Certificate of Competence (COC):

For those undertaking Practitioner Training Programme degree programmes (BSc (Hons) Healthcare Science degree), which in ophthalmic and vision science there is one currently available in Ophthamic Imaging (others that may be relevant to ophthalmic and vision science, or may have some relevant modules, are Neurophysiology, Cardiac Physiology, Respiratory Sleep Physiology, Medical Engineering). These courses may be self-funded or may be taken as an apprenticeship in some cases. Information about these courses is available on the National School of Healthcare Science website at Practitioner Training Programme and involve training on a scheme that includes work-based and academic learning. On completion of one of these courses, you will be eligible to apply for the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) Accredited Voluntary Registration via the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) or voluntary registration through the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP), dependant on the course. This registration shows you have the science-based knowledge and patient centred skills to allow you to work in a range of healthcare settings as a Healthcare Science Practitioner.    

For those wanting to apply for equivalence at practitioner level, in order to join the voluntary register, this would fall under the Certificate of Competence for Ophthalmic Science Technologists via the AHCS. Guidance is available here: Equivalence Guidance - The Academy For Healthcare Science. To be eligible to apply for the Certificate of Competence there are a number of criteria which are outlined on the AHCS guidance document, which includes holding certain academic level training and/or a number of years’ experience in the field. In the application you must provide evidence to show you are able to work against the Standards of Proficiency for Ophthalmic Science Practitioners by showing your competence in the areas of Technical, Clinical, Communication Skills, Managing and planning your work activity, Teaching and training and Research & Development. This is done through a written personal statement and provision of evidence which is part of the application process which is scrutinised by a panel to assess the suitability of the applicant to be awarded the Practitioner Certificate of Competence. If awarded the certificate you are then eligible to apply for voluntary registration as a Healthcare Science Practitioner through the AHCS.

STPScientific Training Programme (STP):

Clinical scientist training posts are available in Ophthalmic and Vision Science (OVS). These are fully funded in the UK's National Health Service. The STP is a 3 year integrated programme of academic and work-based learning, leading to a master’s degree in healthcare science in the chosen specialty. Successful candidates will achieve the right to apply for Clinical Scientist status via registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

For real life examples, OVS healthcare scientists tell us here how their careers took shape and how they are still developing. Their paths show the breadth of OVS practice and the leadership and responsibility taken for patient health and clinical research. 

• ·       https://stpperspectives.wordpress.com/2022/01/31/stp-specialisms-ophthalmic-and-vision-science/
• ·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzlR5kTNF7U
• ·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cCkO7-hVQI

It is possible to apply to the STP as an in-service applicant, which means your current NHS employer puts you forward as an applicant, and you retain your substantive post at the completion of the programme. In-service applicants usually have the same entry requirements as direct entry applicants, however, there are some options for those who do not meet the academic entry requirements that are outlined on the national school website. The NHS employer must provide confirmation of support for the applicant, and they need to provide written confirmation of having carried out the local recruitment and selection process against the STP person specification.

Or you can apply to direct entry posts available that are advertised by the national school and applied for via their application process which usually opens each year in January. Direct entry applications involve a series of stages including online application related to the person specification, qualifications, experience and motivation, online situational judgement test (a score above the required threshold is needed for an application to be put forward as longlisted), shortlisting and interviews. On successful recruitment to the STP you will be employed by the host department for a fixed term of 3 years.

STP equivalence is also possible for those who have the experience level of someone who has been on the STP through their workplace but have not completed the programme. This is again applied for and assessed via AHCS: Equivalence Guidance - The Academy For Healthcare Science. There is OVS specific guidance to STP equivalence for applicants and assessors published by BriSCEV available. STP equivalence applications involve producing a portfolio of evidence against the Standards of Good Scientific Practice (GSP) and the breath of the OVS NSHCS accredited STP curriculum. Successful applicants will be awarded an STP Certificate of Equivalence which allows for application for join the HCPC statutory register as a Clinical Scientist.

Higher Scientific Specialist Training (HSST):

The HSST programme developed by the NSHCS provides an opportunity for healthcare scientists to train via a five-year funded programme supported by a Doctoral level academic award and therefore be eligible to register on the AHCS Higher Specialist Scientist Register (HSSR) and apply for consultant scientist posts. In most cases HSST application will be via an in-service route (although some direct entry posts may be available at times) where you will need to be nominated by your employer, and they will have already been allocated a training post. Applications for the HSST usually open around May/June each year via the NSHCS website and involve both an initial online application form and interview via a national recruitment and selection process.

HSST equivalence is also possible via the AHCS for those who have the equivalent experience but have not completed the HSST programme. Guidance is provided here Equivalence Guidance - The Academy For Healthcare Science. A requirement for entry onto the HSSR is that individuals are currently registered as a Clinical Scientist on the HCPC statutory register. The equivalence process entails an application providing evidence of professional experience, qualifications and training with regards to the Higher Specialist Scientist Standards of Proficiency, Good Clinical Practice and the HSST curricula. Successful applicants will be awarded the Certificate of Equivalence to HSST and will be eligible to apply to the AHCS Higher Specialist Scientist Register.