Anaesthetics ST4
Person specification and entry criteria for Anaesthetics ST4 2024 recruitment
Applies to: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
On this page
Important: Accuracy
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this page. The information presented is accurate at the time of publication.
Essential entry criteria
Qualifications
Essential
Applicants must have:
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- primary FRCA by offer date
When is this evaluated?ii
- Application form
ii ‘When is this evaluated’ is indicative but may be carried out at any time throughout the selection process.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practiseiii from, the GMC at intended start dateiv
- be eligible to work in the UK
- have evidence of:
- current employment in a UK Anaesthetics or ACCS Anaesthetics Core Training Programme or
- 48 months’ experience after full GMC registration or equivalent, and evidence of achievement of Stage 1 Domains of learning from a UK core training programme or equivalent, in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice.
- have evidence of achievement of Stage 1 Domains of Learning in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine (including Initial Assessment of Competency) or equivalent demonstrated by:
- Stage 1 Certificate/Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate. To be used if you have completed a UK Anaesthetics/ACCS Anaesthetics Core Training Programme
- current employment in a UK Core Anaesthetics/ACCS Anaesthetics Training Programme and achievement of all required Stage 1 Domains of Learning evidenced by a Stage 1 Certificate/Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate by intended start date
- current employment in a UK anaesthetics post (a non training grade post) and achievement of all required Stage 1 Domains of Learning evidenced by a Stage 1 Certificate/Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate by time of offer
- Confirmation of Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate to be used if you have not completed a UK core training programme but have all the required competencies by time of offer
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- Multi station interview
iii The GMC introduced the licence to practise in 2009. Any doctor wishing to practise in the UK after this date must be both registered with and hold a licence to practise from the GMC at time of appointment.
iv ‘Intended start date’ refers to the date at which the post commences, not necessarily the time an offer is accepted.
Fitness to practise
Applicant is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs.
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- References
Language skills
Applicants must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues, as assessed by the General Medical Councilv.
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- Interview/selection centre
v Applicants are advised to visit the GMC website which gives details of evidence accepted for registration.
Health
Applicants must meet professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice).
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- Pre-employment health screening
Career progression
Applicants must:
- be able to provide complete details of their employment history
- have evidence that their career progression is consistent with their personal circumstances
- have evidence that their present level of achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of their period of training
- have at least 36 months’ experiencevi in Anaesthetics and/or Intensive Care Medicinevii (not including Foundation modules) by time of intended start date of which at least 30 months is in Anaesthetics
- have notified the Training Programme Director of the Specialty Training Programme they are currently training in if applying to continue training in the same specialty in another regionviii
- have not previously relinquished or been released or removed from a Core Anaesthetics, ACCS Anaesthetics or Higher Anaesthetics Training Programme, except if they have received an ARCP outcome 1/10.1 (outcome 6 for associated core training) or under exceptional circumstancesix
- not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a CCT/CESR in Anaesthetics and must not currently be eligible for the specialist register, or equivalent, for Anaesthetics in any other member state
- for those wishing to be considered for Dual Training posts (where available): applicants who already possess a National Training Number in Intensive Care Medicine must not be beyond the end of ST5 in this initial specialty of appointment at the time of interview if they are intending to undertake a Dual CCTs programme
- for those wishing to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training (LAT) posts (where available): no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in the specialty by intended start date
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- Interview/selection centre
vi Any time periods specified in this person specification refer to full time equivalent.
vii All experience in posts at any level in this specialty count, irrespective of the country the experience is gained.
viii The Support for Application to another region form, signed by the Training Programme Director of their current Specialty Training Programme confirming satisfactory progress, must be submitted to the recruitment office at time of application.
ix Exceptional circumstances may be defined as a demonstrated change in circumstances, which can be shown on the ability to train at that time and may include severe personal illness or family caring responsibility incompatible with continuing to train. Applicants will only be considered if they provide a ‘support for reapplication to a specialty training programme’ form signed by both the Training Programme Director/Head of School and the Postgraduate Dean in the local office/Deanery that the training took place. No other evidence will be accepted.
Application completion
All sections of application form completed fully according to written guidelines.
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
Selection criteria
Qualifications
Essential
Applicants must have:
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- primary FRCA by offer date
Desirable
- BSc, BA, BMedSci or equivalent (not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA).
- Higher degrees including MSc, PhD or MD (where research thesis not part of first medical degree).
- Postgraduate qualifications achieved in other specialties.
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- Verified ST4 portfolio
- Multistation interview
- References
Career progression
Essential
Applicants must:
- be able to provide complete details of their employment history
- have evidence that their career progression is consistent with their personal circumstances
- have evidence that their present level of achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of their period of training
- have at least 36 months’ experience in Anaesthetics and/or Intensive Care Medicine (not including Foundation modules) by time of intended start date of which at least 30 months is in Anaesthetics
- have notified the Training Programme Director of the Specialty Training Programme they are currently training in if applying to continue training in the same specialty in another region
- have not previously relinquished or been released or removed from a Core Anaesthetics, ACCS Anaesthetics or Higher Anaesthetics Training Programme, except if they have received an ARCP outcome 1/10.1 (outcome 6 for associated core training) or under exceptional circumstances
- not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a CCT/CESR in Anaesthetics and must not currently be eligible for the specialist register, or equivalent, for Anaesthetics in any other member state
- for those wishing to be considered for Dual Training posts (where available): applicants who already possess a National Training Number in Intensive Care Medicine must not be beyond the end of ST5 in this initial specialty of appointment at the time of interview if they are intending to undertake a Dual CCTs programme
- for those wishing to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training (LAT) posts (where available): no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in the specialty by intended start date
Desirable
- Additional training or experience in any secondary care specialty or General Practice at CT/ST.
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- Verified ST4 Portfolio
- Multi station interview
- References
Clinical skills – clinical knowledge and expertise
Essential
- Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement and prioritise clinical need.
- Clinical experience, ability to undertake indirectly supervised lists and emergency care of ASA 1 and 2 patients for minor and intermediate surgical procedures.
- Understand and demonstrate the Non Technical skills required for anaesthesia.
- Demonstrates vigilance and situational awareness.
Desirable
- Has undertaken CPD relevant to training grade to support the stage 1 curriculum including simulation
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- Self Assessment
- Clinical interview
- References
Academic skills
Essential
Research, quality improvement and audit skills
- Demonstrates understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues.
- Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of quality improvement including audit.
- Demonstrates quality improvement activity with evidence related to anaesthesia and ICM
- Candidates should demonstrate progression through core training or equivalent or any clinical fellow role post Core Training.
Teaching
- Demonstrates evidence of teaching experience.
- Evidence of feedback for teaching.
Desirable
Research, quality improvement and audit skills
- Evidence of academic and research achievements such as degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements.
- Participation in a local or national research project as lead or co-lead.
- Be lead organiser or part of a faculty on a local, regional or national training event or course which includes E-Learning and online events.
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- Self Assessment
- General interview
Personal skills
Essential
Communication skills
- Demonstrates clarity in written and spoken communication.
- Able to build rapport, listen, persuade and negotiate.
- Evidence of effective multi-disciplinary team working and leadership.
Empathy and sensitivity
- Demonstrate empathy, sensitivity and respect.
Teamworking
- Able to work in multi-professional teams and supervise junior medical staff.
- Demonstrate leadership, make decisions, organise and manage a team.
Management
- Demonstrates an understanding of NHS management and resources.
Organisation and planning
- Capacity to prioritise time information and workload.
- Evidence of thoroughness (being well-prepared, shows self-discipline and commitment, is punctual and meets deadlines).
Working under pressure and managing uncertainty
- Capacity to operate under pressure and have insight into their own behaviour.
- Demonstrates initiative and resilience.
- Is able to deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty.
Values
- Understands, respects and demonstrates the values of the NHS Constitution (such as everyone counts; improving lives; commitment to quality of care; respect and dignity; working together for patients; compassion).
Desirable
Management and leadership skills
- Evidence of involvement in management commensurate with experience.
- Evidence of effective leadership in and outside medicine.
IT skills
- Demonstrates information technology skills.
Other
- Evidence of achievement outside medicine.
- Evidence of altruistic behaviour such as voluntary work.
- Evidence of organisational skills – not necessarily in medicine, for example, grant or bursary applications, organisation of a university club, sports section, and so forth.
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- General and clinical interview
- Self Assessment
- References
Probity – professional integrity
Essential
- Demonstrates probity (as outlined by the GMC).
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- General station of multi station interview
- Reflective practice section of multi station interview
- References
Commitment to specialty – learning and personal development
Essential
- Shows initiative, drive and enthusiasm.
- Demonstrable interest in, and understanding of, the specialty and its training curriculum.
- Commitment to personal and professional development.
- Evidence of reflective practice.
- Evidence of extra curricular activities that promote a good work life balance and general wellbeing.
Desirable
- Affiliation to professional societies relevant to anaesthetics, ICM and pain management.
- Commitment to own progress in the specialty.
- Active involvement with RCoA or equivalent.
- Demonstrates commitment to pursuing specialty training in anaesthetics and an understanding of the NHS.
When is this evaluated?
- Application form
- Self assessment
- General interview
- References