CORE SURGERY RECRUITMENT FOR NHS

This page is to offer guidance and information to candidates about the day of their interview including:

• Arrival
• Document checking
• Timing
• Structure of the interview

Arrival

Be on time. You are expected arrive at your interview venue no later or earlier than your given arrival time. This is the start time stipulated when you book your interview slot and this will include the 30-40 minutes, depending on deanery requirements before your actual interview time to allow document checks, verification and time for you to relax and be prepared for your interview. Read your invite to interview letter carefully before hand as this will have important information about your interview.

Document Checking

There will be document and ID checks undertaken by the deanery administration staff. Applicants will be briefed about the interview process and should arrive at their allotted start time as stated when booking your interview slot. Please ensure you have all original and duplicate copies of documents required.

Documents Checklist

• Two passport photographs (name on back)
• Original passport plus 2 copies of the front cover, inside cover & signature/photo page
• Portfolio (including curriculum vitae)
• Original current GMC certificate plus two copies
• Original primary qualification certificate plus two copies
• Original postgraduate qualification certificate (where applicable) plus one copy
• Original ‘other’ qualifications (where applicable) plus one copy
• Evidence of English Language skill (IELTS or equivalent)
• Witness candidate signing application form (which they should bring if not attached declaration)
• Copy of 5.2 FACD plus one copy
• Certificate A or B - (where applicable)
• Original visa status page in passport plus one copy (non EEA members)
• HSMP / Tier 1 (no restrictions) original letter from Home Office plus one copy

Please see individual deanery websites for any deanery specific requirements.

Timing

The Interview Timer will keep track of the time allocated to each interview station. In the course of the interview, there will be a routine knocks on the door at stipulated times to alert panelists.

Your interview lasts for 39 minutes in total; consisting of 3 stations - Management, Portfolio and Clinical Scenario. Each will last 10 minutes with a 3 minute break between each station. The order of your portfolio should facilitate finding evidence and information easily: you can mark your portfolio with folder markers in an orderly way to allow easy checks.

Interview Stations

a. The Management Station:

This station is to ask questions surrounding the management of your time, judgement and ethics. You will be asked 2 Management scenario questions. Both questions are read to the candidate once in the room and each question is allowed 5 minutes to answer, they will essentially be “quick fire” questions to encourage the candidate to think on their feet. This station will last 10 minutes. Note there will be knocks at the door to ensure panelists keep to the allotted times for each of the questions.

b. The Portfolio Station:

Your portfolio will be examined by the panel members prior to entering the interview room and will contribute to the interview discussion. You are strongly advised to ensure that it contains relevant evidence of academic achievement, attainment of Foundation competences and of key activities which you have undertaken in the workplace or within the community which will demonstrate your strengths as a doctor and manager of people.

You will be asked to refer to items within your portfolio at interview so make sure you are able to quickly access these and discuss, particularly audits and research examples.

Although many trainees are now using e-Portfolio, hard copy portfolios which contain evidence of information contained within the e-Portfolio are needed for interview.

Do not use supportive statements in your portfolio as they will not be marked/scored.

The list below highlights some important and recommended approaches to portfolio management and presentation:

• Use one lever arch file for all your documents.
• Place an index in the front of the folder.
• Include a printed copy of your application form (you may wish to exclude the sections relating to equal opportunities).
• Use marker tabs so that sections can be found quickly.
• If you use plastic wallets make sure documents can be easily removed and examined as panel members will want to review them.
• Don’t put in things that are not yours (e.g. someone else’s work or hospital guidelines).
• This is an opportunity to display your presentation and organisational skills.
• F2 graduates – bring Foundation training portfolios or evidence of having completed educationally approved Senior House Officer, specialty training or fixed term specialty training (FTSTA) post(s) in the UK.

Also bring:

• Documents on any audits (print outs of PowerPoint).
• Reprints/photocopies of any published research.
• Checklist of competences achieved, countersigned by trainer.
• Any other documents that provide evidence of competences.
• Assessments by trainer/ educational supervisor.
• Print outs from e-portfolio of workplace assessments, e.g. min-PAT, mini-CEX, CbD, DOPS and MSF.

Here are lists of key skills panelists will be looking for at the portfolio stage:

• Academic qualification - BSc Hons/MSc/MPhil/BDS/PhD.
• Undergraduate / Foundation year competences or equivalent.
• CPD courses.
• Clinical / Procedural Experience.
• Audit / Research / Clinical Studies.
• Presentations / Abstracts / Publications (Full papers only).
• Demonstrates leadership.
• Commitment to specialty.

c. The Clinical Scenario Station:

There will be 2 clinical scenario questions; the first will be given to the candidate outside of the interview room where they will have 3 minutes to read and prepare the question. The second question will be asked after 5 minutes, this will essentially be a “quick fire” question.

This station will last 10 minutes with routine knocks at stipulated times during the interview to alert the panelist to move on to the next question, to round up and to end the interview respectively.

Interview Structure for Candidates

On the day of your interview, the interview set-up for all candidates is made up of three stations (Management, Portfolio, and Clinical Scenario) with two panelists per station. You will be expected to go through each station.

(See attachment for an example of the interview structure)

Please remember to complete the candidate feedback form at the end of your interview to ensure processes can continue to be developed and improved.