My interview in ST3 geriatric medicine
I got this post in the deanery of my preference
This post is about my experience. Please note that your CV will be different than mine and it is important to tailor your answers to your personal experiences during the interview.
Book needed to prepare:
This what I put in my evidence folder:
This post is about my experience. Please note that your CV will be different than mine and it is important to tailor your answers to your personal experiences during the interview.
Book needed to prepare:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Medical-Interviews-2nd-comprehensive-techniques/dp/1905812175
Making your portfolio:
Making your portfolio:
This is your folder which contains evidence of what you have done so far. This can include projects you have done in your home country and in the NHS.
It is pretty clear on what to do here:
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/recruitment-process/interview/preparing-for-interview
Materials you need to prepare your portfolio:
It is pretty clear on what to do here:
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/recruitment-process/interview/preparing-for-interview
Materials you need to prepare your portfolio:
1. Printer - you can use your hospitals printer however it is good to have your own printer at home in case you want to print something out at the last minute.
2. File:
You need 2 arch lever files. There are plenty of shops you can get this from:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/
https://www.staples.co.uk/
https://www.whsmith.co.uk/
And even your local grocery store.
3. A4 size plastic wallets - so that you can print out your materials and put them securely in these.
4. Extra wide file dividers such as these:
https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/whsmith-extra-wide-10-part-a4-card/333014575. A marker to number the dividers making it easier for the interviewers to find the relevant evidence.
6. Paper based assessments/e portfolio.
Your eligibility folder:
2. File:
You need 2 arch lever files. There are plenty of shops you can get this from:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/
https://www.staples.co.uk/
https://www.whsmith.co.uk/
And even your local grocery store.
3. A4 size plastic wallets - so that you can print out your materials and put them securely in these.
4. Extra wide file dividers such as these:
https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/whsmith-extra-wide-10-part-a4-card/333014575. A marker to number the dividers making it easier for the interviewers to find the relevant evidence.
6. Paper based assessments/e portfolio.
Your eligibility folder:
This link is self explanatory:
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/recruitment-process/interview/preparing-for-interview
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/recruitment-process/interview/preparing-for-interview
This what I put in my evidence folder:
Copies/print outs of:
1. Passport (plus original)
2. Biometric Resident Permit (plus original)
3. Certificate of sponsorship of current job
4. Current job offer letter
5. MBBS certificate (plus original)
6. GMC license to practice
7. MRCP 1 result – passed
8. MRCP 2 result – passed
9. MRCP PACES result – failed (I will book my PACES exam on the 25th of March, 2019)
10. Copy of email from Health Education England which mentioned my training number for my core medical training programme.
11. My ALS certificate (plus original)
Your evidence folder:
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/recruitment-process/interview/preparing-for-interview
Do not forget to print out the evidence summary form and mention the contents of your evidence folder here. There is also a section in which you can add a list of evidence documents which you forgot to add when you applied for this particular post.
This will vary from candidate to candidate.
This is what I had put in mine:
Additional achievements:
1. Passport (plus original)
2. Biometric Resident Permit (plus original)
3. Certificate of sponsorship of current job
4. Current job offer letter
5. MBBS certificate (plus original)
6. GMC license to practice
7. MRCP 1 result – passed
8. MRCP 2 result – passed
9. MRCP PACES result – failed (I will book my PACES exam on the 25th of March, 2019)
10. Copy of email from Health Education England which mentioned my training number for my core medical training programme.
11. My ALS certificate (plus original)
Your evidence folder:
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/recruitment-process/interview/preparing-for-interview
Do not forget to print out the evidence summary form and mention the contents of your evidence folder here. There is also a section in which you can add a list of evidence documents which you forgot to add when you applied for this particular post.
This will vary from candidate to candidate.
This is what I had put in mine:
Additional achievements:
1. Highest achievement certificate in GCE O levels
2. Nomination for Junior Doctor award in the category of compassionate care in York Hospital during my core medical training year 2. (I attached the email I received about this from the medical directorate)
3. Nomination for Junior Doctor award in the category of Team Player in York Hospital during my core medical training year 2. (I attached the email I received about this from the medical directorate).
4. Nomination for "April Star Award" in my trust ( I was nominated by a colleague) - I attached an email.
MRCP UK
1. MRCP 1 result (I attached my result sheet)
2. MRCP 2 result (I attached my result sheet)
2. Nomination for Junior Doctor award in the category of compassionate care in York Hospital during my core medical training year 2. (I attached the email I received about this from the medical directorate)
3. Nomination for Junior Doctor award in the category of Team Player in York Hospital during my core medical training year 2. (I attached the email I received about this from the medical directorate).
4. Nomination for "April Star Award" in my trust ( I was nominated by a colleague) - I attached an email.
MRCP UK
1. MRCP 1 result (I attached my result sheet)
2. MRCP 2 result (I attached my result sheet)
3. MRCP PACES booking confirmation
Presentations:
Presentations:
(I attached a copy of slides - 6 slides on one paper for each of these presentations)
1. Teaching session on “Renal medicine on the acute take” during my core medical year 2 training.
2. Presentation on polypharmacy in elderly in a local departmental meeting during my core medical year 1 training.
3. Presentation on “ International medical graduates- understanding the core differences” in a national conference during my core medical year 1 training.
4. Presentation on Alcohol withdrawal audit in November, 2016 in a local trust educational meeting.
5. Presentation on Escitalopram in depression in my home country during my residency.
Teaching experience:
1. Teaching session on “Renal medicine on the acute take” during my core medical year 2 training.
2. Presentation on polypharmacy in elderly in a local departmental meeting during my core medical year 1 training.
3. Presentation on “ International medical graduates- understanding the core differences” in a national conference during my core medical year 1 training.
4. Presentation on Alcohol withdrawal audit in November, 2016 in a local trust educational meeting.
5. Presentation on Escitalopram in depression in my home country during my residency.
Teaching experience:
During core medical training year 2 (August 2018 to date):
1. Teaching I did on “Renal medicine on the acute take” in our weekly AMU teaching session.
2. A reflection on my blog (ww.omarsguidelines.blogspot.com) which I use to guide doctors who plan to work in the NHS and are currently working in the NHS.
During core medical training year 1 (August 2017 to July 2018):
1. Teaching assessment by one of the organizers of a conference in which I presented on “ International medical graduates- understanding the core differences” in a national conference during my core medical year 1 training.
2. Print out of slides on my teaching session on “Polypharmacy in the elderly” during my rotation in Geriatrics.
During my non training job (Jan, 2016 to July 2017):
1. A copy of an “International Medical Graduates” guidance booklet I made with my colleagues in my previous job in 2017.
2. Print outs of emails by my consultants requesting me to guide new international medical graduates who were due to start in the NHS.
3. Teaching assessment forms filled by new international medical graduate doctors when I guided them on how the NHS functions.
Training in teaching :
1. Teaching I did on “Renal medicine on the acute take” in our weekly AMU teaching session.
2. A reflection on my blog (ww.omarsguidelines.blogspot.com) which I use to guide doctors who plan to work in the NHS and are currently working in the NHS.
During core medical training year 1 (August 2017 to July 2018):
1. Teaching assessment by one of the organizers of a conference in which I presented on “ International medical graduates- understanding the core differences” in a national conference during my core medical year 1 training.
2. Print out of slides on my teaching session on “Polypharmacy in the elderly” during my rotation in Geriatrics.
During my non training job (Jan, 2016 to July 2017):
1. A copy of an “International Medical Graduates” guidance booklet I made with my colleagues in my previous job in 2017.
2. Print outs of emails by my consultants requesting me to guide new international medical graduates who were due to start in the NHS.
3. Teaching assessment forms filled by new international medical graduate doctors when I guided them on how the NHS functions.
Training in teaching :
1. Certificate of a trust based e module I have done for training
2. Certificate of BMJ e modules I have completed for teaching small groups.
Quality improvement:
2. Certificate of BMJ e modules I have completed for teaching small groups.
Quality improvement:
(I attached QIP assessment forms and certificates)
1. Quality improvement project on “Ensuring that Parkinsons patients seen as an outpatient in neurology clinic are asked whether they are driving and if they are, to advise them to inform the DVLA” in core medical training year 1.
2. Quality improvement project on “Alcohol withdrawal” in my non training job.
On going projects (I attached a print out of my QIP plan from my e portfolio):
1. Quality improvement project on management of hyponatremia
2. Quality improvement project on management of hyperkalemia
3. Quality improvement project on managing paracetamol overdose patients
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT :
1. Quality improvement project on “Ensuring that Parkinsons patients seen as an outpatient in neurology clinic are asked whether they are driving and if they are, to advise them to inform the DVLA” in core medical training year 1.
2. Quality improvement project on “Alcohol withdrawal” in my non training job.
On going projects (I attached a print out of my QIP plan from my e portfolio):
1. Quality improvement project on management of hyponatremia
2. Quality improvement project on management of hyperkalemia
3. Quality improvement project on managing paracetamol overdose patients
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT :
1. Certificate of Leadership course I attended in York
2. Copy of assessments stating that I have good leadership skills ( I printed out MCRs, MSFs, ACATs and highlighted the points related to leadership)
COMMITMENT TO SPECIALTY:
2. Copy of assessments stating that I have good leadership skills ( I printed out MCRs, MSFs, ACATs and highlighted the points related to leadership)
COMMITMENT TO SPECIALTY:
1. Assessment forms from consultants, colleagues and nursing staff ( I printed out MCRs, MSFs, ACATs and highlighted the points related to my commitment)
2. Copy of my reflections on interesting cases I have seen
ACHIEVEMENTS OUTSIDE MEDICINE :
2. Copy of my reflections on interesting cases I have seen
ACHIEVEMENTS OUTSIDE MEDICINE :
1. My blog- www.omarsguidelines.blogspot.com which has had over 1 million views
2. A print out of the Facebook groups I started with a few colleagues to guide International Medical Graduates:
- International Medical Graduates working in the UK, which has around 80,000 members
- PLAB 2 and GMC registration group which has 40,000 members
TRAINING COURSES ATTENDED :
2. A print out of the Facebook groups I started with a few colleagues to guide International Medical Graduates:
- International Medical Graduates working in the UK, which has around 80,000 members
- PLAB 2 and GMC registration group which has 40,000 members
TRAINING COURSES ATTENDED :
Core medical training year 2:
1. Leadership and management course
2. Course on central line insertion
3. CMT teaching I have attended .
Printouts from my reflections on my e portfolio.
Core medical training year 1:
1. Course on “End of life care”
2. Course on cardioversion
3. Courses on core medical training skills
4. CMT teaching I have attended . Printouts from my reflections on my e portfolio.
In my non training post:
1. CMT simulation course in Medical Emergencies – Certificate
2. CMT simulation course in procedures – Certificate
3. RCP annual conference 2017 certificate of attendance
4. BMJ e learning – Platinum certificate for completing more than 30 e –modules
5. BMJ e modules portfolio report
6. RCP module on TIA clinic
7. CPD certificates of webinars I attended on the BMA website
8. Certificates for attending MPS workshops
9. CMT teaching I have attended . Printouts from my reflections on my e portfolio
10. Certificate of attendance : GMC webinars
In my home country, Pakistan:
1. ACLS and BLS certificates of the training I received in my home country (American Heart Association)
2. Certificate of a workshop on Dengue I attended in my home country
What to wear:
1. Leadership and management course
2. Course on central line insertion
3. CMT teaching I have attended .
Printouts from my reflections on my e portfolio.
Core medical training year 1:
1. Course on “End of life care”
2. Course on cardioversion
3. Courses on core medical training skills
4. CMT teaching I have attended . Printouts from my reflections on my e portfolio.
In my non training post:
1. CMT simulation course in Medical Emergencies – Certificate
2. CMT simulation course in procedures – Certificate
3. RCP annual conference 2017 certificate of attendance
4. BMJ e learning – Platinum certificate for completing more than 30 e –modules
5. BMJ e modules portfolio report
6. RCP module on TIA clinic
7. CPD certificates of webinars I attended on the BMA website
8. Certificates for attending MPS workshops
9. CMT teaching I have attended . Printouts from my reflections on my e portfolio
10. Certificate of attendance : GMC webinars
In my home country, Pakistan:
1. ACLS and BLS certificates of the training I received in my home country (American Heart Association)
2. Certificate of a workshop on Dengue I attended in my home country
What to wear:
Suit and tie for males, blazer and blouse for females. This is an official interview. Not a ward round/PACES exam.
Getting there:
Getting there:
I drove to my interview which was 1 hour, 30 minutes away. Remember that you need to factor in traffic. If you usually do not drive then you may not have an idea of how busy it is especially in rush hour. So keep a window period of at least 1 hour. Unfortunately, I got stuck in traffic however given that I left my house 3 hours prior to the interview, I was able to get there on time.
Some candidates may choose to take the train. Please factor in delays here as well. Nowadays, there are frequent delays and this can become very frustrating at peak hours. I would suggest you keep a similar window period ( ie 1 hour) to be on the safe side.
What if I am late:
Some candidates may choose to take the train. Please factor in delays here as well. Nowadays, there are frequent delays and this can become very frustrating at peak hours. I would suggest you keep a similar window period ( ie 1 hour) to be on the safe side.
What if I am late:
It is not worth driving fast/running to the interview. Usually they will slot you in the next session.
If you are supposed to give the interview at 1035 but are running late, inform the staff (call them. The contact details are given here:
https://www.oriel.nhs.uk/Web/RecruitmentLead ). They will book for the next session that day ( usually they run up to 4 or even more sessions in one day in the same place). You must contact them immediately if you are running late.
My interview:
If you are supposed to give the interview at 1035 but are running late, inform the staff (call them. The contact details are given here:
https://www.oriel.nhs.uk/Web/RecruitmentLead ). They will book for the next session that day ( usually they run up to 4 or even more sessions in one day in the same place). You must contact them immediately if you are running late.
My interview:
The format is given here:
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/specialties/geriatric-medicine
My first station:
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/specialties/geriatric-medicine
My first station:
Ethical scenario (interview station 2):
This was a typical case we see in our PACES exam - on talking to the daughter of an elderly patient about PEG feeding, for which he was not suitable for.
It was about autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice.
The second case was about any mistakes I have made when it comes to prescribing. We discussed about morbidity and mortality meetings and they asked a few questions - They kept asking till I did not know.
This is a helpful resource for that:
https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/guidelines-policy/mortality-toolkit-implementing-structured-judgement-reviews-improvement
My second station
Clinical scenario (interview station 3):
It was a typical case of differentials of a seizure in an elderly gentleman and the management.
My third station:
Portfolio station (interview station 1).
My interviewers had already gone through my portfolio in detail before I entered the room. They had noted down points which they asked me about.
They were very encouraging - they mentioned about the feedback ( MSFs, MCRs, ACATs- all relevant to geriatrics) I had received.
They asked me about geriatric societies -https://www.bgs.org.uk/
They asked about my blog and then suggested that I could take over the social media aspect of the British Society of Geriatrics.
They asked me when I was planning to give my PACES ( I had attached my PACES booking email in my folder) and I informed them that I would give it in the second diet.
They asked me why I think I am a good leader and a good team player - I had sufficient evidence in my portfolio which they had read about to prove this and I mentioned particular examples.
The whole interview (ie stations 1, 2 and 3) lasted for an hour.
Here are my tips:
This was a typical case we see in our PACES exam - on talking to the daughter of an elderly patient about PEG feeding, for which he was not suitable for.
It was about autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice.
The second case was about any mistakes I have made when it comes to prescribing. We discussed about morbidity and mortality meetings and they asked a few questions - They kept asking till I did not know.
This is a helpful resource for that:
https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/guidelines-policy/mortality-toolkit-implementing-structured-judgement-reviews-improvement
My second station
Clinical scenario (interview station 3):
It was a typical case of differentials of a seizure in an elderly gentleman and the management.
My third station:
Portfolio station (interview station 1).
My interviewers had already gone through my portfolio in detail before I entered the room. They had noted down points which they asked me about.
They were very encouraging - they mentioned about the feedback ( MSFs, MCRs, ACATs- all relevant to geriatrics) I had received.
They asked me about geriatric societies -https://www.bgs.org.uk/
They asked about my blog and then suggested that I could take over the social media aspect of the British Society of Geriatrics.
They asked me when I was planning to give my PACES ( I had attached my PACES booking email in my folder) and I informed them that I would give it in the second diet.
They asked me why I think I am a good leader and a good team player - I had sufficient evidence in my portfolio which they had read about to prove this and I mentioned particular examples.
The whole interview (ie stations 1, 2 and 3) lasted for an hour.
Here are my tips:
1. You should be well prepared for your interview. The interview book I mentioned earlier in this post helped me a lot. Yes, it is all about the individual candidate however the book helps you give structure to your answers and helps you to ensure that your strengths are highlighted. Never give an answer which is a "copy paste" of what is written in the interview book.
My suggestion for this is to ask yourself the questions in the interview book ( like "where do you see yourself in ten years"), practice your answer in front of a mirror and then read what is mentioned in the book. Make improvements to your answer by using advice in the interviews book.
2. You should know why you want to do that particular specialty. For this, you should be passionate about it and that passion should come out in your evidence folder.
In geriatrics, it was my MCRs, ACATs which suggested that I always went the extra mile to clerk and manage elderly patients on the acute take, comments elderly patients had given about me, how I took the initiative of discussing DNARs, palliation plans and thus set the scene for the consultants to have a quick conversation and just reiterate what I had said ( This experience has come with 3 years of working as a SHO - 2 of which was core medical training in which we are encouraged to do this to prepare us for registrars. Please do not do this if you as a SHO are uncomfortable and always start doing this under supervision).
3. Preparing for a ST3 interview is not done overnight - I showed evidence from 3 years ago when I was working as a non trainee SHO in the NHS. I had a lot of material to prove that I was committed to this field. As mentioned above, it resonated by the feedback which was given in my assessment forms.
Your preparation for your ST3 interview starts on the day you start working in the NHS. Make sure that you have plenty of assessments/feedback from nurses, colleagues, consultants, ward clerks, etc.
4. Do not forget to print out the evidence summary form:
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/documents
This is your table of contents. This is what your interviewers will refer to.
5. Provide evidence of whatever you have done/are doing.
I did not have evidence for my ongoing QIPs. Therefore I printed out a "Quality Improvement Project Plan" from my e portfolio. However I had completed 2 projects already. You must make sure that you have completed at least one of the QIP/audits you are mentioning.
6. Do not worry if you have scored low on your application. The interview carries more marks.
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/recruitment-process/interview/interview-scoring
7. Highlight anything outstanding. Printing a MCR from your e portfolio may just be missed however if you have highlighted points like "This doctor frequently stepped up as a registrar/ I would happily let this doctor take care of my aging parents" , etc it will help the interviews get a better idea of you as a doctor.
8. The interviewers are always thinking " Will this doctor be a good registrar". So answer your clinical questions which resonates this - by being safe, knowledgeable and escalating to the appropriate teams/individuals when necessary.
9. The interview questions are basic things we do day in/day out when we are on call. So no special preparation is required. The fact that you have passed your MRCP exams/are in core medical training means that you have the knowledge.
10. Everything is available on these websites:
https://specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/Recruitment/Person-specifications
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/specialties/geriatric-medicine
https://www.bgs.org.uk/
Please read these in detail.
Best of luck.
My suggestion for this is to ask yourself the questions in the interview book ( like "where do you see yourself in ten years"), practice your answer in front of a mirror and then read what is mentioned in the book. Make improvements to your answer by using advice in the interviews book.
2. You should know why you want to do that particular specialty. For this, you should be passionate about it and that passion should come out in your evidence folder.
In geriatrics, it was my MCRs, ACATs which suggested that I always went the extra mile to clerk and manage elderly patients on the acute take, comments elderly patients had given about me, how I took the initiative of discussing DNARs, palliation plans and thus set the scene for the consultants to have a quick conversation and just reiterate what I had said ( This experience has come with 3 years of working as a SHO - 2 of which was core medical training in which we are encouraged to do this to prepare us for registrars. Please do not do this if you as a SHO are uncomfortable and always start doing this under supervision).
3. Preparing for a ST3 interview is not done overnight - I showed evidence from 3 years ago when I was working as a non trainee SHO in the NHS. I had a lot of material to prove that I was committed to this field. As mentioned above, it resonated by the feedback which was given in my assessment forms.
Your preparation for your ST3 interview starts on the day you start working in the NHS. Make sure that you have plenty of assessments/feedback from nurses, colleagues, consultants, ward clerks, etc.
4. Do not forget to print out the evidence summary form:
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/documents
This is your table of contents. This is what your interviewers will refer to.
5. Provide evidence of whatever you have done/are doing.
I did not have evidence for my ongoing QIPs. Therefore I printed out a "Quality Improvement Project Plan" from my e portfolio. However I had completed 2 projects already. You must make sure that you have completed at least one of the QIP/audits you are mentioning.
6. Do not worry if you have scored low on your application. The interview carries more marks.
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/recruitment-process/interview/interview-scoring
7. Highlight anything outstanding. Printing a MCR from your e portfolio may just be missed however if you have highlighted points like "This doctor frequently stepped up as a registrar/ I would happily let this doctor take care of my aging parents" , etc it will help the interviews get a better idea of you as a doctor.
8. The interviewers are always thinking " Will this doctor be a good registrar". So answer your clinical questions which resonates this - by being safe, knowledgeable and escalating to the appropriate teams/individuals when necessary.
9. The interview questions are basic things we do day in/day out when we are on call. So no special preparation is required. The fact that you have passed your MRCP exams/are in core medical training means that you have the knowledge.
10. Everything is available on these websites:
https://specialtytraining.hee.nhs.uk/Recruitment/Person-specifications
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/
https://www.st3recruitment.org.uk/specialties/geriatric-medicine
https://www.bgs.org.uk/
Please read these in detail.
Best of luck.
Comments
Post a Comment