Home IT Training
Below you will find information on IT Training services which are open to NHS staff and NHS contractors.
Basic IT Training
The Essential IT Skills (EITS) Programme, provided by DH Informatics, is available to all dispensing contractors who use national IT systems either now or in the future including the Electronic Prescription Service.
The programme delivers two sets of basic IT skills training, these are:
1. NHS ELITE (NHS elearning IT Essentials) which includes basic keyboard and mouse skills through to file management, web and email skills. This qualification is particularly useful for staff with limited previous experience of computers, for example of accessing the internet and using email or who lack confidence in using computers. NHS ELITE includes an option for certified post-learning assessment; successful completion of the post learning assessment will allow learners to print a personalised certificate recognising that they have passed the NHS ELITE or NHS ELITE+ course (NHS ELITE+ includes the optional Word Processing and Working Safely sections). NHS ELITE is delivered via the EITS online tracking system; to locate your closest EITS centre you can click here.
The latest release of the NHS ELITE learning materials contains an online tracking system which records delegate's progress using a simple registration and login process. NHS ELITE also contains diagnostic assessment and built in post learning assessments. The latest release of NHS Elite, Release 5, contains additional learning materials for Microsoft Office 2010 and Windows 7.
2. NHS Health (NHS elearning for Health Information Systems) includes basic information needed to ensure that all users understand and comply with Information Governance, data protection and patient confidentiality requirements. NHS Health is delivered via elearning.
The EITS Programme is open to all community pharmacists or support staff who use national IT systems either now or in the future. This includes locum pharmacists who make use EPS or other national IT systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the training delivered?
NHS ELITE and NHS Health are delivered via elearning. For queries on registration for NHS ELITE or NHS Health, you can contact your nearest EITS learning centre or it.skills@nhs.net. You can locate your nearest centre by clicking here.
Where is the training delivered?
The training for NHS ELITE and NHS Health can be completed at home or in the workplace. Employers may choose to run tutor-led group sessions and workshops or may wish that employees complete the learning materials on their own.
Are there exams?
The NHS ELITE learning materials contain post assessments which include printable certificates to evidence achievement and add a formal assessment option. The assessments enable you to show that an individual has attained the skills and knowledge needed when using a computer at work.
Will Essential IT Skills Training lead to recognised and accredited qualifications?
Yes, two nationally accredited qualifications can be gained as part of the programme, which are awarded by the British Computer Society. The BCS will award the certificates once tests have been completed successfully in each element of the training, at a BCS approved centre.
How much will it Cost?
In order to receive the BCS qualifications individuals need to take the tests at an approved centre which is accredited by the BCS. Each BCS approved centre may require companies requesting testing of community pharmacy staff to contribute towards these costs on a not for profit, cost-recovery basis. Charges should be agreed directly between pharmacy companies and the Approved Centre in question. Contact details for BCS can be found here.
Advanced IT Training
Microsoft Office Skills Training
The NHS Microsoft Office Skills Training (MOST) Programme was established in April 2010 to increase NHS employee productivity when using the Microsoft Office applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access.
NHS MOST was created to support NHS departments so they can offer official Microsoft Office Skills Training and Microsoft Office Specialist Certification to staff.
Key benefits for learners:
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This is a currently free IT Skills Programme for all NHS staff and NHS contractors
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Internationally recognised Microsoft Learning and Certification solutions are provided
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The training is available as classroom based, self paced or via e-learning
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After course completion learners can become Specialist or Experts in Microsoft Office applications following successful completion of exams
To find out more visit www.nhsmost.co.uk, email most@prodigysolutions.com or call 0845 399 1553.
NHS MOST Frequently Asked Question
General
What is the NHS MOST Programme?
The NHS Microsoft Office Skills Training (MOST) programme was established in April 2010 to increase NHS employee productivity when using the Microsoft Office applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access.
What are the benefits of the NHS MOST Programme?
The Programme was created to support NHS organisations who want to offer official Microsoft Office Skills Training and Microsoft Office Specialist Certification. The Programme offers NHS staff and NHS contractors the opportunity to acquire the IT skills necessary to increase productivity and be more efficient in their roles.
How much does it cost?
The learning materials, practice exams and Certification exams are currently free to all NHS staff and NHS contractors. They will remain free until at least June 2013.
How do I get involved?
To get involved please contact your local NHS MOST Centre. You can locate your closest centre here.
Alternatively email most@prodigysolutions.com or call 0845 399 1553. To get in touch with a member of the NHS MOST Programme team, email it.skills@nhs.net.
What about Microsoft IT Professional / Technical Certification exams?
The Microsoft IT Professional Certification stream is not included as part of the NHS MOST Programme but NHS staff and NHS contractors can access heavily discounted learning materials, practice exams and IT Professional Certification exams. If you are interested in the Microsoft Technical exams please email it.skills@nhs.net.
Learning Materials
How much do the NHS MOST learning materials cost?
All learning materials are free to all NHS staff and NHS contractors. The learning materials can be accessed via the Central Resources Portal. To access the Portal navigate to www.nhsmost.co.uk/portal
Why should I use them?
The learning materials have been developed specifically to get candidates ready for the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification exams. These learning materials map to the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification exam syllabus.
How do I access practice exams?
The practice exams require an access code for learners. These are available from local NHS MOST Centres. You can locate your closest centre here.
What e-learning is available?
Many courses are available ranging from Microsoft Office through to Microsoft Technical Certifications. The e-learning can be accessed via the Microsoft NHS Resource Centre at http://www.microsoft.com/uk/nhs/welcome.aspx
Contact Details and Web Resources
For further information about the Essential IT Skills Programme visit www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/eits