9.3. Links and Resources for Autonomous Practice (Practitioner)

Introduction

All radiographers at the point of registration are competent to practise autonomously in their discipline at the first level. Clinical skills obtained during the pre-registration period need to be consolidated to provide the foundations for continuing development of this group of staff.

Newly qualified radiographers should have a period of formal preceptorship following registration. This is a period for consolidation and induction into the clinical environment as a staff member under the supervision of a named preceptor.

Accreditation at this level of practice is achieved as the individual will have completed a recognised programme that entitles them to apply for membership of the Society of Radiographers and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

SCoR links:
Website for Practitioners
https://www.sor.org/career-progression/practitioners

Policy and Guidance Document Library https://www.sor.org/learning/document-library contains a variety of relevant documents, the most relevant of which are:

Education and Professional Development Strategy: New Directions
https://www.sor.org/learning/document-library/education-and-professional-development-strategy-new-directions/practitioner#top

Code of Conduct and Ethics
https://www.sor.org/learning/document-library/code-conduct-and-ethics

The Scope of Practice 2009
https://www.sor.org/learning/document-library/scope-practice-2009

Clinical Supervision Framework
http://www.sor.org/learning/document-library/listtitles/title/supervision?sort_by=field_date_published_value&title=+supervision+&taxonomy_topics_tid=All&field_archive_value=0&=Apply

Education and training opportunities:

CPD Now
https://www.sor.org/learning/cpd/cpd-now

Post-registration courses
https://www.sor.org/learning/post-registration-courses

Short courses and study days
https://www.sor.org/short-courses-study-days

e-learning including CORe-learning and e-learning for healthcare
https://www.sor.org/learning/e-learning

Information on clinical specialisms can be found on the following website: https://www.sor.org/practice

Pages exist for radiotherapy, x-ray, radiation protection, ultrasound, cross-sectional imaging, nuclear medicine and reporting. Hot topics include clinical specialisms that are currently undergoing considerable change; information management and technology and paediatrics.

There are various groups and networks in specialist areas and information is given here: https://www.sor.org/practice/other-groups

Other links:

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
http://www.hcpc.org.uk/

At initial registration with the HCPC, practitioners will meet the standards set by the HCPC; Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (2008) http://www.hcpc.org.uk/publications/index.asp?id=38#publicationSearchResults and Standards of proficiency – Radiographers (2009) http://www.hcpc.org.uk/publications/index.asp?id=51#publicationSearchResults

Department of Health (England)
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm

Health in Wales
http://www.wales.nhs.uk/

NHSScotland
http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/

NHS Education for Scotland (NES)
http://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-discipline/allied-health-professions.aspx

Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland
http://www.hscni.net/

Knowledge and Skills Framework
The NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (NHS KSF) and the Development Review Process (October 2004)
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107105354/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4090843

Simplified KSF
http://www.nhsemployers.org/PayAndContracts/AgendaForChange/KSF/Simplified-KSF/Pages/SimplifiedKSF.aspx

NHS Employers
http://www.nhsemployers.org/Pages/home.aspx