College Tutor: job description

The role of the College Tutor is to coordinate obstetrics and gynaecology training and education in an individual trust.

The responsibility for delivering that training and education lies with the Trust, on behalf of and resourced by the Postgraduate Dean. The Tutor should oversee the provision of the specialty training and education programme and should also be involved in assisting the deanery/school in managing the appropriate components of the foundation programme.

This is a specialist post with responsibility for the day-to-day coordination of high-quality multidisciplinary education in obstetrics and gynaecology. The post is critical to achieving an integrated multidisciplinary approach to a comprehensive educational package. It is likely that College Tutors may have other roles, which could include being an Educational Supervisor, Clinical Supervisor, ATSM Preceptor or ATSM Educational Supervisor role.

Roles and responsibilities

Ensure safe and effective patient care through training

• Foster a positive educational environment for learning.
• Ensure appropriate systems are in place for the clinical and professional supervision of trainees in O&G.
• Identify trainees in difficulty and support them at a local level, in conjunction with the Deanery/School/LETB/Training Programme Director/Workplace Behaviour Champion.
• Arrange an induction programme for new trainees.

Establish and maintain an educational environment

• Assign trainees to Educational Supervisors and ensure details are updated on ePortfolio.
• With the Director of Medical Education, be responsible for identifying, and making sure local Educational Supervisors have undertaken the appropriate training to GMC standards and remain updated.
• Ensure an appropriately balanced timetable is provided to meet individual trainee training requirements (both full-time and LTFT trainees).
• Facilitate release of the trainees to attend regional training sessions as determined by the School.
• Facilitate study leave to ensure competency progression as determined by the curriculum and the Training Matrix.
• Contribute to the educational development of other doctors in the department (e.g. Foundation doctors, GP trainees and SAS/Trust doctors in O&G.

Teach and facilitate learning

• Liaise with the local Education Supervisor and Ultrasound Educational Coordinator on the delivery of ultrasound training within the unit.
• Facilitate the provision and supervision of the RCOG Advanced Training Skills Modules (ATSMs).
• Organise an in-house (multiprofessional) education programme.

Assess

• Oversea the formative and summative assessment process and appraisals of obstetrics and gynaecology trainees via the ePortfolio and by liaising with trainers/assessors.
• Take part in the Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) of O&G trainees.

Act as a mentor/appraiser

• Provide pastoral care for trainees
• Identify within the unit, individuals to act as positive role models for the recruitment of undergraduates.

Guide personal/professional development of trainees

• Assist trainees with their educational goals and career progression.
• Consider opportunities to take either funded or unfunded trainees under the Medical Training Initiative (MTI) and liaise with the RCOG MTI officer or Global Health staff regarding specific placements.

Develop as a medical educator

• Undergo annual appraiser of educational role as per Deanery/LETB and NHS services processes.

Represent the RCOG locally

• Assist in monitoring the delivery of the RCOG core specialty curricula.
• Liaise with Deanery/LETB/School committees and other hospital departments.
• Ensure timely responses to requests by the RCOG and GMC survey.
• Attend the annual College Tutors meeting at the RCOG.
• Help to coordinate and facilitate Deanery/LETB and General Medical Council (GMC) inspection visits
• Represent education at local management meetings.

Person specification

Essential characteristics

• Be an RCOG Fellow or Member.
• Registered with a licence to practice with GMC, in good standing
• Substantive consultant in obstetrics and/or gynaecology in UK NHS Practice.
• Have evidence of annual appraisal
• Have evidence of equal opportunities and diversity training within previous 3 years
• Have completed RCOG ‘How to be a College Tutor’ course.
• Be a GMC-recognised Educational or Clinical Supervisor.
• Have experience as an education supervisor
• Committed to postgraduate medical education
• Empathetic, tactful and able to deal with sensitive and confidential issues
• Good organisational and administrative skills

Desirable characteristics

• Have completed at least 1 CPD cycle
• Have training in postgraduate medical education.
• Have completed one or more of the following RCOG educational courses or eLearning: 
  • WPBA eLearning module
  • Training the Trainer course
  • Examiners' Training Day
  • Specialty Assessor eLearning module
• Have experience of organising training in O&G
• Have experience of attending ARCP panels

Key working relationships

• Director of Medical Education/Clinical Tutor
• Head of School/STC Chair, School TPDs, Workplace Behaviour Champion, ATSM Preceptors, ATSM Educational Supervisors, Educational Supervisors and Clinical Supervisors
• Human Resources (Trust and Deanery depending on who employs trainees)
• Rota Master

Time required and job planning

Time is required within job plans to ensure this role is undertaken to a high standard. The National Association of Clinical Tutors suggests:

• 1 programmed activity (PA) for up to 20 trainees in the specialty (excluding foundation)
• 1.5 PAs for 20–40 trainees
• 2 PAs for more than 40 trainees

Duration of appointment

• 3 years initially.
• Optional renewal for a maximum of a further 3 years (in unusual circumstances this could be further extended; however, a further open competition would be required).

Evaluation of the role and succession planning

This role reflects the present requirements of the post as approved by the Specialty Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) of RCOG. A new College Tutor should be appointed at least 3 months before the end of the current holder's term of office and they should work closely together during this time in order to facilitate a smooth take-over period.