M VenkataramanCareers advisor

West Midlands Deanery

To provide information about recruitment to specialist training:

what to expect what is involved how the recruitment process works where to find out more To help you understand yourself and the need to

think very hard, very honestly and far ahead when choosing

To help you make the most of yourself To discuss special circumstances like LTFT and

OOPE

6,500 Medical School Places 6,700 Foundation Posts 6,700 ST1 posts in 2011

So why worry?

Risk of long term undersupply of GPs

www.mmc.nhs.uk

Risk of long term oversupply of CCT holders

www.mmc.nhs.uk

From student to F1 F1 to F2 F2 to specialty training National applications National timelines Transparent, equitable and fair National guidance

First steps

Choose your specialty The MMC website will list all specialty posts available in 2013.   Royal College websites provide information about the specialty

and what’s involved. http://www.medicalcareers.nhs.uk/ to explore career options. Check the application process Plan your time Review person specifications The person specifications will guide you in preparing your

portfolio of evidence of your achievements and competences, ready to show at interview.

Register for online applications Many specialties use an online application process that requires

you to register first. It’s best to do this early to avoid any technical difficulties when it comes to submitting your application.

Quite a few candidates are excluded at the long –listing stage. Make sure you fill in the form properly

Do you know how many candidates excluded themselves by incorrectly filling in forms last year?

Check MMC website early Oct 2012 Details of recruitment processes

(also Quick Guide) Eligibility criteria Updated person specifications Latest information on vacancies Competition ratios

Check deanery and college websites Details on programmes and

locations Application processes

www.mmc.nhs.ukwww.mmc.nhs.ukwww.mmc.nhs.uk

Recruiting offices will shortlist your application form against the nationally agreed person specification, using a scoring system

Top scoring applicants invited to interview or assessment. More people interviewed than posts.

Only shortlisted candidates informed. If not short-listed, ask for feedback

Typically last around 30 minutes Structure and content will vary across

deaneries, specialties and levels Could include scenarios, through oral

questions, through written exercises, presentations, demonstration of practical skills, OSCEs etc.

 The invitation to interview will explain what will be required from you at the interview.

The deanery will give you clear information about what will be required from you at interview. 

Expect to take the following documents and you may be required 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 Evidence of skills in written and spoken English

Deanery and College email helpdesks For current doctors in training - Educational

Supervisor, Trust Careers lead, Trust Director of Medical Education, Deanery Careers Support

For doctors in UK service posts – Clinical Supervisor, Trust Director of Medical Education, Deanery Careers Support

For doctors outside UK – contact Deanery you are applying to and/or relevant Royal College

Proposed coordinated offers pilot:

• Fixed end point for making & receiving offers - 9th March 2011

• Accepted offer – upgrade offer available• Applicants can hold offers until 19th March• Just one offer can be held at any one time• Upgrades on accepted or held offers will cease 23rd

March• Ranking information will be provided

www.mmc.nhs.uk

Choose wisely Know yourself Prepare

Be realistic about your skills but don’t undersell yourself

Do you know your skills? (Sci 59, Windmills)Check competition ratios but don’t rely only on

themRead the person specs again and againRead the job descriptionsTry to match your skills, personality and aptitude

to your choicesLook at progression within the specialty...how

many years, how many exams, how many posts?

Have a plan A, plan B and plan C

What are your skills?What would you like to do? Now....in 5

years....in 15 years?What would you NOT like to do?Have you got the skills and personality suited

to your job?Identify 3 key matches for all your choices

• Tasters• Audits• E-portfolio• “Real” experience of specialty• Read up• Some hard, honest, thinking• Extra “credits” (like BSS, ATLS, exams etc.)

(NOT recommended by UKFPO)

Remember, you are much more likely to stay in your chosen field for the rest of your life than with your spouse/partner!!!!!

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

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://specialty.walesdeanery.org/ Recruitment to medical specialty training in Northern

Ireland: http://www.nimdta.gov.uk/

http://www.mmc.nhs.uk

http://www.gprecruitment.org.uk/

http://www.medicalcareers.nhs.uk/

http://www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk

  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 example disability, ill health, carer’s responsibilities, religious commitments and unique opportunities for personal or professional development. 

Less than full-time training must meet the same requirements in specialty and general practice training as full-time training, except that there will be fewer hours of work per week. 

The Associate Dean for LTFT in West Midlands Deanery is Dr Helen Goodyear 

Experience out of planned programme of training

To improve skills (usually) In training post for at least a year Not in last year Forms at least 6 months in advance Notify employer at least 3 months in

advance 

THANK YOU