Job description for Curriculum Lead Editor

Background

The School has national responsibility for the management of the educational framework for training and development of healthcare scientists across more than 40 specialties in the NHS, from apprentices to consultant grade.

Our programmes focus on practical learning in the workplace coupled with academic learning at University to equip our trainees with the knowledge and skills to engage at the forefront of healthcare science practice. We are responsible for development of new and review of our existing curricula including the Echocardiography Training Programme (ETP), Scientist Training Programme (STP) and the Higher Specialist Scientist Training Programme (HSST).

The education and training is delivered by scientists working across the NHS and beyond, and has pioneered national scientist training in UK, producing scientists who are changing patient and clinical outcomes, contributing to multi-professional working and leading in many areas of innovation and translational research in the NHS.

More information on the School can be found at https://nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/about/

About the role

The purpose of the role is to provide scientific leadership on specialty curricula, ensuring curricula are scientifically robust and reflect current and future clinical practice. Lead Editors will be required to engage with School curriculum processes to ensure curricula are fit for delivery.

There are 2 types of activity Lead Editors may be required to engage in: development of curricula content for newly established programmes and review of specialty curricula already in delivery. It is expected Lead Editors will undertake 1 or more of these activities within the tenure of their role depending on the needs of the specialty curricula.

Lead Editors will be required to draw on their own expertise and knowledge of current and future practice in the specialty and draw on expertise within the wider community where needed. Lead Editors will provide scientific leadership, setting the direction for curricula according to the needs of the specialty within healthcare science and the wider healthcare environment. Post holders’ details may be published on the School’s website. Lead Editors will be responsible for the timely review and development of curriculum content according to School curriculum processes. The role could be shared between 2 candidates and for some specialties where the curriculum includes distinct areas of practice, the role will be shared between individuals with expertise in each area.

Lead Editors may also be asked draw on their standing in the specialty community to engage in activity to support the delivery of curricula, such as communicating changes or promoting new programmes to the specialty community.

Criteria

Skills and experience

Lead Editors should:

• be currently practicing in the specialty with significant post registration experience in the specialty (a minimum of 3 years), or have been actively practicing within the last 2 years of appointment
• have contemporary knowledge of practice and be engaged in the advancement of the specialty
• be active and engaged with professional bodies or organisations representing the specialty
• have experience of giving advice in line with clinical guidance, procedure or regulation
• be involved in the delivery of the programme they are being engaged to represent
• have knowledge of School programmes and career pathways for Healthcare Scientists
• have demonstrable ability to influence and motivate others with experience of leading collective decision-making groups such as boards or committees
• have a flexible and co-operative approach to work and working with colleagues and stakeholders

Qualifications

Lead Editors should:

• hold appropriate registration such as Clinical Scientist or be of equivalent standing within the profession
• have completed training in equality, diversity and inclusion, as a minimum the Schools Conscious Inclusion training

Essential job functions

Lead Editors will:

• take overall scientific responsibility for the development and/or review of specialist curriculum, ensuring consistency, coherence and scientific and clinical relevance
• make judgements on specialty curriculum content and evidence their judgement, where required, discussing judgements with curriculum groups to achieve consensus
• ensure timely review and development of curriculum content
• work in accordance with School curriculum policy and process to develop and review curriculum content
• attend meetings and events as agreed, either online or in person
• jointly chair curriculum group meetings alongside the School
• where required, invite suitably qualified, active professionals to form the membership of curriculum groups according to the requirements of the School curriculum process
• seek additional expert advice where required

Time committment

The estimated time commitment for Lead Editors will typically be, but is not limited to:

For curriculum development

• between 5 and 8 days to meet with the curriculum development group in person or online over 6 to 8 months, generally one meeting a month
• additional time to write and review curriculum content and curriculum process documents
• additional time to seek additional expert advice where required

For curriculum review

• between 2 and 6 days to review content and feedback, make judgements and attend meetings according to School curriculum process

Expenses

Where role holders are expected to attend in-person meetings hosted by the School, the School will reimburse travel in line with the School expenses process and policy.

Tenure

The position will be offered for a period of 3 years and may be extended for a further 3. Lead Editors will not be expected to continue in the role for more than 6 years.

Benefits of the role

• Professional development
• An opportunity to influence and play a key role in Healthcare Science training.
• Contribute to the future of the specialty and the Healthcare Science workforce.
• An opportunity to work with colleagues across the Healthcare Science system.