Skip to main content Skip to footer

What is the National Assistant Practitioner Programme?

The National Assistant Practitioner Programme (Endoscopy) provides a standardised programme to support Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) in their career development from level 2 to level 4 through SVQ work based learning with a series of online study days, eLearning and face to face simulated practice.

What do programme block days cover?

  • Day 1 - NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre: Introduction to the Assistant Practitioner Programme and SVQ.
  • Day 2 -  MS Teams: Risk Management, Overview of Scottish patient safety programme, the Global rating scale (JAG), Consent and Principles of safe sedation.
  • Day 3 - NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre: Vital Signs and Airway Management.
  • Day 4 - MS Teams: Common Pathology, Bowel Prep, Specimen Collection, Indications for Endoscopy and alternatives, Complications, Communication, Trauma Informed Practice, Post Op.
  • Days 5 and 6- NHS Scotland Academy Skills and Simulation Centre: Scope Room Set Up, Trouble shooting, Position Change, Traceabillity, Specimen Labelling, Endoscopy Skills, Therapeutic Emergency Endoscopy including Haemostasis, Safe use of Diathermy, Endoscopic Non-technical Skills and simulated scenarios.
  • Day 7 - MS Teams: Infection Control, Principles of Decontamination, PPE, 6C's, Professional Issues and Consolidation.

How do I apply?

Registration for our next cohort is now open and will start on Wednesday 1 October 2025 and end on Wednesday 25 February 2026.

To register your place, email nhsscotlandacadmey@nhs.scot 

National Assistant Practitioner (Endoscopy) Programme on Turas Learn.

Find out more about the National Assistant Practitioner Programme by watching the video below.

For more information contact nhsscotlandacademy@nhs.scot