Person specification and entry criteria for Clinical Radiology ST1 2024 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 medical qualification

When is this evaluated?i

  • Application form

 

‘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 intended start dateiii 
  • have evidence of achievement of foundation competences, in the 3.5 years preceding the advertised post start date for the round of application, via one of the following methods:
    • current employment in a UKFPO-affiliated foundation programme, or
    • having been awarded an FPCC (or FACD 5.2) from a UK-affiliated foundation programme within the 3.5 years preceding the advertised post start date, or
    • current employment in a GMC approved Specialty Training Programme holding either a National Training Number (NTN) or Deanery Reference Number (DRN); or
    • 12 months' medical experience after full GMC registration (or equivalent post licensing experience), and evidence to commence specialty training in the form of a Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training
  • be eligible to work in the UK

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centreiv

 

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.

iv  ‘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.

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 18 months’ or less experiencevi in radiologyvii (not including Foundation modules) by time of intended 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 regionviii 
  • 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 circumstancesix 
  • not previously resigned, been removed from, or relinquished a post or programme with resultant failure to gain the award of a FPCC (FACD 5.2), except under extraordinary circumstances and on the production of evidence of satisfactory outcome from appropriate remediationx 
  • 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

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 or Head of School and the Postgraduate Dean in the NHS England Local Office or Deanery that the training took place. No other evidence will be accepted.

x  An applicant who has previously resigned, been removed from, or relinquished a post on the foundation training programme will not usually be eligible to apply for an ST1/CT1 post except under extraordinary circumstances. Extraordinary circumstances may be defined as a demonstrated change in circumstances which can be shown to impact on the ability to train at that time and may include severe personal illness or family caring responsibility incompatible with continuing to train as a foundation doctor, through sickness absence, as a LTFT trainee or in a period out of programme.

Where an applicant wishes to apply for an ST1/CT1 post in the above circumstances they must provide evidence to support this application in the form of a letter written and signed by the Director of the Foundation School where previous training took place. This letter must include the following information:

  • the dates of your previous training
  • confirmation of the reasons why the applicant previously resigned, was removed from or relinquished their post in the training programme
  • confirmation that the applicant has met the requirements or demonstrated the competencies of foundation training
  • confirmation that the applicant has completed a period of remediation (if applicable)
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

Desirable

  • Higher degrees including MSc, PhD or MD (not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA).

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
Clinical experience

Essential

  • Evidence of experience in a range of acute specialties, with experience of managing patients on unselected take during training.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
  • References
Clinical skills – clinical knowledge and expertise

Essential

  • Able to apply sound clinical knowledge and 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 skills in the management of patients not requiring hospital admission.

When is this evaluated?

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

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.
Teaching
  • Evidence of teaching experience.

Desirable

Research, audit and quality improvement skills
  • Demonstrates an understanding of research methodology.
  • 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
Teaching
  • Evidence of participation in a teaching course.
  • Evidence of feedback for teaching.

When is this evaluated?

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

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.
  • Can 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.
IT skills
  • Demonstrates information technology skills.
Other
  • Evidence of achievement outside medicine.
  • Evidence of altruistic behaviour, for example, 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
  • Interview/selection centre
  • References
Probity – professional integrity

Essential

  • Demonstrates probity (as outlined by the GMC).

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.
  • Commitment to personal and professional development.
  • Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programme(s).
  • Evidence of self-reflective practice.
  • Commitment to chosen career, for example, through being able to demonstrate some of the following:
    • an understanding of the use of modern imaging techniques in current clinical practice in chosen specialty
    • evidence of time spent in a nuclear medicine or radiology department observing the work of a radiologist or nuclear medicine physician
    • an understanding of the role of a consultant nuclear medicine physician or radiologist in the modern NHS, including the impact of NHS targets
    • an understanding of the structure of training and potential careers in chosen specialty
    • appreciation of change in working practice, that is, a “service” specialty
    • some knowledge of the opportunities and threats to a career in chosen specialty

Desirable

  • Extracurricular activities and achievements relevant to chosen specialty.
  • Evidence of participation at meetings or courses relevant to chosen specialty. 

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
  • References