on programme. Access to the applicable trainee or supervisor online form will only be made available on launch day – Thursday 14th October and not before.
Outcomes from the review will be released to trainees and their workplace supervisors during the week commencing 3rd January 2022.
Participation in the review is a mandatory requirement for all HSST trainees and their workplace supervisors. It is intended as a supportive and facilitative process.
We recognise the exceptional circumstances that have arisen over the last 18 months in regards to the COVID 19 pandemic, and that these may have impacted on training delivery, personal circumstances or both. Please be reassured that this will be taken into account when reviewing your progression.
Even if you have had an interruption or are currently on an interruption due to COVID 19, the expectation is that you will still engage with this process as it will be of benefit to you as you return to regular training.
Click here to find to further details on the annual review of progression (ARP)
Induction
The HSST Induction 2021 consisted of two online webinars with online resources, all of which provided new trainees with an introduction to the programme and key information that will support them during their training.
Webinar 1 was broadcast on Wednesday 6th October and gave attendees a brief overview of the programme and their responsibilities as a trainee and workplace supervisor. Other topics covered included training planning and how to complete work-based evidence.
Webinar 2 was broadcast on Wednesday 13th October and focused on the trainee’s perspective of being on the HSST. It supplied trainees with key information about OneFile, the online e-portfolio and how the School can support their health and wellbeing while on the programme.
Click here to watch webinar 1 recording – An introduction to the HSST
Click here to watch webinar 2 recording – A trainee’s perspective
Learn how to complete common tasks in OneFile
There is an extensive collection of guidance on the National School website for both HSST trainees and supervisors about how to use OneFile. We have playlists of videos about how to complete common tasks in OneFile in our YouTube channel and a series of downloadable guides which step you through how to complete key tasks.
Click here to view OneFile ‘How to’ guidance and videos for HSST trainees
Introduction to OneFile for HSST trainees and supervisors - November 11, 11.30 - 12.30
As an HSST trainee, your e-portfolio in OneFile is absolutely central to your training and assessment in the workplace.
Sign up for this webinar, in which members of the National School’s Digital Team will walk you through some of the key features and functions that you will need to master.
E-Learning for Healthcare
Health Education England’s (HEE) e-Learning for Healthcare is a service containing a huge variety of educational resource for healthcare professionals, trainees and their trainers.
The e-Learning for Healthcare website has a collection of links to web based educational resources and other e-learning platforms, that you may find useful to support your training.
Click here to find out more about getting started on e-Learning for Healthcare
E-Learning Health Literacy course
Nearly half the adults in England (43%) struggle to read and understand health information. When that information includes words and numbers, that rises to 61%.
This means important details, such as how to take medicines and dosage, understanding appointment letters and test results can be missed – and not everyone feels confident to say when they don’t understand.
Health Education England has developed a free, 35 minute, online health literacy course designed for anyone working with or supporting patients, families and carers.
Anyone can sign up today for the course, hosted on the NHS e-Learning for Healthcare platform. There is a simple registration process and once completed you will be able to access the free course quickly and easily.
Training support podcasts
We are developing a series of podcasts with the intention of providing guidance and support on a range of different themes for trainees. We hope these podcasts will be a helpful additional resource.
The podcasts are recorded with trainees who share their experiences on the programme ranging from wellbeing and mental health challenges to expecting a child and taking maternity leave. If you would like to be involved in the production of these podcasts and share your experiences, please email the school at nshcs@hee.nhs.uk.
Click here to find out more about our training support podcasts
Training support drop-in sessions
We offer regular drop-in sessions which provide a means through which trainees and training officers can speak to members of the School directly to access their expertise and guidance.
The drop-in sessions are offered on a regular basis and are themed to maintain focus for particular areas of support or guidance.
The discussions are confidential and usually offered on a 15 minute basis per person. Any issues not resolved or requiring follow up will be logged and further meetings arranged to address unresolved issues.
Click here to find out more about our drop-in sessions
Below are the dates for our upcoming drop-in sessions:
- 27th October – Training support, scientific support
- 24th November – Training support, scientific support
Click here to find our drop-in sessions timetable and event joining links
Interruption to training application
We continue to offer the opportunity for trainees on the HSST to apply for an interruption to their training if the pandemic is having a significant impact on their ability to engage with or progress through the training. This process has been a major success in offering flexibility to trainees who have been required to take leading roles in supporting the response to the pandemic and keeping services running.
Click here to find more information on applications for interruption to training (Expired link)
Information for supervisors
Annual monitoring is now live
All departments accredited on or before 31st March 2021 are now asked to complete their annual monitoring return.
Annual monitoring is a requirement of accreditation. If you do not complete your annual monitoring, this may affect your accreditation status. It will be taken into account when allocating the training contracts for the following year, following on from the Expressions of Interest process.
Annual monitoring is done through a short and simple electronic form that, in most cases, should take no more than 20 minutes to complete. We ask for details of any changes that may influence or affect the delivery of training. These include:
- Notification of any difficulties encountered in delivering the HSST programme
- Outcomes for trainee(s) who have completed the programme
Please ensure that the form is returned by Friday 3rd December 2021.
If you have any questions or need your unique survey link please e-mail the Accreditation Unit at nshcs.accreditation@hee.nhs.uk.
Change in circumstances
If there has been any significant change since your department was first accredited, that could affect the quality of training provided, please complete a notification form and return it to the Accreditation team at nshcs.accreditation@hee.nhs.uk.
Your information will be reviewed, and we will contact you if any further action is required.
Click here to access the change notification form for work-based providers
Introduction to OneFile for HSST trainees and supervisors - November 11, 11.30 - 12.30
As an HSST supervisor, it is vital that you are confident about how to use OneFile to support and assess your HSST trainee.
Sign up for this webinar, in which members of the National School’s Digital Team will walk you through some of the key features and functions that you will need to master.
Learn how to complete common tasks in OneFile
There is an extensive collection of guidance on the National School website for both HSST trainees and supervisors about how to use OneFile. We have playlists of videos about how to complete common tasks in OneFile in our YouTube channel and a series of downloadable guides which step you through how to complete key tasks.
Click here to view OneFile ‘How to’ guidance and videos for HSST supervisors
Expressions of interest for the level 8 qualification in histopathology
Would you like to be involved in developing a level 8 HSST qualification in histopathology?
If you’d like to be involved in developing the career pathway for scientists in Histopathology we want to hear from you. We’re particularly keen to hear from you if you’re a Consultant Healthcare Scientist, Consultant Pathologist, have equivalent experience or are training, particularly if you have recently completed professional qualifications at this level.
We’ll be establishing a Curriculum Review Group to begin developing a level 8 HSST qualification in histopathology in the next few months, if you’d like to join the conversation please provide your details.
Trustee position available with Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) are seeking to recruit two co-opted trustees to the Trustee Board. Charity trustees are responsible for controlling the management and administration of the charity. Trustees have ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the College, and ensuring that it is solvent, well run, and delivering the outcomes for which it has been set up.
A detailed role description and application form are available on the RCPath website and applications should be sent by 5:00pm on 21 October 2021.
Click here to find out more information on the Royal College of Pathologists’ Trustee positions
Recruiting for a Bioinformatics assessor
The School’s End-point Assessment team is recruiting for Bioinformatics Assessor posts.
The Bioinformatics Assessor is required to help enhance assessment material for the level 7 apprenticeship standard and subsequently assesses examinations and conduct professional discussions.
As part of this interesting and varied role you must have a logical approach and an eye for detail. Full training will be given and is also an ongoing requirement. Initial training consists of both assessor training and attendance meetings.
Click here to find more information on the post
Missed a previous edition of the HSST Monthly Memo?
We’ve published copies of the Monthly Memo for STP trainees and training officers on our website.
Click here to view previous editions of the HSST Monthly Memo