Training outside the trainer’s CCT: Severn School of Psychiatry guidance
This policy is to guide applications for trainers to train advanced trainees in a specialty for which they do not have a CCT/endorsement.
Background
All psychiatrists trained in the UK will be trained within a particular sub-specialty of psychiatry (or in dual specialties) and will be formally recognised by the GMC as a specialist in that field of practice (the specialty(ies) for which they hold a CCT). With the difficulties there have been in recruitment it is now not uncommon for psychiatrists to be practicing in a specialty for which they do not hold a CCT. In order to facilitate access to appropriate training, while maintaining the high quality of training, it is important for us to have a process to approve as trainers, consultants who are in this position.
Policy
All trainers and training posts are approved by the Medical Education Department of the NHS Trust where they are working and the Steering Committee of the relevant Training Programme (on behalf of the School of Psychiatry). The following criteria will be used to decide whether to approve a consultant who is seeking approval as a trainer outside of their CCT.
You will not normally be approved as a trainer within your first year in a consultant post.
If you are working in a post for which you do not have the ‘correct’ CCT you are encouraged to apply for a higher trainee if you want to do so.
You should first get in touch with the relevant specialty TPD to identify any gaps in your competencies in your new specialty. Some of the gaps are likely to be ‘soft’ competencies, such as under-developed networks in the specialty. You will need to work with the TPD to make a personal development plan to address any gaps over the following year. Where the TPD is not competent to advise on a personal development plan (typically when it is in a different sub-specialty to their own), they can approach the Regional Rep via the South West Division Office for advice.
At the end of the year, the TPD will meet with you and review your PDP. For an application for approval to proceed, the TPD must endorse your application in writing. Approval is not automatic and the TPD may decline your application, approve it or ask you to do further training and development.
You will be expected to continue to develop your skills in the post and these would be formally monitored though CPD and appraisal processes.
You can then proceed with your application in the usual way. If you are unhappy with any of the decisions made, the Head of School will provide a final decision as to whether the training post is approved or not.