Frequently Asked Questions

The following sections contain a list of questions commonly asked by those enquiring about registration with UKCHIP.

The questions cover a range of topics and are updated to reflect the latest changes, e.g. in registration requirements and processes or amendments to standards, or when new questions arise.  These questions and answers came from Health Informaticians like you. We hope you find them helpful and informative.

The answers can be found by using the hyperlink associated with each section heading or question.

Please let us know of any suggestions for other questions by sending an email to admin@ukchip.net.

CONTEXT

1.         What is professionalism and why should I need to be concerned?

2.         I am not in direct contact with patients and health clients, so do I really need to register?

3.         Where does UKCHIP sit relative to other bodies in the domain?

4.         I am already a member of ASSIST or a BCS Health Specialist Group, what is different about UKCHIP?

5.         Why is it not mandatory to be UKCHIP registered?

6.         Why do relatively few people in the NHS know about UKCHIP?

7.         I work outside England so UKCHIP does not apply to me.

8.         Is UKCHIP the trade union for Health Informaticians?

BENEFITS OF REGISTRATION

9.         What are the real benefits of registration at this stage?

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

10.     I am involved in Health Informatics but not (yet) prepared to register for accreditation

11.     The NHS is so short of informatics staff, we will always get jobs

12.     I have an academic Health Informatics qualification, why do I need more

13.     Generic qualifications like ISEB and MSCE and professional society registrations are enough, are they not?

14.     I got where I am by hard work not academic qualification           ...

15.     Once I am in, is that it?

REGISTRATION PROCESSES

16.     Why is the registration process so long and complex?

17.     I am stuck in the registration process!

18.     Does my line manager have to be my sponsor or referee?

19.     I cannot re-register because I missed CPD targets I set for myself last time.

20.     Should I wait until I have finished my current courses before registering?

21.     I started my registration so long ago it will have been deleted by now.  Will I have to start again?

22.     Functionally I find UKCHIP's processes clunky

23.     What does the accreditation registration fee cover

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) - FITNESS TO PRACTICE

24.     Does UKCHIP Continuing Professional Development require expensive attendance on courses and at conferences?

25.     Why do some events appear to have UKCHIP recognition for CPD purposes and some not?

26.     CPD costs money; more than my organisation has available

27.     I get asked for the same information from other professional bodies and for my employer's personal development plan within the KSF

STANDARDS

28.     Who has responsibility and control over the standards which describe Health Informatics?

TRANSFERABILITY, CURRENCY AND MOBILITY

29.     Is anything I am registered for in the health domain of value anywhere else?

TAX RELIEF

30.     Why is UKCHIP registration not recognised for tax purposes?

FUTURES

31.     UKCHIP will never cover the specialism I work in.

CONTEXT

1.        What is professionalism and why should I need to be concerned?     

A professional takes responsibility for their own actions, adheres to good governance that directs behaviour, meets entry and ongoing competence standards, abides by ethical and moral principles and whose practices contribute to leadership in their profession. All the clinical professions require registration, and Health Informatics is now integral to the team - we should be similarly recognised.

In our domain, the safety of patients relies very heavily on the information that supports clinical and management decision making, and therefore on the Informaticians that handle and process it. Health Informatics is ‘a challenging, multidisciplinary field' and should be recognised as such.

2.        I am not in direct contact with patients and health clients, so do I really need to register?

By registering you are supporting effective and efficient operation of your organisation whether, for example, healthcare delivery, staff training, academic teaching or research, or commercial solution and service provision to those in the health domain. Your actions do (even indirectly) have an impact on the health of the public; so registration is very important.

3.        Where does UKCHIP sit relative to other bodies in the domain?

UKCHIP addresses registration and entry is via application, assessment and declaration of continuing professional development. UKCHIP may also act as an agent for the management of other registers, for example -of holders of vocationally-recognised awards, relevant academic courses and recognition of NHS in-house Health Informatics Service organisations.

4.        I am already a member of ASSIST or a BCS Health Specialist Group, what is different about UKCHIP?           

UKCHIP is the only body doing what it does for the Health Informatics profession. 

Taking the medical model, UKCHIP is akin to the General Medical Council (which provides regulation and the licence to practice medicine), whilst ASSIST is akin to the British Medical Association (which provides professional support and representation).

UKCHIP exists to assure the safety and quality of informatics, through the registration and accreditation of health informatics professionals against defined standards of competence, including an annual requirement for Continued Professional Development.

ASSIST aims to support health informatics professionals through supporting their continuing professional development with a national programme of events and networking opportunities, and by independently representing their views in national consultations and in dealings with DH, NHS CFH and other agencies.

ASSIST strongly supports the aims and operation of UKCHIP (both have on several occasions issued joint press announcements) and the ASSIST and UKCHIP Councils have members in common.

However, there may be confusion with other bodies that are active in the domain:

• The British Computer Society (BCS) can award post-nominal letters and Chartered status (e.g. CITP, CSci, CEng) to appropriately qualified and experienced members 
• The BCS Health Informatics Forum provides the focus within the learned / professional society and leads, both across the UK and on behalf of the UK, on all matters of informatics and technology in the health domain.
• ASSIST is a member group within BCS and plays an active part in the BCS-Health Informatics Forum.
• Other bodies operate in focussed areas.  Some may be appropriate as specialist alternative professional societies (for example the Royal Colleges, IEEE, IET, IPM, UKHIS, IHRIM and CILIP)

5.        Why is it not mandatory to be UKCHIP registered?

There are various requirements that must be in place before mandatory registration will occur, including a critical mass of representative registrants in the community, well-defined career paths and demonstrable processes for assessment of standards and operation of the Code of Conduct. Some of these are well established, some are in the process of development, but others will take more time.

6.        Why do relatively few people in the NHS know about UKCHIP?

It takes time to introduce a new concept, but ‘UKCHIP preferred' is starting to appear in job specifications and advertisements, policy statements and in briefings to senior managers and leaders.  It has been estimated there are 25,000 Health Informaticians working in England.  To date over 1,000 individuals have registered with UKCHIP, and over 2,500 have started the registration process.

7.        I work outside England so UKCHIP does not apply to me.

The Health Informatics community to which UKCHIP is relevant spans all the UK home countries.  It can also include anyone based outside the UK, particularly those with aspirations to work in Health Informatics for a UK-based care deliverer, academic institution or supplier to the domain.

8.        Is UKCHIP the trade union for Health Informaticians?

A trade union, through its leadership, represents its members in dicussions with the employer. The most common, but by no means only, purpose of these organisations is "maintaining or improving the terms and conditions of their employment"^.

In comparison UKCHIP's objectives are:

• To promote, advance and encourage the study and practice of the application of informatics in the promotion of health, well being and dying with dignity.
• To establish, uphold and improve the standards of qualifications, training, competence and conduct of Health Informaticians in the United Kingdom.
• To establish mechanisms for the benefit and protection of the public.
• To collaborate with official bodies, societies and professional associations on matters relating to the above.

UKCHIP is not a replacement for any existing organisation; it works in collaboration with others wherever appropriate. 

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BENEFITS OF REGISTRATION

9.        What are the real benefits of registration at this stage?

BENEFITS OF REGISTRATION TO YOU:

• Provides independent evidence that demonstrates you have achieved a level of professionalism
• Shows your employer that you are a professional with commitment to developing yourself
• Demonstrates, by independent assessment against industry standards, what level you are capable of working to
• Indicates that you warrant being treated as a professional, in situations like job grading, promotions and job security
• Your accredited registration can set you apart from others when applying for jobs and progressing through your career

BENEFITS OF REGISTRATION TO YOUR EMPLOYING ORGANISATION:

• UKCHIP provides employers with a tool for recruitment and selection when initially evaluating candidates
• UKCHIP registration gives an independent indication that candidates have been assessed as having a mix of qualifications and experience to work at the given level, agree to work to a code of conduct and that they will carry out continuing professional development
• UKCHIP registration assists employers and their HR people in choosing staff with appropriate experiences and competencies without having to appreciate the finer points of the field themselves
• UKCHIP registration can be used in role profiles / candidate specifications and job adverts to indicate the calibre of candidates sought
• Knowing the goals, targets and aspirations of employees will help in development planning and costing
• Stated support of UKCHIP shows an employer's commitment to developing the professional status of Health Informatics staff and will attract candidates for advertised posts and help in retention of good staff

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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

10.    I am involved in Health Informatics but not (yet) prepared to register for accreditation.

You can commit solely to operate at a professional level and to the UKCHIP Code of Conduct without being formally accredited at a specific Level commensurate with your experience and position. This will not explicitly recognise your fitness to practice nor will it satisfy employers' requirements where specified.

11.    The NHS is so short of informatics staff, we will always get jobs.      

As a person who takes pride in their work, can you really sign up to that long term? Previous research has shown that of the order of 60% of the most significant incidents in the health domain have an information component, rarely without an IT element too - are you prepared to put the public at risk with such complacency?

12.    I have an academic Health Informatics qualification, why do I need more?

Academic qualifications recognise your ability to understand the underpinning theory of the discipline of HI but say little, even if a part-time course, about your actual practical experience in the field. UKCHIP accredited registration additionally assesses that at entry and periodically.

13.    Generic qualifications like ISEB and MSCE and professional society registrations are enough, are they not?

Whilst contributing, they do not always reflect the context and understanding necessary to operate in a sensitive domain like health. Increasingly, employers and standards specifications are being expressed in terms that are domain-specific; and are increasingly frequently recognised as ‘UKCHIP registered'.

14.    I got where I am by hard work not academic qualification.

UKCHIP can and does want to recognise your competence, however it was gained. The current ‘grandparenting' scheme recognises academic achievement and experience and there is some flexibility in the assessment for those whose career path was predominantly vocational.

15.    Once I am in, is that it?

Not on a number of counts - if your experience and job role change and you wish to apply for registration at a higher level, then that can be done whenever you feel ready. The re-registration fee (if different because of the higher level) will only become due at your next registration renewal date.

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REGISTRATION PROCESSES

16.    Why is the registration process so long and complex?

Many professionals embarking on UKCHIP registration are well into their careers, and therefore we have to capture the richness of their experience, qualifications, job role and vocational time working in technology or in or for the NHS. Many did not follow a ‘traditional route of entry' so UKCHIP has to be able to accommodate many development paths and starting points to be able to assess all who are actually already working in the domain.

If an applicant for registration is at the start of their career, where many mandatory registration bodies catch their registrants, there would be less ‘history' to capture, giving a perception of an ‘easier' / ‘shorter' form.

We make no apologies for wanting to capture all relevant employment and achievement history in order to confirm the appropriate level for registration. A ‘pay to play' registration would patently not indicate quality or professionalism.

17.    I am stuck in the registration process!     

There are various helpful alternatives to sort this out - local mentors from within the UKCHIP Council, telephone support or guidance and checklists on the web. Just email preference to admin@ukchip.net

18.    Does my line manager have to be my sponsor or referee?

If they do not fully understand what you do then you can approach other persons to vouch for your claims being realistic for a particular registration level.

19.    I cannot re-register because I missed CPD targets I set for myself last time.

Pressures and changes both inside and outside work mean that best laid plans do not always come to fruition. You can submit details of whatever you have done to keep up to date, reflecting on reasons for the variations and setting goals for the future also.

20.    Should I wait till I have finished my current courses before registering?

It is worth registering with UKCHIP once your overall points score is sufficient. For instance, a Masters course first year is typically recognised at post-graduate certificate level so you do not need to wait till you achieve your final award.

21.    I started my registration so long ago it will have been deleted by now.  Will I have to start again?

It probably is still there, but if you cannot get into the system or have forgotten how then contact admin@ukchip.net for helpful advice on how to progress.

22.    Functionally, I find UKCHIP's processes "clunky".

If there is anything about our site, our processes or operations that you have concerns or constructive criticism about, the UKCHIP would be pleased to hear from you. As the scope and responsibilities of UKCHIP widen there will be opportunities to sort out the ‘growing pains'.

23.    What does the registration fee cover?

The fee covers administration costs for the registration and renewal processes, for the standards developments, maintenance of the register(s) and for promotion of UKCHIP to potential registrants and employers.

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CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) - FITNESS TO PRACTICE

24.    Does UKCHIP Continuing Professional Development require expensive attendance on courses and at conferences?

The answer is ‘not necessarily', although these events can be useful in setting your work in the context of others in similar areas. UKCHIP recognises CPD in many other day to day activities that you can describe as evidence - such as:

• Creating local checklists and guidance on new procedures
• Writing articles for local newsletters
• Evaluating national policies or press material and producing local impact analysis
• Day to day tasks that improve the quality of Health Informatics

25.    Why do some events appear to have UKCHIP recognition for CPD purposes and some not?

It is up to any organisation putting on events to request their evaluation by UKCHIP as contributing to CPD; if successful they can display the UKCHIP logo on their marketing literature and UKCHIP will alert the registrant body via its website and monthly newsletter UKCHIPpings, to the event taking place.

26.    CPD costs money; more than my organisation has available.

UKCHIP have taken the decision to include other activities which are part of day to day activity that drive up the quality of Health Informatics; the range of evidence to demonstrate continuing fitness to practice can cover, for example, local briefings, impact assessments, in-house assistance to colleagues

27.    I get asked for the same information from other professional bodies and for my employer's personal development plan within the KSF.

We recognise that and, in a future phase, UKCHIP will work with other bodies so we can all cross-recognise appropriate Health Informatics features in others' CPD requirements; and we will look to facilitate transfer of CPD claims, for example in the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework format, where necessary

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STANDARDS

28.    Who has responsibility and control over the standards which describe Health Informatics?      

The 127 National Occupational Standards criteria deployed in evaluating Health Informatics competencies in practice are shared across a number of Sector Skills Councils (SSC, see http://www.hinos.org.uk/). Periodically any changes in definition from any of the SSCs will be reviewed to see whether the same changes are relevant to their use in the HI NOS set.

A project was begun by Skills For Health in June 2009 to review and revise the Health Informatics National Occupational Standards.  The project is due to report by March 2010 and UKCHIP is closely involved in the Reference Group.

In parallel the ‘Otley Framework' is a further initiative, carried out through BCSHIF and internationally to define the laws, theories and concepts underpinning Health Informatics.

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TRANSFERABILITY, CURRENCY AND MOBILITY

29.    Is anything I am registered for in the health domain of value anywhere else?

Yes, technical and management skills are transferable; as is recognition that application in any domain requires understanding and respect for special features of that domain.

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TAX RELIEF

30.    Why is UKCHIP registration not recognised for tax purposes?

In March 2009 UKCHIP applied to HM Revenue and Customs for recognition as an approved body under S344 of the Income Tax (Earnings & Pensions) Act 2003.  In September 2009, the application was rejected on the basis that registration is currently voluntary and not a requirement for the profession to be practiced, and that health informatics is not a profession regulated by the Health Professions Council.

An appeal is being considered and if successful, individual UKCHIP registrants who pay their own annual registration fee from taxed earnings will be able to set it against their liability for income tax.  However, this benefit will not be available to registrants whose registration fee is paid by their employing organisation, as this will be considered a taxable benefit to the employee.

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FUTURES

31.    UKCHIP will never cover the specialism I work in.

The relevant standards area undergoes frequent review. New areas of specialism with the umbrella term of ‘Health Informatics' emerge on an ongoing basis - for example - bioinformatics, proteomic informatics .... So please alert UKCHIP if you see an area not yet accommodated that you would like us to explore.

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