Information for new and prospective trainers
We're delighted that you're interested in becoming a trainer or training practice. Our trainers testify that training is a stimulating and enjoyable experience with many benefits. For example:
- Enriching of the practice knowlege base through exchange of ideas with doctors who have been in hospital more recently and throughout their time with you are having regular clinical teaching by experts in their fields
- The opportunity to work more closely with other local practices, sharing ideas and expertise
- Stimulation of the whole practice team to learn from one another as the practice's role as a learning environment is emphasised
We currently have training practices of a variety of sizes, locations and types. We are keen to showcase as much as possible of the diversity of general practice to our trainees and would be interested in approches from any type of practice interested in training. Please contact the programme directors on reading.vts@royalberkshire.nhs.uk if you would like to talk about the possibility of getting involved in training. We would also be interested in hearing from individuals or groups who may be interested in providing short placements for our trainees, out of hours experience or teaching on day release.
Typically once you are appointed as a trainer you will be allocated an ST1 trainee. You will support them through their hospital jobs and and then host them in your practice in their final ST3 year of training. You will be supported by the programme directors and local associate dean. Many established trainers will be supporting both an ST1 or 2 and an ST3 at any one time.
Under normal circumstances, the following are requried in order to become a trainer:
- GP experience 3yrs
- Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education or equivalent
- Attendance at trainers meetings. You must attend for 6 months prior to application. Contact reading.vts@royalberksire.nhs.uk for details
The certificate in medical education can be obtained by attendance at the Oxford new trainers course and completion of the associated assignements. See here for details. Your practice will also need to meet certain criteria- see www.nesc.nhs.uk. Before you can take your first trainee you will have a practice visit to assess both youself and the practice against these criteria.
Before deciding to become a trainer you are advised to consult the Trainer's Commitments section of this website and discus these with your practice.