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Medical Specialty Training (England)

Applicant Guide

for application and recruitmentto medical specialty training in England in 2010

Issue 3First published 27 November 2009See also www.mmc.nhs.uk


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List of amendments since first published

Issue 1 published 27th November 2009

Issue 2 published 4th December 2009

Pages 41-42 Annex C: Guidance for overseas applicants.Eligibility references to applicants for Tier 2 ST4 Paediatrics shortagespeciality, Tier 4 students and non medical applicants to PublicHealth.

Issue 3 published 11th December 2009

Pages 41-42 Annex C: Guidance for overseas applicants.Eligibility references to applicants for HSMP or partner/civil partner orspouse, Tier 1 clearance worker, PBS Tier 2 sponsered workers,partner/civil partner or spouse of a PBS Tier 2 worker, PBS Tier 5

workers, and partner/civil partner or spouse of a PBS Tier 5 workeramendments.

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This applicant guide can be downloaded in PDF format from www.mmc.nhs.uk

This guide is relevant for specialty training in England in 2010. If you are interested infinding out more about the UK Foundation Programme, Academic ClinicalFellowships, GP training or about training in the other three UK countries, please visitthe relevant websites:

Foundation Training: www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk

GP Training: www.gprecruitment.org.uk

Recruitment for Academic Clinical Fellowships in Medicine and Dentistry in England:http://www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk/

Recruitment to medical specialty training in Scotland:http://www.mmc.scot.nhs.uk/

Recruitment to medical specialty training in Wales:http://www.mmcwales.org/

Recruitment to medical specialty training in Northern Ireland:http://www.nimdta.gov.uk/

You may also like to refer to the following publications available fromwww.mmc.nhs.uk

Quick Guide to recruitment in 2010Published: October 2009 by the Department of Health Modernising Medical Careers

Programme Team, developed and designed in partnership with specialty traineesand trainers. The Quick Guide is a short version of the main applicant guide. As aninteractive PDF, it offers instant access to essential information on the recruitmentprocess.

A Guide to Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK 2009 (The Gold Guide)Published: September 2009 by the four UK Health Departments. The Gold Guideprovides detailed information about the postgraduate specialty and GP trainingprogrammes that commenced in August 2009. It should be read only in conjunctionwith this 2010 guidance for the most up to date procedures. The Gold Guide is duefor review in spring 2010.

For details on the approval of training programmes, please refer to the PostgraduateMedical Education and Training Board (PMETB) website:www.pmetb.org.uk

First published by the Department of Health and Medical Programme Board(England) on 27 November 2009.

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Contents

1. Welcome to recruitment to specialty training 2010 41.1 Overview of specialty training in England 2010 41.2 Flexibility in training less than full time training 6

1.3 Overview of recruitment in 2010 61.4 At-a-glance view of the recruitment process in England 91.5 The competition 101.6 Considering the longer term 11

2. Stage 1 Getting started 122.1 Eligibility 12

3. Stage 2 Choosing your specialty 163.1 Person specifications for jobs in England 16

4. Stage 3 Vacancies and applications 19

4.1 English job adverts and where to find them 194.2 Planning your application choices 194.3 The application form 20

5. Stage 4 Interviews and offers 235.1 Shortlisting 235.2 How interview panels run 245.3 What to prepare and take with you 255.4 Planning your approach to the interview 255.5 Requesting feedback 265.6 Training offers 275.7 Acceptances 285.8 Deferring the start of a specialty training programme (for run-through 31

programmes only5.9 Avoiding problems 315.10 About the different rounds of recruitment to specialty training 325.11 Non-UK/EAA applicants 325.12 Applying in round 2 when you have already accepted an offer 32

in round 15.13 Options available to you if you do not gain a training post 33

6. Support to applicants 346.1 Support from your local deanery 34

6.2 Support from the deanery to which you are applying 346.3 Other sources of information and advice 356.4 Medical specialty training helpdesk 356.5 Fair, legal and equitable 36

Annex A: Standard national parts of the England application form 37

Annex B: Links to further information 38

Annex C: Guidance for overseas nationals 41

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1. Welcome to recruitment to specialty training 2010

This applicant guide is intended to help you make the best possible applications,starting with your specialty choices and continuing through the application process to

its outcome.

You may face some tough decisions. The section on competition, for example, willoffer some useful information. In addition, your local deanery and the deaneries towhich you may be applying are ready to help you. You will find more information onthis insection 6: Support to applicants.

Good luck with your applications!

1.1 Overview of specialty training in England in 2010

There are two types of training programmes in specialty training:

Run-through training, where your progression to the next level of trainingis automatic (so long as you satisfy all the competency requirements); and

Uncoupled training programmes, where there are two years of coretraining (three in some specialties), followed by another open competition forhigher training posts and progression to completion of training (provided yousatisfy all the competency requirements).

In 2010, some specialties are offering run-through programmes, some specialtiesare offering uncoupled programmes and Trauma and Orthopaedics has both typeson offer.

All specialty training programmes lead eventually to a Certificate of Completion ofTraining (CCT), which qualifies you for entry to the Specialist or GP Register held bythe General Medical Council (GMC), subject to the successful attainment of requiredcompetences.

There are other job opportunities and points of entry, such as one-year training posts,known as Fixed Term Specialty Training Appointments (FTSTAs) and ad hocvacancies at different stages of training. FTSTAs are only available in run-through

specialties. They offer an opportunity to gain more experience before applying for alonger term position.

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The table below shows which English specialties in 2010 are offering run-throughtraining and which are offering core training followed by open competition.

Offer of run-through training in2010

(Specialty training years arereferred to as ST1, ST2, ST3 etc.)

Offer with uncoupling in 2010(Core training years are referred to as CT1, CT2

etc. and higher training years are referred to asST3, ST4 etc.)

Obstetrics and Gynaecology Anaesthesia

Ophthalmology Core Medical Training, leading to competitiveentry to 28 medical specialties

Paediatrics and Child Health Core Surgical Training, leading to competitiveentry to nine surgical specialties

General Practice Emergency Medicine (three years of coretraining)

Public Health Medicine Psychiatry (three years of core training)

Neurosurgery

Histopathology

Chemical Pathology

Medical Microbiology/Virology

Clinical Radiology

Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery*

*In Trauma and Orthopaedics, most training programmes are uncoupled, but four deaneries are alsooffering run-through training. The deaneries offering run-through as well as core training are Northern,West Midlands, North Western and Yorkshire and the Humber.

Seesection 3.1for a complete list of specialties.

The terminology for core training is CT1, CT2 (and CT3 for Psychiatry andEmergency Medicine), agreed with the Postgraduate Medical Education and TrainingBoard (PMETB). These terms refer to one of the following approved trainingprogrammes:

Core Medical Training Acute Care Common Stem Core Surgical Training

Core Psychiatric Training

The entry competition between core training and higher specialty training will be opento all eligible applicants (including those working in non-training posts or otherwisenot on core training programmes).

Fixed Term Specialty Training Appointments, FTSTA1 and FTSTA2 (FTSTA3 inPaediatrics and Neurosurgery), will continue in run-through specialties to add to theopportunities for doctors to develop their training experience and improve theirchances of entering later to specialty training.

Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACFs) offer run-through training in specialties that

are normally uncoupled. For further information visit http://www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk/

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Notes:

1. If you are offered core training in a specialty, this does not guarantee progressionthrough to Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). There will be anotherround of open competition at the end of core training CT2 (CT3 for psychiatry andemergency medicine).

2. Successful completion of an acute medicine themed acute care common stemprogramme will provide eligibility for training at ST3 in the medical specialties.However, for anaesthetics, a further specialty specific CT2 will be linked to theanaesthetic themed acute care common stem CT1 and CT2. This means thatoffers for this specialty will be for three years of core training.

3. Core training for emergency medicine is for three years, followed by competitiveentry to ST4. Entry to training in emergency medicine is through a themed coreprogramme within the acute care common stem, CT1 and CT2, followed by a

specialty specific CT3.

4. Clinical radiology level ST1 welcomes applicants from ST1, 2, 3 and CT 1, 2, 3 inacute care clinical specialties, such as medicine, surgery and paediatrics. It isalso possible to apply direct from Foundation training.

1.2 Flexibility in training less than full-time training

If you are unable to train full time, you may apply for less than full-time training,provided you can show that training on a full-time basis would not be practical for you

for well-founded reasons. Well-founded reasons would include, for exampledisability, ill health, carers responsibilities, religious commitments and uniqueopportunities for personal or professional development.

Less than full-time training shall meet the same requirements in specialty andgeneral practice training as full-time training, except that there will be fewer hours ofwork per week.

For further information on less than full time training please see Sections 6.47-6.57 ofthe Gold Guide, the Reference Guide for Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK,available from www.mmc.nhs.uk

1.3 Overview of recruitment in 2010

Most recruitment is organised nationally by one of the English Royal Colleges or by alead deanery on behalf of all the English deaneries. This means that you completeone online application and state your deanery preferences, rather than submittingmultiple applications.

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The following tables show which specialities are recruiting through a nationalrecruiting office in 2010.

Applications via Royal College websites in 2010

Royal College Level SpecialtyRoyal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologyhttps://obsjobs.rcog.org.uk/

Alllevels

Obstetrics andGynaecology

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Healthhttps://paedjobs.rcpch.ac.uk/

Alllevels

Paediatricsand ChildHealth

Royal College of Physicianshttp://www.cmtrecruitment.org.uk/

CT1 Core MedicalTraining

Royal College of Psychiatryhttp://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/training/nationalrecruitment.aspx

CT1andST4

Psychiatry

Applications via lead deanery websites in 2010

Lead deanery Level SpecialtyEast Midlandshttps://phrecruitment.konetic.net/cac/home.aspx

ST1 Public Health

Kent, Surrey and Sussexhttp://www.kssdeanery.org/prospectus

ST3 Clinical Oncology

ST1 Clinical RadiologyST1 Histopathology

Londonhttp://www.londondeanery.ac.uk/

ST3 Plastic Surgery

National Recruitment Officehttp://www.gprecruitment.org.uk/ ST1 General Practice

ST3 UrologyNorthernhttp://www.northerndeaneryrecruitment.nhs.uk ST3 Paediatric SurgerySevernhttp://www.severndeanery.nhs.uk/

ST3 Oral-maxillo FacialSurgery (OMFS)

ST3 Cardiothoracic SurgeryST3 Clinical Genetics

West Midlandswww.westmidlandsdeanery.nhs.uk

CT2andST3

Anaesthetics

ST4 Emergency Medicine

ST3 Ear, Nose and Throat(ENT)

ST3 Neurophysiology

Yorkshire and the Humber

http://www.yorksandhumberdeanery.nhs.uk/

Alllevels

Neurosurgery

Local deaneries are recruiting to Core Surgical Training and other specialties.

Each recruiting office is responsible for:

advertising vacancies

providing helpful information on the recruitment process receiving online applications

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shortlisting based on set criteria and scoring systems (using nationally agreedperson specifications)

interviewing and selecting successful applicants making offers and receiving acceptances. clear accountability for the process in case of legal challenge.

If you are applying through a national process to one of the specialties listed above,you may expect the following to be consistent whichever deanery you may beapplying to:

Information on the application process and how to complete the applicationform

Information on interview and assessment methods Assessment forms to be completed at the interview Information on the consideration of disability or other impediments that may

impact on shortlisting, arrangements for interviews and selection at interview Communications such as letters inviting you to interview or informing you of

the outcome of various stages.

Specialties organising recruitment nationally should make offers first by rank order ofapplicants interview/assessment scores before considering applicants preferences.

Summary information for each nationally coordinated specialty is available fromhttp://www.mmc.nhs.uk/colleges__deanery_recruitment/royal_colleges.aspx

Key dates in 2010

Recruitment to CT1 in Psychiatry opens 30 November 2009 (deadline forapplications 15 January 2010) First main recruitment round opens 4 December 2009. This is mainly to ST1

and CT1 posts and some run-through specialties Paediatrics and ChildHealth and Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Deadline for Round 1 applications 18 December 2009 GP recruitment opens 7 December 2009 Deadline for GP applications 20 December 2009 Interviews from 6 January 2010

Recruitment to CT2, CT3, ST3 (for uncoupled specialties) starts from 15February 2010

Round 1 ends 26 March 2010 Second recruitment round opens 6 April 2010 Round 2 job offers by 14 June 2010, where possible, for August start date Recruitment to fill vacancies continues to end November 2010

Each recruiting office must publish in advance on their website, the timetable theyare working to, including when applications open and close and interview dates, sothat you can plan your applications.

2010 recruitment for Academic Clinical Fellowships (ACFs)

2010 recruitment for Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) posts started on 2

November 2009 with a deadline for applicationsby 4 December 2009.

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This recruitment process is run by the National Institute for Health Research TraineesCoordinating Centre. For details, please visit the NIHR Trainees Coordinating Centrewebsite www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk

1.4 At-a-glance view of the recruitment process in England

Stage 1Getting started(See section 2)

You must meet eligibility criteria by theapplication closing date of the programme/postfor which you are applying, including exampasses, if required.

Stage 2Choosing your

specialty(See section 3)

Check College and deanery websites for trainingprogrammes and application processes. Visit

www.mmc.nhs.uk for other useful informationand person specifications for each specialty.

Stage 3Vacancies andapplications

(See section 4)

Search College and deanery websites, GPrecruitment or NHS Jobs for vacancies.Vacancies will be advertised for a limited period(min two calendar weeks). Apply by eachindividual closing date, showing how you meetthe criteria set by the person specification. Youwill be shortlisted for interview against the criteriain the person specification. You may be given alimited time to confirm whether you will beattending the interview or assessment centre.This will be made clear in the application details.

Applicant support(See section 6)

Doctors in training can seekcareers advice from tutors andothers in their local deanery.Staff grade doctors can seeksupport from their consultantsor others in medical staffing.

SeeAnnex Bfor links to arange of websites providing

information.

Stage 4Interviews and

offers(See section 5)

Prepare to take with you the required evidence ofyour eligibility and competences. (If you donttake the required documents with you, you couldrisk being refused an interview.)Offers are coordinated for Core Medical Training,GP, Psychiatry and Paediatrics and Child Health.

Offers in these specialties may be held until 22March. For other specialties, you will have aminimum of 48 hours (not including weekendsand bank holidays) to accept or decline aprogramme offer. After the agreed deadline, theoffer will be deemed to have been declined.

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1.5 The competition

The medical specialty training website provides direct links to:

indicative competition figures (from recruitment in 2009) for specialties anddeaneries

the latest information on vacancies for 2010.

When deciding which posts and specialties to apply for, we urge all applicants toconsider carefully the likely levels of competition involved and to be prepared to beflexible about your choices.

You should also think about the way that healthcare is developing in the future, aswell as the competition involved in your chosen specialty and/or the deanery to whichyou are applying. For example, changes in demography, especially and anincreasingly elderly population, and patient expectations are creating a rapid trend

towards more healthcare being delivered in the community and primary care settingsin the next five years. Around half of the training posts in the next few years will be inGeneral Practice, whereas the number of posts in surgical specialties is decreasing.

High levels of competition for ST3 posts in 2010

Trainees in run-through programmes will proceed to the next level of training in 2010,provided they pass the appropriate assessments.

In uncoupled training programmes, we are anticipating very high levels ofcompetition for higher specialty training post. In addition to those who are currentlyin their final year of core training, there could be a large number of applicants in non-training posts who may be interested in entering the competition for higher specialtytraining.

College and deaneries have therefore agreed to start recruitment to CT2 / ST3 (ST4)posts in February 2010, at a time when deaneries will have a clearer view of thevacancies in higher specialty training.

It is best to plan on the assumption that there will be many more applicants thanposts available. Potential applicants are advised to plan their applications carefullyand to prepare to be flexible in the event that you may be unsuccessful in getting a

place with your first choice specialty and/or deanery.

Considering your options in the light of the competition

Given the intense level of competition, you should think very carefully about thespecialties and locations to which you apply.

The medical specialty training website www.mmc.nhs.uk has information on thecompetition in 2009 that shows, for example, the number of applications in Round 1,the number of jobs and the number of people shortlisted.

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These figures do not claim to show what will happen in 2010, but do offer a broadindication of which were the most and least subscribed specialties and areas in theprevious recruitment year.

There is an important point to note for those considering applying for FTSTA1 postsin those specialties that are retaining run-through training. If you are successful inobtaining an FTSTA1 in those specialties, your chances of obtaining a run-throughpost at ST2 in 2011 will be relatively low, as there will be very few available.

1.6 Considering the longer term

In addition to looking at the short term influences on your career choices, it isimportant to consider the longer term and the changing pattern of careeropportunities as a result of the changing needs of patients.

Some trends are highlighted in High Quality Care for Allthat was published in June2008 by the Department of Health. Such trends include, for example:

A continuing shift towards more care closer to home in primary care andcommunity settings and a growing demand for primary care

Continued centralisation in specialised care and further developments in sub-specialisation

A growing emphasis on improving health that will create more demand forpublic health expertise.

Greater involvement of clinicians in policy and planning, innovation andchange. From medical school onwards, doctors will be supported to developmanagerial as well as clinical skills.

A new national independent advisory body has been set up called NHS MedicalEducation England (MEE).MEE provides independent expert advice to Ministers onthe content and structure of professional education and training as it relates to dentalteams, doctors, healthcare scientists & technologists and pharmacy teams, and onthe quality of workforce planning for these groups at a national level. One of MEE'scurrent projects is an evaluation of the two-year medical Foundation Programme aspart of a wider review of postgraduate education and training.

For further information visit www.mee.nhs.uk

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2. Stage 1 Getting started

Choose your specialty Section 3.1shows a complete list of specialty training

posts available in 2010. Royal College websites provideinformation about the specialty and whats involved. Youcan also visit www.medicalcareers.nhs.uk to explorecareer options.

Check the applicationprocess

Section 1.1shows which specialties are recruiting througha nationally coordinated process and gives websiteaddresses for these recruiting offices. Other specialtiesare offered by each local deanery. SeeAnnex Bfor a listof deaneries and their website addresses.

Plan your time Seesection 1.3for key datesReview personspecifications

All of the up to date person specifications are available onwww.mmc.nhs.uk The person specification will guide youin preparing your portfolio of evidence of yourachievements and competences, ready to show atinterview.

Register for onlineapplications

Many specialties use an online application process thatrequires you to register first. Its best to do this early toavoid any technical difficulties when it comes to submittingyour application.

If you are interested in applying for those specialties that are recruiting by means of anational process, you will be able to apply for your preferred posts in a singleapplication. For full details on each specialty, you should visit the relevant websites

as listed insection 1.1.

SeeAnnex Bfor links to further information

2.1 Eligibility

See alsoAnnex C Guidance for overseas nationals

Eligibility to apply for specialty training in England in 2010

There are strict rules about eligibility to apply for specialty training in England. If youare submitting an application in 2010, you will need to make sure that you meet allthe eligibility criteria by the application closing date. These are indicated on nationalperson specifications (seesection 3.1) and should be included in application details.

Full details will be available from the recruiting office advertising the post you areinterested in. Application forms will ask for information to show that you satisfy thecriteria and you may be asked to provide further written evidence at interview.

In preparing for this, you may find the following checklist useful.

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Eligibility checklist

Confirmed registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) orGeneral Dental Council (GDC)You will need to hold full GMC registration status and a current licence to

practice (GDC registration status is also required for OMFS) by the time ofappointment of post (unless you are applying to Public Health training andyou are from a background other than medicine). You will need to confirm thiswhen you apply. For further information seewww.gmc-uk.org/doctors/before_you_apply/registration_factsheet.asp

Right to work in the UKUK and EEA nationals and doctors whose immigration status entitles them towork as a doctor in training in the UK are eligible to apply for specialtytraining. Evidence of immigration status would be a date stamped passportand/or identity card, together with an accompanying letter from the Homeoffice detailing which type of visa has been granted. Both of these documents

need to be dated as at or prior to the application closing date.

Other non-UK or non-EEA nationals with limited leave to remain in the UK,whose employment will require a Tier 2 visa, are subject to the residentlabour market test. This would include, for example, doctors on student visasor Tier 1 Points Based System who are restricted from taking employment asa doctor in training. The labour market test means that you would only beconsidered if there were no suitable UK or EEA national (settled status)candidate for the post.

You will be asked to bring your passport and proof of your immigration statusto any interviews or assessments you attend.

English language skillsIf your undergraduate training was not in English, you will need to providewritten evidence of English language skills e.g. valid English LanguageTesting System (IELTS 7.0) certificate, confirmation your undergraduatetraining was in English or other written evidence verified by an appropriateemployer or supervisor. You will be required to bring this with you to anyinterviews or assessment centres that you attend.

It has been agreed for 2010 the required IELTS score is 7 in all domains(speaking, listening, reading and writing), to be achieved in a single sittingand within 24 months of the time of application.

College examsIf college exams are a requirement for entry at the level to which you areapplying, you must have received notification of having sat and passed theexam by the closing date of your application.

Match to person specificationEach specialty has a nationally agreed person specification that lists therequired competences for that specialty. You will need to provide evidence toprove that you have achieved the specified competences. Seesection 3.1about the national person specifications.

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Match to specialty levelThe following shows the possible levels of entry to specialty training and ageneral guide to the required competences. You should refer to theappropriate person specification for details.

It is important that you study the person specification for each entry level forthe specialties to which you are considering applying. The personspecifications clearly state the entry requirements for each level and this willhelp you decide which is the most appropriate for you. Applying to the mostappropriate level will optimise your chances of success.

Specialty training year 1 and core training year 1 (ST1/CT1)If you are applying straight from the UK Foundation Programme, you will needto show, through your portfolio, that you will have achieved the FoundationProgramme competences by the end of July 2010. You must have achievedthe competences or equivalent within three years prior to your application.

If your training was with a different programme, you will need to providewritten evidence that you have achieved the equivalent competences. (Seefurther details in section below on evidence of achievement of Foundationcompetences.)

To enter at ST1 and CT1 you cannot have already held a post or posts formore than 18 months (by the time you take up the new post) in the specialtyto which you are applying.

Specialty training year 2 and core training year 2 (ST2/CT2)Typically, you will have achieved the competences or equivalent from the firstyear of specialty training (ST1) or will be on track to do so by end July 2010.

For further information, see the specialty training curriculum available fromthe relevant royal college website.

There is no limit on experience for eligibility for selection to ST2/CT2.

Specialty training year 3 (ST3)Typically, you will have achieved the competences or equivalent from the firsttwo years of specialty training (ST1 and 2). For further information, see thespecialty training curriculum available from the relevant royal college website.

There is no limit on experience for eligibility for selection to ST3.

Specialty training year 4 (ST4)Typically, you will have achieved the competences or equivalent from the firstthree years of specialty training (ST1, 2 and 3), or you will have the entryrequirements for former higher specialty training programmes (i.e. SpecialistRegistrar (SpR) programmes). For further information, see the specialtytraining curriculum available from the relevant royal college website.

There is no limit on experience for eligibility for selection to ST4.

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Evidence of achievement of Foundation or equivalent competences

One of the essential criteria (listed above) to be considered for appointment to aspecialty training post is evidence of achievement of Foundation or equivalentcompetences by the end of July 2010.

If you are (or have been) a UK Foundation trainee, you should be able to provide aCertificate of Completion of Foundation training (FACD 5.2). You will be expected toprovide a copy of this for your employer when you take up your post.

If your training was with a different programme, you will need to submit an AlternativeCertificate showing all competences achieved in a post of at least three monthsduration since August 2007. SeeAnnex Afor a copy of the form (A for specialtieswith acute medical responsibilities and B for other specialties).

Please note:

Evidence of higher professional exams in other disciplines is not accepted as

evidence of Foundation competency. Evidence in a non-standard format is not accepted If, because of your refugee status, you are unable to provide standardised

evidence of having achieved Foundation competence, you should contactyour first choice deanery for advice.

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3. Stage 2 Choosing your specialty

3.1 Person specifications for jobs in England

Each specialty (and the level at which you would be entering training) has anationally agreed person specification that lists the required competences for thatspecialty. In making an application, you will need to provide evidence to prove thatyou have achieved the specified competences.

Each person specification is available from the medical specialty training websitewww.mmc.nhs.uk . Requirements will also be included in the application details foreach post.

Academic Clinical FellowshipsIf you are applying for an Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF), you will need to meetthe criteria in both the clinical person specification for your chosen specialty and leveland the ACF person specification.

Person specifications availableThemed core specialties(Bold type for combination ofspecialties for early years training)

Comments

Acute care common stem(ACCS) Acute medicine CT1 CT2(ACCS) Anaesthesia CT1 CT2 CT2 Anaesthesia(ACCS) Emergency medicine CT1 CT2 CT3

Themed, coreprogrammes within theacute care common stemspecialty group

Emergency medicine ST4

Anaesthesia CT1 CT2 ST3 Core trainingprogrammes up to andincluding CT2

Surgical specialties Person specifications available Comments

Surgery in general (generic) CT1 CT2 Themed, coreprogrammes within thesurgery specialty group

Cardiothoracic surgery ST3

General surgery ST3

Oral & Maxillofacial surgery

(OMFS)

CT1 ST3

Otolaryngology (ENT) ST3

Paediatric surgery ST3

Plastic surgery ST3

Trauma & orthopaedic surgery1

CT1 ST3

Urology CT1 ST3

Individual specialties thatare part of the surgery

specialty group.

1Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery are offering a mixed economy entry for 2009 with ST1 being available at the

following deaneries (Northern, North Western, West Midlands and Yorkshire & the Humber)

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Psychiatry core training Person specifications available Comments

Psychiatry CT1 CT2 CT3 Core training programmesup to and including CT3

Child & adolescent psychiatry ST4

General adult psychiatry ST4

Psychiatry of learning disability ST4Old age psychiatry ST4

Forensic psychiatry ST4

Psychotherapy ST4

Individual specialties that

are part of the psychiatryspecialty group.

Medical specialties Person specifications available CommentsCore medical training CT1 CT2 Core training

programmes up to andincluding CT2

Acute medicine ST3Allergy ST3

Audiological medicine ST3Cardiology ST3Clinical genetics ST3Clinical neurophysiology ST3Clinical oncology ST3Clinical pharmacology &therapeutics

ST3

Dermatology ST3

Endocrinology & diabetes ST3

Gastroenterology ST3

Genito-urinary medicine ST3

Geriatric medicine ST3Haematology ST3

Immunology ST3

Infectious diseases ST3

Infectious diseases & medicalmicrobiology

ST3

Infectious diseases & virology ST3

Medical oncology ST3

Medical ophthalmology ST3

Neurology ST3

Nuclear medicine ST3

Occupational medicine ST3Palliative medicine ST3

Paediatric cardiology ST4

Rehabilitation medicine ST3

Renal medicine ST3

Respiratory medicine ST3

Rheumatology ST3

Sports & exercise medicine ST3

Tropical medicine ST3

Individual specialties that

are part of the medicinespecialty group.

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Run through Specialties Person specifications available Comments

Chemical pathology ST1/FTSTA

Chemical pathology MetabolicMedicine

ST3

Clinical radiology ST1/FTSTA

Applicants may applydirectly from foundationtraining or after havingcompleted core training inother specialties

General practice ST1Histopathology ST1Medical microbiology/virology microbiology

ST1/FTSTA

Medical microbiology/virology virology

ST1/FTSTA

Neurosurgery ST1 ST2 ST3

Obstetrics & Gynaecology ST1/FTSTA

ST2/FTSTA

ST3

Ophthalmology ST1/FTSTA

ST2/FTSTA

ST3

Paediatrics ST1/FTSTA

ST2/FTSTA

ST3/FTSTA

ST4

Public Health ST1Trauma & orthopaedic surgery

2ST1

NotesSuccessful completion of an acute medicine themed acute care common stemprogramme will provide eligibility for training at ST3 in the medical specialties.

However, for anaesthetics, a further specialty specific CT2 is linked to theanaesthetic themed acute care common stem CT1 and CT2. This means that offersfor this specialty will be for three years of core training.

Core training for emergency medicine is to be extended to three years, followed bycompetitive entry to ST4. Entry to training in emergency medicine is through athemed core programme within the acute care common stem, CT1 and CT2, followedby a specialty specific CT3.

Clinical radiology level ST1 welcomes applicants from ST1, 2, 3 and CT 1, 2, 3 inacute care clinical specialties, such as medicine, surgery and paediatrics. It is alsopossible to apply direct from Foundation training.

2Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery are offering a mixed economy entry for 2009 with ST1 being available at the

following deaneries (Northern, North Western, West Midlands and Yorkshire & the Humber)

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4. Stage 3 Vacancies and applications

4.1 English job adverts and where to find them

The first and main recruitment round for specialty training in England in 2010 isbetween 4 December 2009 and 26 March 2010. It will be for deaneries andorganisations that are running a national recruitment process to determine their owntimetable for specialty recruitment within this national timeframe.

Specialties will continue to recruit up until the end of November 2010 in order to fillany vacancies that may remain after 26 March, including any posts advertised for thefirst time in Round 2 and any new vacancies that may arise later in the year. Seesection 5for more information on opportunities to apply later in the year.

Each recruiting office will advertise vacancies at different times within the nationaltimetable. They will publish in advance on their website, the timetable they areworking to, including when applications open and close and interview dates so thatyou can plan your applications.

As a minimum: All posts will be advertised on each recruiting office website Posts will be advertised for a minimum of two calendar weeks.

To find out about vacancies, you should check websites on a regular basis.

Deaneries will post job vacancies on a rolling basis from 4 December 2009 on theNHS Jobs website or in Job Centre Plus and some may advertise vacancies in other

publications such as BMJ Careers, although this is not a requirement.

4.2 Planning your application choices

You can make as many applications as you wish to different specialties, provided youmeet all the eligibility criteria and required competences of the post for which you areapplying.

Visit www.mmc.nhs.uk for summary information on each national recruiting office andlocal deanery.

A risk to consider is that, if you spend the first few weeks of the recruitment processapplying only for posts that are highly competitive, you could find that by the time youstart applying for posts with lower competition ratios, those posts may already havebeen filled.

We recommend that you consider the pressure of the competition along with otherfactors that are important to you. You can get an indication of the most and leastpopular specialties and areas from the competition information on the medicalspecialty training website www.mmc.nhs.uk .

It is a good idea to consult with senior colleagues and mentors about where you are

most likely to be successful.

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4.3 The application form

All applications are in an electronic format to be completed online or submitted byemail. You should make sure that you are using an email account that you can

access at any time and will not be blocked by your trusts IT security system. If youare uncertain about this, you should check with your IT department at work.

Some specialties are recruiting by means of a national process handled by a RoyalCollege or lead deanery on behalf of all deaneries. In these specialties, you will beable to make a single application where you state on the application form your orderof preference between deanery locations. See section 1.1for the list of specialtiesusing a national recruitment process and links to further information.

To ensure a fair, legal and equitable process, the people doing the shortlisting will notsee your personal details when they consider your application.

The next section offers some general advice to help you complete the best possibleapplication form.

Planning and presentation

Most of the advice that follows is common sense, but you would be surprised by thenumber of applications that are disadvantaged by a lack of attention to basic details.

Before you write anything

1. Read all supporting documentation. Your application form is your personalmarketing tool use all documentation provided to help you tailor your responses.Pay particular attention to:

a) The job description and programme details

b) The person specification and the application form, so that you understandwhat is required from you

c) Familiarise yourself with any other material, including any deanery guidancefor applicants

d) Any other documentation required to be submitted. Deaneries will not chaseyou for information. You need to make sure you have submitted everythingthat is required or you could risk your chances of being shortlisted.

2. Gather your evidence. Ensure that you have gathered all the dates and titles ofqualifications, publications, research, audits, presentations etc. Every statement thatyou make on the form should be able to be backed up by evidence (either on theapplication form or at interview) to prove that you do indeed meet the personspecification.

There will be questions about your skills and competences where you will need todescribe real-life experience, either from your medical work and/or extra-curricula

activities.

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What examples do you have? Do they actually address what is asked? In what way are they unique? Can you provide examples that might stand

out from the crowd? What exactly was your part in the example you describe? For example, if

you are using an extra-curricula activity, what was your role chair,

secretary, captain etc? You will need to use different examples for each question posed.

3. Do your career research. Make sure that you really know why you are applyingfor a particular specialty and what you can bring to it in terms of skills and personalattributes.

4. Plan your time. Work out how long it will take realistically to work on andcomplete the form, including getting feedback from colleagues. You know the wayyou work best, but manage any risks that could lead to errors or a product that is lessthan your best.

5. Referees. Contact them at the earliest opportunity to check that they will behappy to support your application, and they will be available to do so within theapplication timeframe.

You will need to provide details, including up to date email addresses, of threereferees who have supervised your clinical; training within the past two years. If youare applying to more than one specialty, you may opt to nominate different refereesfor each specialty. If you have recently had a career break and cannot nominatereferees from the past two years, then your referees must include your two mostrecent supervisors.

If you are offered, and accept a training programme, your employer will not be able to

issue a contract without references.

Key content of application forms

Your application form will need to pass the first stage eligibility check before it isconsidered for shortlisting. Deaneries administrative teams will check that you meetthe eligibility criteria in terms of:

Immigration status

GMC (and GDC registration, if required)

English language skills as per the eligibility criteria Any examination or experience requirements in line with the post

Seesection 2.1on Eligibility.

In response to the CV-based questions, all previous experience in the particularspecialty or specialty group must be declared. This includes experience outside theUK and all experience in the UK, whether within educationally approved posts or not.

You should also give the reasons for any time you have spent out of work, such asmaternity leave or relocation to the UK, so that there are no unexplained career gapson your application form.

It is best to avoid upper case as most people find it too difficult to read.

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Build in time to get feedback and make amendments to your completed applicationform with a mix of medical and non-medical colleagues.

Tackling the competency questions

You may already have developed a technique that will help you answer successfullyany competence-based questions. Some people find it helpful to use a structurebased on situation, action, result as an effective way of getting your answer acrosslogically and efficiently:

Situation/Task - gives the reader the context, but dont overdo it ondescription

Action - this is where you demonstrate and highlight the skills and personalattributes that the question is testing. Explain what, how and why you didwhat you did. Talk about you, not everyone else.

Result - explain the outcome of your action. Describe what you

accomplished. What did you learn?

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5. Stage 4 Interviews and offers

The majority of interviews in 2010 for specialty training in England will be arrangedlocally by deaneries. In some areas, NHS Trusts may lead recruitment for particular

specialties, where that is most appropriate. Scoring systems for shortlisting andinterviews will be determined locally and the deanery should make availableinformation about the shortlisting scoring scheme.

Some specialties are recruiting by means of a national process handled by a leadagency or deanery on behalf of all deaneries and these processes may vary inarrangements. The GP recruitment and selection process, for example includes aninitial assessment and selection centre.

Seesection 1.1 for the list of specialties using a national recruitment process andlinks to further information.

You will be notified about the times, dates and venues of interviews by the relevantdeanery either by email or by letter. Ideally you will be given five working days noticeof any interview, however notice may be less if late gaps arise due to otherapplicants dropping out. You will be informed of the reason for the late notice if thisoccurs.

Deaneries will publicise all their assessment centre / interview dates and you mustconsider this when applying for posts, as deaneries will be limited as to how muchthey can accommodate trainees who are invited to an assessment centre / interviewby two separate deaneries for the same specialty (where this is not nationallycoordinated).

You should be aware that there might be a very limited timeframe during which youwill be expected to confirm whether you will be attending the interview. If yousubsequently accept another offer, please let the deanery know so that you may bewithdrawn from the interview.

Check the deanerys policies on equality and diversity, for example, there may be aGuaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants with a declared disability who meet theperson specification criteria. Recruiters will ensure that reasonable adjustments aremade at interview to meet the needs of applicants with disabilities.

You will be asked to show on your application form if you consider yourself disabled

as set out in the Disability Discrimination Act and whether you wish to be consideredunder the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. This information will not be available toshort-listing panels. For further information visit:www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations

5.1 Shortlisting

Recruiting offices will shortlist your application form against the nationally agreedperson specification, using a scoring system. Details of the shortlisting and interviewscoring scheme should be made available to you on request.

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All correctly submitted applications will be considered. Those which pass the longlisting stage (which considers eligibility to apply for that post, see section 2.1) will goon to be scored. The top scoring applicants will be invited to interview. Typically, thedeanery will invite more people to interview than there are posts available, as thismakes it more likely that they will be able to make an offer that will be accepted.

Due to the large volume of applicants, deaneries will only contact you if you are beinginvited to interview. If you have not heard by the interview date you can assume youhave not been shortlisted.

If you are not successful at the shortlisting stage, you can request feedback from thedeanery (seesection 5.5for more information). If you feel you have been unfairlyscored, there is a complaints procedure in each deanery.

5.2 How interview panels run

Interview panels will generally include the mix of people as outlined below. Theremay be variations.

A lay chair or lay representative Regional college adviser or nominated deputy A university representative or nominated deputy Training programme director or chair of the specialty training committee Consultant representation from the training programme(s) A senior management representative

Representation from human resources

Prior to the interview, all members of the panel will have had access to yourapplication form. However, they will not have access to the equal opportunities orpersonal data section of your application form.

Interviews should last for a minimum of 30 minutes. The interview panels main aim isto find out whether you meet the requirements of the person specification for the postfor which you are applying, and to make sure that only the best candidates areselected in this highly competitive process.

The structure and content of interviews will vary across deaneries, specialties andlevels. The interview could include a scenario where you are asked to respond to a

clinical professional situation. This could be through oral questions or through awritten exercise before you meet the interview panel. In some instances, you may beasked to demonstrate a practical skill. The invitation to interview will explain what willbe required from you at the interview.

Panel members will complete a score sheet for each candidate and make anycomments. The aggregate score given by all the panel members will be the finalscore of the interview. At a later date, after the interview, the relevant deanery shouldbe able to provide information on your score (seesection 5.5for details).

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5.3 What to prepare and take with you

The deanery will give you clear information about what will be required from you atinterview. As a minimum, expect to take the following documents and you may berequired to take several copies:

Original proof of identity (e.g. passport or other photo-ID) Original and photocopy of your GMC certificate Original and photocopies of all qualifications listed on your application form

(translated if necessary) Verified evidence of competences cited on your application form your

professional portfolio Evidence of educationally approved posts cited on your application form Evidence of nationality / immigration status.

This is not an exhaustive list. You will need to check the deanerys requirements.

If you are shortlisted, you will need to consider ways to provide evidence of havingmet Foundation and other required competences. You will be asked to bring yourprofessional portfolios to the interview.

Relevant evidence may include:

Trainers reports

Log book of clinical activity Audits Written workplace assessments, eg min-PAT, mini-CEX, CbD, DOPS.

These are just some examples and should not be taken as an exhaustive list.

Be prepared to answer questions on which parts of your professional portfolio link tostatements made in your application form. You should be prepared to provideevidence for any and every statement made on your form.

5.4 Planning your approach to the interview

Most of the advice that follows is common sense, but you would be surprised by thenumber of applicants that run into problems due to lack of planning.

Strategic health authorities and deaneries will publish in advance the timetable theyare working to, including opening, closing and interview dates.

You should inform your current employer of potential leave requirements forattending interviews in anticipation of being short-listed, and co-ordinate withcolleagues wherever possible.

You may find it helpful to discuss with your clinical tutor or local consultantswithin the specialty for which you have applied about the type of areas theinterviewers might seek to address.

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Arrive at your interview in plenty of time aim to arrive half an hour beforeyour interview is due to start.

If you are driving, make sure you know where you are going to park not allinterview locations will have parking available.

If you have to be somewhere after the interview, for example you arescheduled to be on call, you should alert the interview co-ordinator as soon aspossible, as interview schedules often unavoidably run behind time.

You may be eligible to apply for travel expenses for the interview. You shouldask about this prior to attending an assessment centre. It should not beassumed that all costs would be reimbursed.

5.5 Requesting feedback

If you are unsuccessful at any stage in the recruitment process, you have the right torequest feedback from the deanery.

Information about where to send your request will be available on the deaneryswebsite. Your written request should state your full name, GMC number, specialtyand level applied for.

If you feel that your application process has been conducted unfairly, there is acomplaints procedure in each deanery.

Shortlisting feedback

Applicants who contact deaneries for their shortlisting scores should receive a copyof the following information:

Rank and/or score Total number of applicants Rank and/or score required to gain an interview

Applicants who write or phone for more specific feedback on their application formwill be asked to meet with either their Educational Supervisor in the first instance or,

if not readily available, someone who has previously and recently been involved inrecruitment and selection for their specialty, who will be able to go through their formwith them.

Any requests for further details other than those outlined above will be dealt with bydeaneries under the Data Protection Act.

Interview feedback

After the interview, you can write or email requesting feedback from the relevantdeanery. You should be sent a copy of the following information within 40 days ofyour request:

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Your rank and/or score Rank required to receive an offer Total number of applicants interviewed

You can also write or email to request copies of your interview score sheets, which

will be anonymised.

5.6 Training offers

Appointments to training programmes or posts will be offered to the people whoranked the highest in interviews. Not all candidates deemed eligible for appointmentby their interview panel would be offered a post. This is because there could beseveral eligible applicants for a particular post, in which case, the post will be offeredto the person with the highest score.

Usually, a training offer will follow soon after the interview, most likely by phone oremail.

The following four specialties have agreed to coordinate their recruitment offers,which means that you can hold an offer until 22 March, before deciding whether ornot to accept it:

Core Medical Training Paediatrics and Child Health Psychiatry General Practice

For other specialties, you will have a minimum of 48 hours (not including weekendsand Bank Holidays) to accept or decline an offer. In other words, if you receive anoffer on Monday, the deadline for a response would be the following Wednesday,whereas if you receive an offer on Friday, the deadline for response would be thefollowing Tuesday. Where possible, deaneries will try to give you longer if necessary.After the agreed deadline, the offer will expire and will be deemed to have beendeclined.

If you are sure that a particular offer is the best for you, you should accept it as soonas possible and decline any others.

Deaneries do need an answer to any training offer as soon as possible so that anypost you decline can be offered to other applicants deemed eligible for appointmentat interview.

Before you decline an offer, remember that recruitment is very competitive it wouldbe unwise to assume that you will receive more than one training offer.

Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted by email. If you are not being offered aplace but are considered appointable, you will be told that an offer cannot be made toyou at the present time, but if appropriate vacancies present themselves due to otherapplicants rejecting offers, you may be contacted in the near future.

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5.7 Acceptances

Once you have been offered and have accepted a post, you must withdrawfrom any further applications, interviews or offers.

Deaneries in their offer letter will state that the offer is made on the condition that youhave not accepted other offers and that you withdraw from other applications withinthe current recruitment round. You will be expected to give an undertaking whenaccepting a post that you have not accepted another post and that you will withdrawfrom further recruitment. If you do not agree to this undertaking, then the offer will bewithdrawn.

If it is discovered that you have accepted an offer after you have already acceptedanother post, the offer will be withdrawn.

There are a few exceptions to this rule.

Exceptions

Academic Clinical FellowshipsIf you have accepted a run through training post, you are eligible to apply for anAcademic Clinical Fellowship post.

One-year training programmesIf you have accepted a final year core training post (CT2 or CT3 in emergencymedicine and psychiatry) or a fixed-term specialty training appointment (FTSTA) in arun-through specialty, you may continue to compete for run-through training posts orfor uncoupled training programmes that offer two years or more of core training. Youmay not apply for other FTSTAs or other posts that only offer one year of training.

Examples:If you have accepted a CT2 post (or CT3 in emergency medicine or psychiatry), youcan continue to compete for run-through training posts.

If you have accepted an FTSTA2, you could still apply for CT2 in emergencymedicine or psychiatry because these programmes would run for two years, CT2 andCT3. You could not apply for CT2 in general surgery, because this would only offerone year of training CT2 before the next competition to higher specialty training.

If you have accepted a CT1 post (or CT2 in emergency medicine or psychiatry), youmay not continue to compete for other posts, including run-through programmes.

Please note: if you do want to change from having a one-year training programme,such as an FTSTA, to one that offers two or more years of training, you may still berequired to work out your notice. This will be at the discretion of your employer. Forexample, if you accept a CT1 post in core medical training on 10 July 2010, youcould reasonably be expected to start your FTSTA 1 on 4 August 2010 and work outyour notice period from the date you resigned. The notice period starts from the dateyou notified the deanery or employer (not from the start date of the post).

See over the page for a diagram illustrating exceptions.

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Diagram illustrating exceptions:

I have accepted a runthrough (ST) training

post, can I continue tocompete for other posts?

I have accepted anuncoupled/core (CT1)

post OR anuncoupled/core (CT2)post in Psychiatry orEmergency Medicine.


post (not in Psychiatry orEmergency Medicine),can I continue tocompete for other posts?


post (in Psychiatry orEmergency Medicine),can I continue tocompete for other posts?

T

Acc

Can I continue tocom ete for other osts?

NO YES YESNO

This is because theseposts offer two or moreyears of core training.

You can continue tocompete for run through(ST) posts or uncoupledposts that offer two ormore years of training (egCT1 or CT2 inEmergency Medicine orPs chiatr ).

You can continue tocompete for run through(ST) posts or uncoupledposts that offer two ormore years of training.

Yc

p

t

EXCEPTIONYou can continue tocompete for an AcademicClinical Fellow (ACF)post.

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After you have accepted a position

Any offers made are conditional upon the necessary pre-employment checks beingcarried out successfully.

Once you have confirmed your acceptance of a training place, the deanery will matchyou to a specific programme / post. This will take into account the training andeducational needs of you and others in the programme, the workforce needs of thelocal NHS and your personal preferences.

Once this information has been confirmed, you will receive an offer of employmentfrom your employer (subject to pre-employment checks). This will include thefollowing information about your potential employment:

The name of your employer

The start date and length (or likely length) of the period of employment

The name of the position needing to be filled and the work needing to bedone

The location of the work The hours needing to be worked Any potential health and safety risks The qualifications/experience required to do the job Any expenses payable (e.g. removal/relocation) The minimum rate of remuneration payable and any other benefits on offer The intervals at which you will be paid The notice period applicable

The offer of employment is distinct from your training agreement with the deanery.You may change employers several times during your training period.

The first employer will need to complete pre-employment checks before you canbegin working for them. Pre-employment checks are designed to ensure that everydoctor working in the NHS is fit and safe to work with patients. You will be asked tomake declarations on your application form relating to your honesty and probity.

Checks will include verification of references, fitness to practice updates from theGeneral Medical Council (GMC), occupational health clearance, Criminal RecordsBureau (CRB) disclosures and immigration status checks. They may also includevalidation of the evidence you presented at the interview, such as English language

proficiency.

Once pre-employment checks have been completed successfully, the employer willconfirm new starter details with you.

You should receive your contract within two months of starting in post, as per NHSEmployers guidance.

You are expected to take up any employment you have formally accepted and towork your contracted notice period in line with GMCs Good Medical Practice 2006,paragraph 49. Agreed terms, such as the notice period, will apply even if you havenot yet received your contract.


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You have a responsibility for patients and services. As the GMCs Good MedicalPracticepoints out, patient care may be compromised if there is insufficient medicalcover. The better approach would be to make sure your employer has a reasonabletime to make other arrangements (as a minimum, the contractual notice period).

Failure to arrive for work on the start date previously notified by your employer couldaffect patient services and their care, and may have an adverse impact on theworking conditions of medical colleagues. You may be in breach of contract if you donot comply with the minimum contractual notice.

For further information on offers of employment please see Sections 6.4-6.7 of theGold Guide, the Reference Guide for Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK,available from the Specialty Training section of the medical specialty training websitewww.mmc.nhs.uk

5.8 Deferring the start of a specialty training programme (forrun-through programmes only)

In certain circumstances, you may defer the start of your training if you have an offerof run-through training, for example:

on statutory grounds, such as maternity leave or ill health to complete research for a registered higher degree which you have already

commenced or for which you have already been accepted at the time of beingoffered a post.

Trainees appointed to uncoupled specialties or FTSTAs cannot defer the start oftheir fixed term appointment for the purpose of undertaking a higher degree.

For further information on deferrals please see Sect 6.20 of the Gold Guide, theReference Guide for Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK, available from theSpecialty Training section of the medical specialty training website www.mmc.nhs.uk

5.9 Avoiding problems

When you go to an interview, make sure that the people who could potentially

be making you an offer have a reliable means of getting in contact with you.

Let the appropriate people at the recruiting office know about any reason thatmay cause you to be non-contactable, for example, if you are going onholiday, or are going to be on call. Most deaneries will consider this, but youmust tell them this in advance and make alternative arrangements with them.

It is sensible to get confirmation that the appropriate people have receivedyour acceptance or rejection of an offer.

Some candidates experience problems with the email accounts they use.

Make sure that correspondence from deaneries isnt automatically filtered toyour spam/junk email folder by adding deanery contacts to your safe senderslist. Also, make sure that you check your emails regularly.

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5.10 About the different rounds of recruitment to specialtytraining

The first and main recruitment round for specialty training programmes in 2010 ends

on 26 March 2010 for CT1/ST1 programmes and other training levels in some run-through specialites that are using a nationally coordinated recruitment process. Asecond round of recruitment will run from 6 April 2010, including all posts that remainunfilled from Round 1, together with posts being advertised for the first time atCT2/ST2, CT3 and ST3 levels.

If you have been unsuccesful in the first round of recruitment to specialty training, thesecond round gives you another opportunity to secure a training place with an August2010 start date, where possible.

Applicants who are still waiting for offers following interviews in the first round ofrecruitment, shouldnt be alarmed to see the same specialties advertised in the

second round. No Round 2 offers will be made until the first round has closed.Deaneries are advertising based on the knowledge that there will still beopportunities available. This does not in any way disadvantage your application in thefirst round of recruitment.

Please note, if you have accepted a Round 1 post and decide to apply again inRound 2, you will need to give the required period of notice before you can take upthe new post.

5.11 Non UK/EAA applicants

During the second round of recruitment competition will be open to non-UK/EEAapplicants. All eligible applicants will be interviewed in accordance with UKimmigration rules. Priority will be given to UK/EAA applicants and posts will only beoffered to non-UK/EEA applicants if they cannot be filled by UK/EEA applicants.

For more information, please seeAnnex Cfor guidance for overseas nationalsapplying for specialty training.

5.12 Applying in Round 2 when you have already accepted anoffer in Round 1

You can still apply for vacancies in the second of 2010 recruitment, even if you havealready accepted a post in the first recruitment round of 2010.

If you have already received and accepted an offer of employment, you must make itknown to the deanery to which you are applying that you have already secured apost in the first round and you will also need to notify the deanery where you hadoriginally accepted the training offer. You need to do this at the time of applying andat your interview. This will not prejudice your application. This is purely for the benefit

of the organisations that are providing patient care, so that they can manage servicesand maintain standards.

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You will also be required to give notice before you can take up the new post. Eventhough you may not have received your written contract, you should discuss thenotice required with your employing organisation.

You have a responsibility for patients and services. As the GMCs Good MedicalPracticepoints out, patient care may be compromised if there is insufficient medicalcover. The better approach would be to make sure your employer has a reasonabletime to make other arrangements (as a minimum, the contractual notice period).

Failure to arrive for work on the start date previously notified by your employer couldaffect patient services and their care, and may have an adverse impact on theworking conditions of medical colleagues. You may be in breach of contract if you donot comply with the minimum contractual notice.

If you accept a post in this second recruitment round, you will be required to give anundertaking when accepting a post that you have not accepted another post and will

withdraw from further recruitment. The exemptions to this are the same as those inthe first round.

5.13 Options available to you if you do not gain a training post

As in previous years, deaneries will continue to advertise training vacancies as theyarise throughout the year (up to end of November 2010). These will be for trainingposts that will commence after the August intake. If you do not gain a training post inthe first or second round of recruitment, you will be able to continue to apply duringthis later phase.

A number of other options are available.

There may be LAT or LAS locum posts available. Time spent in a LAT (LocumAppointment for Training) post can be counted towards the total time required for aCCT, whereas time spent in a LAS (Locum Appointment for Service) does not. LATscan only be appointed by a formally-defined appointments panel, whereas theappointment to a LAS may be less formal and carried out at by a local hospital. Bothtypes of locum can offer good and worthwhile experiences and may help in gainingspecific clinical skills.

Some doctors may choose to take non-training jobs available (e.g. Trust Grade) orjobs in research or abroad. These jobs may be taken as a permanent career move,or may be considered as a stepping-stone to a future training post.

Your Educational Supervisor may be able to offer individual careers advice andsuggest options to you. You may also be able to speak to the Clinical Tutor orDirector of Medical Education in your local hospital. Many of the Colleges havegeneral advice on their websites for doctors considering a career in their specialty.Some of the Colleges and specialty organisations also offer a counseling/advisoryservice for individuals with career difficulties. The BMA offer a careers guidanceservice. For a list of useful links, see Annex B.

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6. Support to applicants

6.1 Support from your local deaneryAs an applicant, you may need support, career information and guidance to help youmake the best choices in entering the next round of recruitment.

The deanery in which you are currently working should be able to offer careersadvice, in addition to the advice you can get from your existing senior colleagues andmentors. Trust consultants, clinical tutors and others should be well informed bydeaneries with up to date process details.

If you are not sure about your local arrangements, check your deanery website orask for information about how to get confidential advice and support. This information

should include for example, contact details for your local Occupational HealthDepartment, employment assistance programmes and other organisations. TheBritish Medical Associations Doctors for Doctors Unit, for example, gives doctors indistress or difficulty the choice of speaking in confidence to another doctor about awide variety of issues including the pressures and stresses of work and of theapplication process.

In summary, the best ways for you to receive support at the application or interviewstage are as follows.

Current doctors in training: contact your Educational Supervisor contact your Trust Careers Lead contact the Trust Director of Medical Education contact the deanery careers advisor/support team

Doctors in service posts in the UK: contact your Clinical Supervisor contact the Trust Director of Medical Education contact the deanery careers support centre

Doctors from outside the UK or not in current medical employment who areconsidering applying for specialty training should contact the deanery they are

applying to, and/or relevant Royal College for advice.

6.2 Support from the deanery to which you are applying

You should expect to receive helpful information from the deanery to which you areapplying.

National guidance for strategic health authorities (SHAs) and deaneries recommendsthe following basic elements of applicant support throughout the recruitment process.

Deanery websites will provide clear guidance to applicants including:

Up to date information on all recruitment activity; details of posts on offer andapplication requirements; shortlisting and interview timeframes.

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Information about posts in the rotation (where possible) An updated Frequently Asked Questions section. Information about shortlisting criteria and weightings, and any scoring scheme

used.

Email helpdesk services will be available in each deanery. The email address will beadvertised on the deanery websites. Helpdesks will respond via email to applicants queries within two working

days. (Queries received within 48 hours of the relevant application deadlinewill be prioritised.)

Applicants will receive an automated response to any emails sent to thedeanery, so they know their email has been received.

If resources allow there should also be a dedicated recruitment telephonehelpline, details will be advertised on deanery websites.

Contact details and helpdesks for each English deanery are available from themedical specialty training website www.mmc.nhs.uk .

Detailed information about what you should expect from the deanery at each specificstage of recruitment is provided in the relevant section of this guide.

6.3 Other sources of information and advice

There are many sources of information and advice, such as the Royal Colleges,British Medical Association, BMJ Careers, PMETB and NHS Employers.

SeeAnnex Bfor useful links to further information.

6.4 Medical specialty training helpdesk

The MMC team provides a national support helpdesk for all England applicantsduring the 2010 recruitment to specialty training. Contact is by email only.

We will reply to all emails within 48 hours or sooner (not including weekends andbank holidays). Where a query requires some investigation, we will respond withinfive working days.

The medical specialty training (England) Helpdesk function is to provide support toapplicants on matters of national rules and policy where further explanation orassistance is required. If your query is about the 2010 recruitment process tospecialty training, your best source of information will be your local deanery or thedeanery to which you are applying. For example, questions about deaneriesapplication forms or deadlines should normally be directed to the specific deaneryrather than the central MMC helpdesk.

Medical specialty training (England) Helpdesk: [email protected]

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6.5 Fair, legal and equitable

All recruitment processes must meet legal requirements. Patient care and safety arethe priority concern.

The minimum standards shown below are part of a short set of national rules forstrategic health authorities and employer organisations. Any variation from thenational rules would have to be a reasonable and proportionate response to localcircumstances and not lead to conspicuously unfair results.

As a minimum, all posts must be advertised on each deanery website. All posts must be advertised for a minimum of two calendar weeks. Advertisements, information for applicants and application forms must be

clearly structured so that they are accessible to applicants with disabilitiesand so that applicants can easily find relevant details when carrying out asearch.

All applications should be made electronically. Application forms and the interview processes must map to the national

person specifications. The nationally agreed application form should be used except where specific

agreement has been given not to. Applicants will be able to apply for as many training programmes as they

wish.

Random recruitment and selection processes should not be used. All applications submitted before the deadline will be considered. Shortlisters and interviewers* must get a full copy of the application form, but

must not have access to the equal opportunities information or personal data. Interviewers* will take account of applicants portfolios, their structured CV

and the summary of their portfolio of evidence. Applicants should be asked to bring their portfolios to the interview.

*Please note that there is a different process for GP recruitment. Please refer to theguidance provided by the National Recruitment Office for General Practice Training(see Annex B for links to further information)

Feedback

You have a right to ask for feedback from the deanery following the shortlisting andinterview stages of recruitment (seesection 5.5for more information).

Complaints procedure

Each deanery has a process for handling complaints about recruitment. You shouldcontact the deanery to which you applied if you have any concerns about yourapplication, or you would like to know more about the complaints procedure.

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Annex A: Standard national parts of the Englandapplication form

In order to save time and work for applicants, the first part of any application form isstandard. The second part of the application form is specific to each deanery andspecialty.

You can see sample forms for part 1 and part 2 on the medical specialty trainingwebsite at http://www.mmc.nhs.uk/default.aspx?page=485.

On this page you can download the following documents. Please note that thesedocuments are samples only for your information. They are not the actual applicationforms.

Sample application for employment: Part one Sample application for employment: Part two

Sample equality and diversity monitoring form National reference form

Alternative Certificates for Foundation competences Form A and Form B

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Annex B: Links to further information

Deaneries

Northern Deanery

http://mypimd.ncl.ac.uk/PIMDDevNorth Western Deaneryhttp://www.nwpgmd.nhs.uk/Yorkshire and the Humber Deaneryhttp://www.yorksandhumberdeanery.nhs.uk/Mersey Deaneryhttp://www.merseydeanery.nhs.uk/West Midlands Deaneryhttp://www.westmidlands.nhs.uk/Eastern Deaneryhttp://www.easterndeanery.org/Oxford Deaneryhttp://www.nesc.nhs.uk/

London Deaneryhttp://www.londondeanery.ac.uk/Kent, Surrey and Sussex Deaneryhttp://www.kssdeanery.org/East Midlands Healthcare Workforce Deaneryhttp://www.eastmidlandsdeanery.nhs.uk/Severn Deaneryhttp://www.severndeanery.nhs.uk/Wessex Deaneryhttp://www.wessex.org.uk/South West Peninsula Deaneryhttp://www.peninsuladeanery.nhs.uk/

Royal Colleges

The Royal College of Anaesthetistshttp://www.rcoa.ac.uk/College of Emergency Medicinehttp://www.collemergencymed.ac.uk/default.aspThe Royal College of General Practitionershttp://www.rcgp.org.uk/The Royal College of Nursinghttp://www.rcn.org.uk/The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologistshttp://www.rcog.org.uk/

The Royal College of Ophthalmologistshttp://www.rcophth.ac.uk/The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Healthhttp://www.rcpch.ac.uk/The Royal College of Pathologistshttp://www.rcpath.org/The Royal College of Physicians in Edinburghhttp://www.rcpe.ac.uk/The Royal College of Physicians in Londonhttp://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgowhttp://www.rcpsg.ac.uk/The Royal College of Psychiatrists

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/

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The Royal College of Radiologistshttp://www.rcr.ac.uk/The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburghhttp://www.rcsed.ac.uk/site/0/default.aspxThe Royal College of Surgeons in Irelandhttp://www.rcsi.ie/

The Royal College of Surgeons of Englandhttp://www.rcseng.ac.uk/The Royal Society of Medicinehttp://www.roysocmed.ac.uk/Academy of Medical Royal Collegeshttp://www.aomrc.org.uk/Academy of Medical Scienceshttp://www.acmedsci.ac.uk/Faculty of Occupational Medicine (of the Royal College of Physicians)http://www.facoccmed.ac.uk/Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine (of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UnitedKingdom)http://www.fpm.org.uk/

Faculty of Public Healthhttp://www.fphm.org.uk

Other Links

British Medical Associationhttp://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/content/homeBritish Medical Associations Doctors for Doctors UnitTel 08459 200 169 or [email protected] of General Practice Education Directors (COGPED)http://www.cogped.org.uk Conference of Postgraduate Dental Deans & Directors (COPDenD)

http://www.copdend.org.uk Conference of Postgraduate Medical Education Deans of the UK (COPMeD)http://www.copmed.org.uk Council of Heads of Medical Schools (CHMS)http://www.chms.ac.uk/Department of Healthhttp://www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htme-learning for Healthcarewww.e-lfh.org.ukFoundation Programmehttp://www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/pages/home Foundation Assessment Programme (Healthcare Assessment and Training)http://www.hcat.nhs.uk

General Medical Council (GMC)http://www.gmc-uk.org/Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (JCPTGP)http://www.jcptgp.org.uk/MMC Inquiry led by Professor Sir John Tookehttp://www.mmcinquiry.org.uk/index.htmMMC in Northern Irelandhttp://www.nimdta.gov.uk/mmcMMC in Scotlandhttp://www.mmc.scot.nhs.uk/MMC in Waleshttp://www.mmcwales.org/Medical Research Councilhttp://www.mrc.ac.uk/index.htm

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National Association of Clinical Tutors (NACT)http://www.nact.org.uk/National Association of Medical Personnel Specialists (NAMPS)http://www.namps.org.uk/index.htmlNational Coordinating Centre for Research Capacityhttp://www.nccrcd.nhs.uk/

NHS Careershttp://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/NHS Confederationhttp://www.nhsconfed.org/NHS Employershttp://www.nhsemployers.org/NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvementhttp://www.institute.nhs.uk/NHS Jobshttp://www.jobs.nhs.uk/National Medical Careers Fairhttp://careersfair.bmj.com/National Recruitment Office for GP training

http://www.gprecruitment.org.uk/Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Boardhttp://www.pmetb.org.uk ROSE (website for refugee doctors)http://www.rose.nhs.uk/index.htmlSkills for Healthhttp://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/

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Annex C: Guidance for overseas nationals

If you are subject to immigration control, you will be required to provide evidence ofyour immigration status as at the closing date of the post to which you are applying.

Evidence of immigration status should normally consist of a date stamped passportand/or identity card, together with an accompanying letter from the Home Officedetailing which type of visa has been granted. These documents would need to bedated as at or prior to the job application closing date. Applicants shouldvisit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/for more information.

If you have limited leave to remain, you will be considered for the post as long asyour immigration category allows you to take up a training programme and is valid onthe closing date of the post to which you are applying.

If your Entry Clearance vignette or your UK National Identity Card is endorsed noemployment as a doctor in training, you will only be able to take up a training postunder Tier 2 of the Points Based System. This appointment is subject to meeting therequirements of the Resident Labour Market Test, with the exception of applicants forST4 Paediatrics this is a shortage specialty.

The following table sets out the main categories of limited leave to remain andeligibility to take up specialty training programmes.

Category Status

Refugee status awarded by UK, and partner/civilpartner or spouse

Can take up a training programme

Partner/civil partner or spouse of a UK citizen Can take up a training programme

Partner/civil partner or spouse of a UK citizen on a

probationary period


HSMP or partner/civil partner or spouse of HSMP

(no restriction placed on you to prevent you

working as a doctor in training).1


Postgraduate Doctor or Dentist or partner/civil

partner or spouse


Tier 4 students on a recognised UKFPO affiliated

Foundation ProgrammeCan take up a training programme

Medical graduates of Scottish medical schools on

a Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland visa

Can take up a training programme, provided you

are currently on the Foundation Programme or in

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