The British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists

Archives for October 2023

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Exploring the updated AHP Principles of practice based learning

This year, working with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), we have jointly led eight other professional bodies to update our Principles of practice based learning

This means the principles are now co-badged by 10 AHP professional bodies to support you in creating quality and sustainable placement opportunities.

Peter Iliff, Chair of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists, emphasized that practice-based learning poses challenges for both educators and learners. BAPO is happy to have been part of the co-production of this work

It is our aspiration that this undertaking will serve as a valuable resource, guiding the workforce toward a more diverse and enriching learning journey.

Principles of practice based learning

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Topol Digital Fellowships

The Topol Digital Fellowship provides health and social care professionals with time, support and training to lead digital health transformations and innovations in their organisations.

Cohort 5 – April 2024

To apply to become a Topol Digital Fellow and join Cohort 5 of the programme, you need to complete and submit the online application form in full by 23:59pm on November 20, 2023.

For more information on how to apply for Cohort 5 of the Topol Digital Fellowship and sign up for the drop-in webinars visit Cohort 5: Apply here — Topol Digital Fellowships (hee.nhs.uk)

Webinars

Tuesday 31st October 14:00 – 15:00 

Monday 13 November 13:00 – 14:00

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The BAPO and Staffordshire University Research Hub Application

Research project:

The focus of this project will be on exploring and testing the rigidity of AFOs and how prescription design impacts rigidity. The research team consists of Prof. Nachi Chockalingam, Dr Nicky Eddison and Panagiotis Chatzistergos.

Benefits:

The P&O professionals who join the team to work on the project will gain experience of how a real research project works. They will work alongside the team learning how to carry out a literature search, design and execute a research project, collect and analyse data and write a paper for peer-reviewed publication and/or Health Education England report. The individual will be duly recognised within any future publications or reports either as a co-author or acknowledged as a contributor depending on the contributions they make to the overall project.

The process:

Once the applications have been received from BAPO members, the research team will choose two applicants and brief them on the detail of the project. The successful applicants will then be invited to all the research meetings and be included as a full member of the team for the duration of the project.

Who can apply:

Applications are open to all UK Prosthetists and Orthotists who are BAPO members; experience in research, years of practice and current job role are not relevant to the application process. The aim is to give everyone the opportunity to be part of research. Please note: the research hub is only for qualified P&O staff, students are not permitted to apply.

Is there a cost?

There is no cost to the applicant, this is a free-of-charge initiative with the aim of inspiring P&O professionals into research.
 
Complete the application form here
  
Please note deadline for applications – November 30th 2023

Testimonials

“Being part of the ‘Research Hub’ was a great experience, and I’m hugely grateful for the opportunity. I learned so much about the research process starting from literature searches right through to the submission of articles for publication. Huge thanks to Nicky and the team for their work with this initiative, can’t wait to see the finished article in print!”  Nina Darke Orthotist

 

“I think the Research Hub itself is a fantastic initiative which will benefit our community I hope over time it can transform how our profession views and engages with research, and hopefully how other AHPs engage with us! “  Gwen Griffith, Prosthetist

 

“Being part of the research hub, allowed for this interest [in research] to become reality, whilst also acting as a safe space to really navigate and learn the world of research. This opportunity has been exceptional, as it’s acted as a gateway into research, and I would encourage all to take the leap should they be interested” Millar Leask, Orthotist 
 

“I feel very lucky to have been chosen to represent our profession in the workforce project. Having never participated in any formal research previously, this was quite a challenging prospect. I wondered what I’d let myself in for, and questioned when I was going to fit in the additional work. However, the team have been incredibly welcoming and encouraging. I’ve never been given any task that was out of my ability, and it’s been an insightful process to see how much work goes into putting such a piece of work together. At each stage, the team have been really supportive and understanding of clinical workload.  If asked would I do it again…yes!” Caroline Jackson, Orthotist

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Healthcare Professions Accessing the Clinical Tariff – For education and training placements

A document has been created which aims to demystify and summarise clinical tariff. It details how it works, how the funding works and case studies of how it’s being used. The document has been created as it has been highlighted there is confusion around clinical tariff.

This guidance has been revised due to the recent publication of the updated Tariff Guidance for 2023-24 (published 17/10/23).

View PDF – Accessing the Clinical Tariff

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Opportunities for postdoctoral researchers

 

The NIHR currently has a wide range of training and career development opportunities available for individuals at postdoctoral level, including a number of brand new funding programmes. These awards are accessible to those from a variety of professions, and can provide excellent support to those wishing to further progress their research career. 

Undergraduate Internship Programme

The Undergraduate Internship Programme is a new scheme which provides funding for early to mid-career researchers to host up to 3 interns. Interns will undertake a fully funded and flexible placement in the area or discipline they are interested in pursuing, whilst the applicant will have an opportunity to gain valuable supervisory and grant application experience.

Applications open to researchers from 31st October 2023

Advanced Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship

The ACAF supports postdoctoral researchers to develop their academic career while developing their health or care career. The award offers funding to cover the Lead Applicant’s salary costs, the costs of an appropriate research project, and the costs of a tailored academic and professional development programme.

Applications close on 15th November 2023

Clinical Academic Research Partnership

The Clinical Academic Research Partnerships (CARP) scheme funds research-qualified health professionals, not currently undertaking any substantial research activity, to form a collaborative high-quality research partnership with established biomedical and applied health researchers.

Applications close on 16th November 2023

Development and Skills Enhancement Award

The DSE award is a funding opportunity aimed at supporting early to mid-career researchers in gaining specific skills and experience to underpin the next phase of their research career. The award will provide 1 year funding to enable researchers to develop their skills in any area which will benefit their development as a researcher within NIHR’s remit.

Applications close on 24th November 2023

Pre-Application Support Fund 

The Pre-Application Support Fund is a new scheme providing extra support to those who need it to enhance their chances of making a successful application to an NIHR career development scheme in the future. This may include a contribution to the salary of the applicant, training and development, and mentorship or supervisory costs. Available for all career levels.

Applications close on 30th November 2023

Global Research Professorships

The Global Research Professorship programme supports outstanding academics to work at professorial level. The programme funds researchers undertaking research that aims to specifically and primarily benefit people in LMICs eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA). The award provides an extensive support package alongside the professorship, to include support posts, research costs and a leadership and development programme.

Applications close on 6th December 2023

Advanced Fellowship

The Advanced Fellowship provides funding and support to individuals at postdoctoral level with the potential to become future leaders in research within the NIHR’s remit. The fellowship is available to all professions and can be completed between 2 and 5 years on a full time or part time basis.

Applications close on 18th January 2024

Research Professorships

The NIHR Advanced Fellowship is a postdoctoral Fellowship aimed at anyone with a PhD who hasn’t yet been appointed to a professorial post. The Advanced Fellowship supports individuals undertaking research in any scientific discipline or sector that can demonstrate a contribution to improving health and/or care.

Applications close on 18th January 2024

Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award

The SCPRA is a new opportunity which provides funding of up to 5 years for individuals at postdoctoral level to engage in research activities. The award offers applicants flexibility in that they can propose a broad range of research activities to support their career development, such as preparing for future funding applications, or undertaking relevant training.

Applications close on 23rd January 2024

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Publication of AHP Public Health Descriptor Infographics

A suite of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) public health infographics were published on Friday 13 October 2023 as part of AHPs Day celebrations. We worked with the Royal Society for Public Health and 14 AHP professional bodies to describe public health in the context of each individual profession. This work included conversations with many AHPs and AHP support workers as well as desktop research. The infographics summarise AHP public health roles in the words of members of each profession. These descriptors have purposely been kept concise and presented them as infographics so they represent a sample rather than an exhaustive list. For those who want more information, there is also a handbook describing in more detail the contribution of each profession including links to case studies.

Huge thanks to the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and everyone involved in developing these profession specific descriptor infographics. The RSPH have also published a blog by Linda Hindle and Kanar Ahmed to promote publication of the infographics which you can read here.

You can view the P&O infographics here –RSPH | Prosthetists and Orthotists

We support AHP Teams to think about the different ways they can and already do improve and protect the public’s health; as well as giving other colleagues a flavour of the work AHPs do as part of the wider public health workforce.

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End Point Assessment Consultancy Opportunity

NHS England’s End-point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), deliver end-point assessments for apprentices completing apprenticeships within the Healthcare Science workforce.  End-point assessments are the final exams undertaken by an apprentice and are designed to determine whether the apprentice is competent in their role.

The EPAO is currently looking for experienced individuals from the Prosthetics and Orthotics workforce to help us to:

  • Write and develop the assessment material or
  • Scrutinise the assessment material developed.

Both roles pertain to the material for the Level 3 Prosthetics and Orthotics apprenticeship standard.

Essential Information:

  • Individuals will be recruited on a consultant basis and can be paid as a self-employed individual, or their trust can be paid (if work is completed during work time).
  • Full training, on both roles on offer, will be provided by the EPAO team. Training sessions are usually held as online sessions via MS Teams.

Assessment Writing role:

The End point Assessment Writer will be required to:

  • Write and contribute to the development of assessment material to be used for stipulated standard, including all questions, grading criteria and accompanying documentation.
  • Support the EPAO in the assessment development design process.
  • Attend all training sessions on developing assessment material held by the EPAO.
  • Attend and participate in feedback meetings during the scrutiny and ratification process.
  • Action any amendments required post the scrutiny and ratification process.
  • Adhere to submission deadlines stipulated by the EPAO.
  • Collaborate with EPAO team and other professionals engaged by the EPAO.

Timing commitments: 5 working days (8 hours per day)

Payment rate: £165 per day

Scrutineer Role

The End point Assessment Scrutineer will be required to:

  • Contribute to the development of assessment material by reviewing and scrutinising developed material to ensure it is fit for purpose and aligns to current industry methods, specialisms, technologies, products, and performance expectations.
  • Provide constructive and comprehensive written feedback and recommendations on material reviewed where required in the design cycle (this is an iterative process therefore review and scrutiny will be required throughout).
  • Attend all training sessions on developing assessment material and specific scrutiny based training sessions held by the EPAO.
  • Attend and participate in feedback meetings during the development, scrutiny, and ratification process.
  • Adhere to submission deadlines stipulated by the EPAO.

Timing commitments: 2 working days (8 hours per day)

Payment rate: £125 per day

These are great opportunities for anyone who is interested in enhancing their CPD and contributing to future Prosthetics and Orthotics workforce via the development of assessment.

If interested please send an email entitled P&O EPA Opportunity FAO Amrita Nanra, including all your details to: england.NSHCSEPA@nhs.net.