This document has been produced to provide a definitive statement regarding the policy of the Society and College of Radiographers in respect of the practice of assistant practitioners in ultrasound services. This document provides guidance to service managers and to individuals to support the safe introduction of the assistant practitioner role in ultrasound services.
In this document the SCoR defines practice development within the context of radiography and sets out a strategy to facilitate practice development to the benefit of patients, clinical services and the profession.
This document has been produced to provide definitive statements regarding the policy of the SCoR in respect of the practice of Assistant Practitionersin Clinical Imaging. This new guidance reflects the important role that Assistant Practitioners can play in the delivery of imaging services as part of the four tier structure.
It is recognised that practices vary throughout the UK and therefore the SCoR has published these statements as a benchmark for safe and effective practice.
The Society and College of Radiographers are grateful to Tyco Healthcare/ Mallinckrodt in sponsoring the publication of this document and the development of the new intravenous injection course guidance.
Annex U of the Agenda for Change NHS Terms and Conditions of Service Handbook addresses the pay and conditions of service for trainees. It acknowledges that there are a wide range of such staff and provides three categories into which they should fall. Annex U also provides guidance on assimilation following completion of training.
Accordingly, the Society of Radiographers feels it is important to provide this advice toNHS employing organisations in the UK, and to its members.
The publication of this advice and guidance document is timely given that there has been a significant increase in the numbers of learners within clinical imaging and in radiotherapy and oncology departments. In addition, findings from Clinical Education and Training: Capacity and Quality Project Report (CoR 2004) indicated some concern about the relationships between education providers, placement providers and learners. Everyone involved in the education and training of learners, including the learners themselves, have responsibilities to ensure successful outcomes and this document aims to support all those concerned.
Guidance for Managers
The Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) has developed this further implementation guidance to its Education and Professional Development (EPD) strategy in order to assist managers of clinical imaging and radiotherapy & oncology services. In the development of this document, managers within the profession have used their experience and their imagination to create an advice document which will support their colleagues in implementing the career progression framework.
This document has been drawn up to help National Councils and Regional Committees to ensure that their activities and events meet the SoR’s commitment to the full participation of all its members in a practical and constructive way. It is hoped that the guidelines will be useful in establishing a culture of equality and fairness, and will ensure that our local democracy benefits from the fullest level of participation by all our members.
Written with the Independent Practitioners Association (IDPA) this advice and guidance document provides support to independent practitioners who provide services to primary health care providers, the NHS and independent sector providers, corporate medical companies and, in some cases, directly to members of the public. These services include diagnostic imaging, screening, therapeutics and education.
The purpose of this paper is to take forward for the profession the concept of clinical supervision and provide guidance on its implementation as part of continuing professional development and life-long learning.
