National Endoscopy Training Programme (NETP)

For Cohort 3 starting October 2023.

For Cohort 2 starting April 2023.

For Cohort 1 starting September 2022.

The programme aims to facilitate the accelerated development of career level 2 Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) (Band 2) to career level 4 (Band 4) NMAHP Development Framework, through facilitating competence in the delivery of safe, effective, compassionate, patient-centred care in the Endoscopy environment. This educational programme is designed to fast track the preparation of HCSW within the Endoscopy environment, acknowledging that Endoscopy practice is complex, continuously evolving and carries with it the maxim for high quality care. Employing the HCSW as an Endoscopy Assistant Practitioner can add valuable capacity to the clinical team, reducing pressure and providing support to the registered nursing workforce. This is a role that can be developed at pace by adopting a blended learning approach (Saichaie, M. 2020)¹ with dedicated time for contextualised theoretical knowledge and early clinical simulation to support accelerated acquisition of clinical skills and theoretical application within the work based learning environment, utilising established national simulation methodology (Chernikova, O. et al. 2020)² (CSMEN (Clinical Skills Managed Education Network)

The educational aims are:

• To promote the development of HCSW career level 4 to contribute to current and future healthcare demands associated with endoscopy care
• To support the accelerated development of knowledge, capabilities, and essential clinical skills of HCSW to career level 4, to care for people across the endoscopy environment
• To promote the development of values consistent with their role functioning (HCSW career level 4) within mixed disciplinary teams

The National Assistant Practitioner (Endoscopy) programme has the potential to positively impact on service efficiency, capacity, and quality. Whilst focused on accelerating  the educational preparation of the HCSW, this programme acknowledges that Endoscopy practice is complex, continuously evolving and carries with it the need for high quality care as a necessity.

The programme centres on delivering safe, effective, compassionate, patient-centred care in the endoscopy environment, founded on the  four overarching domains of learning: knowledge and applied best evidence, professional practice, education, and service development.

The National Assistant Practitioner (Endoscopy) programme adopts a blended learning approach, with dedicated independent learning  time for online education, facilitated MS Teams case-based discussions, critical reflection, and simulation-based learning to support accelerated acquisition of clinical skills and deepening of contextualised theoretical knowledge. The programme utilises established national Clinical Skills Managed Educational Network (CSMEN) simulation methodology, combined with Work Based Learning (WBL) opportunities supported through the structured SVQ. The established SVQ WBL strategy provides learners with the opportunity to construct knowledge and develop clinical skills through exposure to experiences, meaningful interactions, and engagement with multidisciplinary teams within endoscopy environments.

References

1. Saichaie, K. (2020) 'Blended, Flipped, and Hybrid Learning: Definitions, Developments, and Directions', New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2020: 95-104. https://doi.org/10.1002/tl.20428 (opens in a new tab)
2. Chernikova, O. et al. (2020) ‘Simulation-Based Learning in Higher Education: A Meta-Analysis’, Review of Educational Research, 90(4), pp. 499–541. doi: 10.3102/0034654320933544 (opens in a new tab).