Scientist Training Programme (STP)

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Scientist Training Programme (STP)"

Lester May
6 years ago
Views:

1 Scientist Training Programme (STP) Lucy Jackson 1 st Year STP Trainee, Genomics Sheffield Children s Hospital lucy.jackson@sch.nhs.uk

2 Scientist Training Programme What is the STP? Overview Specialisms Work experience The application process How to apply Application form Online tests Interview Q&A

3 What is the STP? Salaried 3 year training post, Band 6 (~ 26,000) Purpose: to gain HCPC registration to practice as a Clinical Scientist Majority work-based training at NHS hospital Portfolio of competencies DOPs, OCEs, CBDs Fully funded MSc over 3 years Distance learning or block release Assignments, exams, project

4 YEAR 1 Rotational year: 4x rotations (3 months each) YEAR 2 AND 3 Specialist training Elective placement 4-6 weeks in duration Facilitate a wider experience of health care Can involve study abroad / industry / particular clinical interest Project ~4 months in duration Related topic of your choice

5 Specialisms Also new for 2017: Andrology, Molecular Pathology

6 Specialisms What area of science interests you? The job: patient-facing, lab, or office? Research your chosen specialism(s)! Health careers website: Visit departments Talk to Clinical Scientists/Trainees in the discipline

7 Genomics

8 Work experience Difficult to get work experience posts Try arranging shadowing/visit to department Long-term: Technologist & MLA positions Think broad Doesn t have to be healthcare experience to be relevant! Volunteering Part-time jobs Other areas employing same techniques

9 How to apply Min 2.1 degree If 2.2 need further qual e.g. MSc Annual recruitment cycle Opens January Three stages Recruitment run by NSHCS

10 The competition Pass online tests = Longlist successful ~65% passed online tests Invited to interview = Shortlist successful ~20% of people that passed tests were invited to interview Offer made ~35% of those interviewed were offered position Don t be deterred but do put effort into the application process

11 Application form Can apply for up to 2 specialisms Standard Qs - qualifications, employment history Short essay-style Qs (250 words) Knowledge, motivation, commitment to the STP Commitment to healthcare science & technology Values and behaviours Team working and leadership Look at the person specification

12 Knowledge, motivation and commitment Please state why you have applied for the Healthcare Scientist Training Programme. Give details of your motivation, suitability and future career development or aspirations. Describe what actions you have undertaken to increase your knowledge, experience and understanding of healthcare science and the training programme for your chosen specialism(s)

13 Knowledge, motivation and commitment Why applied? Motivations and interests It s the NHS - don t forget the patient! Career development and aspirations Show understanding of job you are qualifying for Opportunities for progression Why suited? Skills personal and scientific Research Actions taken - online, open days, talking with trainees, arranging own visits Show understanding of the scheme masters, structure, workload, assessments Show understanding of the department who will you be working with, where do you fit in to the picture

14 Healthcare science and technology Please describe your commitment, interest and enjoyment of scientific practice and technology. Please provide examples of how you seek to develop, improve and adopt innovative processes in your work or studies

15 Healthcare science and technology Why passionate about this specialism Concrete examples develop, improve, innovate Projects mention relevant techniques/skills involved Work experience/volunteering Summer studentships Published papers Knowledge of relevant current issues/developments Extra activities e.g. online courses, STEM, mentoring, training, journal clubs, workgroups Don t focus just on academic examples. What makes you stand out?

16 Values and behaviours The NHS Constitution values and behaviours are paramount to the delivery of healthcare services. In less than 250 words please describe how within your own experience you would display these qualities Improving lives Working together for patients Respect and dignity 6 values Commitment to quality of care Compassion Everyone counts

17 Team working and leadership Describe occasions where you have worked as part of a team and outline the skills you used to benefit the outputs of that team. Also, please describe a situation or situations when you have taken the opportunity to lead others and identify how you managed any challenges that arose

18 Team working and leadership TEAMS What skills are important in teams? What did you contribute and what was achieved? LEADERSHIP What skills are important for a leader? Time you lead, challenges faced and how overcome They are looking for specific examples Doesn t have to be work or healthcare science related e.g. sports, extra activities, etc

19 Application form tips The NHS is all about the patient mention them! Start early Essay Qs very important draft and re-draft Provide description of skills in employment history Get feedback

20 Numerical tests seconds per question (12 Qs total) Given table of data (3-4 Qs based on same table) Tips After selecting answer use spare time to look more at the table don t submit straight away The maths is simple the timer is the challenge. So what s the quickest way to do the sum? Rough estimates in head then calculator for exact answer Screenshot and practice Environment quiet, calculator & paper to hand

21 Logical tests 75 seconds per question (12 Qs total) Series of shapes and symbols Which fits the gap?

22 Logical - #! #! % #! %?! %! #!

23 Logical - #! #! % #! #! %! #!

24 Online tests - tips Practice! The live tests are adaptive Don t panic if seems too difficult

25 Interview Invites mid March Interviews April/May Check the date and keep it free Select location preferences Rank locations in order of preference Better interview score = more chance of top choice One of the best ways to improve your chance of an offer is to be flexible on location

26 Interview Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format: 4 stations 4 Qs at each 10 min per station 2 min rest between

27 Specialism station Think about the role Look at Year 1 curriculum for each specialism Scientific basis of techniques/procedures Diseases and health conditions What are the current developments, topical issues?

28 Leadership & values stations Don t be afraid to reuse examples from application form Think about what qualities/skills you need to show LEADERSHIP What are the skills of a good leader? VALUES & BEHAVIOUR Read the NHS constitution Have an example to demonstrate each value

29 Leadership & values stations What qualities are they looking for? Describe what YOU did, use I, sell yourself no matter what the Q is about (relate it back to yourself) Use structure to your answers e.g. CAR Conclude and relate back to future role as clinical scientist/stp trainee show research & patient focus Great book for MMIs (check ebay!)

30 General science station Could be almost anything Study design Research Current news, hot topics Not just your area of healthcare Only station that cannot really be prepared for!

31 General science station What factors need to be considered in a scientific study?

32 General science station What factors need to be considered in a scientific study? Some examples... Bias Control group who are they? Are they really controls? Hypothesis - what is being measured? Consent Ethical approval

33 Stay calm Interview tips Being assessed on communication too Body language Don t focus all prep time on the specialism It s only ¼ of the interview Have examples thought out beforehand What skills/traits do these show about you Relate them to the job Mention impressive points from your application form again They don t know your application form Careers service mock interviews

34 Questions Thank you for listening! Please fill out feedback

Class Careers & Schroders Workshop Report

Class Careers & Schroders Workshop Report As per your previous feedback, we have collated some useful information for you and your students: including a full list of FAQS (found at the end of this document).