NQF Level

Level Description

Sample Qualifications

Entry

Entry level qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning in everyday situations under direct guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building basic knowledge and skills and is not geared towards specific occupations.

Entry Level

Level 1

Level 1 qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning with guidance or supervision. Learning at this level is about activities which mostly relate to everyday situations and may be linked to job competence.

NVQ 1;

GCSEs Grades D-G

Level 2

Level 2 qualifications recognise the ability to gain a good knowledge and understanding of a subject area of work or study, and to perform varied tasks with some guidance or supervision. Learning at this level involves building knowledge and/or skills in relation to an area of work or a subject area and is appropriate for many job roles.

NVQ 2;

GCSEs Grades A*-C

Level 3

Level 3 qualifications recognise the ability to gain, and where relevant apply a range of knowledge, skills and understanding. Learning at this level involves obtaining detailed knowledge and skills. It is appropriate for people wishing to go to university, people working independently, or in some areas supervising and training others in their field of work.

NVQ 3;

A levels

Level 4

Level 4 qualifications recognise specialist learning and involve detailed analysis of a high level of information and knowledge in an area of work or study. Learning at this level is appropriate for people working in technical and professional jobs, and/or managing and developing others.

NVQ 4;

Certificate of Higher Education

Level 5

Level 5 qualifications recognise the ability to increase the depth of knowledge and understanding of an area of work or study to enable the formulation of solutions and responses to complex problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the demonstration of high levels of knowledge, a high level of work expertise in job roles and competence in managing and training others. Qualifications at this level are appropriate for people working as higher grade technicians, professionals or managers.

Diplomas of Higher Education and Further Education; Foundation Degrees; Higher National Diplomas; BTEC

Registered Healthcare Practitioner

Level 6

Level 6 qualifications recognise a specialist high level knowledge of an area of work or study to enable the use of an individual’s own ideas and research in response to complex problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the achievement of a high level of professional knowledge and is appropriate for people working as knowledge-based professionals or in professional management positions.

Bachelors Degrees; Graduate Certificates and Diplomas

Level 7

Level 7 qualifications recognise highly developed and complex levels of knowledge which enable the development of in-depth and original responses to complicated and unpredictable problems and situations. Learning at this level involves the demonstration of high level specialist professional knowledge and is appropriate for senior professionals and managers.

Masters Degrees; Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas

Level 8

Level 8 qualifications recognise leading experts or practitioners in a particular field. Learning at this level involves the development of new and creative approaches that extend or redefine existing knowledge or professional practice.

Specialist awards; Doctorates

CF level

CF Level Name

CF Level Description

1

Initial Entry Level Jobs

Jobs such as ‘Domestics’ or ‘Cadets’ requiring very little formal education or previous knowledge, skills or experience in delivering, or supporting the delivery of healthcare.

2

Support Workers

Frequently with the job title of ‘Health Care Assistant’ or ‘Health Care Technician’ – probably studying for or has attained NVQ Level 2.

3

Senior Healthcare Assistants/Technicians

This is a higher level of responsibility than support worker, probably studying for or have attained NVQ Level 3, or Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

4

Assistant/Associate Practitioners

Probably studying for Foundation degree, BTEC higher or HND. Some of their remit will involve them in delivering protocol-based clinical care that had previously been in the remit of registered professionals, under the direction and supervision of a state registered practitioner.

5

Practitioners

Most frequently registered practitioners in their first and second post-registration / professional qualification jobs.

6

Senior/Specialist Practitioners

Staff who would have a higher degree of autonomy and responsibility than ‘Practitioners’ in the clinical environment; or who would be managing one or more service areas in the non-clinical environment.

7

Advanced Practitioners

Experienced clinical professionals who have developed their skills and theoretical knowledge to a very high standard. They are empowered to make high-level clinical decisions and will often have their own caseload. Non-clinical staff at Level 7 will typically be managing a number of service areas.

8

Consultant Practitioners

Staff working at a very high level of clinical expertise and/or have responsibility for the planning of services.

9

More Senior Staff

Staff with the ultimate responsibility for clinical caseload decision-making and have full on-call accountability.

Core Dimensions

Specific Dimensions

Remember:

• Both you and your manager will input to the discussion and decisions;
• The review will help you to reflect on the past year's performance, consider your strengths and development areas, and plan for future improvements and goals;
• Informal meetings and feedback should also take place throughout the year.