Psychiatry of Learning Disability ST4

Applicants must have:

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• MRCPsych examination by offer dateⁱ

When is this evaluated?ⁱⁱ

• Application form

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

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

Applicants must:

• be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practiseⁱⁱⁱ from, the GMC at the advertised post start date for the vacancy^iv
• Have evidence of achievement of CT/ST1 and CT/ST2 curriculum requirements in psychiatry at time of application
• Have evidence of achievement of CT/ST3 curriculum requirements in psychiatry by time of application or confirmation that these will be achieved by the advertised post start date for the vacancy

All competences must be as defined by the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ curriculum relating to core psychiatric training. 

Acceptable evidence includes ARCP certificates or Certificate C (equivalent core competence form)^v, demonstrating that the applicant has attained and maintained core competences.

• submit a written statement from their educational supervisor or tutor stating that all these competences will be achieved by the advertised post start date for the vacancy if the applicant is without all the necessary evidence at the time of application. This includes applicants from Core Psychiatry Training who are expecting an outcome 1 from their end of CT3 ARCP. This written statement supplements the requirements to provide Form C, appropriate ARCP evidence etc.
• Hold a current and in date valid driving licence or provides an undertaking to provide alternative means of transport when providing emergency and domiciliary care to fulfil the requirements of the whole training programme
• be eligible to work in the UK

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview / selection centre^vi

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. 

^v  Certificate C, the equivalent core competence form, is a document designed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which lists the necessary core competences required for progression to ST4, as defined in the CT curriculum. Certificate C can be downloaded from the Psychiatry recruitment section of Medical Education Hub.

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

Applicant is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs.

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^vii.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview / selection centre
• Pre-employment health screening

^vii  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
• completed training in a UK Broad Based Training programme with a further 2 years in CT2 and CT3 core psychiatry 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^viii
• 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^ix
• not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a CCT/CESR in the specialty, or one of the dual specialties, 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), applicants must have 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

^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 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.

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
• MRCPsych examination by offer date

Desirable

• Additional related qualifications, for example, BSc, BA, BMedSci or equivalent (not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA).

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview / selection centre
• References

Essential

• Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems.
• Ability to prioritise clinical need.
• Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk.
• Demonstrates appropriate knowledge base and sound clinical judgement.
• Demonstrates ability in basic skills of history taking, examination (mental and physical) and synthesis of findings.
• Demonstrates basic psychotherapeutic skills.

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 audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety, and clinical quality improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-informed practice.
• Capacity to critically appraise research in psychiatry.

Desirable

Research, audit and quality improvement skills

• Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements such as degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements.
• Evidence of involvement in an audit project, a quality improvement project, formal research project.
• Understanding of service-user contribution to and perspective of, audit and research.

Teaching

• Evidence of interest in, and experience of, teaching.
• Evidence of feedback for teaching.

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 and engage others in open and equal dialogue, actively listen, persuade and negotiate.
• Appropriate use of non-verbal communication.

Judgement and problem solving

• Capacity to use logical and lateral thinking to solve problems and make decisions.
• Ability to integrate a range of information and facts to form an initial hypothesis.
• Capacity to work effectively with ambiguous and conflicting information.
• Capacity to think beyond the obvious, with an analytical and scientific, yet flexible approach.
• Capacity to take a holistic approach to problem solving, considering a range of alternatives and approaches.

Empathy and sensitivity

• Capacity and motivation to take in others’ perspectives and treat others with understanding.
• Ability to see patients as people with an awareness of their needs and wishes.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of acting compassionately towards patients and their families.
• Consideration and sensitivity to the importance of understanding and respecting patients' cultural values and practices.

Working as part of a team

• Understanding of the importance of integrated clinical care.
• Ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams and across agencies.
• Capacity to work cooperatively and effectively with others.
• Exchange knowledge effectively between team members.
• Understanding of the importance of each team members’ role and what can be learnt from them.
• Ability to take accountability for one’s decisions.
• Capacity to exchange knowledge effectively between team members.
• Ability to effectively consult with other physicians and healthcare professionals.

Leadership

• Capacity to take the lead in diagnosis and prognosis.
• Capacity to take responsibility for patient care appropriately.
• Willingness to be held accountable when operating as part of a team.
• Capacity to effectively delegate to others when appropriate.
• Ability to supervise junior medical staff.
• Confidence to challenge the viewpoints of others.
• Capacity to build relationships and motivate team members in order to get the best out of others.

Organisation and planning

• Capacity to manage and prioritise time and information effectively.
• Capacity to prioritise own workload and organise ward rounds.
• Evidence of punctuality, preparation and self-discipline.
• Ability to keep effective notes/records.
• Ability to use information technology to optimise patient care, continued self-learning and other activities.

Vigilance and situational awareness

• Capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues.
• Capacity to assess and provide immediate care for acute clinical situations (including deliberate self-harm, acute psychosis and acute organic brain syndromes) with a level of independence.

Coping with pressure and managing uncertainty

• Ability to be flexible and capacity to operate under pressure.
• Demonstrates initiative and resilience to cope with setbacks.
• Capacity to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.
• Capacity to deal with ambiguity and uncertainty in clinical life and seek help when appropriate.
• Ability to deal with and resolve conflict.
• Ability to manage and reflect on one’s own emotions in stressful and challenging situations.
• Patience to continue the long-term care plan of the patient whatever the severity or prognosis of the condition.

Patient-centred

• Ability to relate to the patient and take the perspective of the patient.
• Capacity to fully understand the patient's needs before forming a diagnosis.
• Appreciation of taking a holistic approach to patient care.
• Ability to build relationships with patients' families.
• Capacity to work in partnership with patients.
• Understanding of the value of spending time with patients.
• Awareness of patient safety.
• Capacity to act as an advocate on behalf of the patient when required.
• Consideration of the impact of clinical decisions on relationship with patient.

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

Communication skills

• Capacity to use effective interview skills.
• Ability to engage the patient and motivate them to change.

Empathy and sensitivity

• Capacity to collect patient history with sensitivity and care.
• Ability to be empathic but not become emotionally attached.

Leadership

• Evidence of involvement in management, commensurate with experience.
• Evidence of effective leadership in and outside medicine.
• Demonstrates an understanding of NHS management resources.
• Willingness and desire to teach and educate others.

Organisation and planning

• Recognition of the need for efficient and equitable use of resources.

Coping with pressure and managing uncertainty

• Interests outside of medicine to help moderate the stress of the role.
• Capacity to engender hope around recovery of patients.

Other

• Evidence of achievement outside medicine.
• Evidence of altruistic behaviour including voluntary work.
• Evidence of organisational skills – not necessarily in medicine, including grant or bursary applications, organisation of a university club and sports.

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

• Demonstrates interest and realistic insight into psychiatry and mental health.
• Shows initiative, drive and enthusiasm for the specialty (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative).
• Interest in working closely with people and helping others.
• Commitment to lifelong learning.
• Commitment to personal and professional development.
• Self-awareness and ability to be self-critical and self-reflective.
• Evidence of proactively seeking additional experiences, opportunities and feedback.
• Awareness of how academic research impacts own practice and vice versa.
• Demonstrable interest in, and understanding of, the specialty.
• Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programmes.
• Evidence of self-reflective practice.

Desirable

• Extracurricular activities, achievements, interests and realistic insight relevant to psychiatry.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview / selection centre
• References