About this role
Job summary
Lead the Clinical Skills Foundation Course (CSFC) for first- and second-year medical students at the University of Buckingham Medical School, overseeing an interactive, small-group, skills-based programme developing communication and consultation skills, clinical examination, diagnostic thinking and clinical problem-solving. The role also offers excellent opportunities to develop academically as a clinical academic, contributing to curriculum development, educational innovation, evaluation and scholarship. It is a varied, dynamic and rewarding role, working with enthusiastic early-years medical students as they develop their clinical skills through patient contact, simulation and role-play with actors.
Main duties of the job
To lead the Clinical Skills Foundation Course within Phase 1 of the MBChB; based at the Buckingham Campus.
The CSFC takes place every Wednesday, with Tuesday as the planning day with the team
The CSFC unit aims to enable students to make progress towards meeting some of the knowledge, skills and behaviours described in the GMCs Outcomes for Graduates (2018). The specific aims are to enable students to carry out a patient-centred consultation and interpret the findings to generate appropriate working diagnoses and to enable students to take and record a history from a patient, perform a physical examination of the main systems of the body and understand the importance of the patient perspective in diagnosing and managing patient problems.
You will be working leading a team of Clinical Fellows, the CSFC Deputy Lead and Senior Academic Fellow. You will coordinate CSFC teaching at the Medical School, GP and hospital settings, supporting faculty recruitment and ensuring quality and consistency of delivery.
About us
The University of Buckingham created the UK's first independent, not-for-profit, Medical School in 2015. Our guiding philosophy is to produce highly ethical, honest, and compassionate doctors who will put the patient first. We are now in our 11th year of intake of the integrated four-and-a-half-year course. We received our GMC accreditation in May 2019 and our first intake also graduated in June 2019, and took up their Foundation Training in the UK.
The CSFC unit runs throughout Phase 1 (the first 2 years) of our MBChB, where students have their first experiences of the core clinical building blocks of being a Doctor.
Job description Job responsibilities
PURPOSE OF JOB
To lead the Clinical Skills Foundation Course within Phase 1 of the MBChB; based at the Buckingham Campus.
The CSFC unit aims to enable students to make progress towards meeting some of the knowledge, skills and behaviours described in the GMCs Outcomes for Graduates (2018). The specific aims are to enable students to carry out a patient-centred consultation and interpret the findings to generate appropriate working diagnoses and to enable students to take and record a history from a patient, perform a physical examination of the main systems of the body and understand the importance of the patient perspective in diagnosing and managing patient problems. Teaching occurs centrally on campus, as well as within the hospital and GP practice setting.
CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: (other than direct line)
Will oversee (not line-manage) a team of Clinical Educators and the CSFC Lead Educator. Closely work with the Deputy CSFC Lead.
GP Teams (cross sites), Year 1 and Year 2 Lead, Undergraduate Education Lead (Academic), Undergraduate Education Lead (Clinical), Assessment Lead, MLA Lead Undergraduate Medicine, Student Support Lead, Quality Lead, Curriculum Team, other SL and LBs in the School, Members of the Senior Leadership Team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Communication
High level of written and verbal communication essential to liaise with both internal and external personnel.
Ability to receive, understand and convey information in a clear and accurate manner.
Experience of establishing productive working relationships with a wide range of people, including external bodies, and of working as part of a team.
Teamwork and Motivation
Lead a team including a CSFC Clinical Lecturer, a CSFC lead Clinical Educator and a team of Clinical Educators to ensure that on-campus small group learning is supported.
Collaborate with colleagues in the school on course development, delivery, and assessment, taking on appropriate management and administrative responsibilities.
Experience of establishing productive working relationships with a wide range of people, including internal and external personnel in particular the Educational Supervisors at the Local Educational Providers ( GPs and hospitals) that are delivering the CSFC
Liaison and Networking
Maintain relationships to facilitate collaboration, share best practices, and address teaching and learning needs.
Attend meetings and participate in other committees and working groups as required.
Service Delivery
Act as the main point of contact for delivery of the CSFC course
Act as the main point of contact for Local Education Providers
Contribute to item writing, standard setting, marking and moderation of assessments where required/available.
Monitor the progress of students throughout the unit, and maintain appropriate records of performance, for example in formative assessments.
Contribute to the delivery of lectures in a range of other units, where required/available.
Planning and Organising Resources
Ensure that the unit, as described in the course documentation, is delivered effectively to students.
Coordinate the production of relevant curriculum materials in a timely fashion.
Liaise with appropriate curriculum management structures to ensure that staff are available to deliver the unit.
Liaise with other unit leads to ensure coordination and integration of curriculum delivery.
Initiative and Problem Solving
Seek ways of improving performance by reflecting on teaching design and delivery.
Resolve problems affecting the delivery of course.
Actively seek to enhance student learning through innovation and continuous improvement.
Facilitate dissemination of good practice across units by discussion with other unit leads in the Medical School.
Analysis and Research
Monitor delivery of the unit, both formally (through the preparation of end of unit reports) and informally, and deal with any issues as they arise.
Participate in academic research activity
Sensory and Physical Demands
Work to achieve a high level of precision and accuracy in all aspects of the role.
Keep up to date with new technologies and approaches which could be utilised to enhance course delivery in the future.
Uses PC/laptop and other presentation/audio-visual equipment.
Work Environment
Demonstrate commitment to, and support of, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Pro-actively contribute to administration, recruitment activities- in particular GP surgeries, and to the collegial work environment.
Has an awareness of the University H&S policies and procedures and knows how to report an incident if required, this includes risks and accidents.
Has ability to adapt to various work environments, both on and off campus.
Ability to make use of both hybrid working as required, and virtual meetings, alongside in person engagements.
Pastoral Care and Welfare
Act as a personal tutor in the undergraduate Medical School as required.
Working with academic support, provide advice on study skills and help students with learning problems, as required.
Report to the Concerns Group any student obviously experiencing problems during the unit.
Team Development
Help shape an environment where less experienced colleagues can learn and develop.
Engage in continuous professional development.
Provide academic leadership to those working within programme areas, for example by co-ordinating the work of others to ensure that courses are delivered effectively or organising the work of a team by agreeing objectives and work plans.
Teaching and Learning
Teach as a member of a teaching team and deliver high quality undergraduate level learning.
Review on a regular basis course content and materials, updating when required.
Develop and apply innovative and appropriate teaching techniques and materials which create interest, understanding and enthusiasm amongst students.
Ensure that course design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University and School.
Work with subject module leads, administrative staff and colleagues in the assessment team in the development and delivery of written, practical and oral assessments - including maintenance of an electronic exam question database, question writing, question review, standard setting, moderation and mark checking processes and examiner recruitment to ensure that assessments are of high quality, valid and responsive to internal and external feedback.
Contribute to preparations for effective internal and external academic quality and governance processes and systems, including those associated with professional, statutory, and regulatory bodies and other accrediting organisations, especially the GMC and OfS.
Receive and respond to formal unit evaluations, and report action taken to the GP Lead and Senior Leadership Team
Support
The capability to support staff and students both internally and externally, such as external examiners, tutors, in the context of the role, including signposting them as required to pastoral resources.
Ensuring that team members are supported and that their role does not cause a disproportionate physical or emotional burden.
Knowledge and Experience
Engage in scholarly activities and develop further experience as a scholar and develop opportunities which contribute to the profile of FMHS.
Use a range of delivery techniques to enthuse and engage students.
Proactively engage in continuing professional development/training to keep knowledge and skills up to date.
Knowledge of and adherence to the Universitys Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities policies/procedures.
Make an appropriate contribution to the general operation of the Medical School and University.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Full Registration with the GMC. MRCGP qualification Post graduate qualification in Education (PGCert equivalence or above). Experience of teaching medical students or health professionals.
Desirable
GP Principal or salaried GP with management responsibilities
Experience Essential
A commitment to developing as a medical educator. Experience of assessment within medicine. Evidence of organisational, administrative and IT skills, including online and blended methods. Sound understanding of quality assurance and enhancement issues, procedures and practices.
Desirable
Experience of leading and/or working within a Medical Education team. Experience of development of Teaching and Learning at Curriculum or Unit/Modular Level. Up to date knowledge of innovations and research within the Medical Education field. Experience of establishing productive working relationships with a wide range of people, including internal and external personnel. Experience of student pastoral and academic support. Experience of lecturing asynchronously and via alternative methodologies, including proficient use of collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams. Membership of a relevant professional body (i.e. Advance HE, the Academy of Medical Educators). Excellent inter-personal and communications skills. High level of written and verbal communication essential to liaise with both internal and external personnel. Experience of establishing productive working relationships with a wide range of people, including external bodies, and of working as part of a team. Ability to receive, understand and convey information in a clear and accurate manner. Ability to articulate the Facultys objectives in a way that encourages others to engage with the vision. Ability to exercise discretion and tact and maintain confidentiality. A proven ability to work co-operatively with colleagues and contribute to multi-disciplinary projects. The ability to proactively and reactively liaise with internal and external contacts to build relationships, disseminate information and co-ordinate activities in a timely and effective manner. The ability to make timely and considered decisions, seeking guidance from senior staff where necessary, which will typically have a minimal impact for individuals or limited groups of individuals across a specific domain or cohort. Ability to innovate in relation to the development of the facultys taught programmes.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name University of Buckingham Medical School
Address Hunter Street
Buckingham
Buckinghamshire
MK18 1EG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.buckingham.ac.uk/medicine (Opens in a new tab)