The Return to Practice process enables you to re-register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) after a period of time away from your profession. There are many reasons why you may not have practiced such as caring/parental responsibilities, illness, travel or other career routes. Wherever life has taken you, you'll have gained valuable transferable skills and life experience. We’d love you to bring these skills back to your profession.
Re-joining your profession begins with a period of updating - different requirements apply, depending on how long you have been out of professional practice. Once your updating period is complete, you can apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Once registered, you can begin applying for jobs in your profession.
If you're eligible to return to practice, you can arrange a period of supervised practice with your chosen health board – you can find out more information about eligibility and requirements of the process here
If you wish to progress with supervised practice, please use the AHP Return to Practice Request for Supervised Practice Form selecting NHS Shetland as the preferred organisation to undertake supervised practice. You’ll then need to do the following:
- Meet with an AHP Practice Education Lead so that they can check your documents and discuss the process with you
- Confirm your return to practice with NHS Shetland. They will then assign you a supervisor
NHS Careers Scotland has all the information you need about the steps to re-registration and resources to help you navigate back to practice as an AHP. There is also a Facebook group to connect you with other returning AHPs and offer help and guidance to support your successful return.
For more information, please contact Sarah Goudie (AHP Practice Education Lead) at: sarah.goudie@nhs.scot