ST&EAG Trainee Representative

KSS Deanery Specialty Training and Advisory Group (ST&EAG)

KSS Deanery’s ST&EAG is looking to appoint new trainee representation to join the group and act as an agent of all KSS managed trainees within Kent, Surrey and Sussex. The hope is to appoint one Trainee Representative who will serve in post for one year. In addition, there will be one Deputy Trainee Representative who deputise for one year before taking on the role of Trainee Representative in their second year, at which time a new Deputy will be appointed.

This is a challenging and exciting role, and a unique opportunity to act as representation for all trainees within KSS Deanery. There are direct inputs into the ‘Generation E’ project, and being involved gives the post holder a unique total view of Deanery work.

What is ST&EAG?

KSS Deanery convenes the Specialty Training and Education Advisory Group (ST&EAG) in order to support and enhance the work of all specialty schools and associated committees in KSS Deanery, to solve educational problems and advise on matters relating to specialty training and education.

The group meets every second month and is chaired by the Deputy Postgraduate Dean for Secondary Care, Kevin Kelleher. Its remit is to:

  • Provide an advisory forum for issues generic to the specialty schools in KSS Deanery
  • Accept and update the operational guides for the schools, including inclusion of mandatory quality control issues which go to the KSS Quality Management Steering Group
  • Ensure high quality liaison with LEPs, their LABs and LFGs, and enhance Contract Review
  • Ensure delivery of curricula in liaison with Royal Colleges, Specialty Advisory Committees and Faculties
  • Respond to all issues and queries related to the Gold Guide.

ST&EAG membership comprises Heads of School from all KSS Specialty Schools, as well as representatives from KSS Education and Quality teams, and HR, IT, Trusts and Foundation School on a more flexible basis as the need arises.

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to current KSS Managed trainees who will continue to be so for the full term of the role.

Role Summary

About the person

KSS managed secondary care senior trainee ST4 or above within KSS Deanery. Well-developed presentation skills are essential.

Term

One year acting as Deputy followed by one year acting as Trainee Representative. In this first year, the Trainee Representative role will be for one single year.

Commitment

Attendance at 6 ST&EAG meetings a year at KSS Deanery, London Bridge (historically this has been taken as study leave). In addition time spent coordinating projects for the Deanery including the ongoing trainee voice project, facilitating workshops at Deanery events ( TPD training days, trainee rep trainee days and the annual Deanery conference). All travel expenses are funded by the Deanery separate to study leave.

Benefits

Benefits include greater understanding of Deanery organisational functions and roles within the Deanery, leadership opportunities, project management and representing the views of all the trainees within KSS to the Deputy Postgraduate Dean and Heads of School. The post holder can use this experience to demonstrate Leadership skills both at interviews and within their own specialty training.

A message from the previous post holder

During my 2-year tenure as ST&EAG Trainee Representative I set up and ran the trainee voice survey, a survey aiming to capture the views of all the secondary care specialist trainees within KSS by surveying the 158 LFG and specialty school reps. I analysed the data and the results were presented to ST&EAG and actions agreed upon by the Heads of School. There are further moves to include future survey results in commissioning of education across the deanery. As a result of the survey, a LFG data collection pro forms has been produced for use by reps prior to LFG meetings. In addition the Deanery now holds all of the contact details of trainee reps across the Deanery and this data will continue to be collected and held at the Deanery.

The next phase of the project is likely to involve a more focused survey in the coming year, building on the first survey, with specific questions be addressed covering various domains included in both the LFG pro forma and the GMC survey.

This is a challenging role, which requires good organisational skills and time management, however the rewards are multiple. The opportunity to run a large scale project is unusual as a trainee and allows for the development of multiple leadership skills.

Dr Piers M Johnston

BSc (Hons) MBBS FCARCSIMSc (Mgt)

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