The SITM Director is usually appointed by the school board/STC of obstetrics and gynaecology. They are responsible for ensuring the educational opportunities and environment within their deanery/region meet the GMC and RCOG standards.
The SITM Director will ensure control of consistency of quality across the SITMs, both in educational opportunities and in expectations through assessment.
The SITM director will be aware of all training opportunities within the region and will coordinate the learner attachments, ensuring all learners can fulfil their SITM training objectives. This individual must take responsibility for the quality management, standards and delivery of training of all SITMs (Training Unit Quality Criteria). This will be achieved by empowering the SITM preceptors to ensure the standards are delivered for their allocated SITM(s). Good liaison with SITM preceptors is vital and it is suggested that regular meetings are established at deanery level.
The method by which any individual SITM director will undertake their role is dependent upon the size of the deanery and the communication links. It is recommended that the SITM director provides guidance that is widely available to learners regarding:
- The availability of SITMs in the region
- The region’s agreed selection process
- What should happen if requests for an SITM exceed the region’s training capacity?
SITM training is open to specialty trainees, Portfolio Pathway candidates, SAS grades, LEDs, consultants and MITs. It is acknowledged that as national training number (NTN) holders require two SITMs for Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) registration, these learners will be given priority when training opportunities exist.
NTN holders may also wish to do further SITMs once they have completed the requirements for CCT but may do so only if there is capacity.
The SITM director can also be a SITM preceptor, SITM educational supervisor or both.
This educational role should be appointed in open competition as per deanery processes.
Roles and responsibilities
- Oversee and coordinate SITM training for learners across a deanery/region.
- Be the contact point within the region for the school board/STC, SITM preceptors, SITM educational supervisors and college tutors in all matters related to SITM training. (link to website)
- Be a member of, and report to, the region’s school board/STC.
- Take responsibility, with the aid of the SITM preceptors, for assessing the region’s capacity for the delivery of SITMs and deciding which SITMs will be offered.
- Liaise with the SITM preceptors and college tutors to develop SITM training programmes.
- Take responsibility for appointing/ identifying and supporting SITM preceptors.
- Take responsibility for completing the SITM forms that are sent to the College by the learner.
- Take responsibility for overseeing the provision and quality assurance of SITM training.
- Assist the TPD in preparing material required for quality assurance by the local school board/STC and the GMC.
- Provide SITM career advice.
- Take responsibility, with support from the SITM preceptor, SITM educational supervisor and college tutor as necessary, for responding to the needs of learners in difficulty and escalate to the TPD when indicated.
- Keep up to date with RCOG standards in education, new educational initiatives and changes to the SITM curriculum and assessment.
- Communicate with the RCOG to provide feedback on the curriculum, implementation and delivery of the SITM modules within their deanery.
- Participate in meetings of the Special Interest Training Committee
- Cascade SITM-related information from the RCOG to SITM preceptors and SITM educational supervisors.
- Collate the reports on learners’ progress compiled by the SITM preceptors and present a summary to the school board/STC for those SITMs where issues have arisen.
Person specification
Essential characteristics
- Be a fully trained medical practitioner (consultant or SAS doctor).
- Be a GMC recognised educational or clinical supervisor.
- Be an RCOG Fellow or Member
- Have experience of postgraduate education and training.
- Be committed to continuing professional development.
- Have managerial/organisational skills.
- Have awareness of quality management principles.
- Agree to work within the terms of the job description.
- Encourage trainees to undertake RCOG and GMC surveys.
- Be trained in equality and diversity.
- Undergo regular appraisal of educational role as per deanery and NHS processes.
Desirable characteristics
- Have formal training or postgraduate qualification in medical education.
- Have experience of organising training in obstetrics and gynaecology.
Duration of appointment
Three years initially. Optional renewal for a maximum of a further three years.
Time required and job planning
It is essential/ highly desirable that recognised time is allocated within the job plan of the SITM director. The time required will usually be in the form of additional supporting professional activities (SPA) time and the RCOG recommends 1 PA for this role.