1. MSC is a UK wide government initiative to address training and education needs for the whole of Healthcare Science (HCS) workforces. It aims to introduce flexibility, sustainability and modern career pathways for HCS workforce, so it meets the future needs of the NHS and ensures the best patient outcomes. This ensures as an organisation we are able to provide quality expert care. National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS)– Established in 2011 with many key roles to include assessment of trainees, awarding certificate of completion, national training events, national recruitment of STPs and HSSTs, development of curricula and delivering the national education programme in genomics. Academy of Healthcare Science (AHCS)- Acts as the overarching body for HCS professionals and works towards statutory regulation for all HCS staff. They provide the equivalence process and provide the certificate of equivalence which makes a scientist eligible to apply for HCPC registration. Equivalence- Currently available for PTP, STP and HSST routes but will be available for all pathways. Provided by the AHCS and compares previous training, qualifications and experiences compared to the current MSC programmes. Application – Initial application Equivalence fee £280. requires proof of ID, passport photo, summary of professional experience 1000 words maximum, evidence of qualifications and 2 professional references. If successful a portfolio of 150 pages must be submitted within 6 months which should be mapped to Good Scientific Practice (GSP). If successful will be invited to interview approximately 90mins where the candidate will be assessed with scenarios against GSP. If successful will be issued with certificate of equivalence which can be used to apply to register with professional body. Modernising Scientific Careers at a Glance: For more information discuss with you line manager at your PDPR or go to the MSC intranet page or visit the NSHCS website www.nshcs.org.uk Healthcare (HC) Assistants: Band 2 Required to complete level 2 NVQ Either as Apprenticeship or CPPD. Qualification will consist of 4 key areas: Functional Competencies. Knowledge. Generic knowledge. Personal, cognitive and professional skills. Currently under development (2015 start date) Positions managed Locally. Working on established procedures and Protocols under direct supervision. Accredited Scientific Practice additional development to gain further skills. Equivalence available through AHCS. Healthcare Assistant Practitioner: Band 3 Required to complete level 3 NVQ Either as Apprenticeship or CPPD. Qualification will consist of 4 key areas: Functional Competencies. Knowledge. Generic knowledge. Personal, cognitive and professional skills. Currently under development (2015 start date) Positions managed Locally. Working on established procedures and Protocols under remote supervision. Accredited Scientific Practice additional development to gain further skills. Equivalence available through AHCS. Healthcare Associate: Band 4 Required to complete level 4 Foundation Degree Either as Apprenticeship or CPPD. Currently under development (2015 start date) Positions managed Locally. Working on established procedures and Protocols under indirect supervision. Judge straight forward work related situations and take appropriate actions. Clear progression route to practitioner training under development. Accredited Scientific Practice additional development to gain further skills. Equivalence available through AHCS. Healthcare Practitioner: Band 5/6/7 Current training route Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) 3 year undergraduate degree plus placements within blood science Currently working on part time route. Completion of PTP and IBMS portfolio Available in Life Science Blood science and Transfusion and Transplantation. Lone worker able to follow SOPs and authorise routine results. Performs investigations within the laboratory and reports results. Registration as Biomedical Scientist with HCPC. Equivalence available through AHCS. Healthcare Scientist: Band 6/7/8 Current training route Scientist Training Programme (STP). 3 year post graduate post. Require relevant science degree 2:1 or above. HEE funded. Direct or in house trainees. Taught masters in Clinical Science. Completion of STP portfolio. Currently Haematology and Transfusion or H&I. Rotations across blood science. Lone worker able to follow specialist SOPs and authorises results. Able to provide clinical advice. Performs training and audit and research. Registration as Clinical Scientist with HCPC. Equivalence available through AHCS. Consultant Clinical Scientist: Band 7/8+ Current training Higher Specialist Scientific Training (HSST). 5 year training – CS registration + 1 year experience. Direct or in house trainees. National application and interview process. Taught Doctorate. Completion of HSST portfolio and FRCPath part 1 and 2. Currently Haematology and Transfusion or H&I. Provides expert knowledge and clinical advice to both patients and other clinical staff. Develops the service. Direct patient contact. Registration on Higher Specialist Scientific Register. Equivalence available through AHCS.

2. General Description Specific Tasks Responsibility Threshold Specimen reception – receive, sort, label samples and follow up any samples with missing patient identification. Scan request forms or donor forms and despatch any copy reports to the requestor. Issue stores. Deal with telephone enquiries/phone results. Order transport. Request entry on LIMS. Pre-analytical work on specimens for example centrifugation. Load samples onto automated sample handlers. Stock handling. Processing units of blood eg leucodepletion, removal of plasma and addition of RBC to SAG-M. Dispose of samples. Archive samples. Qualifications Band 2 Support WorkerRequires local supervision, no test performance, no authorisation or interpretation. Lower Apprenticeship Level 2 Specific Description HTO (Healthcare Assistant)

3. Knowledge and skills of band 2+. Check sample integrity. Routine laboratory cleaning and maintenance. Simple equipment fixing. Placing samples onto analysers. Perform and record results of simple manual tests to SOP. Record quality measures – temperature + cleaning. Work file generation. Conduct automated testing. Assists in improvement and research. Dispatches orders for customers. General Description Specific Tasks Responsibility Threshold Qualifications Band 3 Support workerRequires remote supervision, no authorisation of results. Apprenticeship level 3 and additional training. HHTO (Healthcare Assistant Practitioner) Specific Description Main Differences from Healthcare Assistant : Sample integrity check. Routine laboratory cleaning, maintenance and equipment fixing. Recording quality measures. Conducting automated testing. Performing simple manual tests to a SOP.

4. General Description Specific Tasks Responsibility Threshold Knowledge and skills of band 3+. Interprets QM reports. Resolves sample incidents. Validates reagents for use. Perform routine daily maintenance. Proposes team improvement. Conducts research locally and publishes findings. Conducts projects. Embeds customer feedback. Writes local/service and team reports. Influences others at local and service level. Checks goods in. Orders consumables. Reviews policies. Resolves discrepancies in computer records. Manages local and service resources. Qualifications Band 4 Support workerApprenticeship level 4 and additional training. General Description SHTO (Healthcare Associates) Requires remote supervision, no authorisation of results Main Differences from Healthcare Assistant Practitioner: Resolves samples incidents. Interprets QM reports. Validates reagents for use. Writes local and team reports and embeds customer feedback. Resolves computer discrepancies. Manages local and service resources.

5. General Description Specific Tasks Responsibility Threshold Qualifications Knowledge and skills of a band 4 +. Routine analysis. Check test validity, Escalate abnormal results. Trouble shoot analytical equipment. Monitor QC. Calibrate equipment. Order additional tests appropriate to primary results. Supervise support grade staff. Undertake audit work. Select and authorise the release of blood components and products. Conduct manual testing, Make local service and team decisions. Create orders for customers. Provide local service advice, Seek customer feedback. Manage team resources. Manipulate electronic data. Ensure accurate completion of data. Generate reports. Review policies. Delegate at a team level. Band 5 BMS (Healthcare Scientist Practitioner) Lone worker, follows standard SOP’s, authorises routine results. BMS graduated. HCPC registration as a Biomedical Scientist. Specific Description Healthcare Scientific Practitioner Main Differences from Healthcare Associate: Check test validity. Routine analysis. Trouble shoot analytical equipment. Calibrate QC. Supervise support grade staff. Conduct manual test. Select and authorise blood products. Provide local service advice.

6. Knowledge of a band 5 BMS but in a single discipline. Specialist testing analysis. Authorise the release of specialist results. Order referred tests according to results. Supervision of support staff and band 5. Perform route cause analysis. Assist in the implementation of new techniques and equipment. Assist senior staff in the provision of H&S, training and QM. Assess resources against specified quality criteria. Evaluate impact of H&S. Assist in strategic continuous improvement projects. Recruit others. Review others work load. Translate NHSBT strategy into supportive actions. Manage people on a local basis. Propose strategic improvements. Manage team change projects. Design projects. Communicate complex scientific and technical information. Influence others at a team level. General Description Specific Tasks Responsibility Threshold Qualifications Band 6 Specialist BMS (Senior Healthcare Practitioner) Lone worker, follows specialist SOP’s, authorises specialist results. BMS Graduate. HCPC registration as BMS. Specialist IBMS portfolio or BBTS exam. Specific Description Healthcare Scientist Practitioner Main Differences from Healthcare Scientist Practitioner: Specialist testing both the analysis and the release of results. Perform route cause analysis on any incidents. Assist in the implementation of new techniques and equipment. Assist in recruitment. Review the workload of both themselves and others. Manage other members of staff. Manage team change projects. Design projects. Communicate complex scientific and technical information.

7. General Description Specific Tasks Responsibility Threshold Qualifications Complete STP portfolio on the OLAT. Complete Masters degree in Clinical Science. Work a the level of a trainee Clinical Scientist. Band 6 Trainee Clinical Scientist (STP Trainee Healthcare Scientist) Under direct supervision performs complex tasks. Graduate degree in science 2:1 or above. Specific Description Healthcare Scientist Main Differences from Senior Healthcare Scientist Practitioner: Complete STP portfolio on the OLAT. Complete Masters degree in Clinical Science. Work a the level of a trainee Clinical Scientist.

8. General Description Specific Tasks Responsibility Threshold Qualifications Knowledge and skills of a band 6+ BMS. Day to day operational management. Deliver higher scientific support of a specialist area of the service. Responsible for training and competency assessments. Responsible for Health and Safety. Perform and review audit. Review referral reports. Ensure maintenance schedules undertaken. Responsible for departments budget. Responsible for authorising reagents, time off sick leave etc. Responsible for dealing with HR issues. Conduct research and present findings. Manage health and safety incidents. Perform risk assessments. Resolve sample incident within the laboratory. Make team decisions. Propose strategic changes. Band 7 Healthcare Practitioner Lone worker, follows specialist SOP’s, authorises specialist results. Manages the department. BMS graduate, HCPC registration as BMS, advance portfolio or BBTS exam, Masters degree. Have leadership or management qualifications. Specific Description Advanced Specialist Biomedical Scientist (Manager) Main Differences from Senior Healthcare Scientist Practitioner: Delivers operational management. Provides higher scientific support. Responsible for training and competency. In charge of budgets and maintenance contracts. Deals with HR issues. Conducts and presents research. Makes team decisions.

9. General Description Specific Tasks Responsibility Threshold Qualifications Knowledge and skills of trainee clinical scientist +. Clinical support to medical teams. Develop and improve current methods of analysis. Evaluate new methods as appropriate. Advise head of department on introduction of new technology. Oversee and monitor analysis of referred tests. Contribute to formal education and training program within the department. Collaborate with clinical staff in the development of the service. Assist clinicians/GPs in effective use of departmental services. Provide clinical cover for clinical team in absence. Involved in clinical audit and research and development. Lead audit development, application and reporting. Develop quality processes and procedures. Decides actions to be taken when quality standards are not met. Manages quality incidents. Validates simple work based equipment, Evaluates data sources. Proposes external service improvement. Manages strategic change projects. Design and manage research and projects– write proposal and present and publish data nationally and internationally. Provides specialist and expert advice to customers. Assists in external customer relations. Assists in marketing activities. Consults with customer to develop services. Communication complex clinical information and specialist service information. Presents local, service and team reports. Influences others at team level. Assists in commissioning. Band 7 Healthcare ScientistLone worker, follows specialist SOP’s, authorises specialist results provide clinical advice. Completion of STP training programme or equivalent. Masters degree and registration with the HCPC as a Clinical Scientist. Specific Description Clinical Scientist (Healthcare Scientist) Main Differences from Senior Healthcare Scientist Practitioner: Provide complex clinical information and provide specialist service information, Develop current methods whilst evaluating new methodologies. Provide formal education and training both within the department and externally. Collaboration of clinical staff both internally and externally regarding the development of services. Lead in both audit and clinical audit. Lead in research and development. Assist in commissioning.

10. General Description Specific Tasks Responsibility Threshold Qualifications Commence HSST training. Complete taught Doctorate (Optional in Life Sciences). Complete both part 1 and 2 of the FRCPath. Work at the level of a Consultant Clinical Scientist under indirect supervision. Band 7 Healthcare ScientistIndirect Supervision providing clinical advice. Completion of STP training or equivalent, registration as a clinical scientist and training on the HSST. Specific Description Trainee Consultant Clinical Scientist (HSST) Main Differences from Healthcare Scientist: Commence HSST training. Complete taught Doctorate (Optional in Life Sciences). Complete both part 1 and 2 of the FRCPath. Work at the level of a Consultant Clinical Scientist under indirect supervision.

11. General Description Specific Tasks Responsibility Threshold Qualifications As band 7 Clinical Scientist +. Monitors financial expenditure, and monitors local and service budget. Oversees policy creation. Supervises and manages people at a distance. Leads a large team of people >20. Complete local and service work force plans both at a local and strategic level. Sets team and strategic objectives. Manage single strategic projects. Post graduate diploma. Develop service level agreement with customers. Reviews external customer relations Presents strategic reports. Influences at strategic level. Influences external stakeholders. Manages strategic budget. Negotiates commissioning contracts. Review commissioning contracts. Band 8a Healthcare ScientistLone worker, follows specialist SOP’s, authorises specialist results provide clinical advice. Completion of STP training programme or equivalent. Masters degree and registration with the HCPC as a Clinical Scientist. As well as higher scientific practice. Specific Description Senior Clinical Scientist (Senior Healthcare Scientist) Main Differences from Healthcare Scientist: Monitor overall service budget. Oversee policy creation. Sets strategic objectives and projects. Develop service level agreement. Manages strategic budget. Negotiates and reviews commissioning contracts.

12. General Description Responsibility Threshold Qualifications As band 8 Senior Clinical Scientist +. Manages corporate risks. Makes clinical decisions. Makes external service decisions. Provides research project coaching support. Provides project management coaching support. Manages single external service projects. Doctorate level of qualification. Undertakes with external customer relations. Promotes services to customers. Sets external service objectives, Writes external service reports and present. Manage external commissioning budget. Band 8a or above Healthcare ScientistLone worker, follows specialist SOP’s, authorises specialist results provide clinical advice. Completion of the HSST training programme or equivalent. Registered on the AHCS higher expert register. Specific Description Consultant Clinical Scientist Specific Tasks Main Differences from Senior Healthcare Scientist: Makes clinical decisions. Makes external service decisions. Provide coaching support for projects and research. Manages external commissioning budgets. Promotes service and customer relations.