Launch of Accredited Learning Programme
In February 2007, Newborn Hearing Screening Wales (NBHSW) began a project funded by the National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (NLIAH) to develop a formally accredited programme of learning for NBHSW screeners with future potential for career-pathway development.
Over the last year the project has run two accelerated cohorts. Eleven screeners successfully completed the first cohort and seven screeners are currently undertaking the second cohort which will complete at the end of September. Following completion of the accelerated programme an annual programme will be rolled out as the BTEC in Screening (Newborn Hearing).
The units studied to achieve the qualification are communication, equality and diversity and health, safety and security which are all key elements of the screener role.
Introduction of the qualification addresses a number of key programme and personal development areas in:
- helping to attract and retain staff for the needs of the service
- maximising screeners’ contributions to NBHSW
- fully utilising screener skills
- providing career progression
- supporting the development of a new group in the healthcare workforce.
Accredited learning provides a nationally recognised benchmark for the quality of screener training and sets a high standard of achievement for screeners. Helping to keep screener skills high, it enhances the status of the screener role and therefore the profile of NBHSW as an employer of choice in the NHS. Earning the right to enrol in the award encourages staff to commit to the service for a number of years.
Further background to the project is detailed in the report entitled 'NBHSW. Accredited Learning Programme. Project Report' April 2008. A report entitled 'Summary Report. NBHSW. Accredited Learning Programme. First Cohort' is also available.
Career Progression for Newborn Hearing Screeners
Following completion of the BTEC qualification, Newborn Hearing Screeners are now able to progress into a Screener 1 role. The role allows the screener to develop their mentoring and presentation skills as in their new role they have specific responsibilities in the training of new screeners and involvement in promotion of the service. There are now 11 Screener 1s across Wales with further recruitment to take place following completion of the 2nd cohort of the accelerated programme which is due to complete at the end of September.
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