Paediatric Cardiology ST4

Applicants must have:

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification

Paediatric training:

• MRCPCH full diploma, examination passed by offer dateⁱ or on GMC specialist register for paediatrics at time of application

Physician training:

• either of the following:
  • MRCP(UK) full diploma, examination passed by offer date
  • eligibility for entry to the specialist register in general internal medicine by time of applicationⁱⁱ
  • completion of Irish Basic Specialty Training in medicine and the MRCPI full diploma by offer date

When is this evaluated?ⁱⁱⁱ

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre^iv
• Pre-employment check

ⁱ 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 Eligibility for the specialist register must have been approved by the GMC to be considered.

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

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

Applicants must:

• be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practise^v from, the GMC at the advertised post start date^vi 
• have evidence of achievement of competences, for the round of application, via one of the following methods:

Paediatrics training:

• evidence of achievement of Level 1 paediatric capabilities according to Progress, or Core Training according to Progress+, by intended start date as detailed in the Paediatric RCPCH Curriculum.

Physician training:

• be able to demonstrate ST1 competences in paediatrics by time of commencement of the ST4 Paediatric Cardiology training programme, in addition to the medicine capability requirements detailed below
• have evidence of achievement of core medical capabilities, for the round of application, via one of the following methods:
  • current employment in a programme which leads to successful completion of year 2 of Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training by the advertised post start date, via one of these approved routes:
    • UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
    • UK ACCS (Internal Medicine)
    • UK Broad Based Training (medicine route)
    • Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) internationally level 3 accredited equivalent Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme^vii
    • UK Core Medical Training or ACCS (acute medicine)
  • successful completion of one of the programmes listed above, evidenced by ARCP^viii 
  • evidence of achievement of the capabilities required by completion of year 2 of the Internal Medicine Stage 1 curriculum at time of application. Acceptable evidence is only permitted via the Alternative Certificate to Enter Group 2 Higher Physician Specialty Training^ix 
• Be eligible to work in the UK.
• Demonstrably up to date competences in advanced life support and safeguarding

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• Pre-employment check

^v  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.

^vi  ‘The advertised post start date’ refers to the first date from which posts recruited in a round can commence. This will be specified clearly within the published advertisement for that recruitment round.

^vii Details of internationally accredited JRCPTB internal medicine training programmes can be found on the JRCPTB website.

^viii Applicants who have an ARCP outcome with all capabilities signed off apart from the full MRCP (UK), will be eligible to apply on this basis, subject to the normal rules on completing the MRCP (UK). Additionally, anyone who has an ARCP outcome 10.1 will be eligible to apply on the competence criterion and will be required to complete outstanding competences in their higher specialty programme.

^ix The Alternative Certificate to Enter Group 2 Higher Physician Specialty Training is a document designed by the JRCPTB listing the necessary core capabilities required for progression to ST3, as defined in the Internal Medicine Stage 1 curriculum. The certificate is available to download from the Physician Recruitment website. Applicants must ensure the version of the form they are using meets the requirements detailed on the website.

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^x.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Pre-employment health screening

^x 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 sufficient experience (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date. This can be via one of the following:

Paediatrics applicants must:

• have at least 24 months’ experience in paediatrics by time of commencement of ST4 training

Physician applicants must:

• By the time of commencement in training, have at least 12 months’ experience in paediatrics, which will include an indicative 6 months of general paediatrics and 6 months neonatal paediatrics by time of commencement of ST4 training, in addition to the medicine capability requirements detailed below.
• have sufficient experience^xi working in medical specialties (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date. This can be via either:
  • training completed in:
    • UK Core Medical Training or UK ACCS (acute medicine)
    • the first 2 years of UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
    • the first 3 years of UK ACCS (Internal Medicine)
    • the first 3 years of UK Broad Based Training (medicine route)
    • a Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) internationally level 3 accredited equivalent CMT programme or the first 2 years of an Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme, or
  • have at least 24 months’ experience in medical specialties (of which at least 12 months must include the care of acute medical inpatients). Experience in certain acute care common stem specialties can be counted towards the 24 months in some circumstances^xii
• 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^xiii 
• 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 or associated core training programme, except if they have received an ARCP outcome 1 (outcome 6 for associated core training) or under exceptional circumstances^xiv
• 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

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

^xii  For information on how experience in acute care common stem specialties will be counted, please visit the Physician Recruitment website.

^xiii  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. 

^xiv  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 where 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:

• 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 sufficient experience (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date. This can be via one of the following:

Paediatrics applicants must:

• have at least 24 months’ experience in paediatrics by time of commencement of ST4 training

Physician applicants must:

• By the time of commencement in training, have at least 12 months’ experience in paediatrics, which will include an indicative 6 months of general paediatrics and 6 months neonatal paediatrics by time of commencement of ST4 training, in addition to the medicine capability requirements detailed below.
• have sufficient experience working in medical specialties (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date. This can be via either:
  • training completed in:
    • UK Core Medical Training or UK ACCS (acute medicine)
    • the first 2 years of UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
    • the first 3 years of UK ACCS (Internal Medicine)
    • the first 3 years of UK Broad Based Training (medicine route)
    • a Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB) internationally level 3 accredited equivalent CMT programme or the first 2 years of an Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme, or
  • have at least 24 months’ experience in medical specialties (of which at least 12 months must include the care of acute medical inpatients). Experience in certain acute care common stem specialties can be counted towards the 24 months in some circumstances
• 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 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 or associated core training programme, except if they have received an ARCP outcome 1 (outcome 6 for associated core training) or under exceptional circumstances
• 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

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

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• Evidence of experience in paediatrics including managing patients on unselected take or equivalent.
• For applicants from adult medicine, experience in general paediatrics and neonatal medicine.

Desirable

• Experience at ST1, ST2 or ST3 level of managing patients (adult and/or paediatric) with cardiac disease, including emergencies, by time of commencement of ST4 training.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems.
• Awareness of the basics of managing patients with cardiovascular disease.
• Able to demonstrate proficiency in a range of medical procedures as an indication of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
• Evidence of competence in management of medical emergencies and inpatients through continuous work-based assessments, portfolio evidence, including log book documentation, if applicable.
• Evidence of competence to work without direct supervision, where appropriate.

Desirable

• Demonstrates awareness of the basics of managing paediatric cardiac disease and managing emergencies.
• Evidence^xvi of some competences in the specialty as defined by the relevant curricula.
• Evidence of skills in the management of acute medical referrals.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

^xvi Evidence can include portfolio, logbook, ARCP, or equivalent. Where relevant/applicable, workplace-based assessments (eg CbD, mini-CEX, ACAT, DOPS, MSF, or equivalent) may also be used to demonstrate achievement of competences. 

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.
• Demonstrates an understanding of clinical governance.

Teaching

• Evidence of teaching experience and/or training in teaching.

Desirable

Research, audit and quality improvement skills

• Demonstrates an understanding of research methodology.
• Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements and involvement in a formal research project.
• Evidence of relevant academic publications.
• 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
• Evidence of a portfolio of audit projects including where the audit loop has been closed and there is evidence of learning the principles of change management.
• Evidence of exceptional achievement in medicine.

Teaching

• Able to provide evidence of significant experience of teaching and training colleagues.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

Communication skills

• Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication and capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation.
• 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/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 of medicine.

IT skills

• Demonstrates information technology skills.

Other

• Evidence of achievement outside medicine.
• Evidence of altruistic behaviour, for example, voluntary work.

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

• 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 self-reflective practice.

Desirable

• Extracurricular activities and achievements relevant to the specialty.
• Evidence of participation at meetings and activities relevant to the specialty.
• Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programmes.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References