Higher Surgical Training Interviews - Get Ahead
The above article came out last year, but I think it's still pertinent:
http://careers.bmj.com/careers/advice/view-article.html?id=20016622
Building a portfolio takes time and one achievement, such as a closed loop audit, can really earn its keep for you gaining points in a number of categories (poster, presentation, meeting, service improvement).
How to get a closed loop audit in a four or six month post? Work together. David Ricketts, a Consultant at BSUH (who as Research Chair was famously 'encouraging' to SpRs at RiTAs - obviously for our own good) told me I should think of projects as pots on the stove (stay with me here) moving each one along as they progress but when you take the first one off, you'll need to get someone in behind you to keep the fire going and keep the pots moving along. So buddy up. Talk to the trainee coming behind you. Talk to the trainee leaving ahead of you. Each start your own audit (first author) and help close the loop for the one ahead of you (second author). And present the hell out of all of them. Maximum productivity in a short time.
The 'L' Word
Leadership. My personal view on how laboured this topic is at all grades is very jaundiced. I was unimpressed at how the Portfolio Station at National CST Interviews was hijacked by an unhelpful five minute candidate's speech when it is a whole section to be discussed in the body of the station*
*clearly a very individual & highly personal view. I support trainees to jump whatever hurdles are put in front of them regardless of the value I place upon them.
However, the requirement is that we ALL demonstrate leadership. Leading a Ward Round or Trauma Call does not shout out 'INITIATIVE'. There are a few one or two day courses, which not only give you a certificate but may also be the trigger for a leadership project you can really get behind. Identifying a need and creating a solution from scratch will always impress more than past glories as captain of the 2nd Eleven at school.
Not a natural place to look, but the Royal College of Physicians website is a good resource for these courses. As I see them coming up I will put the links on here.
The idea for this blog came from a brainstorming session with @zelly43 and Kayo from @ASPHFT Communications (thank you!). What I wanted was a newsletter - to share messages on teaching sessions, celebrate successes and hopefully lower the gradient between junior and senior staff.
With that in mind, here comes the first of some consultants' profiles
Surgeon of the Week
Who better that to start this segment with than Mr Humphrey Scott, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon @humphrey_scott (here with the fabulous @mykesinocentes).
Mr Scott is not only a previous ASiT Silver Scapel award winner but also HEKSS Head of School of Surgery and a top bottom surgeon. Also surprisingly good at negotiating twitter, discussing holidays and handbags, and very much 'in the know' on all matters educational.
Keep an eye on the RCS England website for local courses - often easier to get shorter notice places on than London.
https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/courses/course-search/regional-courses/regional-search?letb=Kent,%20Surrey%20and%20Sussex
I will try and add courses with places as I find them
Basic Surgical Skills (Intercollegiate BSS) Course
24-25th November
https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/courses/course-search/bss.html
Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Provider Programme
(Still has places)
