JOB DESCRIPTION
ASSOCIATE TUTOR FOR ASSOCIATE SPECIALISTS, STAFF GRADES AND
SPECIALITY DOCTORS
Purpose
To provide:

Support and guidance to non-Consultant career grade (Associate Specialists, Staff
Grades and Specialty Doctors (SAS)) doctors in the Trusts, in collaboration with their
Lead Clinicians and the Director of Medical Education (DME)

Leadership in both the professional development of SAS doctors and the contribution of
SAS doctors to education and training of trainees in relevant specialties.
Accountability
Jointly to the Director of Medical Education and Medical Director.
Responsibilities of Post
To provide support to SAS doctors in relation to their development needs where
required.

Lead on the implementation of the SAS appraisal system, including 360 degree appraisal
with support from HR and to monitor the quality of SAS appraisals on regular basis.

Provide each SAS doctor with at least one opportunity per annum to review their
experience, developmental objectives and needs and where necessary provide or
engage appropriate further support as part of ongoing appraisal.

Identify SAS doctors who require further support to obtain their development needs and
ensure that appropriate support is provided in collaboration as necessary with the DME
and Deanery agencies.

Support SAS doctors wishing to apply for specialist registration with PMETB

Review of the induction processes for new SAS doctors

Approve and monitor SAS study leave
To identify specialties where SAS development requires improvement.

Work with the DME, Clinical Tutors and Medical Education Managers in producing,
implementing and monitoring a strategy for the provision of the development of SAS
doctors across the Trusts.

Using SAS doctor feedback to identify specialties within the Trusts where more
structured development for SAS doctors is required.

Work with the DME, Lead Clinicians, Medical Director and the Human Resources
Department to assist specialties to address areas that require improvement.
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
Ensure all SAS doctors have meaningful appraisal folders and revalidation
documentation.
To assist the DME in providing a quality assessment of the Trusts support of SAS
doctor development by developing and providing an SAS doctor-centric perspective.

Provide structured feedback from SAS doctors on the strengths and weaknesses of the
CPD opportunities.

Contribute this feedback and other relevant information to the QA report for west
Midlands Deanery and to PMETB and GMC reports.

Meet regularly with the DME, Clinical Tutors, College Tutors and Faculty Tutors.
To support the development of SAS doctors as Educational and Clinical Supervisors.

Assist in identifying and delivering the developmental requirements of SAS doctors for
their role as educators and assessors.

Represent the Trust, both internally and externally on medical education issues relating
to SAS medical staff.

Work with consultants, clinical directors, specialty tutors, educational supervisors and
clinical staff to develop the educational opportunities for SAS medical staff.
To assist SAS doctors to identify and support the needs of trainees who might
otherwise become ‘trainees in difficulty’

Support SAS doctors if they feel that a trainee may be in difficulty and to ensure that this
trainee is identified to the appropriate members of the educational team, namely the
Clinical Supervisor, College Tutor and DME.

Liaise with DME, Human Resources and Occupational Health in individual cases of
doctors in difficulty and poor performance

Ensure provision of a system of professional advice, counselling and mentoring for SAS
doctors.
To develop an on-going programme of the developmental needs of SAS doctors in
common areas such as training responsibilities and managerial responsibilities.

Ensure current approved teaching/learning methods are maintained

Actively promote educational governance as a tool for the development of SAS Medical
staff
Personal Development: Develop an appropriate education PDP to be discussed and
approved at annual appraisal.
Tenure: Normally 2 years, subject to annual appraisal and review by the Director of
Medical Education. The tenure can be extended by mutual agreement. The job description
will be reviewed annually.
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Remuneration: Funds are available to remunerate the post holder or their clinical
department dependent on local circumstances (equivalent of 1 four hour session per week).
Commitment: The duties will occupy 1 four-hour session (1PA) per week of protected time.
Person Specification
Employment
Essential
Medical or dental practitioner with
postgraduate qualifications
Qualifications
Interest and enthusiasm for improving the
delivery of Postgraduate Education and
Continuing Professional Development
Motivation
To provide leadership for medical and
dental education and to motivate the
Trust into providing and monitoring
medical and dental education of high
quality.
Skills
Management
Committed to personal development e.g.
through appraisal
Leadership skills
Ability to manage change
Good interpersonal skills
Approachability
Knowledge of management structures
and recent changes that relate to medical
education
Desirable
An SAS doctor who holds
a minimum of 5 PAs within
the Trust
Previous experience of
postgraduate education eg
college tutor. Participation
in educational training,
and an interest in
obtaining a higher
qualification in Medical
Education.
Previous demonstration of
motivation in a similar
context.
Understands the use of IT
in education
Ability to co-operate with
other health professionals
including GP
educationalists to develop
multi-professional
education
Previous management
training or experience
Training
Become member of NACT and completion of NACT basic training course within 12 months
of taking up post.
Procedure for appointment
The post should be widely advertised within the Trust. Applicants will be interviewed by a
panel which should include the Medical Director or nominee, Director of Medical Education
or nominee, Clinical Tutor and HR Representative and Deanery Representative.
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