Information for Trainers and Candidates undertaking portfolio version verification after 1st September 2023

As you will be aware the HCPC standards of proficiency were updated with effect from 1st September 2023. As a result of this, for verifications of a version 4 IBMS Registration Training Portfolio (including 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3), verifiers will now be expected to ask some additional questions about the updated standards of proficiency, in order for candidates to demonstrate their understanding of what has changed or been expanded upon.

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Please note that this additional requirement is only expected to apply to verifications that have been allocated since 1st September 2023. This is to ensure that all candidates can demonstrate that they know the main changes in the updated HCPC Standards of Proficiency for biomedical scientists that come into effect after this date.It is anticipated that these additional questions will take approximately 5-10 minutes of the verification lab tour.

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Please Note: Further pieces of evidence are NOT required to demonstrate the updated HCPC SoPs for the Version 4 portfolio, just a good knowledge and understanding of the main changes. The following themes in the HCPC Standards of Proficiency have been expanded / updated:

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• New standards on promoting public health and preventing ill-health.

• More on equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

• Service-users – importance of informed consent and effective communication.

• The importance of maintaining fitness to practise (looking after their own mental health and seeking help where necessary).

• The need to keep up to date with digital skills / new technologies.

• Role and importance of leadership at all levels of practice.
   

The updated HCPC Standards of Proficiency wording moves away from passive understanding to active implementation (demonstrating) the SoPs in practice. The candidate should be prepared to give examples of how they actively demonstrate or currently evidence some of the following themes in their practice (rather than just having knowledge of them)

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One or two of the following themes will be chosen by the verifier to discuss: The candidate should be able to articulate how they would demonstrate some of the following areas in their everyday practice. The questions below are designed to be prompts for the discussion with the verifier:

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Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) – Do they demonstrate the principles of being inclusive in their behaviours and language? Is the candidate able to articulate how they adapt their practice to implement national EDI legislation and local EDI policies? Are they aware of the need to understand differences and how to support colleagues and / or service users in a way that is effective and positive? Have they sought out further information / advice to enhance their understanding of EDI and inform their behaviours?

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Service-users – importance of informed consent and effective communication – How is consent relevant in the processing of the samples they work with every day? When and where is consent given? Are there any ethical considerations they are aware of around patients giving informed consent? Has the candidate been to a patient facing clinic / or a ward round? What considerations do they need to make to ensure communication is clear with external colleagues and service users / patients?

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The importance of maintaining fitness to practise (looking after their own mental health and seeking help where necessary) – If the candidate needed further support for their physical or mental health, how would they action this? If the candidate’s physical or mental health impacted on their ability to practice safely and effectively, what would they do? How does the candidate proactively manage their mental health and wellbeing? Do they understand that this is a key part of their practise? Does the candidate have wellness goals or undertake specific observations about their health and how they manage it?

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The need to keep up to date with digital skills / new technologies – In the context of the work of a biomedical scientist / in the clinical pathology laboratory, does the candidate know what digital skills are required to perform their duties? Have they completed structured training on new analysers and pieces of equipment? How do they demonstrate their current digital skills and how will they maintain and enhance these going forwards? Do the pieces of evidence presented in the portfolio demonstrate digital skills? If so, how these were produced could be discussed.

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Role and importance of leadership at all levels of practice – Does the candidate understand that leadership is not just about the management or supervision of others? Can the candidate articulate why leadership is not linked to a staff level and why anyone can be a leader? Can the candidate articulate areas in the laboratory that are led by individuals and what these individuals do (for example the sample reception manager, the training officer etc)? Can the candidate identify a task or piece of evidence they led the development or completion of? Can the candidate identify good leadership skills in others, and do they emulate any of these in their own practice already?

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