2009 PERSON SPECIFICATION
APPLICATION TO ENTER SPECIALTY TRAINING at
LEVEL ST1 - 3: TROPICAL PAEDIATRICS
ENTRY CRITERIAESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE / WHEN EVALUATED[1]
QUALIFICATIONS / • MBBS or equivalent medical qualification / Application form
ELIGIBILITY / • Eligible for full or limited registration with the GMC at time of appointment
• Evidence of achievement of Foundation competences by time of appointment in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice including:
• Good clinical care
• Maintaining good medical practice
• Good relationships and communication with patients
• Good working relationships with colleagues
• Good teaching and training
• Professional behaviour and probity
• Delivery of good acute clinical care
▪ Evidence of achievement of competencies to the level applied for
• Eligibility to work in the UK / Application form
Application form / Interview / Selection centre[2]
Application form / Interview / selection centre
Application form
FITNESS TO PRACTISE / • Is up to date and fit to practise safely / Application form / References
LANGUAGE SKILLS / • All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues which could be demonstrated by one of the following:
• a) that applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English; or
• b) have the following scores in the academic lnternational English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Overall 7, Speaking 7, Listening 6, Reading 6, Writing 6.
• However, if applicants believe that they have adequate communication skills but do not fit into one of the examples they need to provide evidence / Application form / Interview / Selection centre
HEALTH / • Meets professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice) / Application form / Pre-employment health screening
CAREER
PROGRESSION / • Ability to provide complete details of employment history
•At least completion of Foundation programme If applying at ST1. / Application form
APPLICATION COMPLETION / •ALL sections of application form FULLY completed according to written guidelines / Application form
SELECTION CRITERIA
CLINICAL SKILLS / • Clinical Knowledge & Expertise: Capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge & judgement. Able to prioritise clinical need / • Personal Attributes: Shows aptitude for practical skills, e.g. manual dexterity / Application form / Interview / Selection centre / References
ACADEMIC / RESEARCH SKILLS / • Research Skills: Demonstrates understanding of the principles of audit & research / • Evidence of relevant academic & research achievements , e.g. degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, other achievements
• Evidence of active participation in audit
• Teaching: Evidence of interest and experience in teaching / Application form / Interview / Selection centre
PERSONAL SKILLS / • Communication Skills: Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication & capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation. Able to build rapport, listen, persuade & negotiate
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems/make decisions
• Managing Others & Team Involvement: Capacity to work effectively with others. Able to work in multi-professional teams
• Empathy & Sensitivity: Capacity to take in others’ perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients as people
• Organisation & Planning: Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively. Capacity to prioritise own workload
• Vigilance & Situational Awareness: Capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
• Coping with Pressure: Capacity to operate under pressure. Demonstrates initiative & resilience to cope with changing circumstances / Interview / Selection centre / References
PROBITY / • Professional Integrity & Respect for Others: Capacity to take responsibility for own actions and demonstrate a non-judgemental approach towards others. Displays honesty, integrity, awareness of confidentiality & ethical issues / Interview / Selection centre / References
COMMITMENT TO SPECIALTY / • Learning & Personal Development: Demonstrates interest and realistic insight into anaesthesia, intensive care & acute care. Demonstrates self-awareness & ability to accept feedback. / • Extracurricular activities / achievements relevant to anaesthesia / Application form / Interview / Selection centre / References
CONTINUES OVERLEAF – ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC PERSON SPECIFICATION
SUPPLEMENTAL PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR ALL CANDIDATES
APPLYING FOR AN NIHR ACADEMIC CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP
ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE / WHEN EVALUATED[3]ELIGIBILITY / • Evidence of achievement of Foundation competences / - Evidence of commitment to the specialty- Intercalated honours for BSc and/or additional qualifications e.g MSc etc
- Distinction or honours during MBBS programme
- Completion of Academic Foundation Programme or equivalent / Application form
KNOWLEDGE & ACHIEVEMENTS / • Demonstration of acquisition of the level of knowledge and skills necessary for the completion of F2
- Demonstration of, understanding of, and commitment to, an academic career / - Demonstration of good general knowledge / broad interest in science and academic medicine
- Prizes or distinctions
- Presentation of work at a national or international meeting
- Publications in peer reviewed journals
- Additional degree or MSc in relevant subject area
- Research experience
Demonstration of knowledge of the clinical academic career pathway / Application Form and selection centre
EDUCATIONAL & PERSONAL ASPECTS / - Demonstration of understanding and commitment to academic career
- Support of an academic referee for this application. / - Demonstration of educational reasons for applying for this Academic Clinical Fellowship programme
- Demonstration of personal reasons for applying for this Academic Clinical Fellowship programme / Application Form and selection centre
COMMUNICATION SKILLS / - As for standard person specification criteria / - Evidence of team working skills
- Evidence of leadership potential
- Evidence through scientific publications and presentations / Application Form and selection centre
Please note that candidates with MB/PhDs or other relevant higher degrees are eligible for the scheme and are advised to consult the paper ‘NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowships: Entry, Eligibility and Exit Points for Appointments Made in 2010’ which can be downloaded from the website
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD / OXFORD DEANERY
Department of Paediatrics
Further particulars for the post of
Academic Clinical Fellow in Tropical Paediatrics
Job title - Academic Clinical Fellow
Duration of post - Three years
Level – ST1-3
Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) posts have been awarded by the NIHR to University/NHS Trust/Deanery partnerships nationally through competition. Oxford has been very successful attracting 79 ACF and 30 Clinical Lecturer posts to date. These posts form part of the NIHR Integrated Training Pathway, further details of which can be found on the NIHR TCC website In addition to these posts we have secured funding to create a local ACF post in Tropical Paediatrics. Recognition for this post by the NIHR will be applied for and it will have associated funding for research overseas.
The University of Oxford enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence in research and teaching. It employs over 7,800 academic, research and support staff across a wide range of academic disciplines. It has a long history of research in Tropical Medicine with a collection of research groups based permanently in Africa and Asia.
The Medical Sciences Division, within which the Department of Paediatrics is located, includes the clinical and preclinical departments of the MedicalSchool, plus Experimental Psychology (see ). The division is one of the major centres for clinical and basic biomedical research in Europe, with more than 2,200 staff on the payroll and 800 postgraduate students. It includes several research Institutes and Units housed in modern buildings. The Division achieved top scores in both the 2001 and 2008 HEFCE research assessment exercises. The annual grant income from external sources for the Medical Sciences Division is over £90 million. The Division fosters the highest possible standards in research, teaching and patient care and seeks to recruit staff that share this vision.
The Oxford Medical Sciences Division aims to sustain a high standard both in teaching and research and furthers the development of students by providing an environment in which basic and clinical research are actively pursued at the highest level. The medical course is suited to students with a strong interest in, and aptitude for biomedical science, and all students obtain an honours degree after 3 years. Medical education is changing and teaching methods in Oxford are adapting to face new challenges including those posed by a larger medical school and a shift of teaching from central Oxford hospitals to the community and the surrounding District General Hospitals.
The University Department of Paediatrics has a diverse portfolio of research in paediatric diseases and child health. The Department has strong links with the NHS Department of Paediatrics, which is co-located in the new Children’s Hospital. The opportunities for clinical and academic training in the department are considerable and reflected in the wide range of interests in the consultant body:
Staffing Structure
Consultants within the University and NHS Departments of Paediatrics:
Dr Elerie AdamsConsultant Paediatrician (Neonatal Medicine)
Dr Satish AdwaniConsultant Paediatric Cardiologist
Dr Mary AnthonyConsultant Paediatrician (Neonatal Medicine)
Dr Nick ArcherConsultant Paediatric Cardiologist
Dr Charlotte BennettConsultant Paediatrician (Neonatal Medicine)
Dr Janet CrazeConsultant Paediatrician (Renal & General)
Dr Julie EdgeConsultant Paediatrician (Endocrinology, Diabetes, General)
Prof Philip Goulder*Hon. Consultant Paediatrician (Paediatric HIV disease)
Mr Hugh GrantConsultant Paediatric Surgeon
Dr Georgina HallConsultant Paediatric Haematologist/Oncologist
Miss Rowena HitchcockConsultant Paediatric Surgeon
Dr Jeremy HullConsultant Paediatrician (Respiratory Medicine, General)
Dr Kevin IvesConsultant Paediatrician (Neonatal Medicine)
Mr Paul Johnson*Clinical Reader & Hon Consultant in Paediatric Surgery
Dr Fiona RyanConsultant Paediatrician (Endocrinology, Diabetes, General)
Prof Dominic Kwiatkowski*Hon Consultant Paediatrician (Tropical Paediatrics)
Miss Kokila LakhooConsultant Paediatric Surgeon
Mr Jay JayamohanConsultant in Paediatric Neurosurgery
Dr Kenny McCormickConsultant Paediatrician (Neonatal Medicine)
Dr Tony McShaneConsultant Paediatric Neurologist
Dr Chris MitchellConsultant Paediatric Oncologist
Dr Sheila LaneConsultant Paediatric Oncologist
Dr Josep PaniselloConsultant Paediatric Intensivist
Dr Mike PikeConsultant Paediatric Neurologist
Prof Andrew Pollard*Hon Consultant Paediatrician (Infectious Diseases)
Mr Peter RichardsConsultant in Paediatric Neurosurgery
Dr Clare RobertsonConsultant Paediatrician (Community Child Health, General)
Dr John ShawConsultant Paediatrician (Community Child Health, General)
Dr Alison SheflerConsultant Paediatric Intensivist
Dr Peter Sullivan*Reader & Hon Consultant (Paediatric Gastroenterology)
Dr Anne ThomsonConsultant Paediatrician (Respiratory & General)
Dr Kate WheelerConsultant Paediatric Oncologist (and General)
Prof Andrew Wilkinson*Hon Consultant Paediatrician (Neonatal Medicine)
Dr Neil WilsonConsultant Paediatric Cardiologist
Research Portfolio of Academics with the University Department
Philip Goulder’s groupbased in thePeterMedawarBuilding for Pathogen Research is working to define mechanisms of immune control of HIV infection and exploring strategies to alter the natural course of infection in children.
Andrew Pollard is director of the Oxford Vaccine Group based inthe Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine. He conducts clinical trials of new and improved vaccines against major childhood and adult pathogens. He also runs an applied immunology group that studies the development of the B cell response and a translational vaccinology programme focused on development of a Group B meningococcal vaccine. He also directs a research group in Nepal studying bacterial infections in children and their vaccine prevention. Several opportunities exist to learn about laboratory techniques and clinical field studies in paediatric infectious disease.
The strength in infectious diseases has also allowed members of the Department to make a significant contribution to the Medical Sciences Division’s global health programme. In addition, we have strong links through the Oxford Tropical Network with several paediatricians working overseas and have a member of the Department permanently in Nairobi, Kenya:
Michael English in addition to conducting several studies on infectious disease also investigates quality of child and maternal health care in developing countries.
Andrew Wilkinsonis involved in investigation into the neurophysiological development of brain stem function. The Neonatal Group participates in large multi-centre studies of the outcome of prematurity and has strong links with the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit. Recent work in collaboration with the Maternity Department involves assessment of fetal growth and management of intrauterine growth retardation.
Peter Sullivan’s Paediatric Nutrition Research Groupstudies the nutritional consequences of neurological impairment in children. Current studies focus on the impact of neurotrophic nutritional intervention to mitigate the effects of perinatal brain damage. This group also has research projects on infant nutrition, body composition, short gut syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and coeliac disease.
Michael Murphy is Director of the Childhood Cancer Research Group which houses the National Registry of Childhood Tumours and which undertakes epidemiological research into childhood cancer.
Teaching
The Department is highly regarded within the Medical Sciences Division for its high quality undergraduate teaching. The undergraduate course and special study modules are under continual refinement and development as a result of an active programme of feedback and educational research.
A variety of teaching opportunities are also available including opportunities to be involved in undergraduate medical student courses. In addition, there is the opportunity to undertake the Diploma in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (DLATHE) at OxfordUniversity.
Selection Criteria
The Academic Clinical Fellowship Programmes will offer training to enthusiastic entrants to paediatric and child health training who can demonstrate that they have outstanding potential for development as a clinical academic in research and/or education. Trainees can apply at ST1-4. Training will be flexible and trainee-centred, as far as possible, with mentoring to ensure the attainment of both academic and clinical goals. Trainees are encouraged to discuss their research interests with an appropriate tropical academic supervisor if shortlisted. The trainee selected for the Fellowship Programme will be awarded an NTN at the start of the Programme.
Training objectives
The main objectives of the programme will be to provide:
i)an entry point for doctors aspiring to a research based career in Child Health as well as provide training in Paediatrics and Child Health competencies leading to PMETB accreditation
ii)academic training and support to enable entry into appropriate research posts.
Structure of the training programme
These posts are designed to meet the needs of doctors at ST1-3 level who wish to pursue an academic career in paediatrics. 75% of the trainee’s time will be spent in clinical work, and 25% in academic work. They will be based in the Oxford region with academic time in block(s) at the tropical research unit. Clinical training would be overseen by the Oxford Deanery and post holders will undergo an ARCP assessment on an annual basis to assess the quality of their training. Each Fellow will have a clinical, an educational and an academic (research/teaching) supervisor. Academic supervision will be provided by supervisors at the tropical unit in which the trainee is placed. The trainee will use the academic time to gain research experience for development of a funding application for a higher degree. Details of the academic programme will depend on the interests of the candidates and the academic supervisor at the Tropical Unit.
See further information about the Oxford Tropical Network at:
Clinical training will be according to the OxPaed training programme in the School of Paediatrics (see the School of Paediatrics website Trainees will be expected to achieve the same competences as their full-time clinical colleagues, and will be involved in clinical service and training as well as teaching in any of the hospitals in the Oxford Deanery according to an allocation process which will be the same as for other non-academic trainees. The trainee will be expected to complete the MRCPCH exams within the 36 months.
In addition to the clinical work in the first year, the trainee will develop their research interest and put together a protocol for their research project for the next two years. The structure of the second and third years will include blocks of protected time free of clinical duties of 6 months to allow development of the research ideas.
It is envisaged that by the end of the post the trainee will be successful in obtaining a research fellowship and pursue a DPhil. Regular appraisals will be undertaken to monitor progress towards this goal and appropriate interventions will be initiated to ensure relevant career progression towards a CCT in Paediatrics.
For further details of the training programme please visit the Oxford Deanery School of Paediatrics website
For further information contact Professor Andrew Pollard by email
[1]‘when evaluated’ is indicative, but may be carried out at any time throughout the selection process
[2]A selection centre is a process not a place. It involves a number of selection activities that may be delivered within the Unit of Application
[3]‘when evaluated’ is indicative, but may be carried out at any time throughout the selection process