Applying for Specialty training

How to do it, what to expect

Learning outcomesYou will:• Understand the processes and timescales for

specialty applications• Be able to refine your CV and complete

competency-based applications• Recognise the range of selection methods which

you may encounter• Know how to prepare and present yourself

professionally at interview

Things to pin down• Am I applying in Round 1 or later?Am I applying in Round 1 or later?

• Is specialty more important than location or vice versa?Is specialty more important than location or vice versa?

• What about any dual career issues – who takes priority?What about any dual career issues – who takes priority?

• Core or run-through programme?Core or run-through programme?

• Am I ready/good enough? Where can I explore for longer?Am I ready/good enough? Where can I explore for longer?

• What is my 1What is my 1stst, 2, 2ndnd, 3, 3rdrd choice? choice?

• What is my Plan B?What is my Plan B?

• Should I go abroad now or during specialty training?Should I go abroad now or during specialty training?

• If I go now, how will I keep in touch?If I go now, how will I keep in touch?

Myths about specialty applications

• You only get one chance a year to apply for specialty training

• Working in a fixed term specialty post or locum will count against me in the future

• Once in a specialty it is well nigh impossible to change• Applications to change specialty will be unfavourably

viewed later on• If I apply to more than one specialty the others will find out• If a consultant expresses a view on a career route it is the

absolute truth

What’s happening in 2011-12?• Application and interviews will be even earlier!• Posts advertised for 4 weeks, applications during 2 weeks• All processes national and on-line; WCAT the exception• Can apply to unlimited specialties but not unlimited

locations – check each specialty• Fewer posts in England/Wales this year – expect tougher

competition• Expect one or two interviews per specialty• Some specialties will run clearing, others will rely on Round

2/3 to fill remaining posts• Once accepted, out of the process for that round (If national

offers system goes ahead)

Key dates (indicative)• Adverts during November- see NHS Jobs and BMJ

website for Wales • Applications from 12th November (check for variation

between specialties)

• GP from 14th Nov with MMT in w/c 14 January 2011• Round 1 offers all out by 9th March 2011, from 9th

for GP• Round 1 acceptances by mid March• There will be a new round opening after this• Check individual specialties for clearing dates

Indicative Posts in WalesNATIONAL

Core Surgical Training CT1 (c30) Paediatrics ST1 (c25)

Core Medical Training CT1 (c65) Obs & Gynae ST1 (c14)

Core Psychiatry Training CT1 (c25) Public Health Medicine ST1 (c2)

Anaesthetics CT1 (c24) Radiology ST1 (c5)

ACCS CT1 (c16) Histopathology ST1 (c5)

Medical Microbiology/Virology ST1(tbc)

General Practice ST1 ( c121)

PlusOphthalmology ST1 (c2 plus possible FTSTA1)

It is likely that CT2 posts will be recruited to locally but NOT CT1

Information for applicants• www.mmc.nhs.uk for Applicant Guidelines,

Person Specs, comp ratios (from early Nov)• Lead Deaneries and Royal College websites

• www.specialty.walesdeanery.org for all Specialty Training Wales information. Enquiries to stjobs@cardiff.ac.uk

• www.walesthesmartchoice.co.uk – quick links to GP and ST recruitment in Wales and to specialty video clips

• http://www.gprecruitment.org.uk for GP• The Gold Guide (how training works, TOOP,

LTFT etc)

Other planning resources• Our e-learning module on PLATO:http://www.mle.wales.nhs.uk/login/signup.php http://www.medicalcareers.nhs.uk/

career_planning/plan_implementation.aspx• Where to look• Application tips• Practice Interview questions

• Also BMJ Careers and BMA

Competition ratios – a word of warning!

• Numbers look an attractive way of planning or Numbers look an attractive way of planning or justifying decisions justifying decisions BUTBUT

• Still no common way of collecting/presenting Still no common way of collecting/presenting datadata

• Posts are based on NHS service need; this changes from year to year

• The recruitment process has changed so much that the previous year’s data is incomparable to current year

• Using ratios to determine choice is like driving whilst looking in the rear view mirror

• Try http://www.cfwi.org.uk

Specialty Applications

• They focus on information selectors rather than what you think you’d like to provide

• They take longer than you think to complete• Competency questions are key to shortlisting

decisions• Accuracy and attention to detail are essential• On-line applications should be completed in more

than one sitting; and checked before you send• Many applicants wait until the last minute to submit,

for no good reason, then some miss the deadline – so hit “send” well before the closing date!

Presenting your Evidence• Where there are defined sections for you to present

information, check for word counts; draft first.• Think about specific examples to showcase personal

skills e.g. teamwork, communication, ethics • Vary your examples to match specialty• When giving examples, think STAR (Situation, Task,

Action, Result) to structure your response• Describe not just on an experience, but what you

learnt from it

Key Points for your CV

• Have a summary version for portfolio (2 -3 pages)

• Good layout important; get the most relevant information on early pages

• Different versions for different specialities• This is an advertisement for YOU!• Ensure your CV does not contain any Patient Identifiable Data

Medical CVs can include:• Personal details:

• Career plan: your career aim how this job will fit into the plan

• Professional qualifications: usually in reverse chronological order

• Education: mention prizes, distinctions, electives, special study assignments

• Professional expertise: Include job title and location

• Practical skills: Summarise specialty experience and also technical skills

• Additional courses

• Research: plus any related publications and presentations

• Teaching: to who and in what topics

• Audit: include your role, the outcome and quantifiable improvements

• Management/Organisational roles: include roles outside work

• Other relevant skills: You can mention language and particular IT skills

• Interests: Include a couple of your interests that add value to your application

• Referees: At least two and make sure that you have asked them first

Speciality SelectionSelection Centres involve:• Several stations, 10-15 mins each (3 or 4 the norm)• Assessment on a number of dimensions (e.g. clinical,

communications, career)• A range of assessment techniques• A number of assessors or observers• Multiple candidates, parallel activities • Structured/formal environment• Often interviewed by people you will never work with:

completely impartial• Standardised scoring system against nationally agreed

criteria

Specialty Selection StationsCould include:

• CV/Portfolio• Clinical interview/case• Patient role-play/communication scenario• Incident management• Structured interview/scenario-based• Presentation

Watch the streamed DVD in the E learning module to see what happens

GP SelectionSelection Centres involve:

• Longer stations, up to 30 mins

• Also includes written and group work

• Half day

• See: http://www.gprecruitment.org.uk/recruitment/assessment_process.htm

First Impressions

In the first 5 minutes of an interview you will convey information by:

• 55% - body language• 38% - tone and pace of voice• 7% - the words you say

What does a Panel want to know about you?

There are four basic questions :• Why have you applied for this job/speciality?• What can you do for us? (what skills, knowledge,

intellectual ability can you offer?)• What kind of person are you? (what are your

attitudes, values, motivation levels? Do you have the ability to get on with others, work in a team?)

• What distinguishes you from all the other applications?

Case Study Interviews

Hints:• Make sure you spend enough time looking at the

information before you indicate you are ready• Be aware that some of the information will be less

relevant; focus on key facts• Ensure that you make definite recommendations,

don’t be vague and don’t be afraid of saying you don’t know or would refer to a senior

Presentations

Hints:• Make sure your presentation has a clear structure to

it. Introduce it by explaining what you will be covering, deliver the talk and then summarise your main points.

• Keep it simple, avoid lots of pages/slides, use diagrams

• Speak clearly and stick to the time limit.

Patient Communication

• Sometimes explicit (e.g. an actor) sometimes implicit (e.g. explain to the panel what you’d say to a patient)

• Don’t overact – try to appear realistic• Think about soft skills e.g. showing empathy,

giving bad news, directing a treatment plan, handling emotion or resistance

• Show listening skills as well as talking skills.

Applicant etiquette• If you decide not to attend or to withdraw from an

interview, please notify the recruiters• Be on standby – you may receive an interview invitation at

short notice if applicants have declined to attend• Arrive with all requested documents and your portfolio • Schedules on the day can be unpredictable, so arrive in

plenty of time in case you can have an earlier slot, or take water/snacks and materials to use up waiting time

• Accept only what you intend to do – don’t hedge bets by accepting a post with the intention of dropping out (unprofessional behaviour). Some don’t receive offers because others have accepted something they don’t intend to follow through

Receiving offers (if national system)• Offers are not all made at the same time but

will come from the same place• You can hold one offer at any time pending

other interviews• If you hold an offer rather than accept it,

location/rotations are not guaranteed• Once you accept an offer, you will be

withdrawn from the process• Accepted offers will be upgraded as held

offers are declined/withdrawn

If you have no initial offers…• Some specialties will run clearing so you may still

receive an offer, based on your applicant score and remaining places

• Try in Round 2 – plenty of time until August• Consider other locum/LAT/LAS opportunities in

specialties you want to pursue or explore further• Build experience in a Career Grade/SAS post• Time for an overseas opportunity?• Caution – check experience allowed for future entry

at CT/ST 1. Several short posts doing different things may be a safer bet than a year or more in one thing

Action plan

• Organise ‘hard evidence‘ – assessments/certificates etc

• Organise ‘soft evidence’ – stories/experiences• Bookmark key job sites (e.g. NHSJobs, BMJ,

Deaneries)• Get portfolio in shape• Update CV• Rehearse / anticipate difficult questions• Talk to those who have been through the process

(candidates/panel members)