CRP Bulletin -October 2022

Experienced Practitioner Gateway to CRP Registration

Fiona O'Neill, Advisor Academy for Healthcare Science, (Clinical Research Practitioners)

The Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) Education Committee has now approved the proposal to widen access to the Accredited Register to experienced CRPs who do not have a degree or equivalent education. The details of the proposal can be found in this guidance document.

The Experienced Practitioner Gateway will enable CRPs to provide evidence about their career development and experience working at practitioner level and include any education and learning they have completed. If successful, applicants to this Gateway will be able to submit their application to join the Accredited Register within a given timeframe. A successful pass through the Gateway does not guarantee entry to the CRP Register, which remains a distinct process required to be completed by all applicants.

Accessing the Gateway

All applicants to the Experienced Practitioner Gateway are required to use the AHCS portal system. The requirements include the submission of a form outlining experience and education. The form includes a section for confirmation of line manager support - eligibility form. These local discussions and support are vital to ensure that applicants have reached the level of experience required to join the AHCS Accredited Register for CRPs. The CRP Register is set at level 5 of the Skills for Health Career Framework to reflect the high level of experience , knowledge and responsibility required for practitioner roles, which normally require degree level education. https://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Career_framework_key_elements.pdf

The Experience Practitioner Gateway provides an exceptional opportunity for CRPs who have developed their knowledge and skills in the workplace to join the Accredited Register. This opportunity will be time limited and is anticipated to be available for a two year period from the launch. There is ongoing work to develop educational pathways that will inform CRP Register requirements in the future.

Please note the gateway is not yet open. We have provided access to the guidance and templates so that you can be ready when the gateway opens. It would be helpful if you completed the expression of interest form if you do intend accessing the register via this route.

Gathering your expressions of interest in accessing the Gateway

The Experienced Practitioner Gateway will be operational shortly and we are currently gauging interest in the number of applicants who may wish to progress to accessing CRP registration through this route. If you intend to access CRP registration through this Gateway, please complete this Expression of Interest form to indicate your intent. Please also share your email address via this same form if you are happy to be contacted by the NIHR and/or AHCS teams. Our awareness of your expressions of interest will inform planning for timescales for the launch of the Gateway in a way that can best meet demand. Please help us to gain an accurate picture so that appropriate resource requirements are in place to support the administration of the Gateway, including the fee required.

The AHCS team is currently working with a small group of pilot participants to process their applications and we are grateful for their help in informing the final process for the Gateway. Implementation of processes for operating the Gateway is now well underway and it is anticipated that the first window for applications will open early in the New Year. We will keep you informed through these newsletters and other communication channels.

Alison Raynor, Learning and Development Officer and Victoria Fowler, Learning and Development Manager, LCRN East Midlands Core Team

The development and continuing success of the CRP community within the East Midlands is driven by the CRP community themselves with a supportive framework of resources that enable strong engagement and continued collaboration.

CRPs are identified in a variety of ways; through learning and development courses, programmes, induction, direct introduction from Team Leads. Early capture and dialogue establishes this sense of community and enforces support. We signpost to our Workforce Development (WFD) website where resources for all CRP activity, and links externally provide up to date news and necessary information for the Directory and Register. https://crnemwfd.nihr.ac.uk/clinical-research-practitioners. In addition we offer our own direct help and assistance from within the Learning and Development Team or the wider CRP workforce.

We approached and have identified 'CRP Champions' within each Trust/community of practice, our 'Go to' Practitioners. We arrange a 3 monthly teleconference, the CRPs shape the agenda, update and share ideas and challenges. This experienced group offers Buddy/Mentor assistance to those colleagues who are either new to the role or require help with their application to register for accreditation, or to join the Directory. We have found this to be well received and a particular success. Practitioners who join the Directory are presented with a CRP badge, as recognition and to champion their commitment. We celebrate and corroborate successes and achievements through blogs, Twitter activity, local communications channels such as; newsletters, Google Currents, core team meetings and direct mail outs. Visibility of our CRP workforce is a key component to development and identity.

In addition Senior Leaders across the region have supported and endorsed the development of their own CRP workforce and have worked closely with the Workforce Development Lead/CRP Engagement Leads to align pathways, share best practice, share Job Descriptions, and in developing their own groups, forums and strategies. This allows a coordinated approach.

My name is Lisa Wood and I am the Lead Clinical Research Nurse at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. I am relatively new into the management role but have worked in Research since 2015. Since taking on the Lead position I have watched our small team, two of which are Clinical Research Practitioners, go from strength to strength, showing great resilience and positivity despite the pressures we have faced over the last couple of years. It really is inspiring to see.

I supported (although didn’t need much input from me as both are very experienced practitioners!) our two CRP’s to register for the CRP accredited registration which both are now firmly embedded onto. I strongly encourage other leaders to support their CRP’s to do the same. This ensures that set standards of practice are in place, and through continuing professional development (CPD), will allow registrants to continue to develop their knowledge and skills throughout their registration, and demonstrate a continuing commitment to high standards in an ever-changing environment.