DRAFT Level 6 HCS Apprenticeship Standard
DRAFT APPRENTICESHIP STANDARD FOR HEALTH CARE SCIENCE PRACTITIONERS (HCSPs) and BIOMEDICAL SCIENTISTS[1](Level 6)
Occupational profile:Healthcare Science (HCS) Practitioners (HCSPs) work independently within one of the HCS healthcare science Divisions[2]or across a range of related specialisms in a variety of healthcare settings using their expertise in applied scientific techniques in a clearly defined technologically based role to deliver quality assured tests, investigations and interventions for patients (including in some cases therapeutic interventions, some of which may be specialist), on samples or equipment. While HCSP activities are usually outlined in departmental protocols, HCSPs are required to use judgement and deal with ambiguity. HCSPs are registered practitioners with a significantly greater responsibility, independence and accountability than those in the Associate workforce, including the supervision and training of the HCS support workforce.Responsibilities and duties of the role: HCSPs will have the knowledge, skills, competences, attitudes and behaviours to perform complex manual technical tests to a high degree of accuracy and precision, interpreting the technical output as required. They must take responsibility and be accountable for their own practice in the detailed diagnostic and technical outcomes of tests and analyses, as well as leading and supporting teams involved in these. They must be organised and prioritisework through goodtime management and achieve demanding tasks/objectives against deadlines. HCSPs must be able to lead and support the development of technicalStanding Operating Procedures (SOPs) and have excellent oral/written communication skills. Although not exhaustive, activities undertaken by HCSPs include: authorising/reportingresults of clinical scientific tests; responding to inquiries including those about testresults, providing information aboutmethodologies and test requirements;communicating complex clinical technical test information to other healthcare professionals and in some specialisms to patients;managing thedaily routine work in specialisedservices; processing both urgent & routine work toachieve turn around times; maintaining complex specialist equipment, confirming its fitnessfor clinical use;ensuring the efficient/effective use of expensive tests/high valueequipment, including medical device decontamination; running daily test procedures on all methodologies, toinclude calibration andquality control testing;identifying faults in equipment and analyser functions; assisting in the development and maintenance of standards and protocols as required; overseeing the training and development of junior staff.
Professional Recognition: On completion of the Apprenticeship individuals are eligible to join appropriate registers.[3]
Qualifications:Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment. Employers will set the selection criteria for but applicants must have the qualifications required for entry into a BSc (Hons) programme asthe underpinning academic qualification for the apprenticeship is a HCS BSc (Hons) degree.[4]
Level: 6 / Duration: typically 48 months / Review Date: after 3 years
BEHAVIOURS and VALUES: You will be compassionate; honest; conscientious and adhere to the standards of Good Scientific Practice (GSP)[5]which sets out for the standards of behaviour/practice/personal conduct that underpin the delivery of HCS appropriate to the role/work undertaken.
SKILLS: Consistently working to the standards of GSP you will: / In your scientific, technical & clinical practice you will understand & apply knowledge of
Person-centred
Care /
- never discriminate against patients, carers or colleagues
- maintain the highest standards of person centred care, treating
- develop effective partnerships with patients, treating
- lead and promote mental health and well being
- convey complex technical information tothepublic/patients/
- use technology to effectively present oraland written information
- the requirements of the NHS Constitution/GSP for ‘person centred care and support’
- equality and diversity legislation, policies and local ways of working
- probity and honesty in all aspects of your professional practice
- the work of your department and its impact on patient care
- the importance of involving patients the public in HCSin making choices about their care
- factors impacting on mental health and how to promote mental health and well being
- active listening, observation and the use appropriate language/feedback which conveys
- best practice inproblem solving, involving other team members
Personal and Professional Development (PPD) /
- critically reflect on your technical/non-technical practice, keeping
- work within the limits of your personal competence
- ensurethe professional development of junior colleagues
- models of critical reflection andself-reflection to enhance the quality of patient care you provide personally and as a team leader
- the underpinning theories andbenefits to staff of excellent appraisal processes
- appraisal and performance reviewand how to prepare and develop an action plan
Security, Health and Safety /
- lead the training of junior staff in the security, health and safety practices that underpin their work, especially in infection control
- lead risk assessments and implement thechanges required
- legislation/policies relating to health and safety at work and your responsibilities
- risk assessment methodologies, including strategies for dissemination of findings and the
Quality /
- lead quality management processes inyour area of practice
- leadtechnical audits as required in your area of practice
- quality management/improvement processes within the regulatory environment
- analysis, interpretation and communication of audit findings to promote quality
Technical Scientific Services /
- analyse/interpret/record/present accurate HCS technical data
- be responsible for the safety and functioning of equipment
- present/explain technical results to other professionals & patients
- lead in drafting technical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- makedecisions about using/updating techniques/procedures
- identify technical problems,evaluating & implementsolutions
- oversee the supervision/teaching/assessment of the HCS support workforce
- essential clinical science e.g. anatomy/physiology/pathology/pharmacology/genomics/clinical
- the principles and practice of equipment management and safety
- how to draftupdateSOPs
- practical skills teaching frameworks; assessment methods & assessment of practical skills
- how to critically evaluate the evidence base that underpins your technical practice
- a range of different data presentation methods appropriate for the audience/circumstances
Clinical Care /
- if involved in patient care be responsible for safeguarding
- lead in the deliver high quality technical clinical procedures for patients/services
- obtain meaningful consent from patients when required
- keep accurate records, protecting patient confidentiality & privacy
- ‘duty of care’ and safeguarding
- the appropriate support available in difficult situations or when a complaint is made
- the rights of patients with regard to giving informed consent for treatment when required
- confidentiality of consultation/medical records and the limits of the concept of confidentiality
- the key factors influencing dignity/rights/privacy/confidentiality of patients/colleagues
Audit/Service
Improvement /
- lead audit and/or service improvement programmes
- communicate the outcome of audit, service improvement
- the governance and ethical framework applied to audit and its contribution to patient care
- the delivery of high quality service outcomes/continuous improvements
Research & Innovation /
- lead appropriate audit/research/innovation activities which support quality improvement in your area of work
- opportunities for research, innovation and implementation of change for the better within the
Leadership /
- lead and support a HCS technical team in your area of work
- the principles of leading teams/individuals includingthe NHS Leadership Model[6]
[1]For purposes of this apprenticeship, the term HCSP also includes those in the Biomedical Scientist (BMS) workforce.
[2] The HCS Divisions are: Life Sciences, Physiological Sciences, Physical Sciences and Clinical Bioinformatics. The clinical scientific environment within which a HCSP works will determine the context of the specific work/role they will undertake. For the list of HCS specialisms go to:
[3]For those in the Life Sciences this is the statutory Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register. Those in the Physical Sciences can join the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) accredited Register of Clinical Technologists(RCT) held by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM), whilst all HCSPs (including BMSs) are eligible for registration on the AHCS register. There are also other potentially suitable professional registers, e.g. the Science Council (Registered Science Technician, but the ACHCS ’s PSA accredited register is the register formally recognised and supported by Health Education England (HEE) for the HCS workforce.
[4]either through an accredited HCS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) or in the Life Sciences, through an HCPC accredited Biomedical Science degree.
[5] The AHCS Good Scientific Practice (GSP) is at the core of professional HCS practice across the entirety of the HCS workforce and underpins the knowledge; skills and behaviours required for HCS apprenticeships.
[6]