Trainer's Commitments
Training is expected to take 2 full sessions per week and 7-9 days per year on top of that.
Weekly Sessions
Training is considered to take two sessions a week for direct teaching, preparation and planning. Because many practices started training years ago, when less was expected of the trainer, most longstanding training practices only give their trainers one session a week (ie a full half day). However, some recent additions to the training community (e.g. Burdwood in Thatcham) do give their trainers a full day a week off. This would include tutorial and planning, as well as monitoring and feedback of ePortfolios (record of learning for continuous assessment) for the current trainee and the 1-2 who are going though the hospital system prior to coming on to the practice in time.
Some trainers are happy to hang on to the paperwork/e-path stuff, and if another Partner does the clinical tutorial that week (1-1.5 hours) they would give the equivalent time back in surgery appointments, but still need 1.5 hours for all the other activities. Clearly if the trainee is sailing and all is going well, there are weeks when less is needed but at other times with problems and end of 6 month reports time some trainers do extra at home. Many often spend up to 3 hours of their own time weekly on registrar training issues. This extra time may be something to negotiate time in lieu if increasing.
Annual Sessions
On average there will be 7-9 days per year in addition to the weekly time. These may not be evenly spread throughout the year. They are made up of:
VTS input:
All trainers are expected to contribute to the Vocational Training Scheme. This is usually about 2 days a year, and is likely to be a Tuesday teaching ST1/2 and the ST3 half session each and attending CSA/ therapeutic rapport days.
Trainers' days:
Trainers Training Days x 3/yr including one annual Deanery Trainers day, usually in June.
Inspection Visits
We are expected to join a practice visiting team for at least 1 whole day visit. These are tiring (often a 12 hour day) but valuable in terms of gleaning alternative approaches. We usually get about 6 weeks notice. There is a lot of paperwork to go through before hand. Your own re-approval visit will happen initially after 2 years and then every three years. It takes a whole day plus a lot of preparation time on form filling, report writing and ensuring the practice complies with standards set.
Mid Term Assesment Visits
We are also expected to undertake one half day mid-term assessment yearly for another trainer's ST3 if we have a GP ST3 (reg) in post. Another trainer will visit you in return to perform a mid-term assesment on your trainee.
Trainers Meetings, Sub group and business
Sub groups: These are of various types depending on location of subgroup and occur either in the local area (Newbury /Thatcham) or Reading, usually at lunch time, sometimes after the main business meeting. They are usually 2 a quarter. These groups are run by trainers and are an opportunity for benchmarking, your own development as a trainer and general support. The business meetings are 1-2 at the TEC, RBH and occur quarterly.
Educational supervision
3 half days a year for each ST1 and 2 each for ST2 and ST3 (if the trainee is in GP this can be done in tutorial time)
Selection / Interview
This is optional and you will be paid deanery rates if you choose to participate
Hospital job liaison meetings with consultants and clinical supervisors
quarterly 2 hours. Attend one yearly ideally.