How Equivalence can support your pathway along the career ladder 31 st October, 2017 David Bennett, Director of Quality, AHCS Elizabeth Kilgour, Technical Manager in Microbiology Services, NHS Lanarkshire
How Equivalence can support your progress along the career ladder The Academy s Equivalence process enables qualified, trained and experienced healthcare science staff to demonstrate equivalence to the relevant Modernising Scientific Careers (MSC) programme. The workshop will explore the key aspects of the Academy s Equivalence process, including its purpose, why it is important for career progression, and techniques for evidence gathering and presentation that are helpful to Assessors when they evaluate applications. It will also draw on the experience of a recent successful applicant to provide participants with an insight into how it all works in practice.
Why do we have a Regulated workforce? Regulation of professionals aims to protect patients and is increasingly viewed as essential by patients, carers, employers, providers and commissioners. Through registration, an individual shows commitment to upholding high professional standards and to keeping their knowledge, skills and experience up-todate through ongoing professional development. If individuals fail to uphold standards and show that they are not Fit to Practise then they can have their Registration status restricted or removed.
Practitioner Higher Specialist Scientist Scientist How to apply for registration Routes to registration Certificate of attainment Certificate of equivalence
Why AHCS s Accredited Register? The Government said in its response to the House of Commons Select Committee Report of Session 2014/15: Accountability hearing with the Health and Care Professions Council the Academy for Healthcare Science Voluntary Register offers assurance that is appropriate and proportionate to the risks presented to public safety.
Equivalence Equivalence is said to exist when the outcomes of two processes are directly comparable even though the paths to achieving them are different. When equivalence is shown to exist between a new qualification and the qualification or experience a person already has, further education or training is unnecessary. (AHCS, 2017)
Process The Equivalence Process generic* overview: Initial Application Administrative checks and approval to continue Submission of evidence via portfolio and mapping templates (within 6 months) System-generated assignment of assessors and invitation to view portfolio once submitted Assessment of evidence by assessors via online system Interview (STP only) Panel decision, outcome judgement, feedback Certificate issued to successful candidates Unsuccessful applicants may reapply when shortcomings have been rectified * Further details can be found in the applicant and assessor guidance on the AHCS website
Things to consider Planning Guidance Assembling your portfolio Seeking advice Reflection Submitting your application Responding to questions
Things to consider Planning Is it the right time for you to apply? Do you have the necessary experience and qualifications? If there are gaps, how long will it take you to fill them? How can your supervisor and colleagues help? - 360 degree feedback may be helpful
Things to consider Guidance Good Scientific Practice was adopted by the AHCS following a public consultation. Following the consultation, AHCS agreed to adopt GSP as the core set of standards against which applicants would present evidence for equivalence assessments. GSP sets out for the profession and the public the standards of behaviour and practice that must be achieved and maintained in the delivery of work activities and the provision of care.
Key documents eference documents Applicant and assessor guidance Programme Learning Outcomes from the curricula documents, available via the NSHCS web site Good Scientific Practice covering five domains: Professional Practice Scientific Practice Clinical Practice Research, Development and Innovation Clinical Leadership Note: GSP is the basis for the mapping of evidence in the STP Equivalence process
Administrative checks Registration administrator checks initial application to confirm: Identity of applicant Current Disclosure and Barring Service check at the basic level or above Sufficient language skills Size of portfolio Appropriate length of professional experience Certificates of qualifications submitted The administrator does not review scientific content If rejected at initial application - fees are refundable less an admin fee
Things to consider Initial application and assembling your portfolio During the initial application and screening, identify the broad areas of evidence to self assess against the basic requirements e.g. qualifications and periods of employment for verification prior to detailed assessment. AHCS screening will ensure the validity of qualifications. If you progress through screening, you will proceed through to evidence gathering. A window of up to six months will be provided for you to compile a portfolio of evidence for assessment. Submission of evidence can occur at any time in the window if, for example, you already have a portfolio compiled. You are able to request extensions to the evidencegathering window based on extenuating circumstances.
Education, Qualifications and Experience: some examples Examples of Evidence: subject, type of course taken, date qualified and curriculum Current knowledge: examples of how you have maintained theoretical knowledge Qualifications and credits: copies of qualifications; copy of NARIC certificate for applicants whose qualifications were obtained outside the UK Employment CV and employment history Statements of supervision from appropriately qualified supervisors Employer s reference
My STP Equivalence Experience Elizabeth Kilgour, Technical Manager in Microbiology Services, NHS Lanarkshire
Who to contact Complex process Read the application pack a good few times Speak to appropriate referees in good time Be sure you are ready to apply Read Good Scientific Practice and be fully familiar with the dimensions and know that you can evidence the standards Be sure of the timeline...it flies in. All before submitting your outline Think outside the box on evidence e.g. witness statements. (e.g. I used one for Probity ) The power of cross referencing- make good use of this (only get 150 pages), select evidence that covers a few dimensions
Mapping document Domain 3 Clinical Practice An extract from GSP used for mapping in STP Equivalence Location of evidence 3.1 Clinical Practice 3.1.1 Ensure that you and the staff you supervise understand the need for and obtain relevant consent before undertaking any investigation, examination, provision of treatment, or involvement of patients and carers in teaching or research Reference 1: [name of document] 3.1.2 Ensure that you and the staff you supervise maintain confidentiality of patient information and records in line with published guidance Reference 1: [name of document] Reference 2: [name of document] 3.1.3 Ensure that you and your staff understand the wider clinical consequences of decisions made on your actions or advice Reference 3: [name of document] 3.1.4 Demonstrate expertise in the wider clinical situation that applies to patients who present in your discipline Reference 4: [name of document] 3.1.5 Maintain up to date knowledge of the clinical evidence base that underpins the services that you provide and/or supervise and ensure that these services are in line with the best clinical evidence Reference 4: [name of document] Reference 5: [name of document] 3.1.6 Plan and agree investigative strategies and clinical protocols for the optimal diagnosis, monitoring and therapy of patients with a range of disorders Reference 6: [name of document]
Portfolios Presentation and content: Understanding of the subject Statements supported by personal reflection and how experience helped to achieve a particular competence/standard Evidence of personally conducted work (hands-on experience is important) Not to be included: Full texts of papers/reports/case studies (abstracts or summaries only) Detailed training logs (summaries only) Certificates of attendance for every meeting only those demonstrating contribution to achieving the standard
Things to consider Seeking advice - Supervisor / Manager - Colleagues - Mentor - Professional body / network
Things to consider Reflection At its simplest, reflection is about careful thought. But the kind of reflection that is really valuable to leaders is more nuanced than that. The most useful reflection involves the conscious consideration and analysis of beliefs and actions for the purpose of learning. Reflection gives the brain an opportunity to pause amidst the chaos, untangle and sort through observations and experiences, consider multiple possible interpretations, and create meaning. This meaning becomes learning, which can then inform future mindsets and actions. For leaders, this meaning making is crucial to their ongoing growth and development. Harvard Business Review https://hbr.org/2017/03/why-you-should-make-time-for-self-reflection-even-if-you-hate-doing-it
Things to consider Submitting your application: - Check that you have everything in place that you need - Review more than once to make sure that nothing can be improved
Things to consider Responding to interview questions: - Be confident - Be prepared to back up your previous statements - If necessary check that you understand the question correctly - Take your time
Outcomes are based on : Collective judgement of assessment panel based on the evidence presented* does it demonstrate achievement of most of the standards set out in the relevant guidance: GSP, Standards of proficiency? does it demonstrate that the applicant has the equivalent skills, knowledge and experience to achieve the learning outcomes set out in the relevant level of training programme: PTP, STP, HSS? *for STP this includes an interview with the applicant
There are three possible outcomes: Outcome 1: Applicant has demonstrated equivalence with the Training programme and can be awarded the Certificate of Equivalence Outcome 2: Applicant may be able to demonstrate equivalence with the Training programme, but further evidence is required Outcome 3: Applicant has not demonstrated equivalence with the Training programme
Contact details www.ahcs.ac.uk #AHCSUK @AHCSUK Elaine.Jenkins@ahcs.ac.uk