Why has the Sheffield Hallam University/NHS England (North East and Yorkshire) Internship programme been developed and what is it?

The Mandate from the Government to NHS England and the former Health Education England states a specific objective to “develop a workforce that embraces research and innovation” and “to support clinical academic careers for health professionals.” 

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic (ICA) Programme was launched in March 2015 and is funded on a regional basis by NHS England. It provides research training awards for health and social care professionals, excluding doctors and dentists, who wish to develop careers that combine research and research leadership with continued clinical practice and professional development.

The ICA Programme comprises 4 schemes that each support individuals at different stages of their research career:

• Internship Scheme (this scheme)

• Pre-doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (PCAF) Scheme

• Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (DCAF) Scheme

• Advanced Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (ACAF) Scheme

Find out more about the ICA pathway.

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 NHS England'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 (lead AHP or lead Nurse) in writing. This support confirms that they will be released from clinical commitments for the 38 days of the programme, including 30 days of research and up to 8 days of academic study attendance at the face to face educational days.

Salary backfill and associated expenses costs of £10000 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. Please 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 online video conferencing.

The Intern's 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 encouraged to present their work to their employers and colleagues.