Core Training Programme Director

(Un-coupled Core Training Programme) 

The Core Training Programme Director has a key role in managing the core training programme of the specialty. The fundamental role is that of co-ordinator and communicator between Core Trainees, the Head of School, the Postgraduate Dean, and the appropriate Royal College or Faculty. The different roles and responsibilities are outlined below.

Participation in the Appointments Process

• Approving the wording of the advertisement, drawing up the person specification unless a National one is in use, creating the specialty training prospectus and confirming (PMETB, and Severn Deanery) approval.
• Leading the short-listing and interview processes:
• Allocating the successful candidates to the vacant placements in conjunction with the appointment committee.

Administration and Management

• Identifying appropriate training placements/slots to ensure that trainees are placed only in PMETB educationally approved and Severn Deanery funded training placements that reflect the level of training appropriate to the individual trainee.
• Communicating all rotational moves in a timely way to the Trust Medical Personnel Officers and to the Severn Deanery Specialty and Recruitment Managers to ensure Core Trainees are paid properly and their training record maintained correctly.
• Ensuring, with the support of the Severn Deanery, that all trainees, including LATs, have an annual ARCP.
• Carrying out the ARCP in accordance with the ARCP process as described in the Gold Guide. (This will enable the Training Programme Director to access the progress of the individual trainee and plan their further training.)
• Attending School Board and other Training Committee meetings.
• Keeping the relevant part of the Severn Deanery and School websites up to date.
• Managing the Severn Deanery budgetary allocation to support training in conjunction with the Head of School.

Delivery of Training

• Establishing and maintaining an appropriate training programme in accordance with the Royal College/Faculty curriculum. Organising appropriate training programmes for flexible trainees.
• Assessing the individual needs of trainees and advising local educational supervisors of defined trainee objectives agreed at annual review (ARCP).
• Collaborating with Head of School on study leave, ensuring that study leave is planned and appropriate.
• Recommending the placement of those requiring targeted or remedial training.
• Advising on the appropriateness of time to be spent out of programme and supporting applications.
• Counselling individual trainees, particularly where this is not appropriate or possible for local tutors.
• Alerting the Head of School and the Severn Deanery of the need of impending problems with any trainee.
• Liaising with the Severn Deanery over Inter-Deanery transfers, in consultation with the Head of School.

Monitoring and Inspection

• Considering opportunities for the development of new training posts and liaising with the Severn Deanery over requests to establish such posts.
• Advising the Severn Deanery, with the Head of School, about local increases or decreases in the number of trainees and/or posts in line with national recommendations and allocations.
• Advising the Head of School and Regional Advisor of training difficulties to be addressed in specific Trusts.
• Providing reports relevant to training to support the Annual Review process.

General

The Core Training Programme Director and Head of School should maintain close liaison with regard to the management of the core training programme. Whereas the Programme Director provides the main point of contact for the trainees the role of the Head of School is to oversee the activity of the School overall, to liaise with SAC’s, Trusts and the Severn Deanery on specific problems encountered, and support the Training Programme Director(s).

The Severn Deanery believes that, generally, the role of the Training Programme Director, Regional Advisor/Chair of the STC and Head of School should be taken by separate individuals to spread the work load, allow sharing of difficult decisions and facilitate any subsequent appeals against decisions made by one or the other. Other members of the Committee should be nominated to represent the specific needs of flexible trainees, and to advise on study leave.

The Core Training Programme Director now receives an allocation of £10,230.00 per 30 trainees and shares the administrative support budget with the Head of School. It is intended in large specialties that the Training Programme Director will negotiate sessional time in their job plan for their new role with their consultant colleagues, the Trust Chief Executive and Medical Director.