National School of Healthcare Science

Established in October 2011, part of Health Education England

‘Modernising Scientific Careers’ - healthcare science education and training o Practitioner Training Programme – PTPo Scientist Training Programme – STPo Higher Specialist Scientist Training Programme – HSST

Integrated academic and work-based training

• Recruitment to programmes• Accreditation of academic and work-based

providers• Support for trainees• Final assessment • Training for training officers

What is expected of a training provider?

Possible trainees

• Trainee Practitioners (PTP) working towards band 5

• Trainee Scientists (STP)band 6 while training, working towards band 7

• Higher Specialist Scientist trainee (HSST) working towards consultant scientist

PTP• Trainees in BSc (hons) Healthcare Science

degree (not NHS commissioned)• Integrated 3 year degree with work based

training• University arranges placements and quality

assures training• National School anticipated to take quality

assurance role for this level of training

STP• Trainees in MSc Healthcare Science (NHS

commissioned)• Integrated 3 year master’s with work based

training• Placements arranged by LETBs working with

university and provider• National School accredits work based training

providers

HSST• National School will accredit work based

training providers

STP – the scale:

• 428 training departments• 134 without other third party accreditation,

prioritised for first phase of accreditation programme

• All 428 existing, plus any new providers, will need accreditation

Process1) self-assessment against a set of standards• Standards derive from Education Outcomes

Framework and HEE strategic priorities• Key headings

– Health and Safety– Equality and Diversity– Education/training quality

• Effective planning and management of training• Trainee-focused (inc quality of supervision, fairness of assessment)• Patient -focused

2) Evaluation by NSHCSAccreditation unit, working with Professional LeadsRely on evidence submittedOutcomes • Interim accreditation• Interim accreditation with conditions• Panel visit required

3) Accreditation panel

• Eventually, during 5-year cycle, every host department will receive panel visit

• Normal panel: member of Accreditation Unit; scientific advisor; lay/patient representative

• Decision – accredit/accredit with conditions/decline accreditation

After the accreditation

• Annual monitoring/change notification• Feedback from trainees

Principles

• As un-bureaucratic as possible• As light touch as can be, consistent with rigour• Co-operative, collaborative, supportive• Focus on the quality of training

Essentials?

• Engaged training officer – NSHCS train-the-trainer - OLAT

• Training plan – based on Learning Guide• Time to study and complete competencies• Focus for the trainee is on training rather than

day to day service delivery

• Exposure to range of work• Opportunities for inter- and intra-professional

working• Supervision for project• Effective and consistent feedback• Patient centred

Questions?

Andrew Williams

Head of Accreditation 

National School of Healthcare Science

Health Education West Midlands

St Chads Court | 213 Hagley Road | Edgbaston | Birmingham | B16 9RG

T 07721 128787

E andrew.williams@wm.hee.nhs.uk

W www.nshcs.org.uk