Track for Band 6 test engineer

Checklist

Do each item in order. Tick it when it is done.

Your capability self-assessment

At every gate you complete the full instrument for this track: instruments/band-6-test-engineer.tsv (see instruments/README.md). It has Part A (21 band dimensions), Part B (UK GDaD PCF role aspects), Part C (skills), and Part D (an automation practical from Gate 1).

Part A: band outline (Band 6)

Dimension Band expectation
Part A item 1: Knowledge Specialist knowledge across a range of procedures, built through further training or experience.
Part A item 2: Autonomy Works independently; interprets policy for own area; seeks advice on complex issues.
Part A item 3: Scope A product, service, or workstream.
Part A item 4: Leadership May lead a small team or mentor colleagues.
Part A item 5: Accountability Outcomes of own workstream and quality of advice given.

Part A: job evaluation factors (reference levels)

Id Factor Reference level
Part A item 6 Communication and relationship skills 4
Part A item 7 Knowledge, training, and experience 6
Part A item 8 Analytical and judgemental skills 4
Part A item 9 Planning and organisational skills 3
Part A item 10 Physical skills 3
Part A item 11 Responsibility for patient and client care 1
Part A item 12 Responsibility for policy and service development 2
Part A item 13 Responsibility for financial and physical resources 1
Part A item 14 Responsibility for people 1
Part A item 15 Responsibility for information resources 4
Part A item 16 Responsibility for research and development 2
Part A item 17 Freedom to act 4
Part A item 18 Physical effort 1
Part A item 19 Mental effort 4
Part A item 20 Emotional effort 1
Part A item 21 Working conditions 2

A factor meets when the agreed level is at or above the reference level. One level below is Partly. Two or more below is Not yet. A skill in Part C meets when the gap is 0 or less, is Partly when the gap is 1, and is Not yet when the gap is 2 or more.

Part C: expected skill levels

Skill Source Expected level
Test analysis UK GDaD PCF Working
Test and quality planning UK GDaD PCF Working
Designing and executing tests UK GDaD PCF Working
Test engineering UK GDaD PCF Working
Managing, reporting and resolving defects UK GDaD PCF Working
Communicating between the technical and non-technical UK GDaD PCF Working
Understanding health and care services Health care Working
Clinical risk management Health care Working
Information governance and data protection Health care Working
Health data interoperability Health care Working

Not in this role level: Business and user acceptance testing, Medical device software regulation, People management.

Automation target

Test engineering expected by role Programme automation target In practice
Working Working Designs, builds, and maintains automated suites and adds them to pipelines.

Time

Protected time Approximate guided hours Optional extension
7.5 hours a week, by default 308 —

From hour 155.5, about 1.5 hours in every 7.5 hours of learning is real automation on your team's product, at this track's depth.

Learning outcomes, at this track's depth

Id Outcome Depth
Learning outcome 1 Decide which manual tests to automate, at which layer, and which to keep manual, by risk and cost. Independently
Learning outcome 2 Write, run, debug, and refactor JavaScript code to the team's standards. Independently
Learning outcome 3 Change test code through git and pull requests, and give and respond to review. Independently
Learning outcome 4 Locate, act, wait explicitly, and assert with Selenium, using resilient locators. Independently
Learning outcome 5 Turn a manual test or Given-When-Then scenario into a maintainable automated test. Independently
Learning outcome 6 Write automated API and integration tests, including HL7 FHIR validation. Independently
Learning outcome 7 Run suites in CI on every change, triage failures, and keep the suite fast and reliable. Independently
Learning outcome 8 Use synthetic data and keep secrets and personal data out of tests and pipelines. Independently
Learning outcome 9 Trace automated tests to hazards and produce test evidence for a clinical safety case. Independently
Learning outcome 10 Diagnose flaky tests and measure suite health with flow metrics. Independently
Learning outcome 11 Read, run, and make a small change to an existing Selenium suite that someone else wrote. Independently
Learning outcome 12 Plan, build or lead, and explain an automated regression suite for a real service. Independently
Learning outcome 13 Fully meet the person's own band and UK GDaD PCF role, measured by the capability self-assessment. Overall capability index of at least 90% at Gate 4
Learning outcome 14 Apply Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC) to measure and improve a testing process, and hold a Green Belt certification that does not expire. Independently
Learning outcome 15 Read, run, and explain a simple program with variables, functions, conditionals, and loops, in JavaScript or another language. Independently
Learning outcome 16 Write, run, and explain a browser automation script that requests a page, waits for it, selects elements by id, verifies text, clicks links, buttons, and select boxes, fills in form fields, and submits. Independently
Learning outcome 17 Use an AI assistant to get training advice, plan continuing professional development, compare concepts, explain code, and convert between user stories, Given-When-Then scenarios, and Selenium JavaScript, checking every answer. Independently
Learning outcome 18 Use the standard ISTQB testing vocabulary and principles, and hold the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level v4.0 certificate. Independently
Learning outcome 19 Explain test automation architecture, design, and deployment as the ISTQB Advanced Level Test Automation Engineer syllabus describes them, and hold that certificate. Independently

Module depths

Module Depth
Module 1 Basics of a programming language Independent
Module 2 Basics of a browser automator Independent
Module 3 Basics of an AI assistant Independent
Module 4 ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level Independent
Module 5 ISTQB Advanced Level Test Automation Engineer Independent
Module 6 Induction and baseline Independent
Module 7 Why and what to automate Independent
Module 8 Programming foundations Independent
Module 9 Version control and collaboration Independent
Module 10 Browser automation fundamentals Independent
Module 11 From walkthrough to real test Independent
Module 12 API, integration, and FHIR tests Independent
Module 13 Continuous integration and DevOps Independent
Module 14 Safe and lawful test automation Independent
Module 15 Quality engineering practice Independent
Module 16 Capstone Independent
Module 17 Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Independent
Role foundations Set by the individual learning plan
Health care foundations Independent
Coaching others in automation Lead or coach
Frameworks and non-functional testing Read and discuss

Track modules

Capstone (Module 16, hours 230.5 to 268)

An automated regression suite for a product slice of 15–30 manual cases: plan, browser and API tests, spec, synthetic data, CI, traceability, and handover README.

You present it to the Gate 4 panel for 20 minutes, aimed at a non-technical audience.

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (40 hours)

Every track has Lean Six Sigma training. You will earn your Lean Six Sigma Green Belt lifetime certification. You will work with your real team on your Lean Six Sigma Green Belt project. Estimate 40 hours for Lean Six Sigma training.

Your Green Belt project is a small project of your own, on your team's testing process. See the Module 17 module.

Gates and practicals

Gates are at programme hours 88, 133, 178, 215.5, and 268, and Gate 5 follows about six months after Gate 4. Each Part D practical takes 60 minutes. The tasks and marking notes for this track are in Part D practicals. Thresholds and conditions are in the gates overview.

Mentor

Your mentor is at least one band above you (Band 7 or higher) and at or above your automation target in test engineering (Working). One mentor supports up to 3 participants.

Self-assessment

The capability self-assessment for this track, which every gate repeats: 47 items, 21 in Part A, 16 in Part B, and 10 in Part C. Part D, the automation practical, is assessed at the gate.

  1. Before the gate, rate yourself on every item and write evidence. Rate what you do regularly.
  2. Your line manager rates you separately, in their own browser or on the exported file.
  3. Meet, agree each rating using the evidence, and record the agreed rating. Only agreed ratings count.
  4. Export the TSV for your gate review. Your mentor or training lead can also score it with scripts/capability_index.py.

Read the calibration guide first, and see the instruments for the scoring rules. Your answers stay in this browser.

Capability index

RatingPart APart BPart COverall
Self— (0/21)— (0/16)— (0/10)—
Manager— (0/21)— (0/16)— (0/10)—
Agreed (counts)— (0/21)— (0/16)— (0/10)—

Gate 0 is the baseline, with no threshold. Baseline, no threshold. The individual learning plan is agreed and signed.

Blank instrument

Part A: band

The 5 band outline dimensions, and the 16 job evaluation factors rated as the level you work at regularly.

Part A item 1 Band outline: Knowledge

Specialist knowledge across a range of procedures, built through further training or experience.

Rate against: Band 6: Specialist knowledge across a range of procedures, built through further training or experience.

Part A item 2 Band outline: Autonomy

Works independently; interprets policy for own area; seeks advice on complex issues.

Rate against: Band 6: Works independently; interprets policy for own area; seeks advice on complex issues.

Part A item 3 Band outline: Scope

A product, service, or workstream.

Rate against: Band 6: A product, service, or workstream.

Part A item 4 Band outline: Leadership

May lead a small team or mentor colleagues.

Rate against: Band 6: May lead a small team or mentor colleagues.

Part A item 5 Band outline: Accountability

Outcomes of own workstream and quality of advice given.

Rate against: Band 6: Outcomes of own workstream and quality of advice given.

Part A item 6 Job evaluation factor: Communication and relationship skills

Skills needed to communicate with, and build relationships with, colleagues, patients, the public, and partners. Considers how complex, sensitive, or contentious the information is, and any barriers to understanding or acceptance.

Expected: level 4
  • 1: Gives and receives routine information orally, mainly with colleagues.
  • 2: Gives and receives routine information orally, in writing, or electronically, with colleagues and others.
  • 3: Gives routine information needing tact or persuasion, or complex or sensitive information, or straightforward training to groups.
  • 4: Gives complex, sensitive, or contentious information needing persuasion, negotiation, or training skills, or highly complex information.
  • 5: Gives highly complex or contentious information needing developed persuasion and negotiation, presents to large groups, or communicates where there are significant barriers to acceptance.
  • 6: Gives highly complex, highly contentious information where there are significant barriers to acceptance, using the highest level of communication skills.

Part A item 7 Job evaluation factor: Knowledge, training, and experience

The knowledge and experience needed to do the job, from any source, including formal training, qualifications, and experience.

Expected: level 6
  • 1: A few routine procedures, learned on the job in a short induction.
  • 2: A range of routine procedures, learned through on-the-job training and induction.
  • 3: A range of procedures, some non-routine, needing base-level theory (for example a level 3 qualification or equivalent experience).
  • 4: A range of procedures, mostly non-routine, needing intermediate theory (for example a foundation degree or equivalent experience).
  • 5: Expertise in a specialism, underpinned by theory or practical experience (degree level or equivalent).
  • 6: Specialist knowledge across the range of the specialism (postgraduate diploma level or equivalent).
  • 7: Highly developed specialist knowledge across the range of the specialism (master's level or equivalent).
  • 8: Advanced knowledge (doctorate plus further training or equivalent), or specialist knowledge across more than one discipline built over a long period.

Part A item 8 Job evaluation factor: Analytical and judgemental skills

The analysis and judgement needed to process information, solve problems, and make decisions.

Expected: level 4
  • 1: Judgements on straightforward facts or situations.
  • 2: Judgements on facts or situations, some needing analysis.
  • 3: Judgements on a range of facts or situations needing analysis or comparison of options.
  • 4: Judgements on complex facts or situations needing analysis, interpretation, and comparison of options.
  • 5: Judgements on highly complex facts or situations needing analysis, interpretation, and comparison of options.

Part A item 9 Job evaluation factor: Planning and organisational skills

The planning and organising needed to run activities, programmes, services, or strategies.

Expected: level 3
  • 1: Organises own day-to-day work.
  • 2: Plans straightforward tasks or activities, some ongoing.
  • 3: Plans several complex activities, adjusting plans as needed.
  • 4: Plans a broad range of complex activities or strategies, adjusting them as needed.
  • 5: Forms long-term strategic plans, with uncertainty and effects across the organisation.

Part A item 10 Job evaluation factor: Physical skills

The physical skills needed, such as dexterity, coordination, keyboard skills, and driving.

Expected: level 3
  • 1: Little need for physical skills.
  • 2: Skills gained through practice, such as standard keyboard use or driving.
  • 3: Developed skills needing speed or accuracy, such as advanced keyboard use.
  • 4: Highly developed skills needing precision or speed and high hand–eye coordination.
  • 5: The highest level of precision, speed, and coordination.

Part A item 11 Job evaluation factor: Responsibility for patient and client care

Responsibility for assessing, treating, caring for, or advising patients and clients. For most digital and corporate roles this is incidental contact only.

Expected: level 1
  • 1: Helps patients, clients, or relatives during incidental contact.
  • 2: Gives general non-clinical advice, information, or services directly to patients or the public.
  • 3: Gives personal care, basic clinical technical services, or basic clinical advice.
  • 4: Carries out clinical care, provides clinical technical services, or advises on the care of patients.
  • 5: Develops programmes of care, provides specialist clinical technical services, or gives specialised advice on patient care.
  • 6: Develops specialised care, gives highly specialised advice, or is accountable for part of a clinical service.
  • 7: Accountable for delivering a clinical or care service.
  • 8: Corporate responsibility for clinical or care services.

Part A item 12 Job evaluation factor: Responsibility for policy and service development

Responsibility for developing and implementing policies and services, and how far the effects reach.

Expected: level 2
  • 1: Follows policies set by others; may comment on changes.
  • 2: Implements policies for own area and proposes changes to its practices.
  • 3: Implements policies for own area and proposes changes that affect other areas.
  • 4: Implements policy and develops policy or services for a service or several areas.
  • 5: Implements and develops a range of policies or services for a directorate.
  • 6: Corporate responsibility for major policy or service development across or beyond the organisation.

Part A item 13 Job evaluation factor: Responsibility for financial and physical resources

Responsibility for money, budgets, equipment, stock, buildings, and other assets.

Expected: level 1
  • 1: Takes personal care of equipment and resources used in own work.
  • 2: Handles cash or valuables, looks after equipment used by others, controls stock, or authorises small payments.
  • 3: Authorises payments, buys some assets or supplies, monitors or holds a delegated budget, or maintains assets.
  • 4: Holds or sets the budget for a department or service, or buys or maintains its assets.
  • 5: Holds or sets budgets, or manages assets, for several services.
  • 6: Corporate responsibility for the organisation's finances or assets.

Part A item 14 Job evaluation factor: Responsibility for people

Responsibility for managing, supervising, training, or developing staff, or for providing people (HR) services.

Expected: level 1
  • 1: Shows own work routines to new or less experienced colleagues.
  • 2: Supervises or coordinates staff day to day, trains others regularly, or gives basic HR advice.
  • 3: Manages a group of staff day to day, teaches core or specialist training, or gives core HR advice.
  • 4: Line manages a function or department, designs training programmes as a main duty, or delivers a full range of HR services.
  • 5: Line manages several departments, or manages training or a large part of HR across the organisation.
  • 6: Corporate responsibility for the organisation's people or HR function.

Part A item 15 Job evaluation factor: Responsibility for information resources

Responsibility for information and information systems, paper or digital, including records, data, and the systems that hold them.

Expected: level 4
  • 1: Records information that the job holder produces.
  • 2: Enters or stores data compiled by others, or occasionally writes reports or queries.
  • 3: Takes formal minutes, regularly writes reports or queries, or maintains information systems as a significant duty.
  • 4: Adapts or designs information systems to others' specifications, or runs information systems for a department as the main duty.
  • 5: Designs and develops major information systems, or runs information systems for several services as the main duty.
  • 6: Manages and develops information systems across the organisation as the main duty.
  • 7: Corporate responsibility for the organisation's information systems.

Part A item 16 Job evaluation factor: Responsibility for research and development

Responsibility for formal research, development, evaluation, audits, testing, and trials.

Expected: level 2
  • 1: Carries out surveys or audits for own work; occasionally takes part in research or testing.
  • 2: Regularly does research, development, trials, or equipment and system testing as part of the job.
  • 3: Carries out research or development within formal programmes as a main duty.
  • 4: Coordinates and carries out research and development programmes.
  • 5: Initiates and develops research and development programmes that support the organisation's objectives.
  • 6: Initiates and develops research and development programmes with effects beyond the organisation.

Part A item 17 Job evaluation factor: Freedom to act

How far the job holder decides what to do and how, and how closely their work is supervised.

Expected: level 4
  • 1: Works within set procedures, with supervision close by.
  • 2: Follows standard procedures and precedent; someone is usually available to ask; work may be checked.
  • 3: Follows defined policies and procedures; work is managed rather than supervised.
  • 4: Results are defined, but the job holder decides how to achieve them, within broad policy.
  • 5: Works within general policies, and in most cases decides how to interpret them.
  • 6: Interprets overall policy and strategy to set goals and standards.

Part A item 18 Job evaluation factor: Physical effort

The physical effort needed, considering its frequency, duration, and intensity.

Expected: level 1
  • 1: Sitting, standing, and walking, with little physical effort.
  • 2: Frequent sitting or standing in a restricted position, or occasional light to moderate effort.
  • 3: Frequent light effort for long periods, or frequent moderate effort for short periods.
  • 4: Ongoing light effort, frequent moderate effort for long periods, or occasional intense effort.
  • 5: Ongoing moderate effort, or frequent intense effort.

Part A item 19 Job evaluation factor: Mental effort

The concentration needed, considering its frequency, duration, and how predictable the work is.

Expected: level 4
  • 1: General attention; occasional concentration on predictable work.
  • 2: Frequent concentration on predictable work, or occasional concentration on unpredictable work.
  • 3: Frequent concentration on unpredictable work, or occasional prolonged concentration.
  • 4: Frequent prolonged concentration, or occasional intense concentration.
  • 5: Frequent intense concentration.

Part A item 20 Job evaluation factor: Emotional effort

The emotional demands of the job, from direct or indirect exposure to distressing circumstances, such as reading distressing case records or handling serious incidents.

Expected: level 1
  • 1: Rare exposure, or occasional indirect exposure, to distressing circumstances.
  • 2: Occasional exposure, or frequent indirect exposure, to distressing circumstances.
  • 3: Frequent exposure to distressing circumstances, or occasional exposure to highly distressing ones.
  • 4: Occasional exposure to traumatic circumstances, or frequent exposure to highly distressing ones.

Part A item 21 Job evaluation factor: Working conditions

Exposure to unpleasant conditions or hazards. Near-continuous screen use on most days counts at level 2.

Expected: level 2
  • 1: Rare exposure to unpleasant conditions.
  • 2: Occasional unpleasant conditions, frequent travel or outdoor work, or near-continuous screen use on most days.
  • 3: Frequent unpleasant conditions, or occasional highly unpleasant ones.
  • 4: Some exposure to hazards, or frequent highly unpleasant conditions.
  • 5: Considerable exposure to hazards.

Part B: UK GDaD PCF role aspects

Every UK GDaD PCF role statement (Part B group 1), role level statement (Part B group 2), and reference responsibility (Part B group 3).

Part B item 1.1 UK GDaD PCF role: Test engineer

maintain automated tests in continuous integration, continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines

Part B item 1.2 UK GDaD PCF role: Test engineer

use, develop and standardise reusable frameworks and tools following engineering practices and standards

Part B item 1.3 UK GDaD PCF role: Test engineer

analyse and test artefacts such as products, services and business processes

Part B item 1.4 UK GDaD PCF role: Test engineer

promote quality considerations throughout the development life cycle

Part B item 1.5 UK GDaD PCF role: Test engineer

support the resolution of technical issues

Part B item 2.1 UK GDaD PCF role level: Test engineer

determine test scope and estimate the effort required

Part B item 2.2 UK GDaD PCF role level: Test engineer

select and use the most appropriate test approaches and techniques to mitigate risk

Part B item 2.3 UK GDaD PCF role level: Test engineer

use technical tooling and engineering approaches to design and execute tests

Part B item 2.4 UK GDaD PCF role level: Test engineer

develop and maintain technical test suites

Part B item 2.5 UK GDaD PCF role level: Test engineer

develop reports, record outcomes and support the resolution of defects

Part B item 2.6 UK GDaD PCF role level: Test engineer

contribute to and follow engineering practices and standards

Part B item 3.1 Reference responsibility: Test engineer

Design and build automated functional, integration, and API tests for clinical and patient-facing services.

Part B item 3.2 Reference responsibility: Test engineer

Build tests that check messages against HL7 FHIR profiles and other interoperability specifications.

Part B item 3.3 Reference responsibility: Test engineer

Generate synthetic patient data that covers realistic and edge clinical cases.

Part B item 3.4 Reference responsibility: Test engineer

Add tests to delivery pipelines so that safety-related checks run on every change.

Part B item 3.5 Reference responsibility: Test engineer

Estimate test effort, report outcomes, and support the resolution of defects.

Part C: skills

Every skill in the reference role level, rated 0 to 4.

Part C item 1 Skill: Communicating between the technical and non-technical

Communicating between the technical and non-technical involves conveying information using the most effective medium and language for the audience.

Expected: Working

You can: - communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders - support and host discussions within a multidisciplinary team, with potentially difficult dynamics - be an advocate for the team externally - manage differing stakeholder perspectives

Next level, Practitioner: You can: - listen to and interpret the needs of technical and non-technical stakeholders, and manage their expectations - manage active and reactive communication - support or host difficult discussions within the team or with diverse senior stakeholders

Part C item 2 Skill: Designing and executing tests

Designing and executing tests involves applying appropriate test types and techniques to create and run tests that align to user needs and requirements.

Expected: Working

You can: - set up suitable environments with some support - select appropriate test types and techniques with some support - design, build, maintain and execute tests that align to user needs and requirements - conduct exploratory testing - research and try new test types and techniques

Next level, Practitioner: You can: - set up suitable environments - influence and guide the use of appropriate test types and techniques to mitigate risk early - lead others in designing, building, maintaining and executing tests that align to user needs and requirements - contribute to developing and implementing standards for designing and executing tests - improve test types and techniques through a structured process.

Part C item 3 Skill: Managing, reporting and resolving defects

Managing, reporting and resolving defects involves reporting progress, outcomes and issues, whilst contributing to improving defect management processes.

Expected: Working

You can: - collaborate with others to create a defect management process to report, communicate and resolve defects, with support - critically assess dependencies, defects and risks, with support - contribute to mitigation and contingency plans - clearly communicate risks and the impact of defects to stakeholders

Next level, Practitioner: You can: - contribute to developing standards for defect management processes - manage and escalate dependencies, defects and risks across teams - contribute to mitigation and contingency plans across teams - use defect patterns and trends to make recommendations on testing and quality approaches, with support - manage stakeholder expectations and communications during defect resolution

Part C item 4 Skill: Test analysis

Test analysis involves analysing information, such as requirements, user stories, designs and specifications, to identify and understand how to act on quality risks.

Expected: Working

You can: - work with stakeholders to determine which functional and non-functional quality characteristics add value - determine what to test following an agreed approach - identify and advocate for test needs, such as data, access and environments, with support - analyse information to identify risks

Next level, Practitioner: You can: - lead work with stakeholders across teams to determine which functional and non-functional quality characteristics add value - determine if an approach needs to change based on effort and risk - ensure test needs are implemented early - use multiple techniques to analyse complex information to identify risks - coach others in test analysis

Part C item 5 Skill: Test and quality planning

Test and quality planning involves creating, following and adapting quality testing activities to ensure the quality of products, services and programmes.

Expected: Working

You can: - create or adapt quality testing approaches based on risk, with some support - follow a quality testing strategy and contribute to its development - contribute to continuous improvement of quality testing approaches, plans and strategies

Next level, Practitioner: You can: - work with teams to develop and implement appropriate quality testing approaches, plans and strategies - contribute to organisational quality testing strategies - implement ways to capture data to drive continuous improvement of quality testing approaches, plans and strategies - advocate for full team ownership of quality testing activities, encouraging early engagement

Part C item 6 Skill: Test engineering

Test engineering involves developing test automation solutions that enable fast feedback on quality characteristics. Programme automation target for this track: Working.

Expected: Working

You can: - use test engineering frameworks and tools to support testing activities - follow test engineering practices and standards, such as source control and continuous integration, continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines - integrate and execute tests to ensure early testing and continuous feedback - create and maintain automated tests, with some support - write and review coded solutions, with some support

Next level, Practitioner: You can: - develop, standardise and extend reusable frameworks and tools to support a range of testing activities - guide and coach others in creating and maintaining comprehensive and reliable tests that meet standards - research and prepare for future testing needs, including tools, methodologies and techniques - maintain and adapt continuous integration, continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines

Part C item 7 Skill: Understanding health and care services

Understanding how health and care services are organised and delivered, how clinicians and care staff work, and how digital services support patient care.

Expected: Working

You can: - explain the clinical and care workflows your work supports - use common health care terms correctly with clinical and care colleagues - recognise when a change could affect patient care and raise it

Next level, Practitioner: You can: - analyse how a service fits into care pathways across organisations - work with clinicians, care staff, and patients to shape digital services - explain the effect of digital decisions on care, safety, and staff workload

Part C item 8 Skill: Clinical risk management

Identifying, assessing, and controlling the risks that health IT systems can pose to patients, through a clinical risk management process, hazard logs, and safety cases (for example following ISO 14971 and IEC 80001-1).

Expected: Working

You can: - take part in hazard workshops and contribute to a hazard log - follow the clinical risk management process for your work - provide evidence for a clinical safety case, such as test results

Next level, Practitioner: You can: - lead hazard identification and risk assessment for a product or change - write and maintain hazard logs and clinical safety case reports - agree risk controls with product teams and check that they work - advise teams on applying clinical risk management standards

Part C item 9 Skill: Information governance and data protection

Handling personal and health information lawfully, securely, and ethically, including data protection law, confidentiality, consent, data protection impact assessments, and information sharing.

Expected: Working

You can: - apply data protection principles to your work - contribute to data protection impact assessments - handle information requests and records correctly

Next level, Practitioner: You can: - lead data protection impact assessments and information sharing agreements - advise teams on lawful basis, consent, confidentiality, and retention - investigate incidents and recommend improvements

Part C item 10 Skill: Health data interoperability

Exchanging health and care data safely and consistently between systems using open standards such as HL7 FHIR, HL7 version 2, IHE profiles, and standard APIs.

Expected: Working

You can: - read and use FHIR resources, profiles, and APIs - build or test simple integrations under guidance - check messages against a specification

Next level, Practitioner: You can: - design and build integrations using FHIR, HL7 version 2, and messaging patterns - write and profile FHIR resources and implementation guides - resolve complex mapping and data quality issues between systems

View this document on GitHub materials/tracks/band-6-test-engineering/index.md