Reference: EPA/TS/2020

Independent end-point assessor for Senior Healthcare Support Worker (Theatre Support) (Level 3) End Point Assessments

Overview of the independent end-point assessor role

Government has introduced a requirement that all apprenticeships contain an end-point assessment (EPA) which is a holistic assessment of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour (KSBs) that have been learnt throughout the apprenticeship. This is to make sure that apprentices meet the rigorous standard set by employers and are fully competent in the relevant occupation. Pearson must provide employers with the confidence that completing an apprenticeship means an individual is fully job-ready and that all apprentices, following the same standard, are assessed consistently, regardless of where they are undertaking their apprenticeship or who they are doing it with.

An independent EPA means that those making a decision on the competency of the apprentice have nothing to gain from the outcome of the assessment. To maintain independence within the scope of this EPA, an independent end-point assessor (IEA) can only undertake end-point assessments of apprentices, with whom they have no conflict of interest. This means they must be independent of the registered apprenticeship training provider at which the apprentice completed their on-programme element, and must not have been involved in the on-programme training, assessment, or line management of such apprentices.

The end-point assessments will be conducted onsite, or remotely, on dates agreed with employers. Independent end-point assessors will record and submit the EPA outcomes, with clear justifications for the grading decisions. EPA activities will be quality assured by Pearson quality assurance representatives.

IEAs will meet the occupational profile of the apprentices they are assessing and will be trained, standardised and approved to operate as IEAs. The IEAs will undertake EPAs in line with the associated apprenticeship assessment plan, and the materials provided by Pearson. Please see the below Key Accountabilities and Person Specification sections for further details.

Key Accountabilities:

• The IEA will:

• Take part in regular training and standardisation activities, associated with the role of IEA for this EPA

• Maintain and provide evidence of ongoing, relevant Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

• Assess the performance of candidates in accordance with published assessment and grading criteria and procedures, ensuring overall standards are maintained

• Follow the protocols set out in Pearson’s specifications, assessment materials and quality assurance protocols, relating to the EPAs

• Maintain service-level agreements with regards to responding to EPA planning, operational activities, reports and submissions of assessment outcomes

• Report all risks and issues encountered during the end-point assessment to Pearson, including any suspected malpractice/maladministration

• Ensure all EPA reports and assessment evidence are high quality and recorded accurately

• Support Pearson, if necessary, with any appeals from apprentices, regarding assessment decisions

• Allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements

• Raise any conflicts of interest, including in relation to the independence of assessment

• Ensure that any personal actions are completed, as required by Pearson

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of Pearson’s end-point assessment activities

• Contribute to the external quality assurance activities undertaken by Ofqual.

Person Specification

Occupational Profile:

Senior Healthcare Support Workers (SHCSW) help registered practitioners deliver healthcare services to people. As an experienced support worker, they carry out a range of clinical and non-clinical healthcare or therapeutic tasks, under the direct or indirect supervision of the registered healthcare practitioner. SHCSWs provide high quality, compassionate healthcare, following standards, policies or protocols and always acting within the limits of their competence. SHCSWs may work in a range of services e.g. hospital, community, health or day case unit, birth centre or midwifery led unit, someone’s home, operating theatre, nursing or care home, assessment centre, hospice, school, prison, GP surgery, charity or voluntary organisation; working in partnership with individuals, families, carers and other service providers.

Duties are delegated to the SHCSW in line with care plans. Not all duties are routine and the SHCSW will need to use their knowledge, experience and understanding to take decisions within their area of responsibility. A SHCSW is accountable for their work and for reviewing the effectiveness of their actions. The role is undertaken following a period of experience in healthcare so they are able to demonstrate best practice and act as a role model. A SHCSW may supervise or guide the less experienced staff in their team. SHCSWs follow the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers.

Theatre Support

Theatre Support Workers look after people before, during and after operations. In most instances their supervisor will be a registered theatre nurse or an operating department practitioner. Theatre Support Workers will support people as they are preparing to go into theatre, reassuring them if they are anxious, and helping them move back to recovery following their procedure. Theatre Support Workers will support the team that carries out the operations by carrying out a range of checks, such as checking individuals into the theatre department, preparing equipment, counting swabs or other instruments and measuring fluids. Theatre Support Workers may be involved in routine operations or traumatic and emergency surgery.

Background and Experience (essential):

• Be occupationally competent in the theatre support field

• Be a registered healthcare professional or have completed a level 5 apprenticeship or regulated occupational competence qualification at level 5 or above

• Hold, or be working towards, a formal assessor qualification (e.g. A1, assessor component to TAQA etc)

• Have experience of working in a healthcare setting within the last 2 years

• Experience of leading meetings/structured interviews/discussions

• Experience of complying with quality assurance/regulatory requirements

• Evidence of commitment to maintaining CPD, in line with new apprenticeship requirements and the EPA specialism(s), including maintenance of recent occupational experience

Essential others

Only UK based candidates will be considered for this role due to requirements

Minimum of two working days during the week will be required for EPA role.

Background and Experience (desirable):

• To hold, or be working towards an internal quality assurance qualification

• Experience of making grading judgements

• Hold a current DBS certificate (Applicants applying for this role will will need to hold an Enhanced DBS (with or without a barred list check) that is registered for the update service. Other supporting documents will also be required as evidence. Upon submission of an application, the Associate Recruitment team will be in touch to request DBS evidence and supporting documents. For further information on the DBS requirements please read the attached document titled DBS Guidelines for applicants)

• Knowledge of prevent & safeguarding

Skills & Knowledge (Essential)

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively respond to conflicts

• Ability to understand and respond to the individual needs and circumstances of employers/apprentices

• Sufficient and relevant technical knowledge of:

• the healthcare sector

• the role of the theatre support worker

• In-depth knowledge of the associated apprenticeship standard, assessment plan, specification, assessment instruments and recording tools

• Ability to assess, free from bias

• Ability to assess and report risks

• Ability to meet deadlines

Other requirements

• Any applicant undertaking this role will be expected to:

• Have personal IT equipment capable of running Pearson required software

• Have a suitable broadband connection, Microphone, Headphones and a webcam

• Have a personal and secure email account

• Have a postal address in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey Isle of Man

• Have the right to work in the UK

• Allow additional time for travel, when making EPA arrangements

About Pearson

We value the power of inclusive culture and embed diversity and inclusion in everything we do. Pearson promotes a company culture where differences are embraced as strengths, opportunities are equal and accessible, consideration and respect are the norm. Through our talent, we believe that diversity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant company. People are at the centre of our company. We are committed to a sustainable environment and workplace ecosystem where talent can learn, grow, and thrive. We provide content, assessment and digital services to learners, educational institutions, employers, governments and other partners globally. We are the UK's largest awarding body and offer qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked, with educational excellence rooted in a range of General and Vocational courses.