The last SpR appointment will be for February 2007 start, interviews on 20th November. After this it will be RTT via MMC process.
In order to be appointed to the SpR grade you must:
Appointment to the SpR grade is by properly constituted appointments committees which in S. Thames currently appoint twice yearly for entry in February and August. An advertisement appears in the BMJ for 1 week only (usually in Sep/Oct and Mar/Apr). The appointment process is run by the Deanery and currently the same process allows entry to either South Thames West or East (but with no cross-over).
We generally have approximately 100-120 applicants for the vacancies of both East and West. The first step is shortlisting. The application forms of all applicants are reviewed by a panel and each is given a numerical score. Points are awarded for details such as having a resuscitation qualification, publications, presentations, time spent outside anaesthesia etc. The factors which score points and the score for any factor change each interview process but are agreed by the panel before the session starts. We then shortlist in order of candidate score and try to shortlist 1.5 - 2.0 times as many candidates as there are posts available.
Please note that shortlisting is performed on the application form alone and your CV is not present at this time - never put 'refer to CV' on the application form.
The interviews will take place in central London. We usually interview approximately 35-45 people in one day and use a process that gives each person a minimum of 30 minutes of total interview time. We used last time a process in which each candidate visited 3 tables and also gave a presentation. Although each table lasted only 8 minutes the cumulative interview time was 32 minutes. Scores are given at each table for each candidate and an electronic ledger maintained. Your CV and references also play a part in your overall score. A similar process will be used this time.
At the end of the day (usually about 18.00) the candidates are called in order of score, such that the highest scoring has first pick of the jobs available. It is important that you are present at the end of the day, that you have thought during the day about the jobs available and that you know where the hospitals are. Do you want a job specifically in South Thames East or West, do you want a particular base hospital in the South Eastern School, do you want to spend your first year by the sea, in London etc?
Try not to be too influenced by where SpR 1 is spent! (this is such a common error it's almost unbelievable!) Try to look at which hospitals you are to spend year 3. These are also very important, as during year 3 you are likely to be the most senior trainee in the hospital. Remember that the programme is a 5 year one, and all the rotations are balanced, so choosing a hospital to start year 1 in because it is near a friend, or a windsurfing club, may not be the wisest choice for the whole programme. This cannot be over-emphasised.
It is also important to note that although SpR 5 year is usually taken after SpR 4, it- can be taken at any time after entering SpR 3. Note though that if you opt out of your rotation during SpR 3 to do your year 5, then you will not necessarily (indeed it is unlikely) go to the same DGH's as were originally planned on your scheme. This is because when you return you will be "out of synch" and so will have to fit in to the gaps available. Also remember that the RCA states that "normally" a trainee will have to be back in the country for 6 months prior to receiving their CCST. That is to say that they are unkeen for you to get of a 'plane and give you a CCST without some assessment of your training over the previous year. For more information about year 5 click here.
It is quite common for candidates to find that several of their 'first' choices have gone and they must choose from their reserve list. Some candidates have had a few beers during the day and the selection committee is quite tired so please try and be as prepared as possible for this part of the selection process. Please mention now if you have previous LAT time which you wish to count - your chosen first year hospital may not be suitable. When you have been accepted you will have to sign an acceptance form. You will also get a contact number of the programme director - please contact them immediately if there are any problems.