Location
All deaneries in England, Scotland and Wales. Details of specific numbers of posts available in each deanery are published on the College website: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/training/nationalrecruitment.aspx and on each deanery website.
Profile
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional and educational body for psychiatrists in the United Kingdom. We run a membership examination (MRCPsych) and promote high standards in education and training collaborating with the GMC, deaneries and heads of schools of psychiatry. Psychiatry is a specialty with a solid base in neuroscience strengthened by recent advances in molecular medicine and neuroimaging. It also appeals to those with the interpersonal skills and curiosity to engage with an extremely interesting patient group. Contrary to common perceptions psychiatric treatments are as effective as those in other areas of medicine and working as a psychiatrist will give you the satisfaction of making a significant difference to the lives of patients and their families.
The College has long taken pride in the way it looks after its trainees and this is reflected in a strong emphasis on both clinical and educational supervision. We also have a Psychiatric Trainees Committee and trainees are represented on all of the College’s committees. If you are interested in an academic career, this is a particularly exciting time to consider psychiatry as progress in neuroscience begins to impact on the treatment of patients.
We are keen to help and encourage anyone with an interest in a career in psychiatry. For more information, please visit our website (http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/careers) and consider becoming a Student Associate (http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/training/studentassociates/aboutus/studentregistrationform.aspx). This is free and entitles you to free electronic subscription to The Psychiatrist; British Journal of Psychiatry and Advances in Psychiatric Treatment; discounted subscription to CPD Online; and events aimed at young doctors with an interest in a career in psychiatry.
Recruitment timetables for 2013
Applications to CT1 programmes will be available for completion from 12 November to 7 December 2012. Longlisting will be completed by 21 December 2012. CT1 shortlisting is subject to the number of applications received. The decision whether to shortlist will be made on 21 December 2012. Interviews will be held throughout England, Scotland and Wales between 23 January and 20 February 2013. Offers will be issued by the online UK Offers System, and first offers will go out as soon as possible after interviews but not later than 1 March 2013. Applicants will be able to accept, decline or hold offers while waiting for a preferred offer. All offers must be accepted or declined by noon on 7 March 2013. Clearing is expected to close by 22 March 2013. Timetables for rounds 2 and 3 are available on the College website http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/training/nationalrecruitment/applications-aug2013.aspx
Recruitment responsibilities
The College coordinated national recruitment is run in England, Scotland and Wales, and applies to core training level 1 (CT1) posts in psychiatry in round 1 and 2. Round 3 will only include specialty training level 4 (ST4) posts in all 6 psychiatric specialties and will open for applications on 23 January 2013.
Key personnel
Prof Damien Longson, College Lead for National Recruitment (RCPsych)
Dr Tom Brown, Associate Registrar for Recruitment (RCPsych)
Ms Joanna Carroll, Professional Standards Development Manager (RCPsych)
Ms Juliette Wilson, Recruitment Manager (Greater Manchester West Trust, North Western Deanery)
Recruitment procedures
For 2013, the College is leading recruitment to core training (CT1) and specialty training (ST4) in England, Scotland and Wales. The service is delivered using Konetic Recruit, an online application portal designed to provide application forms based on the individual doctor’s CV. Applicants will be able to specify their preferred specialty and deanery where their application will be shortlisted. The shortlisting schedule is transparent and the scoring criteria are available on the College website. Credit is given for achievements in medicine and the communication of research into, and enthusiasm for, a career in psychiatry. Interviews will use a multi-station format standardised across all participating deaneries. The national interview questions will be published on the College website on 16 January 2013. Following the interview, the candidate’s score against a prescribed schedule will determine their suitability for appointment. Offers will be made in rank order. When the first round of offers and acceptances is complete, a clearing system will be used to match “appointable” candidates with remaining vacancies. Further details about the process will be available on the College website in early October.
Other information
Further recruitment details can be found at: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/training/nationalrecruitment.aspx
Psychiatry National Recruitment Helpdesk operates between 10am-12noon and 2pm-4pm Monday-Friday.
Telephone: 0844 338 7001.
Email: nationalrecruitment@rcpsych.ac.uk
