Message from your STP Training Programme Directors, Jane Lynch and Namir Al Hasso
Welcome to the August edition of the Scientist Training Programme (STP) Monthly Memo. We hope you are enjoying your summer so far.
The month of July has been a busy and energetic period for the National School, final year trainees and the whole of the Healthcare Science community. We completed over 300 student interviews for the IACC 2021 STP exit assessment. Four divisional Examination Boards have also been concluded and the results have been ratified by the Ratification Board. Well done to all the trainees who undertook the IACC 2021 exit assessment. The results will be released on the 16th of August 2021. The National School would like to thank our Healthcare Science colleagues for contributing to this year’s exit assessment Lead Station Writers, Lead Assessors and Assessors.
The completion process for STP trainees completing the programme in 2022 is currently being finalised, and we will announce the completion criteria to our trainees and training officers very shortly.
We continue to hold drop-in sessions for trainees and training officers. We would encourage trainees and training officers to use these drop-in sessions to discuss any concerns you might have confidentially in a private virtual room with the appropriate School member of staff. For further details about future drop-in sessions, please visit this webpage on our website.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further advice or support.
Jane and Namir
Completion criteria for 2021
Following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training since March 2020, the requirements for completion have been adjusted to support trainees to exit their programme successfully and on time.
The 2021 key completion requirements for your e-portfolio include:
1. 100% completion of the Professional Practice Module
2. 100% completion of all Rotational Modules
3. If you have not completed 100% of the specialist modules then a declaration of your scientific specialty competence is required from a HCPC registered Clinical or Biomedical Scientist
4. 0% completion of the Elective module (you can complete this if you want to)
5. Completion of two multi-source feedback exercises
In addition you must also achieve a pass in:
6. The Independent Assessment of Clinical Competence (IACC)
7. Masters in Clinical Science
The completion deadline represents the final date by which all required activities should be achieved unless there is a known and approved exception. This is Monday 20th September 2021 at 5pm.
If you have any concerns regarding your progression please discuss them with your training officer in the first instance. You can also email nshcs@hee.nhs.uk for further information or advice.
Click here to view the completion criteria for the Scientist Training Programme (2021)
Guidance for STP trainees on routes to completion using OneFile
Here are some steps you can take to ensure your OneFile portfolio is compliant:
- Ensure your pending submissions are signed off. Check your pending submissions by clicking the “Submissions” tile on your portfolio homepage. If anything is pending, liaise with your assessor to make sure they review and sign off your work ahead of the deadline.
- If not already done, start your MSF and nominate your raters by Sunday 29th August 2021. The MSF is a 21-day process, so if you start your MSF later than the 29th it will not be closed before the deadline, leaving your portfolio non-compliant.
- Upload your MSF to OneFile and review with your training officer. If this is not done before the completion deadline, your portfolio won’t be compliant.
- Check your modules have been signed off and check your workplace assessment types.
If you need any help with OneFile, please email nshcs.digital@hee.nhs.uk. We’ll be able to help you with your issue via email, and if you need to share your screen, we can arrange a face-to-face session using MS Teams.
Click here to view the guidance for STP trainees on routes to completion in 2021 using OneFile
HCPC declaration of scientific competence
If trainees complete less than 100% of the specialist modules then a declaration of scientific specialty competence is required from a HCPC registered Clinical or Biomedical Scientist.
From Wednesday 1st September 2021, training officers for every trainee whose OneFile progress (as at midnight 1st September) indicates they will complete less than 100% of the specialist modules will be sent a link to a website to provide the declaration and to identify an alternative HCPC registered Clinical or Biomedical Scientist where required (only if the training officer is not registered with HCPC).
Separate links for each trainee will be sent if training officers are responsible for more than one trainee due to complete this year. All declarations, including any counter signatures, must be received by 5pm on Monday 20th September.
The person signing the declaration will need to provide their HCPC registration number when doing so.
If you have any queries regarding the process or feel you have concerns in relation to signing off your trainee, please email us at nshcs@hee.nhs.uk
Exceptional extenuating circumstances policy
Exceptions to the 2021 completion deadline are only considered through the exceptional extenuating circumstances (EEC) policy.
The policy provides a process through which trainees can apply for additional time to complete the training programme if exceptional extenuating circumstances arise.
Click here to view the exceptional extenuating circumstances policy and application form
University careers fairs outreach work
We are looking for volunteers to represent us at University careers fairs and talk to students about the STP this Autumn.
If you are yet to complete OneFile competencies in professional practice and clinical leadership then representing the School at this event could be used as evidence towards fulfilling some of them.
Preparing for a new trainee
If you are planning for a new trainee starting in September we have a number of online resources and tools available to support you. They are also helpful for existing training officers who would like a quick refresher.
- Guidance for STP training officers
- Good training planning
- Guide to producing good competency evidence
- Good STP competency evidence resources
- Webinars from the STP Train the Trainer series (expired link)
- Series of Train the Trainers podcasts (expired link)
Click here to find all the supportive resources available to you
Induction day for 2021 cohort
Trainees joining the Scientist Training Programme (STP) in September 2021 will need to attend this key event as part of their induction to the training programme. This year, the induction will take place virtually on Wednesday 15th September starting at 10am and finishing at approximately 3:30pm.
This event will be an opportunity for all new trainees to find out more about the programme and to virtually network with the School, trainee networks, professional bodies, universities and fellow trainees. The day will include sessions focusing on:
- the programme
- trainees’ responsibilities and those of their training officer
- assessments and competencies
- the experiences of current trainees on the training programme
- how current training officers conduct work-based training in the departments
- how the work of healthcare scientists impacts directly on patient care and service delivery in the NHS
Please share this information with your colleagues so that the date can be included in training planning.
Click here to find more information on the 2021 induction day (expired link)
Future Train the Trainer events
Are you interested in attending the next series of Train the Trainer events?
Please complete our short survey to register your interest in attending one of the future events.
Click here to express your interest in joining the waiting list (expired link)
Commissioning now open for STP 2022 intake
Health Education England (HEE) has announced that the commissioning process has opened for the Scientist Training (STP) for trainees commencing training in 2022.
These are the key dates for the 2022 commissioning cycle for the STP.
- w/c 26th July 2021 – Application portal opens
- 1st October 2021 – Application portal closes
- October 2021 – Local Health Education England office reviews applications
- November 2021 – Moderation by National School of Healthcare Science
- w/c 23rd November 2021 – Letters to organisations confirming commissions
If you have any questions regarding the commissioning process, please email healthcarescience.commissioning@hee.nhs.uk
Curriculum launch for 2022 and what you need to know now
Last month we launched the new STP curriculum which will start to be delivered from September 2022.
The curriculum review project involved over 400 healthcare scientists and healthcare professionals, seven universities, over twenty-five trained patient and public representatives, representatives from professional bodies and royal colleges and input from over 1,000 stakeholders.
As part of the launch event we held a webinar with Dr Navina Evans, HEE’s CEO, Professor Berne Ferry, Head of the National School, and Dr Chris Fisher, Head of Curriculum at the National School.
We spoke about:
- what you need to know now
- where to find the new curriculua
- where to find the stakeholder feedback from the review process
- our schedule of communications going forward and how we will support you
- what information is needed for the 2022 expressions of interest
Click here to watch the webinar
As part of our plan to communicate the changes with you we are holding a number of drop-in sessions for employers looking to take on a trainee in 2022.
Training officers, training leads and employers can speak to members of the School directly to access their expertise and guidance. The drop-in sessions are:
- Thursday 9th September 12-2pm
- Thursday 11th November 12-2pm
Click here to find the drop-in session joining link
Meet the School's training support team
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:
- 25th August – Training support, scientific support
- 29th September – Training support, scientific support
- 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
Seeking trainee representative to join the HEE Neurodiversity working group
We are seeking a learner representative who would be comfortable working with a senior HEE team, professional bodies, NHS employers and regulators looking at how learners with neurodiverse conditions can and need to be supported by their employers, universities and HEE. The likely ask will be a total of 4 meetings (virtual) with some work in-between potentially starting from September 2021.
You do not need to have a diagnosed neurodiverse condition to be eligible but some understanding of the impact of neurodiverse conditions on learning and education would be an advantage.
This is part of the work around Diversity, Equality and Inclusion for the School to ensure support for learners is optimised. If you are interested then please email Louise.Ayers@hee.nhs.uk with your details and the reasons why you want to be involved.
This work may contribute towards your professional standards and learning outcomes and so your participation and attendance should be discussed/agreed with your training officer/supervisor in advance.
Further bursaries available to fund Faculty of Clinical Informatics membership for healthcare scientists
Following the successful bursary scheme in 2020, where a total of forty seven bursaries for Faculty of Clinical Informatics membership were awarded, including two Fellows, seventeen Members and twenty eight Associates, the Faculty of Clinical Informatics (FCI) and Health Education England’s National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) are pleased to announce further bursaries are available to fund Faculty membership for healthcare scientists working in or interested in clinical informatics.
We will fund a year’s membership of the FCI to successful applicants. The bursaries are initially aimed at those who are enrolled on, or are alumni of, the National School of Healthcare Science Scientist Training Programme or Higher Specialist Scientist Training Programme, but there will be funding for other NHS Informaticians to take up membership, including Topol Fellows.
Click here to find the Faculty of Clinical Informatics Membership or Associate application form
Missed a previous edition of the STP 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 STP Monthly Memo