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Job summary

Main area
Anaesthesia and RCOA Primary MCQ Exams Fellow
Grade
Senior Clinical Fellow
Contract
12 months (fixed term to cover a rota gap)
Hours
Full time - 40 hours per week (Full shift 1:8 on call rota for anaesthesia)
Job ref
176-S-7678023
Employer
North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Peterborough City Hospital
Town
Peterborough
Salary
£65,048 - £73,992 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
26/04/2026 23:59

Employer heading

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust logo

PCH Anaesthesia and RCOA Primary MCQ Examination Fellow

Senior Clinical Fellow

Job overview

This is a new and exciting opportunity for a post Primary FRCA candidate with an interest in education and assessment.

The post is for a period of one year initially, renewable by mutual consent. The successful candidate will work flexibly within the Department of Anaesthesia and for the RCOA Exams Department under the supervision of the Chair of the Primary MCQ also based in Peterborough.

The Fellow will have the opportunity to work closely with the RCOA Primary Examiners and RCOA Examinations Department, under local supervision by the Chair of the Primary MCQ Group. You will work closely with the leads of the FRCA Primary Written Core Group providing valuable advice and a trainee perspective on single best answer (SBA) content, design and paper setting.

You will be funded by the RCOA to undertake a 1 year part-time Post Graduate Certificate (PGCert) in Medical Education. If you have already completed a PGCert or PGDip in Medical Education, you may use the funding to continue your studies with the next level of the same course (PGDip or Masters)

Main duties of the job

As the Primary MCQ Examinations Fellow, you will provide on-call cover on the Senior Tier Rota (CT3 and above; 1 in 8) which involves providing support to the theatre, obstetric and critical care on call teams. Further training and supervision will be available as needed and required. Your normal working day shifts will be dedicated to RCOA Primary Examination Fellow duties, which can be performed remotely.

Your Fellowship duties will include tasks relating to development and maintenance of the Primary MCQ, focused around the planned changes to the exam. This will include: finalising the exam blueprint, creation of question resources, SBA question writing and editing (training provided), and advising on/assisting with management of the SBA bank. Other potential projects can be discussed with the Chair, including development of content for affiliate examiners, development of resources for exam candidates, and evaluation/assurance projects related to the Primary MCQ.

Working for our organisation

We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, with a special focus on welcoming individuals from disabled, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, as well as those from our local area.

In line with our dedication to employee support, we offer a variety of benefits. For more information, please see the attached staff benefits leaflet.

We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees feel valued and empowered to excel in their roles.  Join us and become part of a team dedicated to making a positive difference in our community.

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The role will involve review of live Primary Exam questions; the successful candidate will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement and will be responsible for ensuring that they maintain the integrity of the dataset.

The RCOA Fellow duties are intended to allow flexible working. Some travel to the College in Red Lion Square, London may be required (approximately 4-5 individual days per year, expenses paid).

The successful candidate will be responsible to the Lead Clinician for Anaesthesia and accountable to the Chief Executive at NWAFT. The successful candidate will be responsible to the Chair of the Primary FRCA Written Exam and accountable to the Director of Education, Training and Examinations at the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • MBBS or equivalent
  • Primary FRCA pass
Desirable criteria
  • Other qualifications relevant to Education (including Postgraduate courses, PGCerts, Diplomas or Masters)
  • Final FRCA pass

Courses

Essential criteria
  • Advanced Life Support (OR equivalent)
Desirable criteria
  • Interhospital Transfer Training Course
  • Other courses relevant to Education or Assessment
  • Advanced Paediatric Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support (OR equivalent)

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Full GMC registration with license to practice
  • 36 months anaesthesia / ICU experience in UK training post
  • RCOA Stage 1 Training Certificate or Confirmation of Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate
  • Obstetric anaesthesia experience (including on call work)
  • Experience delivering medical education at an undergraduate or postgraduate level
Desirable criteria
  • Experience delivering education to UK Trainee Anaesthetists
  • Experience with single best answer question writing

Technical Skills

Essential criteria
  • Experienced in providing general anaesthesia for a variety of elective specialties
  • Experienced in providing emergency anaesthesia
  • Experienced in providing spinal and epidural anaesthesia
  • Experienced in siting arterial lines and central venous catheters
  • Experienced in using various software packages, including Microsoft Excel, Sharepoint and Teams

Motivation

Essential criteria
  • Interest in medical education including assessment
  • Commitment to supporting UK anaesthesia education and training

Education

Essential criteria
  • Detailed knowledge of the UK anaesthesia training programme and curriculum.
Desirable criteria
  • Regular contribution to a teaching programme
  • Experience with delivery and design of assessments in medical education
  • Has a post-graduate teaching qualification

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: GoldMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Stonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close earlier if it received a high number of applications and therefore we recommend that you complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dr Coralie Carle
Job title
Consultant Anaesthesia/ICU, Chair Primary FRCA
Email address
[email protected]
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