 The Assessment and Selection Process Explained...
The National Recruitment Office co-ordinates the
nationally agreed and quality assured process for recruitment to GP
Specialty Training Programmes.
All submitted applications for GP specialty
training will be assessed using a standard, national and consistent
staged process outlined below. This is an established and
well-researched selection process using modern methodologies that
enhances the delivery of equal opportunities. The competency based
selection process allows applicants to demonstrate their abilities and
suitability for GP training - applications are assessed by the
demonstration of competencies as outlined in the
National Person Specification. We are
confident that our selection processes are fair, robust and fit for
purpose.
Read our recent BMJ Careers Focus Article at
http://careerfocus.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/335/7616/gp73
STAGE 1 (long-list)
Once your application has been submitted, your application will be
manually reviewed and provided it meets essential
eligibility criteria (UK GMC
registration, able to legally work in UK, etc) your application will
be accepted.
STAGE 2 (short-list)
You will then be asked to attend an initial assessment which forms our
short-listing process. This assessment is conducted under examination
conditions and you will be asked to agree to a set of rules before you
can proceed. Stage 2 assessments are conducted on one day in deaneries
across the UK and you will be able to attend at the closest available
centre to where you are currently living. ...Read
more.
Click here for the Scoring and
Psychometric properties of the papers used in February 2008
STAGE 3 (selection)
Having successfully achieved the standard required at
Stage 2 you will be invited to a Selection centre, usually at your
first choice Deanery; this will be dependant on the availability of
places. You will only be invited to attend at one deanery and if you
are invited, you will be expected to attend. Your application will be
considered for a training programme at the deanery where you attend
the selection centre. Deaneries will request references from all
applicants who are invited to stage 3 and you will be required to
bring those references with you.
Download
Structured Reference Form (MS Word format 128kb)
You will also be asked to indicate your preferred geographical
areas or programmes within the deanery from those available and this
will be explained when you attend. Use the deanery finder at the top
of this page for more information about the geography and programmes
available within a particular deanery.
Your documentation and evidence relating to the completion of
Foundation competencies will also be examined as part of the selection
centre process. It will not be possible to review and consider
anything submitted to the deaneries after that date. It is important
that therefore that you read the guidelines regarding providing
evidence of achievement of
foundation competence and make sure that you have the correct
documentation with you when you attend.
You will also be asked to provide photographic proof of identity
such as a passport or driving licence. You will be asked to provide
documentation relating to your right to work in the UK. You must bring
your original GMC certificate and your original medical qualification
certificate as well as photocopies of these for us to keep. If you do
not currently hold a driving licence, you will be asked to confirm
that you have suitable arrangements for attending emergencies and
providing domiciliary care.
Once you have registered and had your documentation collected
and/or checked, you will have your photograph taken. This is simply to
ensure that the assessors can identify you during the selection
process.
Each UK Selection centre will involve candidates completing 3
exercises which are observed and assessed by trained selectors. The
exercises will consist of a patient simulation exercise, a group
exercise and a written exercise. There are no interviews. At the end
of each phase of the Selection centre day there is a “Wash-up”
session; this allows facilitated discussion of the overall performance
of all individual candidates which is reviewed by the selectors
involved. This discussion allows the deanery to make a final
recommendation about the suitability of the candidate to be taken onto
a standard Specialty Training Programme for General Practice. None of
the GP assessors take part in or endorse any preparation courses or
books. All the information you need to prepare for and participate in
GP Selection Centre is available here
- Patient Simulation Exercise
This will involve a simulator and a situation which you
should be able to deal with as a doctor with at least 18 months
postgraduate experience. It will not involve a physical examination
and clinical expertise is not specifically assessed. Please refer
back to the National Person Specification to consider how this
exercise may relate to the competencies required.
- Written Exercise
You will have to complete an exercise in which there are no
absolutely correct answers. Again we expect you to demonstrate your
abilities against the competency areas identified in the Person
Specification and this should be your reference.
- Group Exercise
You will be randomly allocated to a group to carry out an
exercise; this will obviously involve interaction with colleagues
and candidates going through the same selection process for a GP
Specialty Training programme. The group dynamics will not be
assessed. The Person Specification will again be the reference for
assessment in this exercise.
- Click here for
an example Scenario for each of these exercises
All exercises will have specific and individual written
instruction, with advice to spend time reading and being familiar with
the requirements of the exercise. You will also be advised to allow
time at the end of each exercise to review your performance.
There will be a briefing session at the start of your Selection
centre session and an opportunity for debrief at the end of it; this
is NOT a feedback session.
Preparation hints
- Be yourself and act naturally.
- Listen and read carefully all instructions given on the day
about the exercises.
- Be honest.
- Trust the process which has always had excellent candidate
evaluation; specifically the evaluation says the process is fair,
even from those who are not successful first time.
- Practice the example scenarios with your colleagues by all means
but we do not recommend it is necessary for you to book commercial
courses or purchase text books specifically aimed at GP Selection
Centre.
STAGE 4 (allocation and offer)
Programmes will be allocated to successful candidates depending upon
performance at selection centre, the training programme required and
availability of a suitable vacancy. It is expected that deaneries will
be unable to offer all successful candidates a training programme. The NRO will attempt to ensure that any remaining vacancies are offered to
suitable candidates from other deaneries where appropriate.
See Calendar for
key dates relating to current recruitment activity
COMPLAINTS and APPEALS
All deaneries adhere
to a national framework for handling complaints and appeals. Please
contact the relevant deanery directly to obtain a copy of the
Complaints Procedure.
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