End Point Assessor - Apprenticeship - Healthcare Standards

Independent end-point assessor - Apprenticeship Healthcare Support Worker

About Pearson: Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 35,000 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. We put the apprentice at the centre of everything we do, because wherever learning flourishes, so do people.

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 ensure 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 deciding 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 and/or providers if appropriate. 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 for these EPAs will be qualified IQAs that 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.

Key Accountabilities:

• Take part in regular training and standardisation activities, associated with the role of independent end-point assessor 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 the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE).

Person Specification:

Occupational Profile: Healthcare support workers (HCSWs) work as part of a team providing high quality and compassionate care to individuals. They carry out well-defined routine clinical duties like monitoring an individual’s conditions (by checking things like blood pressure, temperature or weight), checking on their overall progress, comfort and wellbeing. Depending on where the HCSW works, they may also help individuals to eat, drink, wash, dress or go to the toilet. HSCWs prepare individuals for healthcare activities carried out by other members of the healthcare team, looking after them before, during and/or after those activities in line with their care plan. HCSWs will also carry out non-clinical duties and, depending on where they work, this could include things like keeping records, making beds, tidying up their work area, returning or cleaning the equipment used during a clinical activity. The HCSW will be able to address straightforward problems in their day to day work, reporting concerns and changes to the appropriate person in a timely manner. HCSWs work in a range of healthcare settings and their team may include workers from both health and social care. They will report to a registered healthcare practitioner who will directly or indirectly supervise their work.

A HCSW will be able to work effectively as part of a team. A HCSW will always act within the limits of their competence, knowing who to ask for help and support if they are not sure. The HCSW will work within agreed ways of working, following the relevant standards, policies and protocols used in their workplace including the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England. During the first part of this apprenticeship a HCSW will be supported to achieve the Care Certificate which forms part of their induction and covers the fundamental skills needed to provide quality care.

Background and Experience (essential):

• Be occupationally competent.
• Be a registered healthcare professional or have completed a level 3 apprenticeship or regulated occupational competence qualification at level 3 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, including maintenance of recent occupational experience.
• Hold Current NMC pin number.
• Have current enhanced DBS and on the yearly update service.

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 judgement.
• 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 senior adult nursing 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:

• 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.