Thoracic Surgery ST4

Applicants must have:

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• successful completion of MRCS by time of application

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.

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 CT/ST2 competences in core surgery by time of application, acceptable evidence includes satisfactory ARCP outcome of completion of Core Surgical Training programme or Certificate of Readiness to Enter Higher Surgical Training
• by time of application, the applicant should have completed at least:
  • 12 months training in general thoracic surgery of which a minimum of 6 months must have been spent at ST3 level
  • 12 months training in cardiac surgery of which a minimum of 6 months must have been spent at ST3 level
• evidence that the applicant has not been accepted to sit, or has sat the Part III (exit) exam in cardiothoracic surgery
• be eligible to work in the UK

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre^iv

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.

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
• Interview/selection centre

^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 satisfactorily completed an approved Core Surgical Training programme or equivalent by application deadline
• have completed the relevant competencies in Cardiothoracic Surgery as described in the Core Surgical Training curriculum
• have completed the ST3 level (Completion of Phase 1) competencies in cardiothoracic surgery with a minimum of 12 months on a ST3+ on-call rota by start of post.
• 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^vi.
• not have previously relinquished or been released/removed from a Cardiothoracic or Core Surgical training programme, except if they have received an ARCP outcome 1 or under exceptional circumstances^vii.
• For those wishing to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where available):  no more than 24 months’ experience in LAT posts in the specialty by date of interview.
• 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 to be or be on the specialist register for the specialty to which they are applying

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre

^vi 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.

^vii 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.

All sections of application form completed fully according to written guidelines.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form

Essential

Applicants must have:

• MBBS
• MRCS or equivalent by time of application

Desirable

• Other undergraduate degree: i.e. BA, B Eng, LIB, BMedSci (not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA).

• Masters degree: i.e. MSc., MPhil.

• Higher research degree: i.e. MD (UK), MS or MCh. (UK).

• PhD, D.Phil.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

• By time of application, have completed:
  • a minimum of 12 months’ experience in general thoracic surgery of which a minimum of 6 months must have been spent at ST3 level
  • a minimum of 12 months’ experience in cardiac surgery of which a minimum of 6 months must have been spent at  ST3 level

These can include a redeployment due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

• Ability to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems.
• Ability to prioritise clinical need.
• Demonstrates appropriate technical and clinical competence and evidence of the development of diagnostic skills and clinical judgement.
• Validated logbook documentation particularly relevant to thoracic surgical exposure to date.

Desirable

• Exposure to cardiothoracic transplant, paediatric cardiothoracic surgery, intensive care, respiratory medicine and oncology, (interventional) radiology.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

Research and audit skills

• Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management and evidence-based practice.
• Understanding of basic research principles, methodology and ethics, with a potential to contribute to research.
• Evidence of participation in audits.

Teaching

• Evidence of contributing to teaching and learning of others.

Desirable

Research, audit and quality improvement skills

• Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements, e.g. degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements in thoracic surgery.
• Evidence of participation in risk management and/or clinical/laboratory research in thoracic surgery.
• Evidence of thoracic surgical audits, quality improvement programs or research.

When in this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre

Essential

Communication skills

• Capacity to communicate effectively and sensitively with others.
• Able to discuss treatment options with patients in a way they can understand.

Problem solving and decision making

• Capacity to think beyond the obvious, with analytical and flexible mind.
• Capacity to bring a range of approaches to problem solving.
• Demonstrates effective judgement and decision-making skills.

Managing others and team involvement

• Capacity to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate leadership, when appropriate.
• Capacity to establish good working relationships with others.

Organisation and planning

• Capacity to manage time and prioritise workload, balance urgent and important demands, follow instructions.
• Understands importance and impact of information systems.

Vigilance and situational awareness

• Capacity to monitor and anticipate situations that may change rapidly.

Coping with pressure and managing uncertainty

• Capacity to operate effectively under pressure and remain objective in highly emotive and pressurised situations.
• Awareness of own limitations and when to ask for help.

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).

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

• Demonstrated interest in thoracic surgery as evidenced by log book, audit, research and electives.
• Career progression in Cardiothoracic Surgery should be appropriate to the time spent in the  specialty.
• Shows realistic insight into Cardiothoracic Surgery and the personal demands of a commitment to surgery.
• Demonstrates knowledge of training programme  and commitment to own development.
• Shows critical and enquiring approach to knowledge acquisition, commitment to self- directed learning and a reflective/analytical approach to practice.

Desirable

• Achievements relevant to thoracic surgery, including elective or other experience.
• Attendance at relevant thoracic surgical courses.
• Attendance at, or participation in, national, international, departmental, regional and online meetings relevant to Cardiothoracic Surgery with special emphasis on thoracic themed presentations (Poster/Oral).

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre
• References