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Healthcare Science Career Pathway
On 14th November 2005 the Department of Health formally launched the
healthcare scientists career pathway. This establishes clearly defined,
nationally consistent progression pathways for healthcare science
staff, including Ophthalmic Science Practitioners (that includes
ophthalmic photographers/imagers, medical technical officers and
retinal screeners). The framework will link with and support the
implementation of Agenda for Change and encompass the development of
healthcare scientists in post and throughout their careers in
conjunction with the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework. Stages in the
career framework are mapped to Agenda for Change pay bands and
competencies as determined by the National Occupational Standards (NOS)
Project in Healthcare Science.
The pathway stipulates that "an education and training framework will be developed based on a range of academic, vocational and professional qualifications/awards to recognise underpinning knowledge and skill...based on equivalence within each career framework stage irrespective of initial entry point." This principle has been one of the key driving forces behind the development of the education and training programme in Ophthalmic Science and Technology.
The pathway stipulates that "an education and training framework will be developed based on a range of academic, vocational and professional qualifications/awards to recognise underpinning knowledge and skill...based on equivalence within each career framework stage irrespective of initial entry point." This principle has been one of the key driving forces behind the development of the education and training programme in Ophthalmic Science and Technology.