Nick Brown & Dinesh Bhugra
Page 1
PERSON SPECIFICATION
APPLICATION TO ENTER PSYCHIATRY TRAINING at ST1
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
EVALUATION
METHOD
QUALIFICATIONS
 MBBS or equivalent medical
qualification
ELIGIBILITY
 Evidence of achievement of
Foundation level
competencies
Evidence of commitment to
psychiatry
Application form
CLINICAL SKILLS
 Evidence and
Demonstration of
achievement of Foundation
level competencies (in the
last 3 years) including:
 Ability to work in a team
Application form and
largely Selection
Process (Centre)
Application Form
 Ability to respond to
psychiatric emergencies
 Good clinical care
 Maintaining good medical
practice (descriptor)
 Relationships with patients
and communication
 Working with colleagues
 Teaching and training
 Professional behaviour and
probity
 Acute clinical care (in line
with GMC standards/Good
Medical Practice
FITNESS TO
PRACTISE
 Is up to date and fit to
practise safely
KNOWLEDGE &
ACHIEVEMENTS
Demonstration of acquisition of
the level of knowledge and
skills necessary for the
completion of F2
Application form
 Academic and
extracurricular
achievements
 Demonstration of basic
knowledge with regard to
psychiatry (particularly
acute care in psychiatry)
Application Form
Application Form and
Selection process
(centre)
 Demonstration of
participation in aspects of
‘Good Medical Practice’
and “Good Psychiatric
Practice”
EDUCATIONAL &
PERSONAL
ASPECTS
 Demonstration of
educational reasons for
applying for this School /
Deanery / Programme
 Demonstration of personal
reasons for applying for
this School / Deanery /
Programme
Page 1 of 3
Application Form and
Selection Process
(Centre)
Nick Brown & Dinesh Bhugra
Page 2
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
EVALUATION
METHOD
COMMUNICATION
Skills
 Evidence of ability to
communicate effectively in
written and spoken English
HEALTH
 Meets professional health
requirements
Pre-employment health
screening
PROBITY
 Displays honesty, integrity,
aware of ethical dilemmas,
respects confidentiality
Application Form and
selection process
(centre)
Personal skills
Demonstration of:
Evidence of commitment to
psychiatry as chosen
specialty
Application Form and
Selection Process
(Centre)
Application form
Aptitude
(an ability to learn and
understand)
Selection centre
Trainability
(ability to respond to and
benefit from instruction and
practice by attaining an agreed
standard of proficiency) evidence of development.
References
Vigilance
(an alertness to dangers or
problems particularly in relation
to clinical governance)
Able to work with carers
Able to seek help when needed
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Above average written and
verbal communication skills
Application form and
Selection process
(Centre)
Interpersonal Skills
(see patients as people,
empathise, work co-operatively
with others, open and nondefensive, sense of humour)
Selection Process
Decisiveness/Accountability
(ability to take responsibility,
show leadership, make
decisions, exert appropriate
authority)
Selection Process
Nick Brown & Dinesh Bhugra
Page 3
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
EVALUATION
METHOD
Uses a Non Judgemental
approach to Patients and
Carers and Colleagues
(regardless of their sexuality,
ethnicity, disability, religious
beliefs or financial status)
Demonstrates understanding
of the needs and wishes of
service users and carers
(including an understanding
of how and when these may
differ)
Selection Process
Flexibility
(able to change and adapt,
respond to rapidly changing
circumstances)
Including the ability to deal
with ambiguity and
uncertainty in clinical life
Selection Process
Resilience
(able to operate under
pressure, cope with setbacks,
self aware)
Selection Process
Thoroughness
(is well prepared, shows selfdiscipline/commitment, is
punctual and meets deadlines)
Application form and
Selection Process
Shows
Initiative/Drive/Enthusiasm
(self-starter, motivated, shows
curiosity, initiative)
Probity
(displays honesty, integrity,
aware of ethical dilemmas,
respects confidentiality)
Progression of career
consistent with personal
circumstances
Application form
Ability to prioritise clinical need
Ability to organise oneself &
own work
Evidence of participation in
audit
Experience and ability to work
in multi-professional teams
Understanding of NHS,
clinical governance &
resource constraints
Active involvement in audit
Information technology skills
Application Form
Demonstrate ability as a
reflective learner
Understanding of the principles
of research
Understanding of some
specific principles of research
in psychiatry
Application Form and/
or Selection Process
(Centre)
Career
Progression
Organisation and
Planning
Academic /Research
Page 3 of 3
Application Form and
selection centre