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Career Framework for Health Level

Staff working at a very high level of expertise and/or have responsibility for planning services.

Level Attributes

People at level 8 of the career framework require highly specialised knowledge, some of which is at the forefront of knowledge in a field of work, which they use as the basis for original thinking and/or research.

They are leaders with considerable responsibility, and the ability to research and analyse complex processes. They have responsibility for service improvement or development. They may have considerable clinical and/or management responsibilities, be accountable for service delivery or have a leading education or commissioning role.

Indicative or Reference Title: Consultant

Qualifications which might be expected for roles at this level

• Registered as a Nurse or Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Educated to a minimum of Master’s level
• Working towards Doctorate
• Specialist Practitioner
• Advanced leadership/management skills

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level

Level 11/12

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to:

• 8C1 - Use a wide range of skills and strategies, including a significant range of advanced or specialist skills, to communicate with people on complex matters or in complex situations

• 8C2 - Act as a champion and role model for values-based care and professionalism

• 8C3 - Innovate, develop and role model safe, effective and person-centred practice within area of practice and wider organisation

• 8C4 - Influence and contribute to the development of guidance and legislation that governs the legal and ethical aspects of service provision

• 8C5 - Use expert knowledge of professional regulation and codes of practice and legislation to lead the development, implementation and evaluation of protocols guidelines and policies at operational and strategic levels

• 8C6 - Use clinical data to drive improvement through review and interdisciplinary collaboration

• 8C7 - Promote, monitor and maintain best practice in health, safety and security in accordance with health and safety legislation and infection control policies. Where appropriate lead on development/implementation.
• 8C8 - Act on concerns and/or report serious incidents in line with local reporting procedures
• 8C9 - Model and promote expert level critical thinking by applying a constant and integrated approach to critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to manage highly complex and/or novel issues and make informed judgements in the absence of complete or consistent data/information.
• 8C10 - Contribute to the development and/or implementation of health-related technology and information systems
• 8C11 - Provide and share complex information effectively and concisely for a range of situations and contexts to ensure safety and continuity of care
• 8C12 - Develop a culture that promotes equality, values diversity and protect people from discrimination
• 8C13 - Develop innovative ways to promote health and well-being, improve health literacy and empower patients to share decision making

• 8C14 - Lead on the promotion, development and application of expert clinical knowledge, skills and behaviours appropriate to own area of practice and the wider service

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to:

• 8F1 - Evidence positive impact of own facilitation and teaching skills across organisations
• 8F2 - Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principle pedagogical theories and apply a wide range of facilitation, teaching and assessment skills to practice
• 8F3 - Evaluate reflection on practice and facilitate reflection in others
• 8F4 - Influence and implement organisational learning and development strategy in partnership with key stakeholders
• 8F9 - Lead on the promotion, development and application of expert knowledge of andragogy appropriate to own role and the wider service
• 8F5 - Frequently act as an experienced facilitator, supervisor, assessor and/or support others to take on these roles
• 8F6 - Evaluate, develop, lead and facilitate use of educational materials for students, staff and service users
• 8F7 - Engage with education providers to lead and contribute to curriculum development and delivery
• 8F8 - Create opportunities for motivating others to learn and develop their teaching and assessment skills across the organisation

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to:

• 8L1 - Evidence leadership skills and behaviours that have a positive impact across organisations
• 8L2 - Communicate effectively at a strategic level through presentations, reports and policies to demonstrate organisational leadership
• 8L3 - Embed the use of feedback in organisational learning policies
• 8L4 - Demonstrate expertise in developing original and creative solutions to highly complex problems
• 8L10 - Lead on the promotion, development and application of expert leadership skills and behaviours appropriate to own role and the wider service
• 8L5 - Demonstrate organisational learning from concerns raised or escalated
• 8L6 - Collaborate across stakeholder groups and organisations to lead services
• 8L7 - Promote a culture where people are managed effectively using organisational policies and exemplary leadership qualities
• 8L8 -Lead the development of the workforce in alignment with national priorities
• 8L9 - Provide strategic direction to ensure efficient delivery of financial targets including workforce planning

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to:

• • 8E1 - Demonstrate a critical understanding of different research approaches, methods and analysis and support others to develop and apply these in practice

  • 8E2 - Lead by example and develop the capability of others to critically appraise and synthesize evidence to inform practice and create a culture in which audit, research and quality improvement thrives.

  • 8E3 - Lead by example and develop a supportive culture to promote the sharing of good practice and lessons learned from audit, research and quality improvement activity locally and nationally through professional and peer reviewed processes

  • 8E4 - Use highly specialised theoretical and practical knowledge to develop original and creative solutions to problems and make decisions and assist others to do so

  • 8E9 - Lead on the promotion, development and application of research and development appropriate to own role and the wider service

  • 8E5 - Ensure self and others are able to use a wide range of Quality Improvement/Clinical Audit/Research skills and actively contribute Quality Improvement, Audit or Research projects to inform and enhance practice

  • 8E6 - Apply a consistent and integrated approach to critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas, information, research data, statistics and issues and help others do the same

  • 8E7 - Lead and commission projects and encourage involvement of all staff

  • 8E8 - Take strategic responsibility to develop, revise and embed research governance including Good Clinical Practice , ethics, data protection and confidentiality in practice and promotes a strong research culture at service and organisational levels.

Career Framework for Health Level

Experienced clinical practitioners with a high level of skill and theoretical knowledge. Will make high level clinical decisions and manage their own workload. Non-clinical staff who would be managing one or more areas.

Level Attributes

People at level 7 of the career framework have a critical awareness of knowledge issues in the field and at the interface between different fields. They are innovative, and have a responsibility for developing and changing practice and/or services in a complex and unpredictable environment.

Indicative or Reference Title: Advanced Practitioner

Qualifications which might be expected for roles at this level

• Registered as a Nurse or Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Post-registration qualification
• Evidence of operating/thinking at Master’s level
• Evidence of working towards relevant Master’s level award

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level

Level 11

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to:

• 7C1 - Develop advanced competence, innovation and leadership in the management and delivery of safe, effective person-centred care within own area of practice
• 7C2 - Promote and act to influence others to incorporate non-judgemental, values-based care into practice
• 7C3 - Use a wide range of skills and strategies, including advanced or specialist skills, to communicate with people about difficult matters or situations
• 7C4 - Use in-depth knowledge of legislation, professional regulation and codes of practice, to lead the development, embedding and evaluation of protocols, guidelines and policies at operational level
• 7C5 - Promote, monitor and maintain best practice in health, safety and security, in accordance with health and safety legislation and infection control policies, acting on concerns and/or reporting incidents in line with local reporting procedures
• 7C6 - Use skills of critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to make justifiable and timely clinical judgements when assessing, diagnosing, planning, directing or implementing and evaluating highly complex care/interventions sometimes where information is not available or is incomplete.
• 7C7 - Demonstrate the ability to use and evaluate technology and information systems to inform and improve health outcomes
• 7C8 - Identify and share more complex information effectively and concisely for a range of situations and contexts to ensure patient safety and continuity of care
• 7C9 - Promote equality and value diversity, challenging discriminatory behaviours and acting to improve inclusion
• 7C10 - Apply a significant range of skills to promote health and well-being, improve health literacy and empower patients to share decision making
• 7C11 - Contribute to the development of organisational objectives and create opportunities to involve other practitioners
• 7C12 - Apply advanced clinical knowledge, skills and behaviours appropriate to specific area of practice

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to:

• 7F1 - Role model exemplary facilitation and teaching skills and develop those skills in others
• 7F2 - Demonstrate and understand the key theories of adult learning and apply a wide range of facilitation, teaching and assessment skills to practice
• 7F3 - Lead on strategies that enable effective reflective practice
• 7F4 - Review data collected from educational audits and other feedback to plan and lead change at a local level to enable a positive learning environment
• 7F5 - Act as an experienced supervisor, mentor, facilitator and support others to take on these roles
• 7F6 - Develop and facilitate the use of educational materials for students, staff and service users
• 7F7 - Develop, lead and support teaching, supervision and assessment skills in others
• 7F8 - Engage with education providers to contribute to curriculum development and delivery
• 7F9 - Apply advanced knowledge of andragogy appropriate to specific role

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to:

• 7L1 - Provide strong and effective leadership across professional and organisational teams/boundaries
• 7L2 - Evidence a positive impact of own exemplary leadership qualities and behaviours
• 7L3 - Role model highly developed verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills
• 7L4 - Demonstrate how feedback is used by the organisation to positively improve services
• 7L5 - Use creative and innovative solutions to address complex problems
• 7L6 - Promote a culture of empowerment to enable concerns to be raised, addressed and/or appropriately escalated
• 7L7 - Lead innovation and quality improvement and promote involvement of others
• 7L8 - Build and lead teams, engage stakeholders and work in collaboration with others
• 7L9 - Demonstrate and support others to manage people effectively using organisational policies and exemplary leadership qualities
• 7L10 - Progress workforce development plans aligned to organisational priorities
• 7L11 - Demonstrate effective financial and workforce planning, delivery and reporting
• 7L12 - Apply advanced leadership skills and behaviours appropriate to specific role

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to:

• 7E1 - Acts as a role model for the wider team by promoting a positive research culture
• 7E2 - Further enhance knowledge of research approaches including advanced evaluation methods to promote and embed evidence in practice.
• 7E3 - Identify and apply impact measures and use findings to enhance practice.
• 7E4 - Demonstrate the ability to search, critically appraise and synthesize evidence to inform practice and to underpin audit/research/quality improvement activity.
• 7E5 - Share good practice and the lessons learned from audit, research and quality improvement activity locally, and nationally through professional and peer reviewed processes.
• 7E6 - Utilise appropriate polices to ensure support for clinical research activity and adherence to research governance, including Good Clinical Practice , ethics, data protection and confidentiality
• 7E7 - Demonstrate the ability to use a wide range of Quality Improvement/Clinical Audit/Research skills to improve practice and supports others to do so
• 7E8 - Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex/professional problems and issues and help others do the same
• 7E9 - Develop original and creative solutions to problems and support others to do so
• 7E10 - Contribute to the wider research agenda through initiating or supporting NMAHP led research activity
• 7E11 - Apply advanced knowledge of research and development appropriate to role

Career Framework for Health Level

A higher degree of autonomy and responsibility than Level 5 in the clinical area. Non clinical staff who would be managing one or more service areas (Scottish Government 2009)

Level Attributes

People at level 6 require a critical understanding of detailed theoretical and practical knowledge, within their field and /or have management and leadership responsibilities.

They demonstrate initiative and are creative in finding solutions to problems. They have some responsibility for team performance and service development and they consistently undertake self development.

Indicative Reference Title: Specialist/Senior Practitioner

Qualifications which might be expected for roles at this level

• Registered as a Nurse or Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Ordinary or Honours degree
• Graduate Diploma
• Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ 4)
• Post graduate expertise within speciality / area of practice that demonstrates the required breadth of knowledge to lead safely, effectively and efficiently

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level

Level - 9/10

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to

• 6C1 - Work autonomously and as part of a team, assuming accountability and responsibility to facilitate the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care
• 6C2 - Use a wide range of skills and strategies to communicate with people about difficult matters or situations
• 6C3 - Act and influence others to incorporate non-judgemental, values-based care into practice
• 6C4 - Apply knowledge, and raise awareness, of relevant guidance, policies and legislation that govern legal and ethical aspects of service provision
• 6C5 - Lead and support the implementation of local polices, guidelines and protocols, ensuring they reflect national policy, legislation and current evidence
• 6C6 - Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others, by applying knowledge of health and safety legislation and infection control policies and advising others. Raise concerns and/or report series incidents in accordance with local reporting procedures.
• 6C7 - Use skills of critical analysis and evaluation to make justifiable and timely clinical judgements utilising appropriate and sometimes limited information from a wide range of sources to assess, diagnose, plan, implement or direct complex care/interventions and evaluate effectiveness
• 6C8 - Draw on a range of sources in making judgements including precedent, clearly defined policies, procedures and protocols
• 6C9 - Select and use technology and information systems to both inform and support practice
• 6C10 - Provide and share complex information effectively and concisely for a range of situations and contexts to ensure safety and continuity of care
• 6C11 - Practise in ways which recognise and respond to health inequalities, respect diversity, protect against discrimination and support others to do the same
• 6C12 - Apply a wide range of skills to promote health and well-being, improve health literacy and empower patients to share decision making
• 6C13 - Assess, investigate and communicate/act on risk
• 6C14 - Apply and continue to develop specialist clinical knowledge, skills and behaviours appropriate to specific area of practice

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to

• 6F1 - Use learning theories to plan, implement and evaluate learning in the local environment
• 6F2 - Create an effective learning environment that ensures learning opportunities for staff and students
• 6F3 - Apply a wide range of facilitation, teaching and assessment skills to develop and improve practice
• 6F4 - Identify and support the achievement of learning needs of individuals/team in response to service need and personal development planning
• 6F5 - Demonstrate on going reflection on practice and support reflection in others
• 6F6 - Demonstrate knowledge and use of a range of information to review/evaluate and enhance the learning environment
• 6F7 - Participate in learning needs analysis, educational audit and evaluation of educational interventions
• 6F8 - Contribute to the supervision of undergraduate/pre-registration Health Care Professionals and support workers within the team
• 6F9 - Actively participate in Clinical Supervision, Practice Supervision and facilitation of learning and support others to participate
• 6F10 - Source and evidence use of a range of educational materials to support own and others’ development
• 6F11 - Evidence use of a wide range of skills to motivate, stimulate and encourage others to facilitate the learning process

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to

• 6L1 - Use national leadership frameworks to assess and develop self-leadership and leading others
• 6L2 - Communicate complex information at an appropriate level to a range of audiences, adapting to context and purpose.
• 6L3 - Actively promote a supportive culture, where constructive feedback is received positively and regarded as a learning opportunity
• 6L4 - Display creativity and innovation in exploring and implementing possible solutions to problems and evaluating their effectiveness
• 6L5 - Provide leadership for quality improvement and service development to enhance people's wellbeing and experiences of healthcare
• 6L6 - Support others to take responsibility for ensuring concerns are addressed in a timely manner applying relevant policies such as whistleblowing and complaints
• 6L7 - Demonstrate the ability to form, contribute and lead a team and work in collaboration with others to achieve the teams' purpose and objectives
• 6L8 - Contribute to and manage other members of a team by sharing information and expertise
• 6L9 - Demonstrate leadership behaviours when managing people applying human resource policies and processes
• 6L10 - Recognise early signs of poor performance and take appropriate measures to address concerns
• 6L11 - Respond in a transparent and structured way to any complaints from staff about the unacceptable or unfair behaviours of other members of the team
• 6L12 - Contribute to workforce development through personal and professional development of individuals and teams aligned to organisational priorities.
• 6L13 - Demonstrate the ability to use recognised workload assessment and skill mix tools to manage resources and budgetary demands including workforce resources
• 6L14 - Apply and continue to develop, leadership skills and behaviours appropriate to specific role

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to

• 6E1 - Use a range of research approaches to assess how evidence is being used, by self and others, to inform and develop practice improving the quality of care
• 6E2 - Demonstrate the ability to search and critically appraise evidence to inform and develop practice supporting audit, research and quality improvement activity.
• 6E3 - Participate in research related activity including analysis of information
• 6E4 -Share with others good practice and the lessons learned from audit, research and quality improvement activity to enhance practice locally
• 6E5 - Identify and disseminate information on NHS Board/University programmes of research/forums/special interest groups/networks relevant to area of practice
• 6E6 - Use understanding of research governance including Good Clinical Practice , ethics, data protection and confidentiality, to support self and others in the research process
• 6E7 - Demonstrate the ability to use a wide range of Quality Improvement/Clinical Audit/Research skills to inform and develop practice of self and others
• 6E8 - Ability to critically identify, define and analyse complex/professional problems and issues
• 6E9 - Apply and continue to develop specialist knowledge of research and development appropriate to specific role

Career Framework for Health Level

Registered practitioners consolidating pre-registration experience and getting ready for a higher level of functioning (Scottish Government Workforce 2009)

Level Attributes

People at level 5 will have a comprehensive factual and theoretical knowledge within a field of work and an awareness of the boundaries of that knowledge.

They are able to use knowledge to solve problems creatively, make judgements which require analysis and interpretation, and actively contribute to service and self development. They may have responsibility for supervision of staff or training.

Indicative Reference Title: Practitioner

Qualifications which might be expected for roles at this level

• Registered as a Nurse or Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council or registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Successfully completed degree level pre-registration programme as a minimum
• Working at Degree level

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) level

Level 8-10

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to

• 5C1 - Use a range of skills and strategies to communicate with people about difficult matters or situations
• 5C2 - Act and influence others to incorporate non-judgemental, values-based care into practice
• 5C3 - Promote and deliver safe, effective and person-centred care as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
• 5C4 - Maintain and apply knowledge of relevant guidance, policies and legislation that govern legal and ethical aspects of service provision
• 5C5 - Use and contribute to the development, implementation and review of local policies, guidelines and protocols
• 5C6 - Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others, by applying knowledge of health and safety legislation and infection control policies. Raise concerns and/or report series incidents in accordance with local reporting procedures.
• 5C7 - Use skills of critical thinking, analysis and evaluation to make justifiable and timely clinical judgements utilising a range of appropriate information and sources to assess, diagnose, plan, implement or direct care/interventions and evaluate effectiveness
• 5C8 - Demonstrate the ability to use technology and information systems and resources that are routinely used in practice
• 5C9 - Provide and share information effectively and concisely for a range of situations and contexts to ensure safety and continuity of care
• 5C10 - Practise in ways which recognise and respond to health inequalities, respect diversity, protect against discrimination and support others to do the same
• 5C11 - Apply a range of skills to promote health and well-being, improve health literacy and empower patients to share decision making
• 5C12 - Develop and apply clinical knowledge, skills and behaviours appropriate to specific area of practice

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to

• 5F1 - Demonstrate facilitation and teaching skills and behaviours including supervising, teaching and maintaining the learning environment
• 5F2 - Apply the skills of facilitation, teaching and assessment to practice
• 5F3 - Evidence learning from experience through supervision, feedback, reflective practice techniques and evaluation
• 5F4 - Evidence reflection on own and others experiences of the workplace to develop a positive learning environment
• 5F5 - Contribute to the supervision and mentorship of pre-registration practitioners and healthcare support workers
• 5F6 - Actively participates in Clinical Supervision, Practice Supervision and facilitation of learning
• 5F7 - Source and evidence use of a range of educational materials to support own development
• 5F8 - Motivate, stimulate and encourage others to facilitate the learning process
• 5F9 - Develop and apply knowledge of andragogy appropriate to specific role

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to

• 5L1 - Demonstrate leadership qualities and behaviours including skills in motivating, influencing and negotiation
• 5L2 - Communicate effectively verbally/non-verbally and in writing to a range of people.
• 5L3 - Seek, receive and provide feedback in an open, honest and constructive manner.
• 5L4 - Identify and analyse problems and recommend solutions
• 5L5 - Respond proactively to own and others concerns and know how to escalate ongoing issues
• 5L6 - Demonstrate the ability to work well within a team and in collaboration with others
• 5L7 - Demonstrate accountability for own work and responsibility for delegation to others
• 5L8 - Engage in own personal and professional development planning and review; and support others to develop personally and professionally
• 5L9 - Contribute to effective management of resources including workforce resources within own area of practice
• 5L10 - Develop and apply leadership skills and behaviours appropriate to specific role

Key Knowledge, Skills, Behaviour

Ability to

• 5E1 - Consolidates understanding and application of different research approaches. Identifies and explores ideas for research/development activity from own practice.
• 5E2 - Demonstrates the ability to search and critically appraise evidence to inform practice
• 5E3 - Shares with others good practice and the lessons learned from audit, research and quality improvement activity
• 5E4 - Adheres to research governance, including Good Clinical Practice , ethics, data protection and confidentiality.
• 5E5 - Demonstrates the ability to undertake Quality Improvement, clinical audit and research activity to inform practice for self and others
• 5E6 - Critically analyses and evaluates information
• 5E7 - Identifies and analyses professional issues
• 5E8 - Develop and apply knowledge of research and development appropriate to specific role