The employer
The employer will need to:
- ensure delivery of work-based curriculum of the 2 modules
- ensure there are opportunities for experiential learning and clinical experience
- provide support, guidance and mentoring for the duration of the programme
- remember the trainee is supernumerary; the department must be able to deliver its service satisfactorily without the trainee’s contribution
- ensure there is 20% protected time allocated to the trainee for the duration of the training programme
- protected time is primarily for the academic work but should be used flexibly
- academic work varies throughout the year so trainees can discuss with the Training Officer the best way to utilise this time
The Training Officer
The Training Officer will need to:
- understand the aims and objectives of the programme and be familiar with the curriculum
- be able to explain the programme to others in the department and ensure goodwill and support from colleagues
- negotiate with colleagues in their own department and other departments to ensure the trainee is provided with all the opportunities required
- plan training, guide and mentor the trainee, review the trainee’s progress and address any areas that need improvement
- help the trainee manage time and resources throughout the training period
Qualifications
If the Training Officer is already training STP trainees and meets all the requirements of an STP Training Officer, they are suitable to train ETP trainees. In addition, all ETP Training Officers should be accredited at Level 2 in Transthoracic Echocardiography by the British Society of Echocardiography, ensuring they understand the final assessment requirements.
The Training Officer should have experience in assessing and signing off training activities. If they do not, they will need to ensure they have identified individuals within the department who can carry out the required assessments. The Training Officer should familiarise themselves with the standard of evidence required to sign off training activities and ensure that this standard is applied consistently, both in their own assessments and in those conducted by colleagues.
The ETP Training Officer should ideally hold a training qualification. Being able to perform a job well does not necessarily mean you will be able to train someone else to do it. Effective training requires a range of skills, including:
- identifying a learner’s preferred learning style
- assessing training activities
- providing constructive and useful feedback
- monitoring progress
- taking responsibility for the training plan
- recognising when additional support is needed
- providing pastoral care and training support throughout the programme
We recommend carrying out a self-assessment of your strengths and areas for development as a trainer, alongside some form of 360-degree feedback.
Knowledge and understanding
To train an ETP trainee, you must have a clear and detailed understanding of the ETP curriculum, including its assessment requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that all required training activities are completed.
Time for training
To fulfil the responsibilities of a Training Officer, you must be allocated sufficient time within your current role to deliver training. This includes meeting regularly with the trainee(s), assessing training activities and e-portfolio evidence, and providing ongoing support. Meetings should be used to review progress, identify any gaps in training, and agree how these will be addressed. Training Officers should also monitor progress, provide regular feedback, and be available to support and mentor trainee(s) throughout the programme.
We recommend meeting with your trainee at least once every 2 weeks, or at a minimum once a month. It is helpful to keep a record of each meeting. These notes can be used to identify next steps and agreed actions, provide evidence that progress has been discussed, and support future review meetings.