Paediatrics ST4

Applicants must have:

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification.
• Success in the three written MRCPCH papers by offer dateⁱ and within the last 7 years.

When is this evaluated?ⁱⁱ

• Application form 

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 ‘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
• Evidence of achievement of paediatric capabilities commensurate with a trainee who has completed ST3, as defined by the Paediatric RCPCH Progress+ curriculum by point of application.
• be eligible to work in the UK by the intended start date.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre

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 earliest post commences.

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^v.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Pre-employment health screening

^v  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 24 months’ experience^vi ,including at least 6 months in Neonatology and 6 months in General Paediatrics^vii (not including Foundation modules) by time of application
• 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^viii
• 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^ix 
• 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
• 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

^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 in which 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 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 have:

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification.
• Success in the three written MRCPCH papers by offer date and within the last 7 years.

Desirable

• BA, MSc (not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA)

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• Capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement.
• Potential to develop excellent diagnostic skills.
• Demonstrable competence of training in Paediatric and neonatal life support,
• Demonstrable competence of a level 3 Paediatric safeguarding course.
• Capability to assess and manage an acutely sick patient independently with remote supervision and to recognise when senior support is needed.
• Capability to manage an acute neonatal admission independently with remote supervision and to recognise when senior support is needed.
• Able to demonstrate mandatory DOPS, as per Progress+ (and evidenced via Capabilities form).
• Understands the implications of child and adolescent mental health and public health in the delivery of care to children and young people.
• Be able to demonstrate the clinical and communication skills that are required to work independently overnight as a middle grade. Managing and communicating effectively with all members of the team.
• At least 6 months experience in neonatal and general paediatric services at point of application.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

Research, audit and quality improvement skills

• Demonstrates regular involvement in and understanding of importance of audit and research and potential to contribute to development in paediatrics.
• Demonstrates involvement in and understanding of the basic principles of audit and clinical quality improvement project (QIP), clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety.
• Can describe the QIP methodology for clinical improvement.
• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence-informed practice.

Teaching

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

Desirable

Research, audit and quality improvement skills

• Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements such as degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements.
• Potential to contribute to development in Paediatric clinical practice.
• Evidence of involvement in a research project in paediatrics.

When is this evaluated?

• Interview/selection centre

Essential

Communication skills

• Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication, and capacity to adapt language to the situation, as appropriate.
• Capacity to communicate effectively at different levels, for example, with babies, young people and their families.

IT skills

• Demonstrates information technology skills.

Problem solving and decision making

• Demonstrates an analytical approach to practice.
• Capacity to bring a range of approaches to solving problems.

Empathy and sensitivity

• Capacity to take in others’ perspectives and treat others with understanding.

Managing others and team involvement

• Evidence of interest and experience in management and leadership.
• Evidence of effective multi-disciplinary team working and leadership, supported by multi-source feedback or other workplace-based assessments.

Organisation and planning

• Capacity to achieve a balance between urgent and important demands.
• Capacity to manage and prioritise time and information effectively.
• Capacity to prioritise own workload and organise ward rounds.

Vigilance and situational awareness

• Capacity to monitor acute situations that may change rapidly.

Coping with pressure and managing uncertainty

• Capacity to manage acute situations under pressure.
• Demonstrates initiative and capacity to cope with changing circumstances.
• Is able to deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty by using all team members.

Values

• Understands, respects and demonstrates the values of the NHS^x (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 effective leadership in and outside medicine.
• Demonstrates an understanding of NHS management and resources.

Other

• Evidence of achievement outside medicine.
• Evidence of altruistic behaviour, for example, voluntary work.
• Evidence of organisational skills outside medicine, for example, grant or bursary applications, organisation of a non-medical club, sports section and so on.
• Able to discuss the importance of looking after their own physical and mental health with a view to then being able to better care for others.

When is this evaluated?

• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• Demonstrates probity (as outlined by the GMC) 

When is this evaluated?

• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• Understanding and awareness of particular requirements and demands of working with children and their parents.
• Shows initiative/drive/enthusiasm (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative).
• Demonstrable interest in, and understanding of, the specialty.
• Commitment to continuing personal and professional development.
• Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programme(s).
• Evidence of self-reflective practice.

Desirable

• Extracurricular activities and achievements relevant to paediatrics.

When is this evaluated?

• Interview/selection centre
• References