The Society of Radiographers is reminding members about the NHS England-funded resources it has developed, including the learning mapping tools outlined in the ECF.
The Education and Career Framework (ECF) aims to enhance outcomes for patients by educating and training the radiographer workforce. Now in its fourth edition, the framework helps radiographers expand and further their careers by providing career planning tools and support.
One of the most helpful aspects of the ECF is the learning needs mapping tools. Created as part of an NHSE-commissioned project, these tools allow practitioners to plan out their careers by undergoing a learning needs analysis, which maps their ambitions to the ECF’s requirements. They can then see if their current role and future ambitions align with what the workforce requires from them.
How do the mapping tools work?
The learning needs mapping tools can help radiographers to recognise:
- How their current education and qualifications match up with the ECF framework
- The kinds of activities they are taking part in
- Their activity performance level
- Levels of engagement in relation to the four pillars of practice and consultancy
There are three tools - advanced, enhanced and consultant - which are each tailored to meet the requirements of that practice level.
What else can I find in the ECF?
The ECF is a one-stop-shop framework for education and career planning. It gives an overview of the practice and education requirements for nine roles/practice areas:
- Support Workers
- Practitioner
- Enhanced Practitioner
- Advanced Practitioner
- Consultant Practitioner
- Service Manager/Service Leader
- Practice Educator
- Academic
- Undertaking research and innovation: supporting guidance for the radiography workforce
Each section also details how radiographers at that practice level might contribute to the four pillars of practice - clinical practice, education, leadership and management and research and development.
To read the latest edition of the ECF, click here.
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