Information for trainees
Getting started with your rotational modules
The following resources will support you in getting started with your OTAs:
- Introduction to reflective practice in healthcare science (NHS Learning Hub resource)
- Developing evidence to demonstrate achievement of training activities (NHS Learning Hub resource)
- Settling into the STP and navigating clinical rotations (Sharing Good Practice resource)
Do you need support with your Observational Training Activities (OTAs)?
We are offering the following online sessions to support you with developing evidence for your rotation modules.
Reflective Practice for Observational Training Activities (OTAs)
Wednesday 26 November 2025 – 10am to 12pm
This session is for first year STP trainees. The main aim is to introduce you to reflective practice for Observational Training Activities (OTAs).
View further details and register for this webinar
Developing evidence for Observational Training Activities (OTAs)
Friday 5 December 2025 – 11am to 12:30pm
This session is for first year STP trainees. The main aims are to:
- Introduce you to the principles of what makes ‘good’ evidence
- Apply the principles to developing evidence for the OTAs
View further details and register for this webinar
Do you need support with your specialist modules?
If you are in phases 2 or 3 of the STP, you will be undertaking specialist modules where you will undertake Developmental Training Activities (DTAs) and /or Entrustable Training Activities (ETAs).
The following resources will help you to get started with your specialist modules:
- A guide to reflection for the DTAs using the four-dimensional approach (NHS Learning Hub)
- A guide to reflection for the ETAs using the four-dimensional approach (NHS Learning Hub)
- Developing evidence to demonstrate achievement of training activities (NHS Learning Hub)
We are offering the following online session to help you with developing evidence for your specialist modules.
Developing evidence for specialist modules in the STP
Thursday 11 December 2025 – 10:30am to 12pm
This session is for STP trainees in phases 2 and 3 of the programme. The main aims are to:
- Introduce you to the principles of what makes ‘good’ evidence
- Apply the principles to developing evidence for the specialist Developmental Training Activities (DTAs) and
- Entrustable Training Activities (ETAs)
- Explore reflective practice in relation to specialist DTAs and ETAs
View further details and register for this webinar
Do you need support with developing evidence for the module S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science?
We are offering the following online session to help you with developing evidence for the core module S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science.
Developing evidence for the STP module: S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science
Wednesday 21 January 2026 – 10:30am to 12pm
This session is for STP trainees. The main aims are to:
- Introduce you to the principles of what makes ‘good’ evidence
- Apply the principles to developing evidence to the core module ‘S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science‘
- Explore reflective practice in relation to the module S-C1
View further details and register for this webinar
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
Can I use AI to generate evidence for training activities?
We’re receiving this question from trainees and trainers increasingly frequently. So, we have published a detailed response to the question on the school website.
Additionally, we have updated the trainee and trainer guides to Turnitin since Turnitin reports now include AI writing scores and reports.
- Read the updated Turnitin guidance for trainees
- Read the updated Turnitin guidance for trainers and assessors
- Can I use AI to generate evidence for training activities?
Information for trainees and Training Officers
Listen to trainee experiences of the STP
We recently heard from 6 inspirational current STP trainees as part of our Sharing Good Practice series of webinars. The recordings can be found on our website in the Sharing Good Practice catalogue.
Watch the recordings of STP trainees’ Sharing Good Practice talks
Sharing Good Practice webinar series
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
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
Information for Training Officers
Supporting your trainee with their rotations
The following resources will support you in supporting your trainee with their rotations:
- Planning for learning (NHS Learning Hub resource)
- Developing evidence to demonstrate achievement of training activities (NHS Learning Hub resource)
- Need for Speed: A novel approach to reflection and assessment for first year rotations (Sharing Good Practice resource)
Do you need help with supporting your trainee with their Observational Training Activities (OTAs)?
In phase 1 of the STP, trainees will be undertaking their rotational modules where they have to complete Observational Training Activities (OTAs).
Read the NSHCS work-based assessment standards, which outline the evidence requirements for OTAs
We are offering the following online sessions to help you to support your trainee with developing evidence for their OTAs.
Supporting and assessing reflection for Observational Training Activities (OTAs)
Tuesday 25 November 2025 – 10:30am to 12:30pm
This webinar is aimed at STP trainers and assessors. It will explore how you can support your trainees to develop their reflective practice and provide guidance on how to assess reflection for Observational Training Activities (OTAs).
View further details and register for this webinar
Supporting trainees with Observational Training Activities (OTAs)
Wednesday 3 December 2025 – 1:30pm to 3pm
This session is for STP training officers and assessors of first year trainees. The aims of this webinar are to:
- Introduce you to the principles of what makes ‘good’ evidence
- Explore what makes ‘good’ evidence for OTAs
View further details and register for this webinar
Do you need help with supporting your trainees with their specialist modules?
In phases 2 and 3 of the STP trainees will be undertaking specialist modules where they will need to undertake Developmental Training Activities (DTAs) and / or Entrustable Training Activities (ETAs).
The following resources will help you and your trainee to get started with the specialist modules:
- A guide to reflection for the DTAs using the four-dimensional approach (NHS Learning Hub)
- A guide to reflection for the ETAs using the four-dimensional approach (NHS Learning Hub)
- Developing evidence to demonstrate achievement of training activities (NHS Learning Hub)
We are offering the following online session to help you to support your trainee with developing evidence for their specialist modules in phases 2 and 3 of their training.
Supporting trainees with developing evidence for specialist modules in the STP
Wednesday 10 December 2025 – 10:30am to 12pm
This is for trainers and assessors of STP trainees in phases 2 and 3 of the programme. The main aims are to:
- Introduce you to the principles of what makes ‘good’ evidence
- Apply the principles to developing evidence for the specialist Developmental Training Activities (DTAs) and Entrustable Training Activities (ETAs)
- Explore reflective practice in relation to specialist DTAs and ETAs and how this can be assessed
View further details and register for this webinar
Do you need help with supporting your trainees with S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science?
We are offering the following on-line session to help you to support your trainee with developing evidence for the core module S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science.
Supporting trainees in developing evidence for the STP module: S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science
Friday 23 January 2026 – 10:30am to 12pm
This session is for STP trainers and assessors. The main aims are to:
- Introduce you to the principles of what makes ‘good’ evidence
- Apply the principles to developing evidence to the core module ‘S-C1 Professional Foundations of Healthcare and Clinical Science‘
- Explore reflective practice in relation to the module S-C1
View further details and register for this webinar
New opportunities to upskill in genomics knowledge for NHS colleagues
We are excited to announce 2 short courses designed to enhance workforce development within genomics.
PgCert in Haematology Genomics
This Level 7 programme, developed by the National School of Healthcare Science and Healthcare Scientists working in genomics and haematology, is designed for Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Scientists, and Genetic Technologists working in NHS genomics laboratories. The course blends academic coursework with hands-on learning in the workplace, covering topics such as clinical bioinformatics, molecular diagnostics, and genomic data interpretation in haematological malignancies.
PgCert in Histopathology Genomics
This Level 7 programme, developed by the National School of Healthcare Science and Healthcare Scientists working in genomics and histopathology, is designed for Biomedical Scientists and Genetic Technologists working in NHS histopathology and genomics laboratories. The course blends academic coursework with hands-on learning in the workplace, covering topics such as preparation of tissue samples for genomic testing and the interpretation of results.
The goal of these programmes is to enhance both flexibility and expertise in genomics services. The programmes are set to launch in January 2026, and both will be supported by an NHS England training grant.
Find out more about these 2 new genomics programmes
Do you need speak to someone at the School?
If you’re involved in training for the Scientist Training Programme (STP) we have planned drop-in events throughout the year. You can drop in any time during these sessions to speak to us.
View for further details, including the dates of the drop-in sessions
Can trainees use AI to generate evidence for training activities?
We’re receiving this question from trainees and trainers increasingly frequently. So, we have published a detailed response to the question on the school website.
Additionally, we have updated the trainee and trainer guides to Turnitin since Turnitin reports now include AI writing scores and reports.
- Read the updated Turnitin guidance for trainees
- Read the updated Turnitin guidance for trainers and assessors
- Can I use AI to generate evidence for training activities?
Missed a previous edition of the STP Monthly Memo?
You will find previous copies of the STP Monthly Memo on our website.