National Speciality Director
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) Dublin 2 Ireland Education
Company Description
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is a postgraduate medical training college dedicated to ensuring that doctors have the skills to provide patients with the best possible care. Founded in 1654, the college supports doctors to enhance their skills, competencies, and professionalism throughout their working lives.
Through its Faculties and Institutes, The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland offers medical training programmes, examinations, diplomas, and educational courses to equip doctors with the skills and knowledge they need to care for patients and run safe and efficient healthcare systems.
The mission of The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) is to develop and maintain high professional standards in specialist medical practice in order to achieve optimum patient care and to promote health nationally and internationally. Through its Faculties/Institutes and Committees, RCPI has responsibility for the postgraduate education and training of doctors in Ireland in twenty-five medical specialties.
Position
Role: National Speciality Director
Affiliation: Faculty of Occupational Medicine
Department/Function: Postgraduate training and Education
Tenure of office: as per college regulations
Role Overview
The National Specialty Director is responsible for:
* Advising the Board on all training related matters
* Facilitating the inspection of training programmes
* Ensuring maintenance of recommended training standards
* Identification of Higher Specialist Training posts
* Facilitating short-listing and the interview process leading to appointment of Higher Specialist Trainees in Occupational Medicine
* Career guidance of trainees
* Co-ordination of annual assessments. Monitoring and liaison with trainers
* Chairing the Specialist Training Committee of the Faculty
* Liaison with the Chief Examiner and Education Committee on education and training related issues
The role of the National Specialty Director (NSD) is to actively lead the development and delivery of postgraduate specialist training in Occupational Medicine, under the governance of the Board. The NSD chairs the Specialty Training Committee (STC), with a minimum of three meetings per year.
Reporting Relationships
The NSD reports through the STC to the Board. The NSD works with Trainers and Trainees to oversee all matters pertaining to education and training in Occupational Medicine.
Responsibilities
Governance
* The NSD reports to the Board of the Faculty
* The NSD is the Chair of the Specialty Training Committee and is responsible for setting and leading the agenda of each meeting. A minimum of three meetings should take place each year
* Attendance at committees/events – NSDs are expected to attend:
o Specialty Training Committee Meetings
o Annual General Meeting of the Faculty
o Other RCPI meetings as required
Content of Training Programme
* Liaise with the Postgraduate Training and Education function to understand, implement, and feedback on the rules and guidelines for the training programme
* Update the Occupational Medicine curriculum and logbook/ePortfolio, in consultation with the Specialty Training Committee and Postgraduate Training and Education function
* Work with the Professional Affairs function to oversee/lead on the development of courses for specialist training
* Develop and organise Study Days across the duration of the training programme
* Implement formative knowledge based assessments in line with RCPI policies
Support and Guidelines
* Provide advice, career guidance and support to trainees on issues relating to training, examination and general queries relating to the specialty
* Be familiar with and follow delineated process for dealing with trainee/training issues as per the RCPI Grievance, Disciplinary and other related policies
* Review requests for advice on career intentions e.g. this may include taking time out from the training programme, requesting transfer to another training centre or spending time abroad
* Act as liaison between trainers and trainees
Recruitment
* Play an active role in the recruitment and selection of candidates to the specialist training programme including reviewing training intentions and identifying available posts prior to recruitment advertising
* Liaise with NDTP regarding workforce planning and number of available posts in the specialty
* Define criteria for short listing that is agreed by the Specialty Training Committee
* Conduct short-listing of candidates against agreed criteria with panel members
* Participate in all interviews for entry onto the specialist training programme
* Participate, where requested, in interviews for entry onto specialist training programmes of another discipline as an independent assessor
* After consulting with the Specialty Training Committee, allocate current trainees to various centres for the training year. In this regard, NSDs must confirm to the Specialty Training Committee the number and location of clinical training posts available prior to the allocation process
Hospital Inspections/Accreditation
* Participate in training site inspections and accreditation visits in the specialty (throughout the year) - where the NSD cannot attend an inspection they must nominate an appropriate alternate with relevant experience from their STC
* Note: Alternative arrangements for training site inspections are subject to the oversight of the RCPI Director of Training Site Accreditation
* Oversee approval of posts for training and complete associated reports for review and approval by the Board
Assessments
* Participate in annual assessments of the specialty and also in the assessments of other disciplines as requested. An extern is required for Penultimate Year Assessments (PYA) and it is the responsibility of the NSD to identify an extern who is willing to participate in the annual assessments
Specialist Division of the Register
* Act as principal assessor for applications for entry onto the Medical Council Specialist Division of the Register in the defined specialty, in accordance with standards specified by the Medical Council
International Programmes
* Participate in the recruitment of International trainees
* Note: Interviews and recruitment may require overseas travel. Where possible and desirable this role will be fulfilled by an NSD. This role can be delegated to an STC member if necessary
* Implement an integrated programme for international trainees according to the structure and curriculum as agreed between the NSD/STC, the Dean, and the International Programme Manager
* After consulting with the Specialty Training Committee, allocate international trainees to various training centres
* Participate in the assessment of international trainees
Examinations
* Where applicable, lead and guide the development of knowledge based examinations for Occupational Medicine, in line with RCPI policy
Professional Affairs
* As required, link and engage with Professional Bodies/Societies (where applicable), on issues relating to the specialty
Requirements
Mandatory
* Fellow of the Faculty in good standing
* Must be a registered and active trainer on the specialty training programme or equivalent in respect of those from Northern Ireland
* Must be entered on the Medical Council’s Specialist Division of the Register in the relevant specialty or equivalent in respect of those from Northern Ireland
* Must be registered on an RCPI Professional Competence Scheme or equivalent in respect of those from Northern Ireland
* It is expected that the successful candidate will have significant prior experience of specialist training
* NSD performance and engagement will be reviewed annually by the Dean
Appointment and Tenure
The National Specialty Director is appointed by the College through an open, competitive interview process. The proposed appointee is submitted to the Board for approval. The tenure is as per College Regulations.
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