NHS Scientist Training Programme
(STP) Recruitment 2014
Frequently Asked Questions
For Applicants
Issue 1.0 December 2013
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Version 1.0 Dated 4th December 2013
Contents
Application and Eligibility
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How do I apply?
What are the timescales for recruitment?
What do I need to be eligible for the STP?
What is a relevant degree?
How many posts can applicants apply for?
Are applicants who will be graduating in this academic year eligible to
apply for the training posts?
Are we looking to recruit new or more experienced graduates?
Will applicants who have already obtained an accredited MSc be exempt
from the MSc component of the STP?
Could applicants who have significant relevant work experience
be exempt from elements of the work based learning?
Are current healthcare employees eligible for the programme?
Will it help my application if I have some work experience in a healthcare
setting?
Can I attend open days to find out more about the training?
Is there an age limit?
How can I find out more about the progress of my application?
How should I complete the online aptitude tests?
Do you have the right to work in the UK?
What level of English language competency is required?
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The Selection Process
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What is the recruitment process?
How will the short listing process be carried out?
Who will inform the applicants that they have been shortlisted?
How many applicants will be shortlisted for each post?
Where and when will the interviews be held?
If an applicant has applied to several places are they expected to
return several times for different interviews?
If an applicant is not able to attend the interviews on the date
they have been allocated will they be offered an alternative date?
Will internal or in service healthcare employees applicants have to go
through an interview?
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General Questions
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Which universities will be offering the accredited master’s programme?
How much academic input will there be in the training?
Will trainees graduating from the STP have a recognised
international qualification?
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What scientific specialism should I apply for?
Is the training programme right for me?
What kinds of people get a place on the STP?
How much will I be paid during the training?
Is the training programme very competitive?
Where will I be trained?
Are there STP opportunities outside of England and Wales?
Am I guaranteed a job at the end of the training?
What kind of job might I expect to have at the end of the training?
How long will the training programme last?
If I have applied for the STP previously, can I apply again?
Will I need to contribute to the academic tuition fees?
Is there any additional financial support other than the salary available?
Can I obtain professional registration by completing the STP?
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Contacts
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Who do I contact for further information?
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Version 1.0 Dated 4th December 2013
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IMPORTANT:
These FAQs are as up to date as possible for the period of issue (see front of document).
They will be subject to further updates over time. Applicants are advised to regularly check
the FAQs to ensure that they have the most up to date information on the process.
Application and Eligibility
Q1
A.
How do I apply?
All applicants should view the information available on NHS Careers
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/hcstp before submitting an application.
Applicants should refer to the link below to access the online application tool.
<link to be made available shortly>
Please note this link is for direct entry applications only. In service applicants will need
to request a link to access the online application tool from their employer.
Q2
A
What are the timescales for recruitment?
For direct entry applicants we are open for new applications between Monday 6th
January and Friday 31st January 2014. You must submit your completed application
form by 17:00 on 31st January 2014 and you have until 17:00 on 3rd February 2014 to
complete your online tests. Applications for in service applicants open from Monday 6th
January to Friday 28th February 2014. In Service applicants will have until 3rd March
2014 to complete their online tests. However, we strongly encourage you to complete
your application and online tests as early as possible to avoid disappointment. No late
applications will be accepted.
National shortlisting for direct entry applicants will take place in February 2014.
Applicants who are successfully shortlisted for interview will be informed in March 2014
and interviews will commence from 24th March onwards. Interview dates will vary
depending on which specialism you have applied and been short listed for.
For in service applicants, employers will be advised directly of the dates and links to
apply. Applicants should refer to their employer where this applies to them. All in service
applicants will be invited to attend interviews at the same time as the direct entry
applicants.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome after all interviews have been completed. It
is anticipated that all applicants will have been informed by the end of May 2014.
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Q3
A.
What do I need to be eligible for the STP?
You must hold an honours degree (1st or 2.1) in a pure or applied science area which is
relevant to the specialism for which you are applying (see Q4 below). Applicants with a
relevant 2.2 degree will also be considered if they have an MSc or PhD
in the healthcare science specialism for which they are applying.
For all applicants evidence of research experience, e.g. in the form of a higher degree
or equivalent evidence of scientific and academic capability, is considered desirable.
Applicants for STP places in reconstructive sciences (maxillofacial prostetics) must hold
current registration as a dental technician with the General Dental Council.
Q4
A.
What is a relevant degree?
Successful applicants might have a variety of relevant qualifications and experience. As
a minimum, you should have a degree relevant to the specialism you are applying for.
Due to the extensive variation in degrees available it is not possible to provide a
definitive list of relevant degrees for entry to the STP. You must ensure you review the
job description and person specification for the training, and the information about your
preferred healthcare science specialism on the NHS Careers website. You then need to
ensure that you match the skills and knowledge required to the content of your degree
and the specialism you wish to apply for. Entry to STP is highly competitive, and you are
more likely to succeed if you apply for a specialism which is relevant to your degree
course.
The most commonly accepted degrees will be:
Life Sciences: biomedical sciences, biology, microbiology, genetics or biochemistry
Physical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering: pure or applied physics,
engineering, applied mathematics
Physiological Sciences: physiology, pure or applied physics, engineering, biology or
human biology.
Informatics: genetics, computer science, health informatics, physics, engineering
(degree courses with significant IT content or equivalent)
Science degrees related to medicine may be considered suitable if relevant to the
specialty or theme for which you are applying.
Q5
A.
How many posts can applicants apply for?
Applicants will have a maximum of two choices of specialism and up to three
preferences for location. Please note that the selection process will identify the best
applicants irrespective of their location preferences. You cannot enhance or diminish
your chances by expressing a preference for locations which are perceived to be more,
or less, popular.
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In service applicants will only be able to apply for a place on the training programme
with their current employer.
Q6
A.
Are applicants who will be graduating in this academic year eligible to apply for
the training posts?
Applicants are required to have obtained their degree by the time the training
programme commences in September 2014. Therefore any candidate who is currently
studying and whose predicted grades indicate that they are likely to achieve a 2:1 or
higher BSc or MSc degree or equivalent is eligible to apply.
Q7
A.
Are we looking to recruit new or more experienced graduates?
The national shortlisting panels will be judging which applicants most closely match the
person specification. This focuses on whether an applicant has the required skills,
knowledge and experience that could have been gained in a number of different
settings. Successful applicants might have a variety of relevant qualifications,
experience and potential, and in the past the cohort of successful applicants has
included both new graduates and those with more experience.
Q8
Will applicants who have already obtained an MSc in a healthcare science
specialism be exempt from the MSc component of the STP?
Applicants wishing to apply for the STP in 2014 should be prepared to undertake the full
academic and work based components of the scheme. However, where a candidate
wishes their existing qualifications to be considered as credit against parts of the
academic STP master’s degree, this process of accreditation of prior learning (APL) is
achieved on a case by case basis within universities. General information about this
process is available from any university website.
A.
Q9
A.
Could applicants who have significant relevant work experience be exempt from
elements of the work based learning?
All applicants wishing to apply for the STP in 2014 should be prepared to undertake the
full academic and work based components of the scheme.
Q10 Are current healthcare employees eligible for the programme?
A
Yes. We are keen to attract people already working in healthcare science and/or NHS
employees on to the programme. In service applicants must meet the same quality
assurance criteria applied to the appointment (or admission) of direct entry applicants
(including interviews at the national interviews and online testing), but are not in
competition for their substantive post.
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Q11 Will it help my application if I have some work experience in a healthcare setting?
A
Yes but it is not an essential requirement. However during the interviews prior
knowledge of healthcare services may be an advantage. It is advisable to demonstrate
you have researched the role e.g. by attending open days and doing work experience
relevant to the job description, person specification and specialism.
Q12 Can I attend open days to find out more about the training?
A
Some employers and departments will hold open days which give a good opportunity to
find out more about the scientist roles you are interested in. Look out for open days in
your area and/or specialism at:
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/hcstp
http://www.nshcs.org.uk/
Q13 Is there an age limit?
A
There is no age limit for applying to the STP.
Q14 How can I find out more about the progress of my application?
A
If you are invited to the next stage, you will receive your invitation via email and/or text.
You can also log on and check your progress via this link.
<link to be available shortly>
Q15 How should I complete the online aptitude tests?
A. You should practice the online tests in advance to prepare and familiarise yourself with
what's involved and ultimately, to give yourself the greatest chance of success when it
comes to the real online tests.
Please visit the link below for more information and to practice the tests.
http://www.trytalentq.com
The tests that you complete provide us with accurate and valid data to help us make a
decision whilst at the same time ensuring fairness.
Further guidance on how to complete these tests will be made available shortly
For direct entry applicants you must submit your completed application form by 17:00
on 31st January 2014 and you have until 17:00 on 3rd February 2014 to complete all
your online tests.
IMPORTANT – Please note there is a minimum pass mark for each online test. If you
do not meet this benchmark you will not be permitted to continue with your application
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regardless of where you are in the process. Meeting this minimum pass mark does not
guarantee that you will be shortlisted for the interview stage it means you are kept in the
selection process until we have reviewed all remaining applications which will take place
after the closing date. Applicants will have one chance to complete the online tests. If
you fail you will not be permitted to take the test again.
For in service applicants you must submit your completed application form by 17:00 on
28th February 2014 and you have until 17:00 on 3rd March 2014 to complete all your
online tests. However, we strongly encourage all applicants to complete your online
tests as early as possible.
Q16 Do you have the right to work in the UK?
A. Where possible, applicants must establish their right to work in the UK before applying.
If you require a tier 2 visa to work and train in the UK as a healthcare scientist, we
strongly advise you to visit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk for the latest information.
Q17 What level of English language competency is required?
A. It is essential that all applicants have the required level of communication skills to
enable them to undertake the role effectively and to assure the delivery of safe services
to patients.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate they are able to achieve the standards of
proficiency outlined for clinical scientists by the Health and Care Professions Council
(HCPC). For more information you should visit the website:
http://www.hpc-uk.org/publications/standards/index.asp?id=42
There are a number of ways you could meet and evidence the English language
requirement, for instance:
 be a national of a majority English speaking country or have worked in an
organisation/institution where English was the primary language used for
communication
 pursued as part of your education in the UK
 hold a degree or relevant educational qualification that was taught in English by a
recognised institution abroad
 pass an English language competency test
Applicants whose first language is not English will also be required to satisfy the Higher
Education Institution (HEI) that they have the necessary knowledge of English to meet
the entry requirements to enroll on the MSc course associated with the Scientist
Training Programme.
Individuals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who make an application
under Tier 2 of the points-based immigration system will be required to demonstrate
their English language ability as part of the visa application process. You will therefore
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need to provide evidence that you have passed an appropriate test listed by the Home
Office.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
The Selection Process
Q18 What is the recruitment process?
A. All applicants (direct and in service) will answer a series of questions and aptitude tests
that will ascertain their suitability to progress to the application stage. Applicants who
successfully submit an application and pass the online tests will be considered for
shortlisting and will be notified of the outcome via email or text. In service applicants will
not be subject to shortlisting and will progress to interview following successful
completion of their online tests.
Interviews will be held on a national basis in March and April 2014 and allocations to
posts as soon as possible after all interviews have been completed.
Q19 How will the shortlisting process be carried out?
A. Shortlisting will be carried out on a national basis by appropriate professional panels
who will be representative of employers, professional bodies and HEIs delivering the
MSc programmes.
Panel members will shortlist against agreed criteria, based on the skills, knowledge and
values required for the training scheme, and will score applications independently.
Scores will be ranked and those individuals with highest scores invited to interview.
Q20 Who will inform the applicants that they have been shortlisted?
A. The National School of Healthcare Science will inform applicants whether they have
been shortlisted and will provide the dates of the interviews for the specialty/theme.
You must be ready to respond promptly -within five working days to invitations to
interview to confirm your place. You will then be able to book your interview slots online.
You are advised that you will not be reimbursed for travel costs when attending
interview.
Q21 How many applicants will be shortlisted for each post?
A. Approximately three times as many applicants will be shortlisted as commissioned
training posts. However, a reserve list of applicants will also be identified equal to the
number of commissions agreed for that specialty or theme which will be drawn upon if
first choice applicants do not confirm their interview place, or subsequently withdraw
from the process.
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Q22 Where and when will the interviews be held?
A. Recruitment will be undertaken through a series of national interviews which will be
organised by the National School of Healthcare Science, who are experienced in
recruiting graduate trainees through this method. These interviews will be held in
Birmingham between March and April 2014.
Q23 If an applicant has applied to several places are they expected to return several
times for different interviews?
A. Where applicants have applied and been successfully shortlisted for more than one
specialty/theme they will be required to attend multiple interviews. Applicants who
identify different preferred locations in one specialty/theme will only be brought in for
interview once.
Applicants will not be reimbursed for their travel costs.
Q24 If an applicant is not able to attend the interviews on the date they have been
allocated will they be offered an alternative date?
A. Due to the large numbers of applicants who will be required to pass through the
interviews, we are not able to offer any flexibility on the dates applicants are invited to
attend. The dates of the interviews for each theme and specialism will be made
available early on in the process.
Q25 Will internal or in service healthcare employees have to go through the national
interviews?
A. Yes and they will also be required to complete an online application form, evidence their
academic equivalence and demonstrate they have the support of their employer to
ensure that they have the appropriate skills and experience for the training scheme. In
service applicants will need to email their degree certificates by the application closing
date to [email protected].
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General
Q26 Which universities will be offering the accredited master’s programme?
A. The universities offering the master's degree have been decided following a competitive
tendering exercise and are listed below.
Any new specialisms available for 2014 will be procured during the year. Details of the
university offering these programmes will not be available until the end of summer 2014
University
Aston University
Bart’s and the London
King’s College London
Manchester Metropolitan University
Newcastle University
University of Birmingham
University of Liverpool
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Subject
Audiology
Neurophysiology
Ophthalmic and Vision Science
Microbiology
Radiotherapy Physics
Radiation Safety Physics
Imaging (ionising radiation)
Imaging (non-ionising radiation)
Rehabilitation Engineering
Clinical Measurement & Development
Medical Device Risk Management &
Governance
Cardiac Science
Vascular Science
Respiratory & Sleep Sciences
Critical Care Science
Histopathology
Cytopathology
Reproductive Science
Reconstructive Science (Maxillofacial
Prosthetics)
Cardiac Science
Vascular Science
Respiratory & Sleep Sciences
Gastrointestinal Physiology
Urodynamic Science
Radiotherapy Physics
Radiation Safety Physics
Imaging (ionising radiation)
Imaging (non-ionising radiation)
Clinical Biochemistry
Radiotherapy Physics
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Version 1.0 Dated 4th December 2013
University of Manchester
University of Nottingham
Radiation Safety Physics
Imaging (ionising radiation)
Imaging (non-ionising radiation)
Audiology
Neurophysiology
Ophthalmic and Vision Science
Clinical Biochemistry
Haematology and Transfusion Science
Clinical Immunology
Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics
Clinical Bioinformatics
Clinical Pharmaceutical Science
Genetics
Microbiology
Q27 How much academic input will there be in the training?
A. The STP is approximately two thirds work based training and one third academic
master’s degree.
Q28 Will trainees graduating from the STP have a recognised international
qualification?
A. A master’s degree from a Higher Education Institute is a recognised academic
qualification under the European Qualifications Framework.
Q29 What scientific specialism should I apply for?
A.
You will be asked to specify which specialism you want to apply for. This should be
relevant to your academic qualifications and your choice of future career.
All applicants will have a maximum of two choices of specialism and up to three
preferences of location.
Please note that applicants for all medical physics or clinical engineering specialisms
should apply for medical physics or clinical engineering interviews. Successful
applicants in these two themes will be allocated to posts which may have predetermined
relevant specialisms, or in which the specialism will be decided after the first year of
training.
Note that if you are being sponsored by your employer to apply as an in service trainee
you will only be able to apply for a place on the training programme which corresponds
to your post with your current employer.
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To learn more about the individual specialisms refer to the NHS Careers website using
the link below;
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/hcstp
The curricula and learning guides are available on NHS Networks using the link below;
http://www.networks.nhs.uk/nhs-networks/msc-framework-curricula/stp
Q30 Is the training programme right for me?
A. You should refer to the information available on NHS Careers to evaluate whether you
think the training programme is right for you.
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/hcstp
Further information may also be available by attending open days. A list of departments
offering open days is available below:
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/hcstp
Q31 What kinds of people get a place on the STP?
A.
All sorts of people can get a place. In addition to high standards of scientific ability, what
they also have in common is a passion for science, aspirations to be leaders and a
focus on delivering high quality and compassionate care.
Above all else our successful applicants demonstrate the right values and behaviours
integral to providing safe and effective healthcare science services to patients and the
public.
Q32 How much will I be paid during the training?
A.
Starting salaries will be circa £25,000 (excluding location allowance where applicable).
Exact salary will depend on the employer for the post applied/allocated.
For in service applicants, the local employer is responsible for considering any issue of
pay protection or payment at a higher salary for the duration of the training where
applicable.
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Q33 Is the training programme very competitive?
A.
Hugely. We receive many more applications than there are places. Therefore you have
to be fully committed to the STP, and persevere with a highly competitive and
demanding recruitment process.
Q34 Where will I be trained?
A.
When you apply you can express a preference for the region or regions you wish to be
based in. We will try to place you in your first choice. However, this may not always be
possible and we may need to offer you a training post outside your preferred locations.
Please note that by indicating a preferred location, you are agreeing to be based
anywhere in that region and the clinical rotations in the first year may not necessarily all
be available in the same region that you have applied.
You should also note that in accepting an offer of training you will be committing to
being based with that employer for the full 3 years.
Q35 Are there STP opportunities outside of England and Wales?
A.
There are separate scientist training schemes in Scotland and Northern Ireland. To find
out more, please go to the relevant websites.
Q36 Am I guaranteed a job at the end of the training?
A. There is no guarantee of employment on completion however you will be eligible to
apply for appropriate scientific posts. For in service trainees, your ongoing employment
continues.
Q37 What kind of job might I expect to have at the end of the training?
A. There’s a wide range of clinical scientist roles to choose from within any chosen
specialism. Your experiences on the STP will help you decide what type of scientific job
you may wish take upon completing the training.
Q38 How long will the training programme last?
A. The STP is a three year, full time, work place based training programme during which
participants also study part time for a master’s in clinical science.
Q39 If I have applied for the STP previously, can I apply again?
A. Yes you can.
Q40 Will I need to contribute to the academic tuition fees?
A. Tuition fees for the part-time master’s degree, which trainees will follow in parallel with
their workplace-based training programme, will be fully funded.
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Q41 Is there any additional financial support other than the salary available?
A. Funding to support travel and accommodation at university or other events may be
available however payment is at the discretion of the employer and may be subject to
local availability. Applicants should contact the relevant department or Local Education
and Training Board (LETB) http://hee.nhs.uk/about/our-letbs/ for further advice.
Q42 Can I obtain professional registration by completing the STP?
A. Applicants who successfully complete STP in established specialisms will be eligible to
apply to the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) for a Certificate of Attainment
which will lead to registration as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care
Professions Council (HCPC).
For some more recent STP specialisms, those completing the programme will be able
to apply for an AHCS Certificate of Equivalence, also leading to registered clinical
scientist status.
You can find out more about the Academy's certificates on their website:
www.academyforhealthcarescience.co.uk
Contacts
Q43 Who do I contact for further information?
A.
Information on the Scientist Training Programme can be found on the NHS Careers
website by clicking on the following link:
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/hcstp
Information on the Scientist Training Programme is also available on the National
School of Healthcare Science website accessed by clicking on the following link:
http://www.nshcs.org.uk/oversight-coordination/stp-recruitment/
Information on the application form can be accessed by clicking on the following link:
<link available shortly>
If your question has not been answered by these FAQs please email
[email protected]
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