College of Radiographers Practice Educators Accreditation Scheme Endorsement of Programmes Leading to Practice Educator Accredited Status September 2006 College of Radiographers Practice Educators Accreditation Scheme Endorsement of Programmes Leading to Practice Educator Accredited Status 1. Introduction This guidance has been prepared by the College of Radiographers to assist higher education institutions (HEIs) seeking College of Radiographers endorsement of a post-qualifying programme leading to Practice Educator accredited status within the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme Scheme. The Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme has been developed in line with the College of Radiographers CPD strategy and offers Practice Educators a choice of two assessed routes to accredited status: programme route experiential route There is also a fast track route available until 31st October 2007. All routes are supported and assessed by higher education institutions (HEIs), and require the Practice Educator to demonstrate that s/he has fulfilled the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes. 2. Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes The Practice Educator should provide evidence that s/he is able to: describe the role and identify the attributes of the effective Practice Educator, apply learning theories that are appropriate for adult and professional learners, plan, implement and facilitate learning in the clinical setting, apply sound principles and judgement in the assessment of performance in the clinical setting, evaluate the learning experience, reflect on experience and formulate action plans to improve future practice. This guidance aims to: outline the College of Radiographers endorsement process College of Radiographers, August 2006 1 explain the documentation requirements and other features of the process show how these requirements apply to the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme It should be read in conjunction with the College of Radiographers publication Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme, 2006 and the Guidance for Higher Education Institutions available on the Society of Radiographers website www.sor.org or from the Approval & Accreditation Department at approval@sor.org. These contain background information on the Scheme’s aims, information about the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes and an explanation of how the programme and experiential routes to accredited status exist in parallel. 3. Terminology Throughout this guidance the following terminology is used: Programme Participant Profile - a generic term to describe all types of taught course or module. - describes the individual Practice Educator who undertakes the programme. - describes Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme-specific material - the completed experiential route application with reflective statements, evidence and other material (fitting within an individual’s broader, more private CPD portfolio). A full glossary of terms can be found in the College of Radiographers publication Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme, 2006. The Approval and Accreditation Board of the College of Radiographers is responsible for endorsement of programmes leading to Practice Educator accredited status within the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme and for ensuring the robustness and parity of expectations both across the two routes of the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme, and across institutions. 4. The endorsement process The College of Radiographers considers formally assessed programmes for endorsement through its established process. New programmes are considered for endorsement. Existing programmes may be submitted for retrospective endorsement. However, this is not a usual route to endorsement, but recognises the existence of established programmes covering the learning objectives of the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme, prior to the introduction of the scheme Programmes may be designed, developed and delivered by an HEI or a clinical team in collaboration with an HEI. The endorsement process is separate from HEIs’ own approval processes. However, the College of Radiographers seeks to work in partnership with College of Radiographers, August 2006 2 individual institutions, linking into their processes and documentation requirements The College of Radiographers maintains a register of representatives to consider programmes for endorsement. These representatives, known as assessors, are College of Radiographers members with knowledge and experience of designing, delivering and assessing radiography education. The Approval and Accreditation Board appoints assessors to the register 5. College of Radiographers endorsement of post-qualifying programmes leading to practice accredited educator status within the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme HEIs with clinical imaging and oncology programmes have systems in place to recruit, prepare and support practising clinicians in their role as Practice Educators. As part of this, each HEI is responsible for developing, designing and delivering its own schedule of Practice Educator developmental activities. Traditionally HEIs have run study days, half-days and short courses, not formally assessed, to support their Practice Educators. The value of this more informal provision for supporting Practice Educators in their role development is well recognised in clinical imaging and oncology. These activities are unlikely to be suitable for endorsement as a programme route unless they are developed to form a more complete, coherent assessed learning experience. However, they remain very valuable to Practice Educators pursuing the experiential route and for Practice Educators for whom pursuing accredited status is not a current CPD priority. 6. Routes within the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme Independent study, HEI informal short supported by an courses and study assessing HEI days/programmes for Practice Educators, not formally assessed for credit HEI formally assessed Practice Educator workbased learning programme (Hons degree level or above Uni- or multiprofessional workbased courses, formally assessed and with credit rating by HEI or other qualification HEI redevelops course to include formal assessment Participant pursues HEI encourages experiential route participant to pursue experiential route HEI seeks College of Radiographers endorsement (see below for prospective and retrospective processes) Experiential route Programme route College of Radiographers, August 2006 3 To date, and in keeping with current quality initiatives in health and higher education, the schedule of Practice Educator community developmental activities that each clinical imaging and oncology education provider offers has been considered in the approval process of programmes leading to qualification as a practitioner. The stages in the endorsement process for HEIs seeking endorsement for programmes leading to Practice Educator accredited status are outlined at section 9. HEIs wishing to seek endorsement of taught programmes for eligibility for the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme should contact: The Approval and Accreditation Department by email: approval@sor.org 7. Types of programmes leading to Practice Educator accredited status likely to be appropriate for endorsement by the College of Radiographers The College of Radiographers encourages HEIs to seek endorsement of programmes leading to accredited status within the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme for any taught programmes which are specifically developed, designed and delivered to support the role development of Practice Educators with a range of learners, and which configure with the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes and guiding principles. Such programmes will fit into one of four categories: Taught programme Formally assessed Academic credit rated New by HEI New Existing Existing - College of Radiographers endorsement for inclusion in Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme Seek endorsement Seek endorsement Seek retrospective endorsement by HEI Seek retrospective endorsement Expressions of interest in endorsement are welcomed from HEIs with multiprofessional programmes and/or with a programme developed in collaboration with other HEIs who have Practice Educators in common. The College of Radiographers also welcomes expressions of interest in endorsement from HEIs with programmes across the range of learners within the clinical imaging and oncology workforce. The appropriateness of endorsement by the College of Radiographers is likely to depend on the extent of practitioner involvement in the programme’s development and delivery and the extent to which it addresses the learning needs of the clinical imaging and oncology workforce. HEIs with such programmes are encouraged to have an exploratory discussion with an officer within the College of Radiographers’ Approval and Accreditation Department. College of Radiographers, August 2006 4 The College of Radiographers’ prime objective in considering new or existing non-endorsed programmes for endorsement for eligibility for the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme is that they enable participants to fulfil the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes and assess this fulfilment. Those programmes considered suitable for submission for endorsement will form substantial learning opportunities that contain formal elements of supported, practice-based learning. A programme with no formal assessment of learning is not appropriate for consideration for endorsement. However, it can valuably contribute to the delivery of an experiential learning route. Entry to the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme register is open to anyone who supervises and assesses learners in the clinical imaging and oncology workforce. Accreditation is free to all members of the Society of Radiographers and individuals not eligible for membership undertaking the role of Practice Educator for a College of Radiographers approved education provider. For others there will be a charge. 8. The College of Radiographers’ expectations in the endorsement process for HEIs seeking endorsement of a programme leading to Practice Educator accredited status The College of Radiographers welcomes invitations to consider endorsing programmes leading to accredited Practice Educator status through a number of routes: attendance of a assessor at an approval event, if appropriate adviser involvement in an HEI’s phased approach through the process of commenting on initial and revised documentation at appropriate times in the institution’s approval processes (new programme) considering an existing programme for retrospective endorsement (Whilst consideration of retrospective endorsement is exceptional for programmes, it may be applicable for HEIs with established taught role development programmes for their Practice Educator communities in the early implementation of the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme). In each instance, the adviser/assessor acts as a representative of the College of Radiographers, most commonly by commenting on documentation or, when appropriate, attending an approval event. The College of Radiographers is keen to fit into individual institutions’ arrangements for considering programmes for recognition and to work collaboratively with institutions to achieve a successful outcome to approval events, where appropriate College of Radiographers, August 2006 5 Individual HEIs have sole discretion to invite involvement of the College of Radiographers with their own approval events (e.g. validation, discrete submission of a programme for endorsement within Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme etc). If appropriate to involve the College of Radiographers in an approval event, the College of Radiographers expects that: It is notified in good time, by the HEI, of the date and location of the approval event and/or a deadline for submitting comments, so that appropriate arrangements can be made for representation if required. The HEI sends the Approval and Accreditation Department, College of Radiographers 3 sets of the necessary documentation sufficiently in advance of the event/deadline to allow full consideration of its contents. The received documentation includes: full, up-to-date information on the programme being considered, the deadline, if appropriate, for written comments, information on the institution’s approval and credit-rating procedures, if appropriate. The College of Radiographers’ assessor is granted full membership of an approval panel if a programme is to be considered in this way. The HEI meets the adviser/assessor’s expenses 9. Outline of the stages in the endorsement process for HEIs seeking endorsement of programmes leading to Practice Educator accredited status St New programme seeking endorsement ag e Existing programme seeking retrospective endorsement for inclusion in Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme 1 HEI/team identifies the rationale for a new course development for which it seeks endorsement. HEI/team identifies the rationale to seek retrospective endorsement of a current programme 2 HEI/team advises the College of HEI/team advises College of Radiographers’ Radiographers’ Approval and Accreditation Approval and Accreditation Department that it Department that it is seeking endorsement. wishes to seek retrospective endorsement. The College of Radiographers will consider existing formally assessed programmes for Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme providing the learning outcomes are clearly mapped against the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes. College of Radiographers, August 2006 6 3 If the HEI is seeking an advisor for development of a programme or holding an event The College of Radiographers will identify an adviser/ assessor from its register of members appointed to act as a representative and notifies the HEI/team of the assessors contact details. 4 HEI provides 3 sets of programme HEI provides 3 sets of programme documentation and completed proforma documentation and completed proforma (attachment 1) to the College of (attachment 1) to the College of Radiographers’ Radiographers’ Approvals and Accreditation Approvals and Accreditation Department Department 5 Adviser/assessors participate in phased Advisors reviews documentation process of commenting on documentation Using the proforma for assessors (and/or HEI approval event, if appropriate.) (attachment 2) If applicable, HEI/team submits report of approval event to the College of Radiographers’ Approval and Accreditation department Assessor fills out endorsement proforma, Assessor fills out endorsement proforma, (attachment 2) and seeks any additional (attachment 2) and seeks any additional required required information from HEI’s key contact. information from HEI’s key contact. Assessor completes endorsement proforma, Assessor completes endorsement proforma, making recommendation whether or not making recommendation whether or not endorsement should be granted. endorsement should be granted. 6 7 9 10 11 13 14 10. HEI/team sends definitive programme documentation to the College of Radiographers’ Approval and Accreditation Department (this may be before or after submission of recommendation to the Approval and Accreditation Board) Assessor submits completed proforma to inform endorsement recommendation College of Radiographers sends HEI/team written confirmation re. endorsement decision HEI maintains database of successful participants and provides College of Radiographers with details for Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme register HEI/team sends definitive programme documentation to the College of Radiographers’ Approval and Accreditation Department, (this may be before or after submission of recommendation to the Approval and Accreditation Board)) Assessor submits completed proforma to inform endorsement recommendation College of Radiographers sends HEI/team written confirmation of endorsement decision HEI maintains database of successful participants and provides College of Radiographers with details for Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme register Level of study for programmes eligible for inclusion in the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme The Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme recognises the professional status of Practice Educators. The College of Radiographers expects all programmes leading to accredited status to equate with honours degree level learning or above, to ensure that the work is at least commensurate with that College of Radiographers, August 2006 7 of new graduates. It is the expectation of the College of radiographer that programmes should attract academic credit. Each HEI is at liberty to set a programme at a higher academic level and is responsible for assessing and awarding credit at the level it sets. Where a programme carries a credit-rating, the College of Radiographers expects the principles of credit-rating to be implemented in ways that are in keeping with accepted standard practice, both in terms of the level of credit and the number of credit points awarded to a programme. 11. Practice-based learning within the programmes Participants in Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme programmes are required to fulfil the role of Practice Educator in order to have sufficient relevant experience to draw on. However, the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme does not specify the setting, model and number of placements for which a participant should have had responsibility as a Practice Educator. What needs to be explained is how the requirements of the programme ensure that participants’ learning: 1. Demonstrably fulfils the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes Is captured for assessment Is evidenced. Documentation The College of Radiographers expects documentation on Practice Educator role development programmes presented for endorsement for eligibility for the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme to include information on the factors listed below, and on the proformas for HEI and assessors use (Attachment 1, 2). Programme design and delivery a. full impression of the programme, its philosophy, rationale and structure, including HEI and work-based delivery elements. b. rationale for developing the programme for the HEI’s clinical education community. c. Mode(s) of delivery. d. Participant effort hours and tutor-directed (contact) hours. College of Radiographers, August 2006 8 Curriculum e. that the programme is in harmony with the aims and principles of the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme. f. explicit aims and achievable learning outcomes, which must be clearly mapped against the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes. g. the learning outcomes for the programme may exceed the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes but should not exclude any. if the wording of the programme learning outcomes differs from the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes it should be clearly evident that both sets of outcomes are comparable. how the programme enables participants to demonstrate their fulfilment of the learning outcomes of the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme. that the aims and learning outcomes appear commensurate with the intended academic level of the programme. h. that the credit rating and/or awards attached to the programme are stated and commensurate with the academic level, i. that the learning and teaching methods are stated. j. that the structure of the programme is clear. k. that the resource implications and demands of the programme are identified l. Indicative content Assessment ( m. that the assessment criteria and procedures are explicit and mapped against the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes and these are explained, including criteria against which participants’ performances will be judged, the relative weighting of different procedures, the requirements for participants to achieve a recommendation for accreditation and procedures surrounding resubmission. n. that where a programme has additional academic recognition awarded by the HEI, the assessment procedure will need to ensure the appropriate level is achieved. o. that the process and arrangements for renewing accredited status at the end of the 5-year period are being developed. Staff involvement p. that those involved in delivering the programme are supported in developing an evidence based understanding of the educational philosophy and demands of the programme. q. details of any research and development initiatives/staff activity relating to the development and delivery of the programme in question. College of Radiographers, August 2006 9 Participant support Admissions Evaluation and monitoring 2. r. evidence that participants will have access to appropriate learning resources relating to delivery of the Practice Educator role development programme, (e.g. access to HEI library resources, information services, support for producing a learning profile) s. evidence of appropriate participant support services. t. that HEIs ensure prospective participants are aware that the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme is open to anyone who supervises and assesses learners in the clinical imaging and oncology workforce. u. details of admissions criteria, including how prospective participants are guided on choosing the appropriate route to Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme, the suitability of the programme for them - e.g. taking account of individuals’ experience as a Practice Educator; whether the programme is designed for a multi- or uni-professional target group. v. information for prospective participants on the HEI’s schedule of delivery, including the strategies in place for recruiting, preparing and developing members of their practice education community, along with evidence of how the endorsed Practice Educator programme route fits within the HEIs wider provision. w. a timetable of future programme availability, along with details of the application process and the selection criteria to assist prospective participants with their professional development planning. Whenever possible this should include information and advice on making informed choices between opportunities offered by collaborating and/or local HEIs. x. Adherence to processes for: quality assurance participant evaluation employer evaluation staff evaluation y. Evaluation of how delivery of the programme contributes to the enhancement of the education of the clinical imaging and /or oncology workforce and the development of partnerships with placement providers. Status of assessment Any applicants who are referred on academic assessment may continue to work on their application for accredited status and follow the HEI resubmission procedures or use their experience to inform their application by the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme experiential route. Whilst the assessment procedure is programme-specific, HEIs may wish to include the development of a work-based learning profile in their taught programme. An active profile will provide a baseline tool by which Practice Educators will be able to demonstrate, via the experiential route, how they have maintained their professional status as Practice Educators, for the purpose of re-registration after 5-years. College of Radiographers, August 2006 10 3. Recognition of professional status as an accredited Practice Educator Upon completion of an endorsed programme eligible for the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme HEIs will be responsible for providing the College of Radiographers with a list of successful participants with their Society of Radiographers membership number, if applicable. Accreditation is free to all members of the Society of Radiographers and individuals not eligible for membership undertaking the role of Practice Educator for a College of Radiographers approved education provider. For others there will be a charge. Non-members will be required to fill in an application form for admission to the register giving their background details These participants will be entered on the College of Radiographers register of Practice Educators with accredited status (Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme register). Each will receive confirmation of this and a Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme certificate from the Society. In the event of a programme receiving retrospective endorsement for inclusion in the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme, the HEI should submit the programme pass list to the College of Radiographers. The names of the current members will be entered on the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme register and each will receive confirmation of this and a Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme certificate from the College of Radiographers. Should a Practice Educator with accredited status become aware that s/he is failing to meet any Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcome during their five-year registration period; s/he is advised to seek an opportunity to discuss the situation with the supporting/assessing HEI. 4. Renewal of Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme registration The College of Radiographers will register Practice Educators as accredited for a 5-year period. At the end of this time it will be the responsibility of the Practice Educator successfully to demonstrate that s/he has continued to meet the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes and maintained her/his professional achievements as a Practice Educator. A maintained profile provides an appropriate tool for this purpose. HEIs are advised to maintain their register of accredited Practice Educators and operate a system by which to remind registrants in reasonable time to prepare to renew their Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme registration. 5. Ongoing monitoring of endorsed programmes The College of Radiographers endorses programmes in association with an HEI’s quality assurance mechanisms. When a programme is due for HEI review or re-approval, the College of radiographers needs to be involved, College of Radiographers, August 2006 11 either by attendance at an event or through commenting on documentation, in order for the programme to retain endorsement. 6. Attachments Attachment 1 - proforma for HEI Attachment 2 - proforma for assessor 7. Acknowledgements The Society and College of Radiographers is grateful to The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy for permission to adapt and reproduce the Accreditation of Clinical Educators (ACE) Scheme Copy © The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy 2005 It is also grateful to The College of Occupational Therapists for allowing the adaptation of elements of the Accreditation of Practice Placement Educators Scheme (APPLE) College of Radiographers, August 2006 12 Attachment 1 HEI PROFORMA - SEEKING COLLEGE OF RADIOGRAPHERS ENDORSEMENT OF FORMALLY ASSESSED PROGRAMME FOR INCLUSION IN PRACTICE EDUCATOR ACCREDITATION SCHEME New programme seeking endorsement Existing programme seeking retrospective endorsement Pr HEI ogr am me Key contact details Name: Email address: Phone no.: Title of programme/module Date programme approved by HEI Date endorsement sought from If credit rated, no. of credits Academic level (please identify) Any related programmes offered at different levels Programme rationale, philosophy and evidence underpinning rationale Pr ogr am me de sig n an d del ive Participant effort ry hours Tutor directed hours Is the cohort for this programme? (please circle) If multi-professional, which? College of Radiographers, August 2006 uni-professional 13 multi-professional Attachment 1 Mode(s) of delivery Cu Programme aims rric ulu m Programme learning Please attach a copy of the programme learning outcomes mapped outcomes: against the Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes Learning and teaching methods: Indicative content: As Mode(s) of se assessment: ssme nt Please attach a copy of the programme assessment criteria mapped against programme and Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes Pa Participant support rtic ipa nt su pp ort Learning resources required and available resources College of Radiographers, August 2006 14 Attachment 1 St aff Support for staff group delivering programme Ad Pre-requisites for mi entry ssi on s Evaluation and monitoring Please ensure 1. Programme learning outcomes mapped against Practice copies are attached Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes of: 1. Programme assessment criteria mapped against programme and Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes 1. Outline programme timetable 1. HEI’s development plan for practice education community, including evidence of preliminary planning for re-registration at 5 years College of Radiographers, August 2006 15 Attachment 2 ASSESSORS PROFORMA - FORMALLY ASSESSED PROGRAMME FOR COLLEGE OF RADIOGRAPHERS ENDORSEMENT FOR INCLUSION IN THE COLLEGE OF RADIOGRAPHERS PRACTICE EDUCATOR ACCREDITATION SCHEME (Please complete in conjunction with HEI Guidance) New programme seeking endorsement Existing programme seeking retrospective endorsement HEI: Key contact details: name: Email address: Phone no.: Title of programme/module: Name of Assessor: Date of programme approval by HEI Academic level: (please identify) If appropriate: Date of endorsement: If credit rated, no. of credits Any other related programmes at a different level(s) Available Feature of programme Assessor’s comments / Programme rationale, philosophy & evidence underpinning rationale Participant effort hours Tutor directed hours Cohort profile (uni- /multidisciplinary If multi- details of which? College of Radiographers, August 2006 16 Attachment 2 Mode(s) of delivery Programme aims Programme learning objectives mapped against Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes Learning and teaching methods Indicative content Mode(s) of assessment Assessment criteria mapped against programme and Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes Participant support Learning resources required and available resources Support for staff group delivering programme Pre-requisites for entry Evaluation & monitoring Attached copy of: 1. programme learning outcomes mapped against Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes 2. outline of programme assessment criteria mapped against programme and Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme learning outcomes College of Radiographers, August 2006 17 Attachment 2 3. outline programme timetable 4. HEI’s development plan for clinical education community, including evidence of preliminary planning for re-registration at 5 years Please complete either A or B: A. Recommended to Approval and Accreditation Board as programme leading to Practice Educator accredited status Signature of assessor: ................................................................ Date: ............................ B. The following further information is required before the scrutiny is completed: Please use this section to log any requests for further information, or other contact with HEI and the response given. Date Request log Response log Date Recommendation of Assessor to Approval and Accreditation Board Signature of assessor: ................................................................ Date: ............................ Approval and Accreditation Board approval granted Date: ............................................. Five year period of approval From: .............................................................. To: ............................................... Notification of approval to HEI (attach copy of letter) Date: ................................................................ College of Radiographers, August 2006 18 Attachment 2 College of Radiographers, August 2006 19