Applying for senior registrar training
What is it? Senior Registrar training is six months of extended training for GP registrars to learn additional skills. It follows on from the end of the GP registrar's vocational training and the Vocational Training Certificate is awarded only on completion of the extended training. Individuals may choose to take up to three months break between the end of their vocational training year and senior registrar training but they are unable to work as locums in general practice during that time because they do not have their VT certificate. Who is it for? This extension to training is specifically for those GP registrars who are considered "high flyers". This is not intended to help GP registrars make up for lack of learning on the VTS or plug gaps identified in their training. These are GP registrars who anticipate passing summative assessment and the MRCGP and who have a track record of achievement. This achievement does not have to be academic and could include exceptional contribution to their training practice, the NHS or outside voluntary activities. Applications are increasingly competitive as the scheme becomes more popular and numbers are limited due to funding. The purpose of the selection process is to appoint GP registrars to the scheme who have the potential to gain the most from the learning opportunities the scheme provides and are the most likely to use the additional learning to benefit the NHS and patient care in the long term. What Special Interest or Project can I do? It is hoped that the candidate will have ideas of their own regarding their special interest or project. Most Senior Registrars spend half their week developing a special interest or doing a project and this requires a careful choice and thoughtful planning. Although many Senior Registrars use this opportunity to develop a special clinical interest and start their training to be a GP with a Special Interest (GPwSI) by taking Diplomas and Certificates, this is by no means the only option. Equal consideration would be given to candidates wishing to develop their clinical leadership skills, perhaps by running nGMS projects in their practice and/or working with their PCT. It may be worth considering the following questions; What sort of GP do you want to be eventually? For example: Partner with managerial responsibilities Portfolio career with a clinical special interest GP  with interest in: medical education - trainer, Course Organiser, appraiser. medical politics - LMC, RCGP, BM(GPC). A career-counselling interview may be helpful either with your trainer or someone else with similar specialist interests. You will need the support and a reference from your trainer, your course organiser and your PCT so it would be helpful to discuss your plans with all of them. Your trainer may well give helpful feedback about you as an individual to help you choose a programme that works with your strengths and helps maximise your potential. Your Course Organiser may well be helpful, as they have extensive local knowledge of educational opportunities and hospital consultants you may wish to approach to help develop particular clinical skills. They will also advise you about the decision to stay with your original training practice or move to another one. Discussing options with your PCT is important so that you can be aware of local workforce priorities and opportunities for using the PCT as an educational resource. Remember that opportunities to work as a GPwSI depend on your PCT perspective and priorities and some PCTs will financially support senior registrars doing Diplomas and other qualifications. This is more likely if the PCT feels you are likely to work permanently in their area and could provide a service which is already recognised as a priority. Your choice of special interest or project is obviously an important part of your application. Although it will be important to show how your choice reflects the workforce priorities for your PCT, equal consideration will be given to special interests and projects that reflect your own interests and enthusiasms. It is not necessary for your special interest to involve developing new clinical skills outside the practice as it is recognised that clinical leadership and change management may be best learnt within the practice. However, whatever you decide as your special interest, you will be expected to demonstrate at the interview how the additional training you receive will not only benefit patients and the NHS in the future but also enhance your own potential and motivation as a general practitioner. What about the time I spend in the practice? You will be expected to produce a detailed , imaginative plan for your time within the practice. This is likely to come from a personal development plan that you will have developed with the help of your trainer. The time spent in general practice should not be seen as the service commitment part of senior registrar training but rather an opportunity to develop your skills as a general practitioner. What are the criteria for applying? Essential criteria Fully registered Up to date medical defence insurance Currently undertaking GP vocational training Understanding of the role and ethos of Senior Registrar training Letter from current trainer indicating expectation that the candidate will have passed all aspects of summative assessment before starting SR training Planning to start SR training within 3m of finishing vocational training Have agreement from a proposed trainer to supervise SR training Satisfactory references (see Reference guide below) from Original GP trainer, future trainer (if different) and Course Organiser Desirable criteria Started/completed MRCGP High achiever with proven academic and/or exceptional contribution to previous projects Educational plans for the SR six months  which; Are achievable in the time frame Reflect personal educational needs and ultimate career plans Include both the special interest and the general practice component Can be justified in relation both to patient need and local priorities Educational contracts negotiated with supervising GP trainer and any special interest superviser.( see Educational contract guide below) Satisfactory reference from your PCT (see Reference guide below) andHospital Consultant (if appropriate) What should my application include? Your application should include; Full description of planned Senior Registrar training to include; Who Full curriculum vitae ( include home contact details particularly e-mail) Why ultimate career objectives reasons for applying for senior registrar training reasons for special interest including personal motivations What Detailed plan for both the general practice and special interest parts of the senior registrar post an outline timetable for the week ( detailed times are not needed) How Personal development plan draft educational contract for your time in general practice that has been negotiated with your SR trainer draft educational contract for any outside special interest negotiated with your superviser. When Start and finish dates Proposals for training flexibly ( if appropriate) Indicate which references to expect from; Your original GP trainer ( & future trainer if appropriate) Course Organiser PCT Hospital Consultant