The Laboratory Escalator A Wolverhampton Experience Louise Nickell Education and Training Manager Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust

Healthcare Scientist Cadet Scheme- an emerging MLA development model

Why? Trust workforce data -Retirement profiles -Recruitment data for Pathology -Recruitment difficulties across HCS (anecdotal evidence) National recruitment difficulties

Solution- A HCS Cadet Scheme Write a business plan!!! Give it to the CEO Wait for him to give you loads of cash!!

CEO “Fantastic!!!”

CEO “Fantastic!!!” (But get the cash from elsewhere)

So………….. Submit bid to BBC WDC Meanwhile …………. Start the scheme

Principles of the HCS Cadet Scheme Informed career choices Vocational training Academic underpinning knowledge Pre-degree entry qualifications Equality and Diversity Promotion of Healthcare Scientist careers

Principles of the Scheme Skills escalator Support staff (including existing support staff) Opportunities for young people Changing the age profile of departments Local population Schools liaison

What’s involved in the scheme? Training programme over 2 years NVQ in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities (LATA) BTEC in Applied Science (Medical Science) Rotational work placements

Anticipated result? Map into vacancies within the Trust at some point

Results of lots of meetings Resurrect the BTEC in Applied Science Change the units of the BTEC to suit the University Entry qualifications for BMS and Clinical Physiology degrees agreed Pre-college entry qualification for BTEC agreed Got everyone talking!

NVQ in LATA Decide which units to cover Decide how/where to deliver those units What about the individual learner? How to convince departments to volunteer trainee assessors? What about departments that have no assessors?

What’s the role of an assessor? NVQ assessment Departmental placement ‘Buddy’ system Assessor group meetings (bi-monthly)

What support is available to trainee assessors? Peripatetic assessors Training and Development Department Portfolio building Internal verifier HCS Education Group Assessor trainer- bought in Assessor meetings-Pastoral support

Work placement rotation Ist placement2nd placement3rd placement4th placement Cadet 1 Micro 6Chemistry 4Radiology 21/22Pharmacy 21 Cadet 2 Chemistry 4Micro 6Med ill 12MPCE 23 Cadet 3 Histopathology 6Pharmacy 21Haematology 4Radiology 21/22 Cadet 4 MPCE 23Med ill 12Cytology 6Chemistry 4 Cadet 5 Haematology 4Phlebotomy 12Pharmacy 21Cytology 6 Cadet 6 Pharmacy 21Radiology 21/22Chemistry 4Histopathology 6 Cadet 7 Phlebotomy 12MPCE 23Micro 6Med ill 12 Cadet 8 Radiology 21/22Histopathology 6Phlebotomy 12Haematology 4 Cadet 9 Med ill 12Cytology 6MPCE 23Micro 6 Cadet 10 Cytology 6Haematology 4Histopathology 6Phlebotomy 12

Work placement rotation Ist placement2nd placement3rd placement4th placement Cadet 1Micro 6Chemistry 4Radiology 21/22Pharmacy 21 Cadet 2 Chemistry 4Micro 6Med ill 12MPCE 23 Cadet 3 Histopathology 6Pharmacy 21Haematology 4Radiology 21/22 Cadet 4 MPCE 23Med ill 12Cytology 6Chemistry 4 Cadet 5 Haematology 4Phlebotomy 12Pharmacy 21Cytology 6 Cadet 6 Pharmacy 21Radiology 21/22Chemistry 4Histopathology 6 Cadet 7 Phlebotomy 12MPCE 23Micro 6Med ill 12 Cadet 8 Radiology 21/22Histopathology 6Phlebotomy 12Haematology 4 Cadet 9 Med ill 12Cytology 6MPCE 23Micro 6 Cadet 10 Cytology 6Haematology 4Histopathology 6Phlebotomy 12

Work placement rotation Ist placement2nd placement3rd placement4th placement Cadet 1 Micro 6 Chemistry 4Radiology 21/22Pharmacy 21 Cadet 2 Chemistry 4 Micro 6 Med ill 12MPCE 23 Cadet 3 Histopathology 6Pharmacy 21Haematology 4Radiology 21/22 Cadet 4 MPCE 23Med ill 12Cytology 6Chemistry 4 Cadet 5 Haematology 4Phlebotomy 12Pharmacy 21Cytology 6 Cadet 6 Pharmacy 21Radiology 21/22Chemistry 4Histopathology 6 Cadet 7 Phlebotomy 12MPCE 23 Micro 6 Med ill 12 Cadet 8 Radiology 21/22Histopathology 6Phlebotomy 12Haematology 4 Cadet 9 Med ill 12Cytology 6MPCE 23 Micro 6 Cadet 10 Cytology 6Haematology 4Histopathology 6Phlebotomy 12

‘Mini-placements’ Neurophysiology Respiratory medicine Audiology Cardiology

Assessor training Bought in Time commitment = 2 x ½ day sessions Then 1:1 sessions in department Reflection session at a later date

Project evaluation HCS Education Group Post-HCS Education Group – assessor meetings Evaluation reports by project team Stakeholders review

Future work for HCS scheme Specialist pathways (e.g. Pathology only) Other Trusts Project manager Financial implications Schools liaison/Junior scholarships/Compact agreements

Future other work MLA development But which NVQ?

NVQ 2 only Edexcel is the awarding body NHS focused Clinical Laboratory Support

Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities LATA (NVQ 1-4)-Revalidated new standards Been used for years City and Guilds is awarding body

HCS NVQ?

Costs of NVQ Registration costs Certification costs Assessor time Assessor training (CPD?) = A1 award (+ backfill?) Registration and certification costs IV for NVQ and A1 award Time for EV visits

Where to then for MLAs? Tech cert/A levels - could be concurrent? Foundation degree – Wolves Uni -Sept 05 HCS UCE Health & Social care- various pathways, entry requirements: NVQ 2 or working towards 3, or portfolio Honours degree

Thank you