Person specification and entry criteria for Core Psychiatry Training CT1 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

 

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 intended start dateiii
  • have evidence of achievement of foundation competences, in the three and a half 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
  • 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

When is this evaluted?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centrev

 

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

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.

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
  • 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 regionvii
  • 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 circumstancesviii
  • 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 remediationix

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre

 

vii 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.

viii 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 NHS England Local Office / Deanery that the training took place. No other evidence will be accepted.

ix 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, either 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/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

Qualfications

Essential

Applicants must have:

  • MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

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
Career progression

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 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 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 remediation

Desirable

  • Clinical exposure to a community based specialty.

When is this evaluted?

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

Essential

  • Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems.
  • Appropriate knowledge of core medical care, psychotherapy, psychology and neuroscience.
  • Capacity to prioritise clinical need.
  • Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk.

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.
  • 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
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 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 member's 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.
  • The 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 and 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.
Coping with pressure and managing uncertainty
  • Capacity to operate under pressure.
  • Demonstrates initiative and resilience to cope with setbacks.
  • Demonstrates a capacity to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.
  • Is able to deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty.
  • 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.
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.
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.

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

  • Demonstrates interest and realistic insight into psychiatry and mental health.
  • Shows initiative, drive and enthusiasm (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative) for the specialty.
  • 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.

Desirable

  • Extracurricular activities, achievements and interests that provide increased insight into psychiatry.
  • Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programmes.
  • Evidence of self-reflective practice.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
  • References