Become a Trainer
Company Description
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is a postgraduate medical training college dedicated to ensuring that doctors have the skills to provide patients with the best possible care. Founded in 1654, the college supports doctors to enhance their skills, competencies, and professionalism throughout their working lives.
Through its Faculties and Institutes, The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, offers medical training programmes, examinations, diplomas, and educational courses to equip doctors with the skills and knowledge they need to care for patients and run safe and efficient healthcare systems. It also offers a range of educational diplomas and courses for learners in the wider healthcare sector.
Position
RCPI Trainers play a crucial role in the delivery of our BST, HST and International training programmes. They guide our trainees along the path to becoming a specialist and help the next generation of medical leaders reach their full potential.
As an RCPI Trainer, you have access to motivated, highly skilled trainees who have been successfully appointed following a competitive process. These are trainees who will contribute to a high-quality service. We will provide you with advice, training and support through our Physicians and Trainers: Essential Skills Programme. This will equip you to navigate the training environment and to optimise both your experience and that of the trainee.
Your ongoing role is supported by phased refresher training and a comprehensive trainer hub which can be accessed here. This repository holds resources and supports available to RCPI Trainer as well as a published copy of the Trainer Agreement.
Being an RCPI Trainer is a rewarding experience however, we understand matters may arise such as a trainee in difficulty and RCPI is committed to supporting you through any difficulties which may arise. There are robust and regularly reviewed policies in place as well as administrative and faculty support to take action in such events.
Requirements
Requirements
- Be registered on the relevant specialist division of the Medical Council Register in Ireland
- Be registered on a professional competence scheme in Ireland
- Practise at a consultant level/equivalent post in Ireland (must hold permanent contract)
- Complete and submit the online trainer application form
- Complete the Physicians as Trainers Essential Skills course and required refresher programmes
- Complete the Trainer’s Refresher course when required
- It is also desirable for the trainer to be a Fellow of the relevant training body.
Role and Responsibilities as a Trainer
Relationship with the Trainee
- Be familiar with the relevant training Curriculum and the specialty specific learning objectives
- At the commencement of each posting, the Trainer should arrange a one-to-one meeting with the Trainee to discuss the duties of the post, responsibilities, rota, set goals and agree a training plan for the duration of the post including attendance at training/study days and study leave provision
- The Trainer should review the Trainee’s previous Annual Evaluation of Progress (AEP) (where appropriate) formerly the End of Year Assessments, as an aid to setting goals for the current post
- The Trainer should be familiar with the training programme curriculum in order to facilitate the development of the Trainee’s learning objectives and evaluation requirements. Ensure that Trainee goals are signed off within the first six weeks of commencing the post
- Be familiar with the Trainee’s e-Portfolio and use it to document interactions with the Trainee including trainer sign off for relevant forms
- Engagement with disciplinary and/or remediation actions as required
- Ensure that all training requirements are completed
- Conduct the annual evaluations of progress
Act as a supervisor to the Trainee
- Directly observe the Trainee’s clinical work and provide constructive timely feedback
- to reinforce good practice, identify areas for improvement and enable the Trainee to evaluate their own performance and progress
- Indirectly observe the Trainee’s work with other Trainers/colleagues
- Establish a constructive learning environment and relationship with the Trainee to encourage advice-seeking and maximise learning opportunities
- Encourage and facilitate training time and contribute to the local academic teaching programme. Trainers and Trainees should negotiate the Trainee’s attendance at educational meetings, events and programmes including mandatory study days
- Encourage the Trainee to recognise training opportunities within the service component of training post
- Treat the trainee with respect and consideration as a contributing member of the
Feedback and Annual Evaluations
- Provide regular feedback, mid-post for BSTs and Residency trainees and every three months for HSTs and fellowship trainees, on progress against training objectives to the Trainee. This should include regular documented meetings
- Review meetings should be held regularly, in protected time and in a private environment
- Provide regular feedback on the Trainee’s progress including achievements; identify and articulate any areas for improvement as early as possible and take appropriate steps to facilitate improvement in performance or initiate remediation processes in conjunction with RCPI Training and Faculties Office. The Trainer should refer to the escalation flow at the end of this document.
- Remain in regular contact with the appropriate NSD, RPD, RSA or Associate Director of BST GIM (BST) and the RCPI Training and Faculties Office and report progress or lack thereof. The Trainer should take the earliest opportunity to make the NSD/ RPD/ RSA Associate Director and the Training and Faculties Office aware of any problems that arise
- Complete all Annual Evaluations as required
- Attend AEPs of HST Trainees. Participation is mandatory for Penultimate Annual Evaluations only and highly desirable for first year Annual Evaluations, for all other AEPs Trainers can participate by teleconference
Assessment
- Trainers should ensure that the required assessments are completed during the training post. The assessment forms should be completed in the Trainee’s eportfolio. This is a fundamentsal task for completion by the trainer as it directly impacts trainee progression between stages of the programme.
Act as a Role Model for Trainees
- Trainers should act as a role model for Trainees by displaying professionalism in their work practices and behaviour. When a BST/HST/International Trainee is deemed to be falling below the standards required of a Trainee, feedback should be given in a constructive fashion
Additional Responsibilities
Recruitment and Selection
- Participate in the recruitment and selection process of candidates to the training programme e.g., participate in scheme interviews
Examinations
- Participate in the delivery of membership examinations as required
Quality Improvement Visits of Training Sites
- Participation in the Training Site Quality Improvement Visits (RCPI Site QI Model) of hospitals and other training sites wherein training is delivered
