Voluntary registration of clinical physiologists 

The four UK Health Departments remain committed to the regulation of clinical physiologists and other healthcare science groups. This was set out in the white paper Trust Assurance and Safety: The Regulation of Health Professionals in the 21st Century and reinforced in the new regulatory framework under Modernising Scientific Careers (MSC), which stated that all outstanding matters relating to the regulation of the five aspirant groups would be resolved as part of a separate consultation. The aspirant groups include clinical perfusionists, clinical technologists, clinical photographers, maxillofacial prosthetic technologists and clinical physiologists.

In the interim, while arrangements for statutory regulation are being put in place for clinical physiologists, the Department of Health and the RCCP has issued a joint statement asking employers to encourage and support clinical physiologists to apply for voluntary registration with the RCCP. 

Following consultation with our MSC reference group, NHS Employers commented on the draft statement before publication. To supplement the statement, we have also produced some FAQs to help clarify some of the issues raised by employers and individuals within the profession.

FAQs for employers

What should I do if someone declines to register?

Registration is voluntary and although employers are asked to encourage and support individuals through the registration process, they should not take any disciplinary action against an individual who decides not to register.

I employ a number of staff who do not do not possess the basic educational requirement, how can they apply for voluntary registration?

The grandparenting route (which applies to staff who commenced training prior to 2005) allows individuals who do not have the basic educational requirements to apply for voluntary registration. However they must have a minimum of six years training and experience with evidence provided to support competent practice which will be assessed by the professional representatives of each individual discipline. This may or may not include the attainment of academic qualifications and/or professional body exams.

Will employers be required to provide staff with education and training to enable entry onto the voluntary register?

This will depend upon the clinical requirements of the service, workforce planning, the skills mix and supervisory arrangements at local level. Clinical services should be provided by competent members of staff or by those staff in training being appropriately supervised. It is good practice for all staff to have personal development plans that fulfil the current and future needs of the service, and it should be anticipated that staff on the voluntary register will be adhering to continuing professional development.

FAQs for employees

I do not want to register, does this mean I will have to be supervised?

The departmental manager, clinical director and other members of the team will assess whether supervision of an unregistered individual is appropriate. They should take into consideration an individual’s relevant experience, training and competency to deliver patient care when making the decision, which may mean that many long serving staff will not be subject to supervision.

What are the registration routes for voluntary registration?

There are three routes for entry to the voluntary register with the RCCP.

• Four year - a relevant academic qualification plus two years of a formal training post and a further two years of practical experience and the successful attainment of professional body exams.
• Direct entry - the criteria for the four-year route are satisfied but not within a four-year period.

If trainees do not meet the criteria for either of the above, they will be assessed under the following route:

• Grandparenting - a minimum of six years training and experience with evidence provided to support competent practice which is assessed by the professional representatives of each individual discipline. This may or may not include the attainment of academic qualifications and/or professional body exams.