Person specification and entry criteria for Paediatric and Perinatal Pathology ST3 2025 recruitment

Applies to: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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

Applicants must have:

  • MBBS (or equivalent)
  • successful completion of Histopathology FRCPath Part 1 exam by advertised post start date for the vacancy.

When is this evaluated?i

  • Application form

 

i ‘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 practiseii from, the GMC at the advertised post start date for the vacancyiii 
  • have evidence of competence via one of the following:
    • current employment in a GMC-recognised histopathology training programme (2021 curriculum) which leads to satisfactory completion of ICPT (Integrated Cellular Pathology Training) by the advertised post start date for the vacancy
    • satisfactory completion of ICPT in a GMC-recognised histopathology training programme (2021 curriculum) evidenced by ARCP.
    • satisfactory completion of Stage A and Stage B in a GMC-recognised histopathology training programme (2015 curriculum) evidenced by ARCP.
    • achievement of ICPT competences via alternative experience to a UK histopathology training programme evidenced by a satisfactory Alternative Certificate of Competence.
  • be eligible to work in the UK

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview

 

ii  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.

iii  ‘Intended start date’ refers to the date at which the post commences, not (necessarily) the time an offer is accepted. 

Fitness to practise

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 Counciliv.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre

 

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?

  • 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 sufficient experience (not including foundation level experience) to include:
    • completion of at least 2.5 years trainingv in general Histopathology, including Autopsy work by advertised post start date for the vacancy (unless evidence of Stage A and B completion if still on the 2015 curriculum)
  • 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 regionvi 
  • 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 applicationvii 
  • 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
  • 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

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre

 

v Any time periods specified in this document refer to whole time equivalent.

vi  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.

vii  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 local office or 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:

  • 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 sufficient experience (not including foundation level experience) to include:
    • completion of at least 2.5 years training in general histopathology, including autopsy work by advertised post start date
  • 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
  • not have previously relinquished or been released or removed from a training programme in this specialty, except if they have received an ARCP outcome 1 or under exceptional circumstances
  • 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
  • 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

  • BSc, other degrees and  qualifications (not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA).
  • Research MD, PhD.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
Clinical experience

Desirable

  • Additional experience in clinical medicine.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • References
Clinical skills

Essential

  • Exposure to perinatal autopsy practice.
  • Exposure to paediatric pathology practice.
  • Cytology and surgical pathology experience.
  • Understanding of clinical risk management.
  • Competent to work without direct supervision where appropriate.
  • Clear, logical thinking showing an analytical and scientific approach.
  • Appropriate level of clinical knowledge.
  • Shows knowledge of, and demonstrates use of, evidence-informed practice.
  • Shows awareness of own limitations.

Desirable

  • Perinatal autopsy experience.
  • Experience in paediatric pathology.
  • Appropriate level of experience and awareness in and outside specialty or medicine.
  • Understanding of the issues in histopathology and paediatric and perinatal pathology.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
  • References
Academic skills

Desirable

  • Research experience (including participation in clinical trials).
  • Presentations and publications.
  • Prizes and honours.

When is this evaluted?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
Teaching skills

Essential

  • Evidence of teaching experience.

Desirable

  • Enthusiasm for teaching; exposure to different groups and teaching methods.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
Organisation and planning

Essential

  • Ability to prioritise clinical need.
  • Ability to organise oneself and own work.
  • Evidence of participation in audit.
  • Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams.

Desirable

  • Understanding of NHS, clinical governance and resource constraints.
  • Information technology skills.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
Personal skills

Essential

Communication and language skills
  • Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligibility in written and spoken English; ability to build rapport, listen, persuade and negotiate.
Decisiveness and accountability
  • Ability to take responsibility, show leadership, make decisions and exert appropriate authority.
Interpersonal skills
  • Ability to see patients as people, empathise, work co-operatively with others, open and non-defensive, sense of humour.
Uses a non-judgmental approach to patients and colleagues
  • Regardless of their sexuality, ethnicity, disability, religious beliefs or financial status.
Flexibility
  • Able to change and adapt, respond to rapidly changing circumstances.
Resilience
  • Able to operate under pressure, cope with setbacks, self-aware.
Thoroughness
  • Is well prepared, shows self-discipline and commitment, is punctual and meets deadlines.
Initiative
  • Shows initiative, drive and enthusiasm.
  • A self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity.
Probity
  • Demonstrates probity (as outlined by the GMC).
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).

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
  • References
Commitment to specialty – learning and personal development

Essential

  • Shows initiative, drive and enthusiasm (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative).
  • Demonstrable interest in and understanding of the specialty and Histopathology.
  • Commitment to personal and professional development.
  • Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programme.
  • 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.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre