New qualification search tool for health and social care

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has been working in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland to help develop their new online qualification search tool — the VQ Finder.

This new web resource helps NHS staff, managers and planners find the most suitable vocational qualifications for their needs — helping develop a well qualified workforce, who continue to deliver a high standard of patient care.

The website contains information on more than 300 qualifications, including SVQs, HNCs, HNDs and PDAs suitable for all NHS staff from support services and admin, to clinical staff. As well as details about each qualification, the VQ Finder also provides guidance on how to choose the most appropriate qualifications, how to access funding, and progression routes to further learning.

Working in partnership with NHS Education for Scotland has proved extremely useful to SQA, not only in finding out about the skills and qualifications that NHS staff could benefit from, but also in how they can help managers and planners develop their workforce in line with the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework.

SQA recognises the challenges and the value of working in the health and social care sector, and offers a comprehensive and up-to-date range of qualifications through approved centres, colleges and schools.

The latest new qualifications from SQA include the SVQs in Healthcare Support and the HNC and HND in Care Administration — with further new developments in the pipeline for Telehealthcare, Dementia Care, Promoting Positive Behaviour, and Radiographic Imaging.

For more visit; www.vqfinder.nes.scot.nhs.uk