Clinical Academic
Internship
Programme
2013
Clinical Academic Internship Programme
Information for applicants for Sept 2013 cohort
This information is intended for staff who are interested in applying for the Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex Clinical Academic Internship Programme, and want to apply for the September 2013 cohort. This information covers the following areas:
Section 1: About Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex Section 2: About the Clinical Academic Internship Programme Section 3: About Clinical Research Training
Section 4: About the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Section 5: Applying for the Clinical Academic Internship Programme Section 6: Further information
Section 1: About Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Health Education England (HEE) was established as a Special Health Authority and took on full responsibilities in April 2013. It provides leadership for the education and training of the health and public health workforce. Local Education and Training Boards (LETBs) have been set up at regional level as statutory committees of HEE. Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex (HE KSS) is the regional LETB responsible for the training and education of staff within Kent, Surrey and Sussex. HE KSS Governing Body is made up predominantly of representatives from local providers of NHS services. HE KSS has worked in collaboration with universities in the region to develop the Clinical Academic Internship Programme.
Section 2 : About the Clinical Academic Internship Programme
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the Chief Nursing Officer for England in collaboration with the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) established this new national programme in 2012. It is an integrated clinical academic training programme for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals that is now supported by Health Education England.
The Clinical Academic Internship Programme is intended to prepare applicants to apply for an NIHR Masters in Research (MRes) award by helping applicants with the development of their NIHR application. It also provides an opportunity for successful applicants to experience being part of an academic research community.
2.1 What will I be doing on the programme?
You will apply to one of the 4 participating universities in which you want to undertake the internship and will be matched with a named academic supervisor. A bespoke programme of learning will be designed, depending on your individual needs. This will include the opportunity to access some taught modules, but also to experience other research activities which could include access to researchers, attending lectures and presentations, or observing data collection. Students may also be offered the opportunity to be part of an action learning set with other interns. 2.2 Who employs me whilst I am on the programme?
There is no need for your employer to change. It is your employer who will be reimbursed for your salary costs.
2.3 Who will my academic supervisor be?
If you are successful with your application, you will be supported by the university to find a supervisor who has an appropriate clinical/professional background or relevant research expertise.
2.4 How much study time will I receive?
This will depend on the content of individual students learning programme but on average is one day a week. The internship programme usually runs from September to end of the following March.
2.5 What can I expect to achieve by the end of the programme?
You will have developed your application for an NIHR MRes award; You will have developed a better understanding of working in an academic
environment and have developed a network of people who can support you with developing your research idea;
You will meet likeminded interns who are also interested in pursuing clinical academic careers;
You will have a personal development plan to develop your role in research; You will not be expected to undertake a research study during the internship
programme.
2.6 I want to enhance by clinical skills to get a consultants post. Is this the right scheme for me?
It’s possible, but bear in mind that the ultimate aim of the programme is to increase research capacity in nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals so that ultimately you have the skills and confidence to be a Principal Investigator. Whilst consultants have a research remit to their posts, they do not necessarily pursue a pure research career. If you work in a trust you might get some insights from your Research and Development manager about the role of a Principal Investigator.
2.7 Can I do the internship programme part time and reduce my clinical hours? The programme is set up to ensure you continue to develop your clinical skills as well as satisfy your research training needs. It is intended to be integrated clinical practice and research activity so your clinical work should complement and be relevant to your research.
2.8 How much will it cost?
A successful intern will be awarded funding up to £10,000 from Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex to support backfill cost, tuition fees and other reasonable expenses.
2.9 Will the internship support me to do a doctorate?
The internship is aimed at staff at the early stages of considering a clinical academic career and is intended to prepare staff to progress to an MRes. However depending on your previous experience and academic achievement, you could be supported to develop a doctorate application.
2.10 I’m already doing an MRes or Doctorate – can I apply for an internship to get funding?
No, the internship is designed to support staff who are in the early stages of their research training rather than staff who have already gained a place on a programme or who have already got a Masters in Research or higher level formal training in research.
Section 3: About Clinical Research Training 3.1 What is an MRes?
A Masters in Research (MRes) is an academic programme to enable students to undertake clinical research. There is usually a larger element of research than in other masters programmes such as MSc and MA programmes and it is considered to be excellent preparation to progress to doctorate level studies. It is particularly useful for staff who expect to spend substantive parts of their role in research activities. Some MRes programmes have been designated as eligible for NIHR funding, which means that successful applicants will receive the full salary replacements costs as well as the course fees. In Kent, Surrey and Sussex, the University of Brighton has designated NIHR MRes places.
3.2 What is a professional doctorate?
This is a programme of doctorate level study that aims to integrate professional and academic knowledge and usually includes a aught component It is usually aimed at students who wish to focus on developing a clinical or professional career, rather than a career in academia and who have normally studied at master’s level.
Currently NIHR funding is not available for Professional Doctorate programmes. You may be able to secure funding for a professional doctorate through CPD funding that is managed by nominated education and learning leads in each NHS organisation. 3.3 What is a PhD?
This is a research based doctorate which involves little or no taught elements and is aimed at those pursuing a career in primarily in research or a role with a large research component. Applicants have normally studied at master’s level. Some funded places are available nationally through the NIHR Clinical Doctorate Research Fellowship award scheme.
Section 4: About the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) 4.1 What is the NIHR?
The National Institute for Health Research offers competitive training awards to healthcare researchers who are working to improve patient care. There are different levels of awards depending on academic level, and some are specific to particular staff groups. NIHR training awards are intended to increase “research capacity” in the NHS to improve health and healthcare, by developing people with the potential and aspiration to become leading clinical academics and independent researchers of the future.
The Clinical Academic Training Programme is for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals and consists of awards in the following areas; Masters in Research and Masters in Clinical Research, Clinical Doctorate Research Fellowship, Clinical Lectureship, and Senior Clinical Lectureship. The training programme is designed to enable delivery of the government’s strategy “Developing the Role of the Clinical Academic researcher in Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions (March 2012).
The internship is designed to be a preparation programme for clinical staff who wish to progress and apply for an MRes. or NIHR doctorate award.
NIHR fund places on MRes programmes at designated universities. This funding incudes course fees and salary support. The University of Brighton currently offers NIHR funded MRes in Clinical Research places.
Section 5 : Applying for the Clinical Academic Internship Programme 5.1 Which professional groups can apply?
Art therapists, Chiropodists/podiatrists; Diagnostic radiographers, Dieticians, Drama Therapists; Midwives; Music Therapists; Nurses; Occupational Therapists; Orthoptists; Paramedics; Physiotherapists; Prosthetists; Speech and Language Therapists; Therapeutic Radiographers.
5.2 I am a dental nurse – can I apply?
Unfortunately only staff in the designated professional groups may apply as these are the professional groups supported by the NIHR awards
5.2 How do I apply?
The internship award is available annually and normally starts at the beginning of the academic year in September. The internship programme is hosted by HEE KSS which will publicise when the application process has opened. Applicants need to apply directly one of the Universities participating in the internship award scheme. The closing date for applications is normally the end of August.
5.3 Which Universities participate in the HE KSS Clinical Academic Internship Programme?
University of Brighton
Canterbury Christchurch University University of Greenwich
University of Surrey
5.4 I am looking for funding to support my research study - can I apply?
The internship is designed to support aspiring clinical academics and the funding is intended to support staff to complete the internship programme through providing backfill costs and tuition fees. The funding is not intended to fund costs of research studies.
5.5 I have only been qualified for a year – can I apply?
Yes, you need to have a minimum of 1 year’s clinical experience. 5.6 I am a healthcare professional but I don’t work for the NHS
The internship programme is aimed at staff who are employed by organisations that provide NHS care.
5.7 I don’t work in Kent, Surrey or Sussex but want to access the programme at one of your universities
The internship programme is provided by other Local Education and Training Boards (LETBs) for staff working in their area. You will be able to find the relevant LETB for your area on the Health Education England website at: http:// hee.nhs.uk/about/our-letbs/
5.8 What are the criteria for applications?
Applicants to the internship programme will meet the following criteria:
Have a contract of employment with a provider of NHS care in Kent, Surrey or Sussex;
Have at least 1 years post registration clinical experience; Be employed in a clinical capacity;
Normally hold a minimum academic qualification of BSc/BA at 2.1 or have evidence of masters study (for example attending/completed a level 7 module at a university);
Normally have evidence of academic study within the last 5 years; Have employer support for undertaking the internship;
Be able to complete the internship programme by the end of the HE KSS financial year (March 31st) ;
Have identified a research area of interest that clearly benefits patients/service users.
Applications are particularly welcomed in the following areas which have been identified as priorities in the HE KSS Skills Development Strategy;
Improving the experience of people with Dementia Primary care
Compassionate care and the NHS Constitution Emergency care
Children and Young People
You will be expected to have identified an area for research and to have prepared a short research proposal.
5.9 How do I apply?
Applicants should submit the following information: 1. Curriculum Vitae
This should include details of your professional registration; current role; length of time in post; academic qualifications; details of academic study in the past 5 years; details of engagement in any research-related activity or service development projects.
2. Research proposal
You should provide a brief outline of your intended research study that you wish to develop during the internship period. It is not expected at this stage that the proposal is fully developed, but it should demonstrate that you have identified and started to consider a research question and how it may be answered. The proposal should be no longer than 500 words and should be written using the flowing headings;
Research question Rationale
Methodology
Methods of data collection and analysis
Expected outcomes and implications for practice 3. Employers support
This should be a letter from your line manager confirming that you will be supported to meet the learning outcomes of the internship programme and that your employer is committed to supporting you to apply for an NIHR award.
5.10 Submitting the application
The application should be sent to the university lead where you intend to undertake the internship programme. The contact details are as follows;
University Named Lead Contact Details
Brighton Dr Nikki Petty [email protected]
Canterbury Christchurch Professor Kate Springett Dr Julie MacInnes [email protected] [email protected]
Greenwich Professor Patricia
Schofield
[email protected] Copied to
Surrey Dr Jill Shawe [email protected]
Applications for the 2013 Internship scheme close at the end of August . You will need to contact individual universities for the actual date.
Interviews will be held at the respective university during September. Interviews will normally involve academic staff and a representative from practice.
Section 6: Further information
For more information about HE KSS Clinical Academic Internship Programme, contact;
Jane Butler
Third Floor Red Wing Crawley Hospital, West Green Drive, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 7DH
Mobile: 07714 917408 Direct line: 0207 089 5913 E mail: [email protected]
For more about Health Education England, see http://hee.nhs.uk
For more about Health Education Kent Surrey and Sussex , see
http://kss.hee.nhs.uk
Follow us on Twitter@HE-KSS
For more about National Institute of Health Research, see www.nihr.ac.uk
For more about University of Brighton MRes in Clinical Research, see
www.brighton.ac.uk/courses/study/clinical-research-mres-pgcert-pgdip
For more about University of Greenwich School of Health and Social Care Research www2.gre.ac.uk/about/schools/health/research
For more about Canterbury Christchurch University Department of Nursing and Applied Clinical Studies:
www.canterbury.ac.uk/health/nursing-applied-clinical -studies/Research.aspx For more about University of Surrey Nursing and Healthcare Research group www.surrey.ac.uk/fhms/research/healthcarepractice/
Revised 26 May 2013 JB
