Why has the SHU/HEE/NIHR Internship programme been developed and what is it?

The Mandate from the Government to HEE states a specific objective to “develop a workforce that embraces research and innovation” and “to support clinical academic careers for health professionals.” To deliver on these requirements, HEE developed a Research and Innovation Strategy, a part of which was the development of a multi-professional Clinical Academic Careers Framework for patient benefit. Clinical Academic Careers will also play a considerable role in meeting HEE’s responsibilities in the Shape of Training and Shape of Caring reviews, where the ability to research, engage in critical enquiry and implement research findings in every day practice is recognised.

The HEE/NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic (ICA) Programme was launched in March 2015 it contains five schemes at different levels, plus a research mentorship scheme:

• Internships (this scheme)
• Pre-Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowships (PCAF)
• Masters in Clinical Research
• Clinical Doctorate Research Fellowship (CDRF)
• Clinical Lectureship (CL)
• Senior Clinical Lectureship (SCL)

The aims of the internship programme are:

• to develop research capacity and capability throughout all levels of the NHS in order to enhance and diffuse evidence-based practice
• to develop a network of clinical academics so that learning, best practice and innovation can be shared and disseminated, both regionally and nationally
• support the development of clinical skills as well as research skills
• encourage research into areas related to HEE's Mandate
• offer an insight into a career in clinical academia and provide experience which would support applications for further formal research training
• provide interns with experience of research before committing to a higher degree and thereby;
• give these professionals the skills/capacity to successfully apply for the next stage of the clinical research pathways; and
• ensure better progressions onto other research programmes such as an MRes. MClinRes and/or PhD.

Essential to the delivery of the internship programme is successful collaboration between the Sheffield Hallam University as education provider, NHS healthcare organisations and the mentors host research organisations; such collaboration will ensure the best environment to support high quality research, education and training.

As an employer what is my role?

Employer support for participation in the programme is essential. An applicant will not be accepted onto the programme unless they have line manager and Trust support in writing. This support confirms that they will be released from clinical commitments for the 38 days of the programme; this includes attendance at the face to face educational days.

Salary backfill and associated expenses costs of £7500 will be paid to the Interns' employing organisation to support the release from clinical duties.

Employers will have an opportunity to identify clinical priorities and needs which could be addressed through the internship.

Sheffield Hallam University will provide you with the contact details for the Programme Lead who will be able to assist should any queries or problems arise. We will also contact your local Research & Development department to ensure that they are aware that a member of the organisation is engaging with the programme. This is to ensure that interns are supported within their employing organisations in the early stages of their research careers.

Linking with the research mentors

Close links between the employing organisation and the mentors is central to the ongoing success of the internship programme. The interns' line manager, the Intern and the Research Mentors must meet at the beginning and end of the Internship. If required, a further meeting may be conducted part way through the Internship to help problem solve any challenges that arise. This will provide the opportunity for the line manager to identify clinical priorities and needs which could be addressed through the internship. It will also have the added benefit of increasing collaboration between organisations. These meetings may be face-to-face or via teleconference/Skype etc.

The Interns line manager and mentors will be invited to attend the final day when interns will present their work to the group. Interns will also be encourage to present their work to their employers and colleagues.