Anaesthetics ST4

Applicants must have:

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• primary FRCA or EEA eligibility by offer dateⁱ

When is this evaluated?ⁱⁱ

• Application form

ⁱ The 'published deadline’ refers to a deadline date set in each recruitment round; Round 1 (30/03/2023) Round 2 (20/04/2023) Round 3 (23/10/2023). 

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 intended start date^iv 
• 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 UK anaesthetics post and achievement of all required Stage 1 Domains of Learning evidenced by a Stage 1 Certificate/Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate by intended start date, as well as signoff for expected completion of CT3 top-up training by a UK anaesthetics College Tutor at time of application
  • 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 application

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre^v

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. For 2023 ST4 posts this will normally be 2 August 2023, unless a different start date is specifically indicated in advance by the employing trust or local office. 

^v ‘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^vi.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre

^vi 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 at least 36 months’ experience^vii in Anaesthetics and/or Intensive Care Medicine^viii (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^ix 
• 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^x
• 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

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

^viii All experience in posts at any level in this specialty count, irrespective of the country the experience is gained.

^ix 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.

^x 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.

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
• primary FRCA or EEA eligibility by offer date

Desirable

• BSc, BA, BMedSci or equivalent.
• 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
• Interview/selection centre
• References

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
• Interview/selection centre
• References 

Essential

• Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement.
• Ability to prioritise clinical need.
• Ability to organise oneself and own work.

Desirable

• Successful completion of relevant skills courses.
• With reference to clinical experience, ability to undertake indirectly supervised lists and emergency care of ASA 1 and 2 patients for minor and intermediate surgical procedures.
• Knowledge and good understanding of Anaesthetics non-technical skills and their role in anaesthetic practice,

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

Research, quality improvement and audit 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.
• Evidence of active participation in audit in CT1, CT2 AND CT3 or equivalent, relevant to Anaesthetics, ICM and/or pain medicine.
• Candidates should demonstrate progression through core training years or equivalent or any clinical fellow role post Core Training years.

Teaching

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

Desirable

Research, quality improvement and audit 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 or other activity which:
  • focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement
  • demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the specialty beyond the mandatory curriculum
• Membership of faculty for a local, regional or national training event or course.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Verified ST4 Portfolio
• Interview/selection centre

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 through, for example, audit and quality improvement projects.
• 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 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.
• 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.

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
• Verified ST4 self-assessment
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• Demonstrates probity (displays honesty, integrity, aware of ethical dilemmas, respects confidentiality).
• Capacity to take responsibility for own actions.

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 attendance at organised teaching and training programmes.
• Evidence of self-reflective practice.

Desirable

• Extracurricular activities or achievements relevant to anaesthetics.
• Evidence of attendance at a clinical simulation centre.
• Affiliation to professional societies relevant to anaesthetics, ICM and pain management.
• Commitment to own progress in the specialty.
• Demonstrates self-learning approach to continued knowledge and skills acquisition.
• 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
• Interview/selection centre
• References