Person specification and entry criteria for Clinical Radiology ST4 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 qualificationi
  • FRCR Part 1 (or equivalent)
  • FRCR Part 2A

When is this evaluated?ii

  • Application form

 

The 'published deadline’ refers to a deadline date set in each recruitment round; Round 1 (26/03/2024) Round 2 (18/04/2024) Round 3 (22/10/2024). 

ii  ‘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 practiseiii from, the GMC at intended start dateiv 
  • 48 months’ experience after full GMC registration, and evidence of achievement of foundation competences prior to commencing training in Radiology from a UKFPO-affiliated foundation programme or equivalent, in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice.
  • be eligible to work in the UK.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centrev

 

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.

‘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 Councilvi.

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.

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
  • at least 36 months’ experiencevii (not including Foundation modules) in an approved training scheme or equivalent by time of commencement of ST4 training 
  • evidence of achievement of ST2 competences at the time of application and achievement of capabilities in practice to the required entrustment level for ST3 competences (as defined by the Clinical Radiology curriculum) by the time of commencement of the ST4 training post, supported by evidence from workplace-based assessments of clinical performance (Rad-DOPs, MiniIPX) and Multi Source Feedback or equivalent, ARCP or equivalent
  • 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 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
  • 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

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre

 

 

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

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.

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
  • FRCR Part 1 (or equivalent)
  • FRCR Part 2A

Desirable

  • Full postgraduate examination (such as full MRCP (UK) or MRCPCH or MRCS) at the 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
  • References
Clinical skills – clinical knowledge and expertise

Essential

  • Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems.
  • Ability to prioritise clinical need.
  • Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk.
  • Recognition of, and ability to undertake the initial management of, an acutely ill patient.
  • Evidence of achievement of the capabilities in practice at the entrustment level required for ST2 and progress towards the entrustment level required for ST3 at the time of interview/selection centre.

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.
  • Evidence of participation in audit/quality improvement projects commensurate with stage of training and at least 2 completed QIPAT.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-informed practice.
  • At least 3 completed teaching assessments.

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 or other activity which:
    • focuses on patient safety and clinical improvement
    • demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the specialty beyond the mandatory curriculum
    • at least 3 completed QIPAT
Teaching
  • Evidence of interest in, and experience of, teaching .
  • Evidence of feedback for teaching.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
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.
  • 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.
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 on.

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 programmes.
  • Evidence of self-reflective practice.
  • Commitment to a career in Radiology – for example, through being able to demonstrate some of the following:
    • an understanding of the use of modern imaging techniques in current clinical practice
    • evidence of time spent in a radiology department observing the work of a radiologist 
    • an understanding of the role of a consultant radiologist in the modern NHS, including the impact of NHS targets
    • an understanding of the structure of training and potential careers in radiology in the UK
    • appreciation of change in working practice, that is, a ‘service’ specialty
    • some knowledge of the opportunities and threats to a career in radiology

Desirable

  • Other activities and achievements relevant to radiology.
  • Attendance at radiological courses.
  • Evidence of participation in audit or research projects with specific relevance to radiology.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
  • References