VRC Update

Since the last update much work has been going on behind the scenes on Modernising Scientific Careers and the process towards registration.  Below is the latest report from the Professional Development Committee and  also after requests from a few members, some sample Technical Reports which will hopefully let you see the variety of styles and detail required for VRC applications.  Please do note that these files have been submitted to the VRC to ensure they are aware of the document’s existance.

Together with Chris Mody's excellent and continued support for OIA members during the process, both our chair, Alison Farrow and also Abi Loose have now offered to be mentors for members who would like support during the application process.  Their contact details can be found at the OIA officers page.

 

 Example Technical Reports »

 

Education & Regulation Report 28/01/2010

Education:
  1. Ophthalmic Science & Technology Programme (Castle College Nottingham/City of Westminster College London): The OS&T curriculum has been restructured for blended/distance learning delivery and will be validated by De Montfort/Nottingham Trent Uni/Middlesex Uni for September enrolment. The modules will be revalidated at HE level 1&2 and HE levels 2&3, corresponding to FDSc and BSc Hon respectively. The BSc level will be subject to more rigouress assessment and will require completion for a dissertation or major audit/research project. Those students with appropriate experience will be able APEL the level 1 subjects to exit from the programme with a BSc. For those students who cannot fulfil the requirements for APEL they will have to complete a biomedical science year 1, this will be offered by the colleges. An alternative would be Open University Introduction to Science Foundation level. An optional, BSc top module will be made available for FDSc students who have already graduated from the programme.
  2. Modernising Scientific Careers: The second draft of the Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) has just been completed, learning outcomes for the programme will include generic subjects for a “Sensory Sciences PTP” including whole body anatomy, physiology, systemic disease, biological principles, physiological measurement, imaging, communication, ethics and professional practice. There will be taster sessions devoted to the three disciplines of Audiology, Neurology and Ophthalmic & Vision Science. This generic curriculum will cover the first 12months of the three year full time programme. The remaining 24 months will be devoted to Ophthalmic & Vision Science, basically what is being delivered already through the Nottingham and London OS&T courses. Optional specialist modules in angiography & imaging, electrophysiology and retinal screening will be included in the final year. Further work is planned for the Next Curriculum development workshop April, where the focus will be on completing a workable PTP curriculum. The masters level Scientist Training Programme (STP) will not be commissioned until 2011.
 
Regulation:
  1. UK Healthcare Science Regulation Liaison Group                       19/01/10
Attended by VRC     
Summary of meeting:
 
This liaison group has been established as a vehicle to engage stakeholders on the issues surrounding regulation as outlined in the November 2008 MSC document. It will make recommendations to the 4 UK Health Departments to inform a draft section 60 order and public consultation document on the proposals for the future regulation of the HCS workforce.
 
There will be representatives from the 4 UK Health Departments, key stakeholders (voluntary registers), and HCS professional bodies, employers, regulators, HEI’s and the public. HEI’s and the public have yet to attend.
 
All groups to nominate the most appropriate person who can commit to bi- monthly meetings for the next 6 months (at least) and a deputy.
 
A project team is in the process of being appointed by DH who will lead on this engagement.
 
A Healthcare Science Training and Education working group has also been set up which will hold 6 weekly meetings in parallel.
 
The project team will consult all groups individually. They will look at which parts of the register will stay open, which parts will close, protected titles, transitional arrangements, economic implications and carry out risk/impact assessments.
 
A lot of this information will already be with HPC i.e. costs; risk assessments already been carried out for groups that have already presented.
 
There is the suggestion of 2 points of registration (not levels): HCS Practitioner & HC Scientist
 
Groups have been divided into 3 groups:
 
1.      Those already regulated: Clinical Scientists and Biomedical scientists.
2.      Those not yet statutory regulated but presented to HPC (5 ‘aspirant groups’) e.g. Clinical Physiologists, Clinical Photographers.
3.      Those not yet presented to HPC but whose roles carry a level of risk (6 ‘others’) e.g. Genetic Technologists, Critical Care Technologists, Ophthalmology and Vision Scientists, (this includes Ophthalmic Photograhers/Imagers)
 
A comprehensive assessment will be carried out to establish the primary point of registration for groups 2 & 3. It is envisaged that group 2 will transfer to the HCSP part of the register; this may also include some of those from group 3 if there is a robust voluntary register in place.
 
This group will not look at the outcome of the MSC trainees or professions already regulated.
 
It is envisaged that this entire piece of work will be completed by July 2010.
 
In summary if, Ophthalmic Photographers/Imaging Specialists want to be state registered then OIA members must apply for admission to the VRC voluntary register under the AOSP section. If it cannot be demonstrated we have a robust voluntary register then, Ophthalmic & Vision Scientists (that means Ophthalmic Photographers) won’t be considered by the Department of Health or the Health Professions Council for statutory regulation.

 

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