National School of Healthcare Science
Scientist Training Programme (STP)
Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants
January 2017 – Release 1.0
1
Application and Eligibility ...................................................................................................................... 4
Q.1
How do I apply? ............................................................................................................................ 4
Q.2
What are the timescales for recruitment? ..................................................................................... 4
Q.3
What do I need to be eligible for the STP? ................................................................................... 5
Q.4
What is a relevant degree? ........................................................................................................... 5
Q.5
Are applicants who will be graduating in this academic year eligible to apply for the training
posts? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Q.6
How many posts can applicants apply for? ................................................................................... 7
Q.7
How can I find out more about the progress of my application? ................................................... 8
Q.8
Will applicants who have already obtained an MSc in a healthcare science specialism be
exempt from the MSc component of the STP?......................................................................................... 8
Q.9
Q.10
Are we looking to recruit new or more experienced graduates?................................................... 8
Are current healthcare employees eligible for the programme? ............................................... 8
Q.11
Could applicants who have significant relevant work experience be exempt from elements of
the work based learning? .......................................................................................................................... 9
2
Q.12
Will it help my application if I have some work experience in a healthcare setting? ................ 9
Q.13
Is there an age limit? ................................................................................................................. 9
Q.14
Can I attend open days to find out more about the training? .................................................... 9
Q.15
How should I complete the online aptitude tests?..................................................................... 9
Q.16
Do you have the right to work in the UK? ............................................................................... 11
Q.17
What level of English language competency is required? ...................................................... 11
The Selection Process ....................................................................................................................... 12
Q.18
What is the recruitment process?............................................................................................ 12
Q.19
How will the shortlisting process be carried out? .................................................................... 12
Q.20
Who will inform the applicants that they have been shortlisted? ............................................ 12
Q.21
How many applicants will be shortlisted for each post?.......................................................... 12
Q.22
What is the Guaranteed Interview Scheme? .......................................................................... 13
Q.23
How do I request the Guaranteed Interview Scheme? ........................................................... 13
Q.24
Will there be a GIS question on the application form? ............................................................ 13
Q.25
Where and when will the interviews be held? ......................................................................... 13
Q.26
If an applicant has applied to several places are they expected to return several times for
different interviews? ................................................................................................................................ 14
Q.27
If an applicant is not able to attend the interviews on the date they have been allocated will
they be offered an alternative date? ....................................................................................................... 14
Q.28
Will internal or in service healthcare employees have to go through the national interviews? ...
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….14
3
General Questions.............................................................................................................................. 14
Q.29
Which universities will be offering the accredited master’s programme? ............................... 14
2
Q.30
How much academic input will there be in the training? ......................................................... 15
Q.31
Will trainees graduating from the STP have a recognised international qualification? ........... 15
Q.32
What scientific specialism should I apply for? ......................................................................... 15
Q.33
If I am successful and the post has been advertised as unspecified or there is more than one
training route (applicable to some Medical Physics/Clinical Engineering and Cardiac Science posts)
can I choose the specialism that I would prefer to train in? .................................................................... 16
Q.34
Is the training programme right for me? .................................................................................. 16
Q.35
What kinds of people get a place on the STP? ....................................................................... 17
Q.36
How much will I be paid during the training? .......................................................................... 17
Q.37
Is the training programme very competitive? .......................................................................... 17
Q.38
Where will I be trained? ........................................................................................................... 17
Q.39
How much travel is involved in the STP? ................................................................................ 18
Q.40
Are there STP opportunities outside of England and Wales? ................................................. 18
Q.41
Am I guaranteed a job at the end of the training? ................................................................... 18
Q.42
What kind of job might I expect to have at the end of the training? ........................................ 18
Q.43
How long will the training programme last? ............................................................................ 18
Q.44
If I have applied for the STP previously, can I apply again? ................................................... 18
Q.45
Will I need to contribute to the academic tuition fees?............................................................ 19
Q.46
Is there any additional financial support other than the salary available? .............................. 19
Q.47
Can I obtain professional registration by completing the STP? .............................................. 19
Q.48
Who do I contact for further information? ................................................................................ 19
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.
3
1 Application and Eligibility
Q.1 How do I apply?
Every applicant must first be registered on Oriel, the online application system. Once you have
completed this, then search on "Scientist Training Programme" from the vacancies menu and
select the appropriate vacancy and click on “To Apply”. Please note that there will be two
vacancies for STP displayed, one for direct entry and one for in service. Applicants should be
careful to select the appropriate vacancy that reflects the route through which they are applying
to the programme.
Please note: In service applicants will be sent a code from their employers and will need this
code in order to complete the in-service application form.
How to register on Oriel
Oriel is accessed through the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS) website at:
http://www.nshcs.org.uk/stp-recruitment
Once you have accessed Oriel, please complete an initial registration by clicking on “Account
Registration”. This will create a user account from which you can make your application. You
can register on the portal as early as you wish but you will not be able to apply until the
application window for the vacancy opens.
Once initial registration has been completed, applicants are advised to click on “Proceed to
Applicant Registration”. This will allow you to complete further registration details which will then
be used to populate certain parts of the application form against any vacancy you are applying
for. Please note that if you start to apply for a vacancy before you complete the full registration
process, the information will not pre-populate into the application form.
Q.2
What are the timescales for recruitment?
A full timescale for the recruitment process can be found in the Guidance for Applicants
document:
Applications for direct entry posts open from 13:00 hours on Monday 13th January 2017 to
17:00 hours on Monday 13th February 2017. No late applications will be accepted. The
deadline for the online tests for direct entry is 17:00 hours on Wednesday 15th February 2017-–
without this, your application is incomplete.
Applications for in service post will open from 13:00 hours on Monday 13th January 2017 to
17:00 hours on Monday 13th March 2017. No late applications will be accepted. The deadline for
the online tests for in service is 17:00 hours on Tuesday 14th March 2017 – without this, your
application is incomplete.
4
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 between Tuesday 21st February
2017 2017 to Tuesday 14th March 2017. Please allow for a period of time following this for
shortlisting results to be collated and checked and interview invites to be set up. Interview dates
will vary depending on which specialism you have applied to 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 most applicants should have been informed by the beginning to mid-June 2017.
Q.3 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 that is relevant
to the specialism for which you are applying (see Q.4). Applicants with a relevant 2.2 degree will
also be considered if they have a completed 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 prosthetics) must hold
current registration as a dental technician with the General Dental Council.
Undergraduates who wish to apply must provide their predicted bachelor’s degree grade in their
application and must go on to achieve a 1st or 2.1 in order to take up a training post.
Please note: an undergraduate degree, includes a bachelors, “undergraduate
masters” or “integrated masters” e.g. MSci, MChem, MPhys, MEng,etc. A Master of
Research is not considered as a MSc or PhD.
Please also note: that any academic qualifications declared during application, including
Master’s qualifications, will need to be completed by start date of the programme. It is a
requirement of the Higher Education Institutions that applicants must not be enrolled on two
academic programmes by start date of the programme.
Q.4 What is a relevant degree?
Successful applicants might have a variety of relevant qualifications and experience.
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 (on the National School of Healthcare Science’s website),
and the information about your preferred healthcare science specialism on the Health Careers
website. You then need to ensure that you match the skills and knowledge required to the
5
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 that is relevant to
your degree course.
The most commonly accepted degrees will be:
•
Physiological Sciences: physiology, pure or applied physics, engineering, biology or
human biology.
•
Life Sciences: biomedical sciences, biology, microbiology, genetics or biochemistry
o
•
Genomic Counselling (formerly Genetic Counselling): one of the biological or
equivalent sciences, nursing or psychology. For applicants whose degree did not
include a genetics module, it is advised that a short course in the science of
human genetics has, or will be, successfully completed.
Physical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering
o
Medical Physics: a degree that contains a high level of physics and whose
content would satisfy the majority of requirements of the Institute of Physics as
stated in their guidelines:
http://www.iop.org/education/higher_education/accreditation/file_64166.pdf. The
Institute also publishes a register of accredited courses:
http://www.iop.org/education/higher_education/accreditation/file_63783.pdf

o
Clinical Pharmaceutical Science applicants do not require a pharmacy
degree, but it is anticipated that a career in Clinical Pharmaceutical
Sciences is a career pathway open to those with Pharmacy degrees. For
those applying to Clinical Pharmaceutical Science acceptable degrees
are: Chemistry or the Life/Biological Sciences which are chemistry related
(for example, Biochemistry, pharmacology), or pharmaceutical sciences
or pharmacy
Clinical Engineering: pure or applied physics, engineering, applied mathematics.
A relevant engineering degree is one whose content would satisfy the majority of
the Engineering Council’s requirements as states in their guideline The
Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes:
http://www.engc.org.uk/engcdocuments/internet/Website/Accreditation%20of%20
Higher%20Education%20Programmes%20third%20edition%20(1).pdf
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.
6
•
Clinical Bioinformatics: These programmes contain a large amount of maths and
computer science and it is recommended that applicants to these programmes have at
least a maths A Level and have studies programming within their discipline.
o
Clinical Bioinformatics (Genomics) genetics, biology, computer science, health
informatics, (degree courses with significant IT content or equivalent). Biology is
also recommended.
o
Clinical Bioinformatics (Health Informatics) genetics, biology, computer science,
health informatics, (degree courses with significant IT content or equivalent)
o
Clinical Bioinformatics (Physical Sciences): computer science, physics,
engineering, mathematics (degree courses with significant programming and IT
content or equivalent).
It should be noted that this list is not definitive.
Science degrees related to medicine may be considered suitable for some specialisms if
relevant to the specialty or theme for which you are applying. UK NARIC equivalence will need
to be provided at interview stage (if invited for interview) for those applicants that hold
international qualifications. Further information can be found by accessing
https://www.naric.org.uk/naric/.
Q.5 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 2017. This includes those with a 2:2 BSc who are currently studying
for an MSc.
Should an applicant apply based on a predicted grade and is not successful in achieving a 2:1
or higher BSc by start date of programme, they will no longer meet the minimum entry criteria
for the programme and so any offer made will be withdrawn. The onus will be on applicants to
notify the NSHCS of their final result by the start date of the programme by emailing
[email protected], no later than 5 days from receiving the university notification of
their award.
Q.6 How many posts can applicants apply for?
Direct entry applicants can only apply for one vacancy. In service applicants are eligible to apply
for both the In Service and Direct Entry vacancies.
During the application process, applicants will be given the opportunity to select a maximum of
two choices of specialism or theme, in the case of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering. An
applicant will be able to make as many choices of locations/employers as are available for their
selected specialism(s).
7
Please note that applicants for any 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.
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.
In service applications are specific to the place on the training programme with their current
employer.
Q.7 How can I find out more about the progress of my application?
If you are invited to the next stage, you will receive your invitation via email and/or text.
Applicants can log into the online application system at any point of the application process to
view the status of their application.
Q.8 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 2017 should be prepared to undertake the full
academic and work based components of the scheme. However, where an applicant wishes
their existing qualifications to be considered as credit against parts of the academic STP
master’s degree, this process of Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is
determined on a case by case basis within universities. General information about this process
is available from any university website.
Q.9 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. The focus is 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.
Q.10 Are current healthcare employees eligible for the programme?
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 attending
national interviews and completing the online tests), but are not in competition for their
substantive post.
8
Q.11 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 2017 should be prepared to undertake the full
academic and work based components of the scheme.
Q.12 Will it help my application if I have some work experience in a
healthcare setting?
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.
Q.13 Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit for applying to the STP.
Q.14 Can I attend open days to find out more about the training?
Some employers and departments will hold open days that 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: http://www.nshcs.org.uk/stp-recruitment
Q.15 How should I complete the online aptitude tests?
The online aptitude tests assess numerical and logical reasoning abilities. The tests that you
complete provide us with accurate and valid data to help us make a decision about your
application, whilst at the same time ensuring fairness. There is a minimum pass mark for each
online test. If you do not meet this benchmark, your application will not proceed further. Meeting
this minimum pass mark does not guarantee that you will be shortlisted for the interview stage.
An applicant will only gain access to complete the tests once their application form is completed
and submitted.
Applicants do not need to begin these tests immediately after submission of their application
unless they choose to do so, however, please note there is a completion deadline.
Only one opportunity will be available to applicants to complete the real tests therefore we
strongly recommend that applicants visit the practice site (www.trytalentq.com) to learn more
about the tests, try out some practice questions and learn how to prepare. Applicants will have
the opportunity to practice completing the tests as many times as they wish but must start and
complete the real tests before the application deadline.
9
Please note that, once an applicant begins a real test, it will need to be completed in one
sitting. When applicants are ready to complete the real tests, there will be an initial practice
section, which is untimed. However, once you leave this practice section, there will be time
limits for each question and it is not possible to go back to the beginning.
Applicants access the online tests from the application summary screen. This can be reached
through My Applications in the Dashboard on Oriel.
Please note:
•
•
Once an applicant begins a test it will need to be completed in one sitting.
It is recommended that you use of a desktop PC or laptop to complete the online
tests.
•
It is important that you have a stable internet connection before you start the real
test.
•
Make sure that other browser tabs, windows and applications are closed before
you begin.
•
Make sure that they start and complete the tests within the application window.
•
Make sure that you are somewhere quiet and free from interruption.
•
Do not click on ‘back’ or refresh the page, as this will cause no marks to be
awarded for the question.
On completion of these tests please ensure that against each test it states “completed”.
Applicants can then choose to log out of the system.
If applicants score within the required threshold for the programme their application will be put
forward to shortlisting. Those who do not will be sent a notification advising them that their
application will not be progressed any further.
All applicants are advised to complete the tests as early as they can in the application window
so as to ensure they do not miss the closing date. Failure to complete the tests within the
required timescales will result in the application being rejected.
Any applicant who requires extra time to complete the online tests will need to send evidence to
[email protected] at least 3 working days before the aptitude tests completion
deadline. This will provide the recruitment team with sufficient notice to review the evidence and
facilitate the extra time required. Failure to notify the recruitment team within the timescales
stipulated may mean that reasonable adjustments cannot be applied.
For direct entry applicants you must submit your completed application form by 17:00
hours on Monday 13th February 2017 and you have until 17:00 hours on Wednesday 15th
February 2017 to complete your online tests.
10
For in service applicants you must submit your completed application form by 17:00
hours on Monday 13th March 2017 and you have until 17:00 hours on Tuesday 14th
March 2017 to complete all your online tests. However, we strongly encourage all
applicants to complete your online tests as early as possible
Q.16 Do you have the right to work in the UK?
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. Please note
should you require a Tier 2 visa and assuming you are successful at interview stage any offer
will be based on meeting the requirements of the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT).
Applicants are advised to ensure they have a right to work in the UK for the full duration of the
STP as this will be a requirement of their contract of employment.
Q.17 What level of English language competency is required?
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: http://www.hpc-uk.org/publications/standards/index.asp?id=42
There are a number of ways you could meet and provide evidence for 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 enrol 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 need to provide
evidence that you have passed an appropriate test listed by the Home Office here:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
11
2 The Selection Process
Q.18 What is the recruitment process?
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. Direct entry 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 between April – May 2017 and allocations to posts
will be offered as soon as possible after all interviews have been completed.
Q.19 How will the shortlisting process be carried out?
Shortlisting will be carried out on a national basis by appropriately qualified 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 the highest scores will be invited to interview.
Q.20 Who will inform the applicants that they have been shortlisted?
The NSHCS 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.
Q.21 How many applicants will be shortlisted for each post?
Normally three times as many applicants will be shortlisted as commissioned training posts
however ratios may be increased for some specialisms dependent on number of applications
received in order to maximise the opportunity for all available posts to be filled to meet
workforce demand.
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.
12
Q.22 What is the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
The Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) is a commitment to guarantee an interview to anyone
with a disability (as defined in the Equality Act 2010) who meets the minimum criteria for the
training. All disabled applicants through NHS Jobs are offered the option to request the
Guaranteed Interview Scheme and the NSHCS offers this in line with NHS Jobs / NHS
employers. The scheme does not mean that all disabled applicants are automatically
guaranteed an interview, they are only guaranteed an interview if they meet the minimum
requirements of the training.
Q.23 How do I request the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Disabled applicants wishing to apply under the GIS will need to will need to tick the 'yes' box on
the online application form in answer to the GIS question and submit the appropriate evidence
to the recruitment team at [email protected].
There is no obligation for a disabled applicant to apply under the GIS if they do not wish to.
Q.24 Will there be a GIS question on the application form?
Yes. Under the registration and personal details section of the application form, applicants will
be asked the following:
If you have a disability, provided you meet the minimum criteria as specified in the Person Specification,
do you wish to be considered under the *Guaranteed Interview Scheme?* (Please refer to the Applicant
Guide.):
Yes
If an applicant selects 'No' no further questions appear.
If an applicant selects ‘Yes’ then the following questions appear:
If you have answered yes to the above question, please give details below:
If, on your application form, you have indicated that you have a disability and require any
specific arrangements/adjustments to enable you to attend an interview, assessment or other
selection process and/or you have indicated you would like to be considered under the
Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please ensure you contact the recruitment lead
[email protected] with further information and supporting evidence by the
completion of the shortlisting process which is Tuesday 14th March 2017.
Q.25 Where and when will the interviews be held?
Recruitment will be undertaken through a series of national interviews that will be organised by
the NSHCS, who are experienced in recruiting graduate trainees through this approach. These
interviews will be held in Birmingham between April and May 2017.
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Applicants can view a video outlining how the interview process works here:
http://www.nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/join-programme/nhs-scientist-training-programme/the-interviewprocess
Q.26 If an applicant has applied to several places are they expected to
return several times for different interviews?
Where applicants have applied and been successfully shortlisted for more than one specialism
or theme they will be required to attend multiple interviews. Applicants who identify different
preferred locations in one specialism/theme will only be brought in to interview once.
Applicants will not be reimbursed for their travel costs.
Q.27 If an applicant is not able to attend the interviews on the date they
have been allocated will they be offered an alternative date?
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 specialism or theme will be made available as early as possible in the
process.
Q.28 Will internal or in service healthcare employees have to go through
the national interviews?
Yes and they will also be required to complete an online application form, provide evidence of
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].
3 General Questions
Q.29 Which universities will be offering the accredited master’s
programme?
Following competitive tendering the following universities as shown by accessing this link:
http://www.nshcs.org.uk/stp-recruitment have been selected to provide the Master’s in Clinical
Science for the Scientist Training Programme
Any new specialisms available for 2017 will be procured during the year and so the information
may not be available at the point of application.
14
Q.30 How much academic input will there be in the training?
The STP is approximately two thirds work based training and one third formal academic training
through the Master’s degree. While in the workplace it is recommended that 80% of the time is
spent on work based training and 20% is spent on academic work.
Q.31 Will trainees graduating from the STP have a recognised international
qualification?
Master’s degree from a Higher Education Institute is a recognised academic qualification under
the European Qualifications Framework and is a component part of the award made on
successful completion of STP. There is regular monitoring from the NSHCS and trainees are
required to submit to the Annual Review of Progress. Failure to submit or show suitable
progress may lead to removal from the programme
Q.32 What scientific specialism should I apply for?
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 can preference as many
locations/employers as there are available for those specialisms.
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 applying to the in service vacancy, sponsored by your employer you will only
be able to apply for a place on the training programme which corresponds to your post with your
current employer.
To learn more about the individual specialisms refer to the Health Careers website:
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/stp.
The curricula and learning guides are available on NHS Networks:
http://www.networks.nhs.uk/nhs-networks/msc-framework-curricula/stp
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Q.33 If I am successful and the post has been advertised as unspecified or
there is more than one training route (applicable to some Medical
Physics/Clinical Engineering and Cardiac Science posts) can I choose
the specialism that I would prefer to train in?
Whilst successful applicants may be consulted on their choice of specialism for these posts with
the relevant employer there is no guarantee that they will be able to train in their preferred area
as there may be workforce needs in a particular area and we are recruiting to fulfil the future
workforce requirement.
Applicants who preference unspecified posts should be willing to train in any of the specialisms
within that theme or area and should refer to the learning guides for further information on the
training.
http://www.networks.nhs.uk/nhs-networks/msc-framework-curricula/stp
Applicants should ensure they refer to the list of posts advertised to identify which posts this
may apply to and are advised to contact their preferred centre before the offers window closes
to get further information on options available for the choice of specialism.
http://www.nshcs.org.uk/stp-recruitment
Q.34 Is the training programme right for me?
You should refer to the information available on Health Careers and NSHCS website to evaluate
whether you think the training programme is right for you.
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/stp
http://www.nshcs.org.uk/stp-recruitment
Further information may also be available by attending open days. A list of departments offering
open days is online at http://www.nshcs.org.uk/stp-recruitment
The STP offers a fantastic opportunity for those people who are looking for a fulfilling career in
healthcare science. It is important that applicants consider their application to the programme
carefully. We are looking for people who are committed to a career in healthcare science and to
providing high quality scientific services to patients and the public. Entry onto the programme is
extremely competitive and therefore applicants should be prepared to be measured on their
commitment to the programme and on their understanding of the expectations placed on
Scientist trainees as part of the selection processes.
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Q.35 What kinds of people get a place on the STP?
A range of people have been successful in being appointed to the STP In addition to high
standards of scientific ability, what they have in common is an enthusiasm for science,
aspirations to be leaders in healthcare science and a focus on delivering high quality and
compassionate care for patients.
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.
Q.36 How much will I be paid during the training?
Starting salaries will be circa £25,000 per annum (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.
Please note funding for any additional expenses is entirely a local decision and should be
discussed and agreed with the commissioner and managed by the employer. We strongly urge
that applicants contact any potential employers regarding additional expenses early on in the
process to ensure that they are able to make an informed decision when choosing their
choice(s) of specialism(s) and location/employer(s).
Q.37 Is the training programme very competitive?
Yes. 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.
Q.38 Where will I be trained?
When you apply you can express a preference for the specialism(s) you wish to train in in rank
order (up to a maximum of 2 specialisms). Those applicants that are invited to interview will then
be asked to choose up to as many locations/employers as there are available in those
specialisms in rank order. Applicants can view the locations and number of posts available for
2017 entry by visiting http://www.nshcs.org.uk/stp-recruitment
We will try to place you in your first choice. However, this may not always be possible and will
be dependent on how well you perform at interview. As a result 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. In accepting a post you should therefore be willing and able
to travel in order to undertake the training.
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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.
Q.39 How much travel is involved in the STP?
You may have to travel to other training centres to fulfil parts of the programme (rotations).
These could be in different parts of the country and you could have to spend weeks at a time
there.
Whether you have to travel to complete your rotations would depend on the specialism and
whether your host employer has the facilities to provide all the training aspects
You will also have to travel to the University to complete the master’s degree. The amount of
travel involved for this will depend on the University and course you attend.
Q.40 Are there STP opportunities outside of England and Wales?
There are separate scientist training schemes in Scotland and Northern Ireland. To find out
more, please go to the relevant websites.
Q.41 Am I guaranteed a job at the end of the training?
There is no guarantee of employment on completion of the programme. However, you will be
eligible to apply for any suitable clinical scientist posts, once you have obtained registration with
the Health and Care Professions Council [HCPC]. For in service trainees, your ongoing
employment continues.
Q.42 What kind of job might I expect to have at the end of the training?
There are a wide range of clinical scientist roles to choose from within any chosen specialism.
Further information can be found at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/stp
Your experiences on the STP will help you decide what type of scientific job you may wish to
take upon completing the training.
Q.43 How long will the training programme last?
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.
Q.44 If I have applied for the STP previously, can I apply again?
Yes you can however if you have previously relinquished or been removed from the programme
you must state this in your application which will be reviewed and a decision made on whether
your application can proceed. Please note this may include discussions with other key
stakeholders for example the Higher Education Institution (HEI). Please note the applicant will
be contacted for consent should further information be required.
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Q.45 Will I need to contribute to the academic tuition fees?
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.
Q.46 Is there any additional financial support other than the salary
available?
Funding to support travel and accommodation at university or other events may be available.
However such funding is at the discretion of the employer and may be subject to local
availability. Applicants should contact the relevant department or Health Education England
Local Team http://hee.nhs.uk/about/our-letbs/ for further advice.
Q.47 Can I obtain professional registration by completing the STP?
Applicants will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health Care Professions
Council
(HCPC) on completion of the STP and on award of the Certificate of Attainment by the
Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS)
For some more recent STP specialisms, those completing the programme will be able to apply
for an AHCS Certificate of Equivalence. Award of the Certificate of Equivalence will also make
you eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration as a clinical scientist.
You can find out more about the Academy's certificates here:
www.academyforhealthcarescience.co.uk
Q.48 Who do I contact for further information?
Information on the Scientist Training Programme can be found on the NSHCS website:
http://www.nshcs.org.uk/stp-recruitment
Information on careers within STP and specialism information can be found here:
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/stp
The link to the online application portal and “to Apply” can be accessed here:
http://www.nshcs.org.uk/stp-recruitment
(Please note you will not be able to apply until 16th January 2017).
In order for the NSHCS to offer optimal support to all applicants please ensure you have
reviewed both this document and the applicant guidance in full prior to submitting a query.
If your question has not been answered please email [email protected] .
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