Introduction
By Owen Driskell, Deputy HSST Training Programme Director
A lot of new starters will be reading this Monthly Memo for the first time. This is a place where we can let HSSTs and their supervisors know about news or upcoming events relevant to your programme, that would otherwise be lost in multiple emails.
The memo is also a place where we can share reflections about the challenges of HSST. In that vein, here is an initial reflection for new starters and a reminder for current HSSTs and their supervisors.
HSST in three steps: Understanding, Performance and Advocacy
The Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme is a five-year funded development programme for candidates to become eligible to enter the Higher Specialist Scientist Register and capable of applying for consultant clinical scientist posts. The primary purpose of the programme over these five years is for the HSSTs to build a body of evidence in OneFile to demonstrate their capabilities against the AHCS Standards of Proficiency for Higher Specialist Scientists (SoP HSS). This is achieved through developing their Understanding, Performance and Advocacy of consultant clinical scientist practice.
Understanding. Standard 1.1 in the SoP HSS is ‘Demonstrate an understanding of Good Scientific Practice at Consultant Clinical Scientist level’. So, to meet the very first standard, you must develop your understanding of practice at consultant clinical scientist level. The Standards are directive in the language they use to describe this but much of how this is translated into each profession is defined by the views of that wider profession. Therefore, it is very important that HSSTs and their supervisors engage in seeking the views and perspectives of others as to what the profession considers this to be. During this reach out into the professional community it is important to seek out allies and supporters. These could be peers, consultant clinical scientists, IAPS examiners, FRCPath examiners or other medical colleagues, to support your understanding of your development beyond good clinical scientist practice to consultant clinical scientist level. Remember, it is a threshold, not a target. To be sure to succeed, aim to exceed it.
Performance. Once understood, it now needs to be done. The knowledge and understanding of what the HSSTs are aiming at enables them to plan for the opportunities they need in order to develop, demonstrate and evidence their abilities.
It is important the HSST knows their own strengths and weaknesses and development needs. It is useful to do a 360-degree reflection exercise to identify strengths and development needs early in the programme. The HSST might identify some standards as more challenging, so they will likely need more time and effort assigned to them in their planning. There might not be a linear progression to completion. HSSTs have different needs, strengths, past experiences and therefore different starting points in their development across the different standards.
It is also important that the HSST knows their own training situation and environment. HSSTs will face different challenges. Those in more senior roles might have more opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities as part of their role. More junior staff will have to ensure they seek out these opportunities. HSSTs in small teams may get ample opportunities to demonstrate responsibilities needed. Those in bigger teams may face more competition for those opportunities. This again needs to be factored into their planning. Big training centres might have more going on – for example, in terms of research – so there may be more opportunities. HSSTs in smaller centres might have to work harder to find suitable opportunities.
HSSTs themselves are not often in consultant roles during their training. They must work, with the support of their supervisor, to find ways to demonstrate consultant level practice. How much the individual HSST will have to step outside of their day job to take suitable opportunities for experience at the right level, will depend on what opportunities are available in their day job.
By the end of the programme these work-based demonstrations of their abilities, and the evidence and reflections they collect in OneFile, are the primary means that HSSTs can evidence their capability at the required level across all five domains of the HSS Standards of Proficiency.
Advocacy. Lastly, HSSTs must advocate for themselves as capable of consultant level practice. HSSTs can use the evidence in OneFile to build their case to demonstrate their understanding and performance and prove they have met the standards. In the first instance, this will be to persuade supervisors to them off sign off; but there will be other times when HSSTs need to be convincing at consultant clinical scientist level; for example, in professional assessments such as those involved in attaining FRCPath or IAPS. The portfolio allows self-advocacy based on the experiences it contains, and the development achieved throughout the programme. For assessments, HSSTs can stand behind those achievements, talk honestly about them – about that lived experience and how they shaped their thinking – with authenticity and enthusiasm. In this way, they will be in the best place to be convincing as having met the standards.
To conclude, HSSTs will be part of the definition of what people understand consultant level practice to be. In their future careers there will be many places they will need to advocate for themselves and others. In that sense, they will be future representatives of consultant level practice for their profession. This is important in all the professions, but especially in those where consultant level practice is not well established. Within these disciplines, it can be an extra challenge and HSSTs can feel isolated. It is important to develop your allies and support network and that they understand your engagement.
It takes practice and resilience to advocate for yourself. It might come naturally to some HSSTs. For others, it might be an important development need for the programme. This is all in preparation for consultant roles where HSSTs will not only be advocating for themselves, but also for the services they represent and lead.
Information for trainees
HSST Induction 2025
We recently held our online induction for the new intake of HSST trainees. Recordings of the talks and downloadable presentations from the HSST Induction 2025 can be found on our website.
View the resources from the HSST Induction 2025
Resources to support you through the programme
The following resources are available to support you with progressing through the programme:
- Managing imposter feelings from the Sharing Good Practice catalogue. Hear from current trainees and graduates of the HSST about their experiences and tips for managing imposter feelings.
- Reflective practice from the Sharing Good Practice catalogue. View presentations from current trainees and graduates of the HSST about the value of reflective practice in the context of the Consultant Clinical Scientist role.
- Guidance on workplace evidence for HSST trainee
Have Your Say: Complete the National Education and Training Survey (NETS)!
NETS is the only national survey open to all healthcare students, trainees and apprentices.
NETS offers a platform to share your experiences and shape the future of healthcare education. Your feedback helps us make informed decisions to enhance learning environments, support retention and recruitment.
Take 10 minutes to share your experiences! The survey is open until 2 December 2025.
Complete the National Education and Training Survey
Information for trainees and supervisors
HSST Annual Review of Progression 2025 – now open
The Annual Review of Progression for HSST trainees (Years 2–6) is now live and will close at 5pm on Monday 1 December 2025.
All trainees and their workplace supervisors must complete their individual online evaluation forms. Part 1 is mandatory for all; Part 2 is only for raising concerns that have impacted progress. The form has been streamlined and should take just 5 – 10 minutes to complete.
Read further details about the Annual Review of Progression
Introduction to the OneFile e-portfolio
We recently held a webinar introducing HSST trainees and supervisors to the OneFile e-portfolio. A recording of the webinar can be found on the school website.
View a recording of the HSST OneFile webinar
Sharing Good Practice webinar series
We are pleased to announce the following Sharing Good Practice webinar. Trainees and supervisors are welcome to attend.
Practical applications of Generative AI tools in Healthcare Education and Training
Friday 21 November 2025 – 10am to 11:30am
View further details and register for this webinar
Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST)
Thursday 22 January 2026 – 1pm to 2pm
View further details and register for this webinar
Search and browse our catalogue of Sharing Good Practice resources
NHS Fellowship in Clinical AI for Clinical/Biomedical Scientists
Applications are now open for the NHS fellowship in Clinical AI. Applications are open to all HCPC registered clinicians for Cohort 5, which will run from August 2026 to August 2027.
There are regionally and nationally funded posts with specific application criteria.
Directly allocated posts are open to HSSTs who are able to utilise their training allowance to support participation.
Key dates
- 10 November 2025 – Application and approval in principle form go live at https://www.nhsfellowship.ai/apply/
- 24 November 2025 – Webinar and Q&A; a registration link and recording will be uploaded for prospective candidates on the website at https://www.nhsfellowship.ai/apply/
- 15 December 2025 – Application form and approval in principle form deadline at 23:45 GMT
- 13 January 2026 – Shortlisting outcomes communicated
- 19 to 30 January 2026 – Remote interviews conducted
- February 2026 – Interview outcomes and project matching
- March to August 2026 – Fellows prepare for programme start
- August 2026 – Fellows begin the programme
View detailed information about the programme
Are you using AI in your clinical practice?
If you or your network are using AI in your clinical practice, we would like to invite you to present your experience as part of our Sharing Good Practice series. If you are interested, please express an interest via the form linked to below.
Express an interest in sharing your practice
Upcoming events for Life Scientists
It is worth checking in on what educational and developmental opportunities your professional bodies are organising.
Association for Laboratory Medicine upcoming education and training events
The Association runs a wide range of CPD accredited meetings and courses for the benefit of its members. These range from large national conferences run by the National Meetings Committee to small, one-day, single topic meetings run by the local regional committees, all of which are geared towards spreading and improving scientific knowledge within the profession. The Education Committee also run a number of training courses aimed at both pre-registration trainees and those members looking to progress towards more senior and managerial positions. These are often targeted towards particular specialties, but it is worth taking a look at the event programmes in the links below to see if there is any crossover.
- 7 November 2025 – Elevating Lab Services: Harnessing the Power of AI and Digital Transformation
- 12 November 2025 – The Power of Knowing: Accelerating Alzheimer’s Diagnosis with Biomarker Technology
- 27 November 2025 – LabMed Trainees/Freddie Flynn Day 2025 The programme runs all day for trainees (STP to pre-Consultant) and includes the Freddie Flynn Award Lecture. Good for FRCPath exam preparation.
- 28 November 2025 – LabMed National Audit Day 2025 The event takes place at the Royal College of Pathologists in London. They will also be live streaming the event. Just select in person or online when you purchase your ticket.
- 2 December 2025 – Implementing automated Mass Spectrometry
- 15 December 2025 – Thames Audit Group Regional Audit on Vitamin B12
- 19 January 2026 – LabMed Residential course for trainees 2026 Preparation for FRCPath exams.
The Royal College of Pathologists
The Royal College of Pathologists have a rolling programme of events; details are available here.
Information for supervisors
View the recording of the HSST Train the Trainer webinar
We recently delivered the HSST Train the Trainer event. If you need to view the recordings of the individual talks you can find these on our website.
View the recordings of the most recent HSST Train the Trainer event
New NIHR Research Professorships
Applications are open to join Cohort 16 of the NIHR Research Professorships. Applications are particularly welcome from under-represented groups, professions, universities, and geographies. Applications close on 10 December 2025. Read more about 6 newly appointed NIHR Research Professors.
Find out about how to apply for Cohort 16
Missed a previous edition of the HSST Monthly Memo?
You will find previous copies of the HSST Monthly Memo on our website.