The Institute of Biomedical Science

Knowledge and Skills Framework

What is the KSF
The 'Knowledge and Skills Framework' (KSF) is a tool which recognises the knowledge and skills that a person requires to be effective in a particular NHS post. The framework is applicable across the range of posts in the NHS ensuring better links between education and development and career progression. It will also ensure all staff have access to annual development reviews and personal development plans.

What the KSF is not
It does not describe people or the post holder, nor the exact knowledge and skills that people need to develop. Neither does it determine job weight or pay band.

Purpose of the KSF
To introduce common descriptions of the knowledge and skills that need to be applied to a particular job. It is applicable across the NHS and transferable ensuring greater national standardisation. It can be used with current and emerging UK and country-specific standards and competencies.

How is it structured
The NHS KSF is made up of 30 dimensions. The dimensions identify broad functions that are required by the NHS to enable it to provide a good quality service to the public. Six of the dimensions are core which means that they are relevant to every post in the NHS.The other 24 dimensions are specific – they apply to some but not all jobs in the NHS.

How does the KSF fit with Agenda for Change, National Occupational Standards and HPC registration?
The KSF is a generic framework and applies to all staff under A4C. It will be integral within the new pay system and there will be a KSF outline for each and every post. Individuals in a post or applying for a post can be matched against a KSF outline. It can be used to formulate or support personal development plans. The NOS project currently only covers the healthcare scientists and describes competencies that are supported by particular knowledge and skills. HPC registration sets the standards of proficiency for only those professions that it registers.

Career and Pay progression
The KSF is designed to ensure consistency and fairness and to eliminate 'local currency'. The normal expectation of progression through pay bands will be based on applying necessary knowledge and skills to a job. Progression through the first pay band gateway will be assessed against a subset of the KSF outline and progression through the second gateway will be depended upon review against the full KSF outline.

Further information

Knowledge and Skills Framework profiles

The following Knowledge and Skills Framework profiles have been developed at a particular trust and do not necessarily reflect the KSF profiles required or applicable at other individual trusts. For example, these profiles have a lot of reference to research which may not be applicable to other trusts. Please use these profiles as a guide only and all members who use them must apply the guidelines as outlined in the KSF documentation when determining their own KSF profiles.

Biomedical Scientist 1 Generic
Biomedical Scientist 2 Generic
Biomedical Scientist 3 Generic
Biomedical Scientist 4 Service Manager
Deputy Head Phlebotomist
Head Phlebotomist
MLA

KSF Profiles

KSF biomedical scientist
NHS KSF Outline: Interviewed using Version 6 of KSF
NHS KSF Framework: Summary outline for post