Work-based activities and evidence

About work-based evidence

Trainees must gather evidence of workplace activity mapped against the Higher Specialist Scientist Standards of Proficiency. This evidence is then submitted to OneFile where the workplace supervisor can accept, reject or ask the trainee to resubmit with improvements or additions. When asking for improvements, workplace supervisors should always leave feedback.

Project work is especially valuable for generating evidence, designed or focussed (where possible) to:

• critically review the integrity of the underpinning science
• apply academic learning
• identify innovation and research and development opportunities
• propose and introduce possible system changes
• make explicit use of leadership skills and processes
• link to the domains of Good Scientific Practice

Trainees are required to accumulate evidence to demonstrate satisfactory achievement of the requirements of the curriculum, with respect to the practice, values and behaviours expected of a Consultant Clinical Scientist.

The Higher Specialist Scientist Standards of Proficiency are the professional standards which every trainee must meet in order to become registered and must continue to meet in order to maintain their registration. By the time trainees exit the programme they should have enough evidence in OneFile that demonstrates they have met all of the Standards of Proficiency.

Characteristics of good evidence

Evidence should meet specialist Curriculum Learning Outcomes and the Higher Specialist Scientist Standards of Proficiency. Evidence should showcase a trainee’s mastery of knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours at Consultant Clinical Scientist level.

Key characteristics are:

• sufficient
• authentic
• relevant
• current
• underpin defensible progression decisions

What makes good evidence?

Good evidence requires familiarity with the Standards of Proficiency, the HSST specialist Curriculum, scope of practice, and Consultant Clinical Scientist job descriptions. Evidence should be:

• trainee-led
• quality not quantity, evidence should be clear and concise
• authentic, naturally occurring; plan for stretch opportunities to show level 8 skills and don’t focus on single observations
• use of different media such as video and photographs – not all written reflective
• treat as a research exercise – identify total scope of practice, identify occasions or events at which to collect evidence until convincing saturation point reached
• demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for professional practice as a Consultant Clinical Scientist dealing with the complexities, uncertainties and tensions of professional practice at this level

Examples of evidence

The following are examples of evidence:

• conduct appraisals
• audit meeting minutes – showing trainee contribution
• patient day
• user survey analysis
• turn-around time review
• publications
• quality meeting minutes – showing trainee contribution
• directorate meetings attendance and reflection
• audit conducted
• non-conformity investigation
• MDT minutes – showing trainee contribution
• final assessment writing and assessing
• professional body committee meeting
• exam board meeting
• lecture/seminar/tutorial given and reflection
• clinic visit and reflection
• STP Induction for new trainers/final assessment examiner/STP Interviewer certificate
• Case Based Discussions (CBD)
• complex case presentation
• summary and reflection on bleep cases
• public engagement and patient events
• UKAS Report – trainee contribution
• role in training reflection
• STP training plans
• STEM Ambassador event