JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION
(Incorporating general information about the Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust)
for
SPECIALTY REGISTRAR (ST3+) NEUROPATHOLOGY
Full time (40h/week)
Length of contract: 4 years
at
THE WALTON CENTRE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Department of Neuropathology
1
Contents
Page No.
Section 1: An introduction to this Appointment 3
Section 2: Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust Information 3
Section 3: The Neuropathology Laboratory 5
Section 4: The Role & Responsibilities of the Post-Holder 6
Section 5: Terms & Conditions of Service 8
Section 6: The Person Specification for this Appointment 10
2
THE WALTON CENTRE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
1. The Appointment
This is a Specialty Registrar Post for training in Neuropathology leading to FRCPath and CCST in Neuropathology.
The post is based at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust with secondments to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals
NHS Trust and Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust (SRHT) providing a wide exposure to all aspects of
Neuropathology. The post is available with immediate effect.
Visits to the Hospital
Short-listed candidates are encouraged to visit the hospital before being interviewed by the Advisory Appointments
Committee. Earlier visits (at the candidate‟s own expense if prior to short-listing) would be welcomed by
Dr Daniel Crooks and arrangements can be made by contacting him on 0151 529 5572 or
daniel.crooks@thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk
2. About the Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust
General information
MERSEYSIDE, CITY OF LIVERPOOL AND THE ENVIRONS
Merseyside consists of 5 metropolitan boroughs, the largest being the City of Liverpool, Sefton Metropolitan Borough
is contiguous and stretches along the coastal strip north of the River Mersey as far as Southport.
Liverpool is a dynamic city. It has experienced a major revival over the past few years and Liverpudlians enjoy a
superb quality of life. It is unusually compact and a journey to the Centre rarely takes more than 30 minutes.
Liverpool was European Capital of Culture in 2008. Already renowned for its maritime heritage, architecture, music,
literature and sport, the Capital of Culture title has placed the city firmly on the global map as a premier European city.
Tourism has become a major industry and 20 million people visit the city every year, attracted by both the natural
areas and man made assets.
Merseyside‟s theatres, museums and art collections are now amongst its strongest assets. The city is alive with
independent theatre groups, authors, poets and dance groups. Photography, sculpture, street art and video makers
abound. The Walker Art Gallery contains a collection of equal to any in the provinces and the Tate Gallery opened in
1988 on Liverpool‟s waterfront in the refurbished Albert Dock.
The Philharmonic Orchestra is nationally acclaimed and there is a full range of musical activities of all types.
There are both Anglican and Roman Catholic Cathedrals and facilities for worship for every other faith in the city.
There are excellent schools for both sexes, including a variety of denominational schools for both in the private and
state sector.
The University Medical School and the Liverpool Medical Institution are within 20 minutes drive.
Very good housing in pleasant suburbs near the sea and in rural areas is easily available, the cost of which is rather
less than the national average.
Two airports are within easy reach. Both Liverpool and Manchester International Airports are within half to three-
quarters of an hour‟s drive time. There are excellent train services and motorway links to all parts of the country, with
easy access to the national parks, North Wales, „The Peak District and the Lake District, as well as to both Lancashire
and North Wales coasts.
South Sefton is the home of the Grand National Racecourse at Aintree and also embraces the Freeport of Liverpool.
THE WALTON CENTRE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust (WCFT) is the only fully integrated Neurosciences NHS Trust in the United
Kingdom, located in a modern purpose-built facility at Fazakerley. It serves a population over 3.5 million from the
Merseyside, North West, North Wales and the Isle of Man catchment area. The model of care operated by The Centre
aims to ensure that the benefits of highly specialised care are taken as close as possible to the homes of the patients
it cares for.
3
The Centre achieved Trust status in April 1992. In July 1998 the Trust moved to a new purpose-built accommodation
adjacent to the University Hospitals Aintree campus at Fazakerley on the northern edge of Liverpool. This building
provided new facilities for all wards and departments.
The Senior Medical establishment currently consists of 26 Consultant Neurologists (including three Professors in
Neurology), 12 Consultant Neurosurgeons (including 4 dedicated to Paediatric Neurosurgery), 6 Consultant
Neuroradiologists, 2 Consultant Neurophysiologists, 2 Consultant Neuropathologists, 2 Consultant
Neuropsychologists and 4 Consultant Pain Physicians (including a Professor of Pain Science).
The Centre is well-equipped and has theatres and investigative facilities in one building. There is a full range of
supporting therapy services, and the theatre suite consists of 5 theatres. There are 9 ITU beds, 4 adult wards and a
day ward. The Neuroradiology Department has a spiral CT scanner, a 1.5 T GE MR Scanner / 3 T Phillips MR
Scanner (both with Angiography) and a digital vascular imaging in addition to the standard facilities. Ambulatory
monitoring of the EEG and ECG, and EEG video-telemetry are available through the Neurophysiology Department,
which also provides an excellent EMG service.
There are numerous areas of specialisation in clinical neurosciences available at the Walton Centre e.g. epilepsy
surgery, muscle and nerve disease, neuro-degeneration, dementia, headache, neuro-rehabilitaton, and demyelinating
disorders.
The children‟s neurosurgical services were transferred in 2004 to the Royal Liverpool Children‟s NHS Trust – Alder
Hey, which is one of the largest and busiest children‟s hospitals in Europe, with a world class reputation and a proud
history of medical achievement and clinical innovation.
The Trust board is composed of Executive and Non-Executive Members. The Executive Team is formed by the Chief
Executive, Medical Director, Director of Nursing and Governance, Director of Service Delivery and Performance and
the Director of Finance and Information Technology. There are 6 Non-Executive Members including the Trust
Chairman. Members of the Board also have membership of Board sub-committees such as Remuneration and Terms
and Conditions of Service, Audit, Clinical Governance, Patient Services, Corporate Performance, Workforce and the
Walton Neuroscience Fund.
The Trust is currently organised in three Divisions: Neurology, Pain Management and Neuro-rehabilitation,
Neurosurgery and Critical Care, and Diagnostics. Each Division has a Clinical Director, a Manager and an Assistant
Manager. There are monthly Divisional meetings with the heads of the various departments within the division and
information is collated to the Board via the extended Management Meetings.
Education, Teaching and Research
The Liverpool University Division of Neurological Science is located within the Clinical Sciences Centre adjacent to
The Walton Centre on the University Hospital Aintree campus. This represents a partnership between WCFT, Aintree
Hospitals, the University of Liverpool, Edge Hill University College and the Pain Relief Foundation. The University
Department has an active programme of research and teaching and is internationally known for its work on Epilepsy.
The WCFT and the University Department have also created a Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) where members of the
Centre can undertake various clinical trials. The CTU has a manager and a team of nurses and secretaries to help in
the participation of high quality trials. In addition, the Pain Research Institute is able to provide research facilities for
those with appropriate interests. Most members of the medical staff of the WCFT are actively involved in research and
the appointee will be encouraged to make use of the many opportunities to develop his/her own research interest.
Some undergraduate medical students from the University of Liverpool spend time in the Centre. Consultant and
junior staff are involved in a series of seminars as well as bedside and outpatient clinical teaching.
The Walton Centre has a very active programme of postgraduate education with a regular weekly series of clinical
meetings, lectures, journal clubs and Neuropathology surgical pathology and Neuromuscular Meetings. There are
regular clinical audit meetings. The Centre‟s library is situated in the Clinical Sciences Centre.
In the Training and Development Department, there are on-line facilities in Medline search, etc. The education
facilities include a Lecture Theatre with a capacity of 225, equipped with the latest audio visual aids, video
conferencing facilities, an exhibition facility and seminar rooms with patient assessment area located on the ground
floor.
Neuropathology key relationships
The Neuropathology services are part of the WCFT, but there are close links with the Histopathology Departments at
Aintree University Hospitals, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals (including academic staff from the
Liverpool Division of Pathology) and the Royal Liverpool Children‟s NHS Trust – Alder Hey, which provides the
regional paediatric pathology services. There is close collaboration with Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology NHS
Foundation Trust and the locally organised Glioma research programme.
4
The Molecular Targeting Group provides the focus for the locally organised paediatric oncology research in
collaboration with the University of Liverpool
There are no formal arrangements with the Liverpool Forensic Pathology service but there is increasing demand for
Paediatric Neuropathology investigations.
The Northwest Neuropathology Network was formed by the Consultant Neuropathologists and senior members of the
technical staff from Liverpool, Manchester and Preston. There are quarterly meetings to audit diagnostic work by
peers and further develop arrangements for diagnostic support, cross-cover and remote reporting through a group of
networked microscopes.
At present, there are no formal mechanisms for funding referred cases from the region served.
3. About the Neuropathology Laboratory
The Buxton Laboratories occupy self-contained accommodation on the second floor of the Walton Centre and consist
of Neuropathology, Neurobiochemistry and Neuroimmunology. One of the Consultant Neuropathologists is designated
Lead Consultant and Laboratory Director for the Buxton Laboratories. The professional direction for
Neurobiochemistry is provided by a Consultant Biochemist whereas for Neuroimmunology it is provided by a
Neuroimmunologist.
There are facilities for photography, microphotography, tissue processing and sectioning of specialised
neuropathological material including large blocks, frozen sections, CSF cytology, and immunocytochemistry, muscle
enzyme histochemistry, teased nerve fibre preparation, electron microscopy, and access to molecular genetic
analysis.
There are facilities for archiving frozen tissues such as muscle and tumour biopsy samples. There is access to expert
opinions on lymphoma, soft tissue, bone, skin, lung and ophthalmic pathology experts at the Royal Liverpool
University Hospitals. Paediatric pathology services are available at the Liverpool Children‟s Hospital NHS Trust.
The Neuropathology service is included within the Diagnostics Division of the Walton Centre.
All the biomedical scientists are managed on a daily basis by the Laboratory Technical Manager, who is directly
accountable to the Laboratory Director.
The Walton Centre does not have mortuary facilities. However, there is access to mortuary facilities provided by
University Aintree Hospitals. There is appropriate support staff for the purpose of performing neuropathological
autopsies, with 1 MTO4 and 1 MTO3. There is provision for fixed brain storage and respectful tissue disposal.
At present, there are no mortuary or laboratory facilities allocated to the neuropathology service for handling „high risk‟
cases, including cases of HIV and prion disease, to approved health and safety standards.
The Buxton Laboratories is CPA (UK) Ltd accredited and participates in external quality assurance (EQA) schemes.
Workload 2009
Type of activity Requests in year (% referred)
Neurosurgical biopsies 775
Intraoperative smears/frozen sections 518
CSF cytology 425
Adult autopsies 50/30 (other centres)
Perinatal/paediatric autopsies 3
Brain cuts* 15/10 (other centres)
Muscle biopsies** 86
Nerve biopsies** 11
Specimens requiring electron microscopy 138
* All brain-cuts take place at the Walton Centre.
** Nerve and muscle biopsies are undertaken by Neurologists or Neurosurgeons.
5
There are extensive facilities for clinico-pathological/multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTs) both within the Walton
Centre i.e. Sutcliffe-Kerr or the Neuropathology Seminar room, both equipped with digital projection facilities and the
latter containing a downdraft table for brain-cuts.
There are weekly microscopy demonstrations, which alternate between Neurosurgical biopsies and Nerve and
Muscle. At present, Neuro-oncology MDTs are scheduled every week whereas there are monthly paediatric oncology
MDTs held at Alder Hey.
Staffing
The laboratory establishment currently consists of the following:
Neuropathology
2 Consultant Neuropathologists
1 Specialty Registrar in Neuropathology (this post)
1 Laboratory Technical Manager Band 8C
2 BMS Band 8A
2 BMS Band 7
2 BMS Band 5
2 MLA Band 3 (part-time)
1 Secretary
Neurobiochemistry
0.1 Consultant Clinical Biochemist Band 9
0.5 Principal Biochemist Band 8B
1 Clinical Scientist 8A
3 BMS Band 7
1 MLA Band 3
Neuroimmunology
0.1 Neuroimmunologist Band 8D
There is regular rotation of Specialist Registrars in Histopathology and Forensic Pathology for training in
neuropathology. Plans have been developed for establishing a rotation of Specialist registrars in Neuropathology at
regional level from the Northwest i.e. Manchester and Preston.
4. The Role & Its Responsibilities
The post-holder will be accountable to Dr Daniel Crooks, Laboratory Director, Department of Neuropathology who is
also the Educational Supervisor and Regional Director for Training in Neuropathology.
The post is within the Buxton laboratories led by Dr D Crooks. The site is in the Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust,
2nd floor.
Details of the Specialty Registrar post
Duties
The Specialty Registrar will be responsible to the Consultant Neuropathologists and the duties will include the
following:
Clinical: The appointed person, under the supervision of the Consultant Neuropathologists, will be
responsible for the reporting of surgical biopsies of brain and spinal cord lesions and muscle, nerve plus CSF
cytology. He/she will carry out post mortem examinations.
6
Teaching: The Specialist Registrar will be expected to contribute to the teaching provided to under-graduate
medical students, clinical neuroscientists and Histopathology peers.
Research: The Specialist Registrar will be encouraged to pursue elective research into various aspects of
diseases of the central nervous system. All departments can provide good research facilities and there are a
number of existing research projects with which the appointee could collaborate
Management: The Specialist registrar will be entitled to attend the Laboratory Management meetings.
Clinical Conferences and Clinical Meetings: The Specialist Registrar will be expected to participate in various
meetings held weekly in consultation with Neurosurgeons, Neurologists and Neuroradiologists.
Clinical Neuropathological Conferences and Audit: The Specialist Registrar will be expected to participate in
the preparation and presentation of cases at these regular meetings.
Regional and National Meetings: The Specialist Registrar will be encouraged to present cases of
neuropathological interest for discussion with other pathologists in regional and at national meetings.
Accommodation
The Specialist Registrar will have access to shared office, a modern microscope and a networked computer terminal.
Courses
The Specialist Registrar will be encouraged to attend courses in Neuropathology, molecular biology, statistics and
related subjects, as well as courses in management, clinical budgeting, audit and to be conversant with
computerization methods in Pathology.
British Neuropathology Society
The Specialist Registrar in Neuropathology will be encouraged to present papers at meetings of the Society and to
apply for membership of the Society.
Appointment and Training
The post is approved for higher specialist training by the Royal College of Pathologists.
Candidates will be expected to have completed their general professional training in line with the requirements laid
down by the Royal College of Pathologists.
Candidates who have gained the Part I FRCPath and who want to achieve the necessary experience to sit for the Part
II FRCPath in Neuropathology would be welcome to apply.
The Specialist Registrar in Neuropathology will be based at the Department of Neuropathology, the Walton Centre
NHS Foundation Trust and will be given the opportunity to be seconded to other laboratories to gain the necessary
experience to satisfy the requirements of the core training programme. A training period at Alder Hey Children‟s
Hospital will be required to gain experience in Paediatric Neuropathology.
The appointment is for 4 years, renewable annually subject to satisfactory work and progress as defined in the
Calman Regulations.
Contracted Hours
40/week
Annual and Study Leave
The annual leave entitlement for ST3 year is 30 days and 8 bank holidays.
Specialty Registrars are entitled to 30 days study leave in a year (the year being calculated form commencement of
appointment). Study leave should enhance clinical skills, education and training, be planned as far in advance as
possible as an integral part of the education and training process, provide education and training not easily accessible
in the clinical setting or locally, and support delivery of Curriculum targets.
7
Arrangements for leave and other absences must be initially agreed and approved by Dr Crooks and are subject to
formal approval by the Post Graduate Tutor.
Other support and facilities at WCFT:
Library: full access to electronic journals is possible using the Edge Hill College gateway. A library is available at the
Clinical Sciences Building just a few metres away.
Tissue storage: Frozen tissue archives are available at WCFT. This includes Muscle tissue, brain tumours and brain
from autopsies. Further tissue holdings are at the WCFT brain storage facility on the ground floor.
Electron microscopy: An electron microscopy suite (operated by two senior BMS and equipped with one TEM is
located the Neuropathology Department and is available for research and diagnostic purposes. Digital images are
stored on a database and can be accessed from all computers in the Buxton Laboratories.
5. General Information Relating to Terms & Conditions of Service
The post will be offered under the terms and conditions of service for St Helens & Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust –
Whiston Hospital
The Employing Authority
The contract of employment for SpRs is currently held at the Administrative Trust, St Helens & Knowsley Hospitals
NHS Trust – Whiston Hospital. This does not mean that you will be based at Halton Hospital just employed by them.
Basic Pay and Pay Thresholds: Basic pay is £29,705 - £46,708. This post is unbanded.
Any offer of appointment to the post will be subject to the receipt of two references which are satisfactory to the
Appointments Committee, confirmation by the Occupational Health Department that the pre-employment health
screening is acceptable and immunisation against infectious diseases as may be required.
Clinical Governance
The post-holder will comply with clinical governance requirements and participate in related initiatives where
appropriate.
The post-holder will also be responsible for maintaining satisfactory patient notes and, when relevant, for entering data
on to a computer database in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Data Protection Act.
Confidentiality
All employees and honorary appointees are required to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality at all times.
Criminal Record
In view of the nature of the work this post is exempt from the provision of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of
Offenders Act 1974 by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemption order 1975). Applicants are,
therefore, not entitled to withhold information about convictions including those which for other purposes are “spent”
under the provisions of the Act. You are, therefore, required to declare any pending prosecutions or convictions you
may have, even if they would otherwise be regarded as “spent” under this Action and any cautions. In the event of
employment, failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority. Any
information given will be completely confidential and will be considered only in relation to an application for positions to
which the order applies.
It is mandatory for the Trust to check with the police for the existence and content of any criminal record of the
successful applicant. Information received from the police will be kept in strict confidence.
The disclosure of a criminal record, or other information, will not debar you from appointment unless the selection
panel considers that the conviction renders you unsuitable for appointment. In making the decision the Trust will
consider the nature of the offence, how long ago and what age you were when it was committed and any other factors
which may be relevant, including appropriate considerations in relation to the Trust‟s published Equal Opportunities
Policy.
Failure to declare a conviction, caution or bind-over may, however, disqualify you from appointment, or result in
summary dismissal/disciplinary action if the discrepancy comes to light. If you would like to discuss what effect any
conviction you have might have on your application, in confidence, for advice, please contact a Senior Officer in the
Human Resources Department.
8
Data Protection
In accordance with the Data Protection Act (1998), the Trust is authorised, if required to do so, to obtain, process
and/or use information held on a computer in a fair and lawful way. The Trust is authorised to hold data only for the
specific registered purpose and not to use or disclose it in anyway incompatible with such purpose. It is further
authorised to disclose data only to authorised organisations as instructed.
Equality and Diversity
It is the aim of the Trust to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on grounds of sex,
race, colour, nationality, disability or sexuality and is not disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be
shown to be justifiable. To this end, the Trust values and promotes diversity and equality in the work place. The Trust
has an Equal Opportunities Policy and it is for each employee to contribute to its success.
Health and Safety
Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), to
ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and
visitors. The Trust also operates a No Smoking Policy, which does not allow smoking at work other than in a
designated area.
Hepatitis B
All employees who perform “exposure prone procedures” should be immunised against Hepatitis B. Antibody
response should be checked on a regular basis. If successful in being appointed to a post, all employees MUST report
to the Occupational Health Department within two weeks of starting in post. Failure to comply with this, or the new
regulations pertaining to Hepatitis B, may result in an employee being suspended from duty. For further information,
contact either the HR Department or the Occupational Health Department. All matters discussed will remain
confidential.
Insurance Policy
The Authority accepts no responsibility for damage to or loss of personal property with the exception of small
valuables handed to their officials for safe custody. Staff are therefore recommended to take out an insurance policy to
cover personal property.
No Smoking
In light of overwhelming evidence that smoking can seriously damage health WCFT operates a “No Smoking Policy”
which does not allow smoking at work other than in a designated area. Smoking is a Health and Safety issue, and all
staff has a responsibility to ensure that smoking does not occur in public areas and to be aware of, not only health
risks, but also the risks of unnecessary fire alarm activation. The Occupational Health Department will provide advice
on smoking facilities and resources available to assist those who wish to give up smoking.
Public Transport and Car Parking
Car Parking facilities at the Trust are limited. The current car parking policy and permit allocation policy has recently
been revised and permit applications should be directed to the Facilities department [Paula Staniland].
Residential Criteria
It is considered acceptable for new employees to commute a distance of approximately 25 miles to the hospital unless
there are exceptional circumstances or job requirements that prevent this. Trust staff must be able to contact a SpR by
telephone.
Staff Involvement
The Trust is committed to involving staff at all levels to improve patient services and working lives. The Trust
continually strives to improve internal communication systems and encourage staff involvement in organisational and
service developments – including business planning – to enable its staff to influence discussions which affect them
and their working conditions.
9
6. Person Specification
MERSEY DEANERY TRAINING PROGRAMME IN NEUROPATHOLOGY
Application to enter Specialty Training at ST3: Neuropathology
Entry Criteria
i
Essential When Evaluated
Qualifications MBBS or equivalent medical qualification. Application form
FRCPath Part 1 or equivalent by time of appointment
Eligibility Application form
• Eligible for full registration with the GMC at time of iv
ii iii Interview / Selection centre
appointment and hold a current licence to practice.
• Evidence of achievement of Foundation competences
from a UKFPO affiliated Foundation Programme or
2
equivalent 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 Stage C or equivalent
ii
competences in histopathology at time of appointment ,
supported by evidence from work-based assessments of
clinical performance (DOPS, Mini-CEX, CBD, ACAT) and
Multisource Feedback or equivalent
• Eligibility to work in the UK
Fitness To Is up to date and fit to practise safely. Application form
Practise
References
Language Skills All applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and Application form
spoken English adequate to enable effective
Interview / Selection centre
communication about medical topics with patients and
colleagues demonstrated by one of the following:
that applicants have undertaken undergraduate
medical training in English; or
have achieved the following scores in the
academic lnternational English Language
Testing System (IELTS) in a single sitting within
24 months at time of application – Overall 7,
Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7.
If applicants believe they have adequate communication
skills but do not fit into one of these examples they must
provide supporting evidence.
Health Meets professional health requirements (in line with Application form
GMC standards/Good Medical Practice).
Pre-employment health screening
Career Application form
Progression
v • Ability to provide a complete employment history
• Evidence that career progression is consistent with
10
personal circumstances
• Evidence that present achievement and performance
is commensurate with totality of period of training
Must demonstrate some interest in neuropathology
Application ALL sections of application form completed FULLY
Completion according to written guidelines
Selection Criteria:
Essential Desirable When Evaluated
Career progression As above Evidence that most recent Application form
ARCP/RITA outcome or
equivalent was satisfactory
Professional/ Clinical Knowledge & Information technology skills. Application form
Clinical skills Expertise:
Interview /
• A sound level of knowledge of Selection centre
basic science and the ability to
References
interpret its relevance to clinical
practice.
• Ability to interpret a wide
range of clinical data from all
specialities with reference to
pathological interpretation.
• Knowledge and experience of
basic techniques in
histopathology and
cytopathology, including
specimen dissection,
microscopy, performing an
autopsy and writing clinical
pathology reports.
• Demonstrates awareness of
autopsy practice and basic
knowledge of Coroner‟s Rules
and Human Tissue Act, 2004
at a level appropriate to
experience.
Research/Audit skills • Ability to conduct literature • Evidence of relevant Application form
searches. academic & research
achievements, e.g. degrees, Interview /
• Commitment to continued prizes, awards, distinctions, Selection centre
neuroscience research. presentations, other References
• Demonstrates understanding achievements
of the importance of audit & • BSc, MD, PhD or equivalent
research • Evidence of active
participation in audit
• Understands principles.
• Pathology/neuroscience
publications.
11
Personal skills Problem Solving & Decision • Evidence of initiative. Application form
Making: • Desire to organise own time
and learning. Interview /
• Capacity to use clear, logical Selection centre
• Leadership skills.
thinking with an
References
analytical/scientific approach,
capacity to make decisions
Organisation & Planning:
• Capacity to organise oneself
& prioritise work, demonstrates
punctuality, preparation & self-
discipline
• Competent to work without
direct supervision where
appropriate
Communication Skills:
• Capacity to answer questions
clearly, concisely &
appropriately. Capacity to build
rapport, listen, persuade &
negotiate
Coping with Pressure:
• Capacity to operate under
pressure.
• Demonstrates resilience to
cope with setbacks & adapt to
rapidly changing circumstances
Team Involvement:
• Capacity to work
cooperatively with others
Management • Evidence of basic • Shows interest, enthusiasm Application form
organisational and or demonstrates ability.
management skills. • Understanding of the Health Interview /
• Ability to manage own Service and of the Selection centre
learning time. management structure of References
• Understanding of health and pathology laboratories.
safety and ethical issues in
pathology.
Teaching • Previous experience not • Evidence of participation Application form
essential. and enthusiasm.
Interview /
Selection centre
References
Probity Professional Integrity: Application form
• Capacity to take responsibility Interview /
for own actions and Selection centre
demonstrate a non-
References
judgemental approach towards
others
12
• Displays honesty, integrity,
awareness of ethical issues
Commitment to Learning & Personal Application form
specialty Development: Other activities /
achievements / scientific Interview /
• Demonstrable understanding Selection centre
meetings relevant to
of histopathology and an
pathology References
evident interest in
• Attendance at pathological
neuropathology
courses
• Shows commitment to
• Evidence of participation in
personal and professional
audit or research projects
development, with awareness
with specific relevance to
of own strengths & limitations
pathology
i
In fact may be evaluated at any time throughout the selection procedure.
ii
Time of appointment refers to the date at which the post commences.
iii
The GMC introduced a licence to practice in 2009. Any doctor wishing to practice in the UK after this date must be
both registered and hold a licence to practice
iv
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.
v
All experience in posts at ST level count irrespective of the country the experience is gained in.
13