Health Education Wessex

Clinical Academic Training Programme (CATP) Internships

Application Guidance

1.The National Context

1.1The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and Health Education England (HEE) have establishedan overarching integrated clinical academic training programme for Nurses, Midwives, Pharmacists and Allied Health Professionals.

1.2This programme is intended to increase research capacity in the NHS in order to improve health and healthcare, by developing people with the potential and aspiration to become leading clinical academics and independent researchers in the future.

1.3The implementation of the CATP scheme is designed to enable the implementation of the government’s strategy “Developing the Role of the Clinical Academic researcher in Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions” (March 2012).

1.4This year (2014/2015) we are have received extra funding from HEE in order to fund four (4) additional internships in Wessex, the aim of these awards is to benefit individuals who are early in their career and are thinking about doing further academic study at Masters level. Its purpose is to support clinicians to gain research experience byobserving/visiting/working in a clinical research environmentand undertaking study in research at Masters degreelevel in preparation for applying for a research Masters degree programme.

2.The Health Education Wessex CATP Internship programme

2.1These additional internships include:

Mentorship from a named clinical academic supervisor (identified by you);

Support from your current employer;

Access to learning about research, this could include attending an academic module(s) or a short course(s) at Maters degree level or equivalent in particular aspects of research methods or data analysis

The opportunity to develop links with an existing clinical research team (identified by you)

2.2These elements are designed to help you to develop a research support network. You will have the opportunity to develop a bespoke programme tailored to suit your specific needs and aspirations with your identified clinical academic supervisor.

2.3In addition, you will be able to participate in other activities which may include working with current researchers; visiting clinical research facilities, and/or attending research presentations and seminars.

2.4The internships can be completed on a full or part-time basis, as long as all costs remain within the maximum funding envelope of £10,000, per person.

3.Applicants

3.1The internship is open to Nurses, Midwives,Pharmacists, Scientists and Allied Health Professionals who meet the following criteria:

Have current registration to practice in the UK with the appropriate regulatory and professional bodies

Who work in practice for at least one (1) day per week for an organisation who providesNHS healthcare within Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset or Salisbury

Have at least one (1) year’s post-registration practice experience

Have support from his/her employerto undertake the internship programme

Have a keen interest and display clear suitability for a research focussed clinical academic career

Is able to complete the internship programme by 31 March 2015

3.2There will be four (4) funded places within Health Education Wessex

4.The Application process

4.1Applicants should submit a curriculum vitaeand cover letter which must include evidence that he/she meets the criteria specified in Sections 2 and 3.

4.2Applicants should provide a summary of the intended outcomes of their planned internship programme

4.3 Applicants will need to provide a letter of support for participation in the internship programme from his/her employer; as well as a one page spending plan for how the £10,000 available (for each internship) will be spent.

5.Submitting the application

The application should be sent directly to:

5.1The deadline for applications is Friday 9.00am on14thNovember 2014, and interviews will be held onTuesday 25thNovember 2014.

5.2Applicants who choose to apply must be available for interview on the above date.

6.Funding

6.1Each applicant can apply for a maximum award of £10,000 to cover costs including backfill salary, incidental costs, research and clinical supervision, and formal education costs. The amount awarded will be paid directly to the intern’s employer.

7.For further information

7.1Please contact: Fleur Kitsell – Head of Innovation and Development, Health Education Wessex

Direct line 01962-718481

Appendix 1 - Clinical Academic Internships – Recruitment criteria

Criteria / Evidence Required
Nurse , Midwife, Pharmacist, Scientist or AHPwith evidence of current UK registration with appropriate regulatory and professional body / CV
Employment contract with NHS employer or engaged in the delivery of NHS services for at least 1 day each week for the duration of the internship / CV
Employed in clinical/practice role for at least 1 day each week / CV
Minimum of 1 year’s practice post registration / CV
Evidence of Employer support / Letter from employer
Evidence of named clinical academic supervisor / Letter from named individual
Appropriate spending plan for the £10,000 budget for the internship period / Application/Interview
Ability to complete internship at the required level, by end March 2014 (or close to this date) / Interview
Understanding of how clinical practice and research can improve the quality of patient care / Interview
Personal statement on benefits and learning to applicant, which will be gained by undertaking this internship / CV/Interview
Desire and capability to continue on a clinical academic career pathway / CV/Interview

Health Education Wessex

CATP Internship Programme 2014/2015 – pre-Masters level

Fleur KitsellPage 1