Theatre Access qualification from HCS recognised as National Occupational Standard

Medical device company employees are sometimes required to be present in clinical areas – including operating theatres – to provide support to medical teams

EDUCATION programmes for medical professionals delivered by HC Skills International have been recognised as National Occupational Standards.

Cogent Skills, who are responsible for setting skills standards on behalf of the UK’s science industry employers, completed the exercise.

HC Skills are an approved education centre, delivering a comprehensive range of online and classroom-based externally validated, competence-based qualifications to the healthcare industry and medical profession.

The NOS status has been mapped to the company’s Hospital Theatre Access and Hospital Access training programmes, which are tailored to employees of medical device companies who are required to be present in clinical areas – including operating theatres – to provide technical support and expertise to medical teams.

The Theatre Access qualification (NOS) is accepted by all credentiallers including Reptrax, MIA and Whoareyou.

HC Skills director Diane Irvine said: “National Occupational Standards have international status and are recognised worldwide, and allow medical device company employees to demonstrate that they’ve reached the required standard of professionalism and technical competence.

“This, in turn, positively impacts on patient safety, as companies will be able to take advantage of externally validated training courses to support their employees who are present in hospital areas.”

The Association of British Healthcare Industries, who are the industry association for the medical technology sector in the UK, warmly welcomed HC Skills’ achievement

Cogent Skills Standards Manager Ian Lockhart added: “It has been a pleasure to work with HC Skills to map their qualifications to National Occupational Standards.

“We support the passion shown by HC Skills to enhance professional activities in the sectors in which they operate and their drive to align their qualification for healthcare and medical device professionals with national legislation and regulations.”

And the Association of British Healthcare Industries, who are the industry association for the medical technology sector in the UK, warmly welcomed HC Skills’ achievement.

Andrew Davies, ABHI’s market access director, said: “ABHI congratulates HC Skills International on their Theatre Access and Hospital Access programmes gaining National Occupational Standards status.

“Medical Device representatives often play a crucial role in supporting the surgical team through technical and product advice. Meeting appropriate standards of performance is an important factor to assure that staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively perform their function.”

Barema are proud to work in partnership with HC Skills International and extend our sincere congratulations to everyone involved in achieving National Occupational Standards

Further support came from Barema, the trade association for anaesthetic and respiratory device suppliers, who are also training partners of HC Skills.

The organisation’s chair Nicki Dill said “We are proud to work in partnership with HC Skills International and extend our sincere congratulations to everyone involved in achieving National Occupational Standards.

“This major achievement results from their passion, tenacity and commitment to enhance professional activities in the healthcare sector, with the alignment of these qualifications for medical device professionals with national legislation and regulations.”

NOS are used as the building blocks for many vocational qualifications and are a competency based tools, which are statements of the skills, knowledge and understanding needed for employees to carry out particular job roles or functions.

Cogent Skills works across the science sector, representing life sciences, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology and consumer healthcare.

National Occupational Standards (NOS) specify UK standards of performance that people are expected to achieve in their work, and the knowledge and skills they need to perform effectively.

NOS, which are approved by the UK and devolved government regulators, are available for almost every role in every sector in the UK.

HC Skills’ Theatre Access and Hospital Access courses – aimed at medical device sales people, clinical educators, product specialists, clinical support staff and NHS staff – are now available via the Cogent Skills website.

The Theatre Access programme is a two-day course that develops the knowledge and skills that hospital management expect of medical device industry personnel entering, assisting and providing verbal/technical input within clinical areas.

It includes practical workshops in an actual theatre environment, risk assessments, practical skills assessment, and it is delivered at venues at Weetwood Hall, Chapel Allerton Hospital in Leeds and Moller Centre, at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

HC Skills, who are based at West of Scotland Science Park in Glasgow, have delivered training programmes to tens of thousands of medical professionals and those working in the medical device industry for more than 10 years.