Medical Ophthalmology ST3

Applicants must have:

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

Physician applicants

• One of the following:

  • MRCP(UK) Part 1 at time of application and MRCP(UK) full diploma by offer dateⁱ

  • Eligibility for the specialist register in general internal medicine by time of applicationⁱⁱ

  • Completion of Irish Basic Specialty Training in medicine and the MRCPI full diploma by offer date.

Ophthalmology applicants

• FRCOphth Part 1 by offer date.

When is this evaluated?ⁱⁱⁱ

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre^iv
• Pre-employment check

ⁱ  The 'offer date’ refers to the 'initial offers released' date set in each recruitment round; Recruitment Timelines.

ⁱⁱ  Eligibility for the specialist register must have been approved by the GMC to be considered.

ⁱⁱⁱ  ‘When is this evaluated’ is indicative but may be carried out at any time throughout the selection process.

^iv  ‘Selection centre’ refers to a process, not a place. It involves a number of selection activities which may be delivered as part of the application process.

Applicants must:

• be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practise^v from, the GMC at the advertised post start date for the vacancy^vi 
• be eligible to work in the UK

Physician applicants

• Have evidence of achievement of core medical capabilities, for the round of application, via one of the following methods:
  • current employment in a programme which leads to successful completion of year 2 of Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training by the advertised post start date for the vacancy, via one of these approved routes:
    • UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
    • UK ACCS (internal medicine)
    • UK Broad Based Training (medicine route)
    • Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) internationally level 3 accredited equivalent Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme^vii
    • UK Core Medical Training or ACCS (acute medicine)
  • successful completion of one of the programmes listed above, evidenced by ARCP^viii
  • evidence of achievement of the capabilities required by completion of year 2 of the Internal Medicine Stage 1 curriculum at time of application. Acceptable evidence is only permitted via the Alternative Certificate to Enter Group 2 Higher Physician Specialty Training^ix

Ophthalmology applicants

• Evidence of achievement of ST1 competences in ophthalmology at time of application and ST2 competences in ophthalmology by the advertised post start date for the vacancy, evidenced by ARCP outcome 1, or
• Evidence of achievement of ST1 and ST2 competences at time of application. Acceptable evidence is only permitted via the standard Alternative Certificate of Competences.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• Pre-employment check

^v  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.

^vi  ‘The advertised post start date’ refers to the first date from which posts recruited in a round can commence. This will be specified clearly within the published advertisement for that recruitment round.

^vii  Details of internationally accredited JRCPTB internal medicine training programmes can be found on the JRCPTB website.

^viii  Applicants who have an ARCP outcome with all capabilities signed off apart from the full MRCP (UK), will be eligible to apply on this basis, subject to the normal rules on completing the MRCP (UK). 

^ix  The Alternative Certificate to Enter Group 2 Higher Physician Specialty Training is a document designed by the JRCPTB listing the necessary core capabilities required for progression to ST3, as defined in the Internal Medicine Stage 1 curriculum. The certificate is available to download from the Physician Recruitment website. Applicants must ensure the version of the form they are using meets the requirements detailed on the website.

Applicant is up to date and fit to practise safely.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• References

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 Council^x.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre

^x  Applicants are advised to visit the GMC website which gives details of evidence accepted for registration.

Applicants must meet professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice).

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Pre-employment health screening

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 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^xi
• not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a CCT/CESR in the specialty they are applying for and/or must not currently be eligible for the specialist register for the specialty to which they are applying
• if you have previously resigned, or been removed from, a training programme in any specialty, you must obtain a Support for Reapplication to Specialty Training form signed by the Training Programme Director/Head of School and Postgraduate Dean from the region you previously undertook training in. This must be submitted with your application^xii 
• 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 the advertised post start date for the vacancy

Physician applicants

• Have sufficient experience^xiii working in medical specialties (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date for the vacancy. This can be via either:
  • training completed in:
    • UK Core Medical Training or UK ACCS (acute medicine)
    • the first 2 years of UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
    • the first 3 years of UK ACCS (internal medicine)
    • the first 3 years of UK Broad Based Training (medicine route)
    • a Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) internationally level 3 accredited equivalent CMT programme or the first 2 years of an Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme, or
  • have at least 24 months’ experience in medical specialties (of which at least 12 months must include the care of acute medical inpatients). Experience in certain acute care common stem specialties can be counted towards the 24 months in some circumstances^xiv

Ophthalmology applicants

• At least 24 months’ experience in ophthalmology including medical ophthalmology (not including foundation modules) by time of appointment.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre

^xi  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 managing that application at time of application.

^xii  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 or Head of School and the Postgraduate Dean in the region that the training took place. No other evidence will be accepted. Please note that this requirement does not apply to trainees who exited core medical training with an ARCP outcome 3 or 4 where they were only missing the full MRCP(UK) diploma.

^xiii  Any time periods specified in this person specification refer to full-time equivalent.

^xiv  For information on how experience in acute care common stem specialties will be counted, please visit the Physician Recruitment website.

All sections of application form completed fully according to written guidelines.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form

Essential

Applicants must have:

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

Physician applicants

• One of the following:

  • MRCP(UK) Part 1 at time of application and MRCP(UK) full diploma by offer date

  • Eligibility for the specialist register in general internal medicine by time of application

  • Completion of Irish Basic Specialty Training in medicine and the MRCPI full diploma by offer date.

Ophthalmology applicants

• FRCOphth Part 1 by offer date.

Desirable

• Completion of the relevant membership examination by time of application.
• Higher degrees including MSc, PhD or MD (not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA).

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre

Essential

• Evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with totality of training.

When is this evaluated?

• Interview/selection centre

Essential

• Evidence of experience in a range of acute medical specialties, with experience of managing patients on unselected medical take during core training or equivalent or, for non-physician applicants, corresponding experience from core or early years training in the relevant specialty.

Desirable

• Experience at core level of ophthalmology.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• Demonstrates awareness of the basics of managing patients with medical ophthalmology conditions.
• Capability at core level in the management of medical emergencies, inpatients and outpatients or, for non-physician applicants, corresponding capability from core or early years training in the relevant specialty.
• Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems.
• Able to work without direct supervision, where appropriate.
• Able to prioritise clinical need.
• Able to maximise safety and minimise risk.

Desirable

• Evidence of some capabilities in the specialty as defined by the relevant curricula.
• Evidence of skills in the management of acute medical emergencies.
• Evidence of skills in the management of patients not requiring hospital admission.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

Research, audit and quality improvement skills

• Demonstrates understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues.
• Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety and clinical quality improvement initiatives.
• Evidence of involvement in a quality improvement project, formal research project.
• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-informed practice.
• Demonstrates an understanding of clinical governance.

Teaching

• Evidence of teaching experience and/or training in teaching.

Desirable

Research, audit and quality improvement skills

• Demonstrates an understanding of research methodology.
• Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements, and involvement in a formal research project.
• Evidence of relevant academic publications.
• Evidence of involvement in a quality improvement project or other activity which:
  • uses recognised QI methodology
  • focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement
  • demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the specialty beyond the mandatory curriculum
• Evidence of exceptional achievement in medicine.

Teaching

• Evidence of involvement in teaching students, postgraduates and other professionals and evidence of participation in a teaching course.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

Communication skills

• Demonstrates clarity in written and spoken communication, and capacity to adapt language to the situation, as appropriate.
• Able to build rapport, listen, persuade and negotiate.

Problem solving and decision making

• Capacity to use logical and lateral thinking to solve problems and make decisions, indicating an analytical and scientific approach.

Empathy and sensitivity

• Capacity to take in others’ perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients as people.
• Demonstrates respect for all.

Managing others and team involvement

• Able to work in multi-professional teams and supervise junior medical staff.
• Ability to show leadership, make decisions, organise and motivate other team members for the benefit of patients.
• Capacity to work effectively with others.

Organisation and planning

• Capacity to manage and prioritise time and information effectively.
• Capacity to prioritise own workload and organise ward rounds.
• Evidence of thoroughness (is well prepared, shows self-discipline and commitment, is punctual and meets deadlines).

Vigilance and situational awareness

• Capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues.

Coping with pressure and managing uncertainty

• Capacity to operate under pressure.
• Demonstrates initiative and resilience to cope with changing circumstances.
• Is able to deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty.

Values

• Understands, respects and demonstrates the values of the NHS (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.
• Demonstrates an understanding of NHS management and resources.
• Evidence of effective multi-disciplinary team working and leadership, supported by multi-source feedback or other workplace-based assessments.
• Evidence of effective leadership in and outside medicine.

Other

• Evidence of achievement outside medicine.
• Evidence of altruistic behaviour, for example, voluntary work.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• Demonstrates probity (as outlined by the GMC).

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• Shows initiative, drive and enthusiasm (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative).
• Demonstrable interest in, and understanding of, the specialty.
• Commitment to personal and professional development.
• Evidence of self-reflective practice.

Desirable

• Extracurricular activities and achievements relevant to the specialty.
• Evidence of participation at meetings and activities relevant to the specialty.
• Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programmes relevant to the specialty.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References