STP Certificate of Equivalence - External Examiner Recruitment
The Academy for Healthcare Science offers the STP Certificate of Equivalence programme to Healthcare Scientists who have undertaken training, hold qualifications and/or have considerable professional experience, and wish to show that these are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the Scientist Training Programme (STP) accredited by the National School of Healthcare Science.
The Academy is an approved education provider by the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC). Successful completion of the programme leads to eligibility to register with the HCPC as a Clinical Scientist.
To support the Academy’s internal quality assurance, we appoint an External Examiner to provide independent view and advice about the programme and to prepare an annual report based on the quality and standards of the programme for the AHCS Regulation Board. This report will normally include the review of a sample of STP Equivalence applications and the specialist assessments and a review of supporting guidance documents.
The current External Examiner is due to finish their term of office at the end of October 2021 and the Academy is looking for a registered Clinical Scientist to take up the role. Further details about the role and the appointment criteria can be found in the role description available at: https://www.ahcs.ac.uk/news-events/news/
Application process
To apply:
- Please submit an up-to-date CV and covering letter for the attention of the Head of Standards to equivalence@ahcs.ac.uk
- Please also provide the contact details of two referees to provide a reference to support your application
Closing date: 17 September 2021
Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once enough applications have been received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
For further details contact:
The appointment of the External Examiner for the STP Certificate of Equivalence
- The External Examiner is responsible to the Academy of Healthcare Science (AHCS) Regulation Board.
- Normally, applications for the External Examiner are taken from advert. The application should be accompanied by a detailed CV for the person applying. The External Examiner should also be asked to give consent to their application and their details being held and used by the AHCS in relation to his/her duties as an Examiner.
- Applications are reviewed against the selection criteria by the Academy and a recommendation for appointment taken to the Regulation Board for approval. Interviews will take place if there is more than one candidate who meets the selection criteria.
- The selection criteria for appointment are:
- registered Clinical Scientist
- independent of the AHCS
- knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the outcomes of the National School of Healthcare Science accredited Scientist Training Programme (STP)
- competence and experience in one or more of the specialties covered by the programme
- competence and experience relating to designing and operating a variety of assessment tasks appropriate to the subject and operating assessment procedures
- sufficient standing, credibility and breadth of experience within the discipline to be able to command the respect of peers and, where appropriate, professional peers
- familiarity with the standard to be expected of applicants to achieve the award that is to be assessed
- awareness of current developments in the design and delivery of relevant STP curricula
- research active (desirable).
- The period of service as an External Examiner will normally be for a maximum of four years.
- The AHCS reserves the right to terminate the appointment of an External Examiner prematurely in the following circumstances:
- non-submission of reports within the specified timescales
- non-fulfilment of other duties outlined in the procedures
- where in the AHCS’s judgement a situation arises compromising either the AHCS’s reputation or the good standing of the External Examiner
- where the AHCS role changes with regards to the Equivalence process.
- The Academy will inform the successful and unsuccessful candidates for the appointment.
Duties of the External Examiner
- To participate fully in the AHCS annual quality review of the STP Certificate of Equivalence programme, providing an independent view on the processes that assures the quality of the programme. The activity will normally include the review of a sample of STP Equivalence applications and assessments; and the review of programme handbook, guidance documents, the draft Annual Quality Review Report, review training materials, and other documentation as requested.
- To provide informative comment to the Regulation Board as to whether or not the STP Certificate of Equivalence programme continues to meet the Health and Care Professions Council’s (HCPC) Standards of Education and Training, and Standards of Proficiency for Clinical Scientists.
- To provide an annual External Examiner’s report in sufficient time for the Regulations Board’s Education Standing Panel to consider ahead of a meeting of the Regulation Board. Timelines will be agreed with AHCS ahead of the annual quality review process.
- To attend the Regulation Board or its Education Standing Panel to discuss the External Examiner report and any outcome of the Annual Quality Review if requested.
- To provide commentary on any developments to the STP Certificate of Equivalence Programme such as changes in process or guidance documents.
Fees and Expenses
- The AHCS will pay reasonable expenses in accordance with its expenses policy (available on request).
- The AHCS will pay an honorarium of £400 to the External Examiner on receipt of his/her report for the annual quality review of the STP Certificate of Equivalence Programme.
Dispute Resolution
- Where there are irreconcilable differences between the External Examiner and Regulation Board, AHCS will endeavour to resolve the dispute internally through a meeting between the External Examiner and members of AHCS Executive Board.
- In extreme circumstances the AHCS will go to external arbitration through the appointment of an appropriate expert in the discipline considered acceptable as an arbitrator to both the External Examiner and the AHCS. The decision of such an external arbitrator will be final.
