Royal College of Physicians

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Project Manager – Project 2010 (Fixed term for one year)

Grade: F

Post Number: PTB140

Department: Joint Royal College of Physicians Training Board

Job Context:

The Royal College of Physicians of London plays a pivotal role in setting the standards and through a variety of activities, influences the quality of medical practice in hospitals. It conducts examinations, carries out training, education and research activities and advises the Government and the profession on health and medical matters.

The Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board is based in London but represents the three UK Colleges of Physicians, and is responsible for managing the Colleges’ role in the regulation of specialist training in the UK.

The role of the JRCPTB (or ‘PTB’ in common use) is to set and maintain standards of specialist medical training and to confirm the competence of trainee Physicians. This is achieved through the work of a Core Medical Training committee and 28 Specialist Advisory Committees (SACs). Physicians who satisfactorily complete training in approved programmes (conducted mainly in NHS hospitals), are entitled to apply for a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and for subsequent entry in the Specialist Register held by the General Medical Council. Specialist Registration entitles the holder to be a consultant in the NHS.

Representatives (consultant physicians) of the Colleges sit on the Core Medical Training committee and Specialist Advisory Committees, each of which meets at least twice a year. The PTB office acts as the secretariat for the Board itself, the core training committee and the SACs. Thus, in the exercise of these duties the PTB:

i) Reviews and update core, generic and specialty curricula and submits them to the PMETB1 for approval.

ii) Provides professional support and advice to individual trainees. iii) Works with the PMETB to develop appropriate performance and knowledge

assessment mechanisms to evaluate trainee’s competence.iv) Enrols trainees onto training programmes, confirming the fulfilment of entry

requirements at both core and specialty levels, and when appropriate, the provisional CCT date.

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? The Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board – the UK superior authority for training standards to which the PTB works2 The General & Specialist Medical Practice (Education, Training & Qualifications) Order 2003 (and where periodically amended).

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v) Continually monitors the progress of all trainees maintaining both paper and electronic records as required.

vi) Recommends to the PMETB the names of those eligible for the award of CCT.vii)Provides pre-application advice to applicants for evaluation for specialist

registration under the provisions of the Specialist Order2.viii) Evaluates applications and make appropriate recommendations to the

PMETB in respect of direct entry to the Specialist Register.ix) Ensures that due attention is paid to the training needs of flexible (part time)

and overseas trainees.x) Works with Postgraduate Training Schools to provide a comprehensive

service for the local quality assurance of core and specialty training programmes.

xi) Ensures that all JRCPTB rules and regulations are properly publicised both through formal publications and on a dedicated website.

xii)Provides specialist support to the PMETB appeals process in respect of physician appellants.

xiii) Works in co-operation with the MRCP(UK) central office in the development of specialist examinations.

Purpose and scope

The Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) is the independent regulatory body responsible for postgraduate medical education and training. It has published Standards for curricula and assessment systems and has directed the Medical Royal Colleges to prepare and submit revised curricula and assessment strategies for its approval. The objective of “Project 2010” is to ensure that all curricula and assessment strategies meet the standards set out in the PMETB’s document in accordance with a timetable set down by the PMETB.

Project 2010 is a programme of work drawing together the outputs from a number of sub- projects some of which are already in place and some of which need to be set up. Some of these projects will be managed directly by PTB but others will be run by different departments. The purpose of defining all this work as a single project is to ensure we have a coordinated approach to meeting the PMETB deadlines rather than an attempt to centrally manage all the sub-projects.

Sub-projects include: Review of all curricula and assessment systems Piloting and validation of assessment methods Further development of our ePortfolio Reviewing quality standards for diploma examinations Reviewing PTB documentation and communication (e.g. website) Reviewing the relationship of our membership and speciality examinations to

the curricula.

Reports to: Head of JRCPTB

Works closely with

Medical Director JRCPTB and the Deputy MDChairs and appropriate members of specialist advisory committeesPostgraduate Medical Education and Training Board

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Senior staff of JRCPTBOfficers and Staff of MRCP(UK)Staff of the Education Dept RCP London

Major Responsibilities:

1. The post holder will be responsible for the co-ordination of overall project and for the direct management of one or more of the sub-projects.

2. To take responsibility for the efficient management of the project including:

a) Acting as secretary to the steering committee. This committee will develop policy and provide the postholder with direction and authority for action.

b) Managing aspects of the budget

c) Liaising with the SACs in respect of

(1) Identifying key stages and meeting critical timeframes and milestones

(2) Providing advice and guidance on the work progress and deliverables

d) Liaising with the sub-project managers in PTB and other relevant College departments [Education and Examinations in particular] to ensure that projects are appropriately set up, and to monitor their progress.

e) Liaising with relevant external agencies as required [PMETB in particular].

f) Preparing reports and position papers for JRCPTB.

3. The maintenance of appropriate plans and records relating to the projects.

4. Monitoring the progress of the project to ensure it is delivered in accordance with agreed timeframes.

5. To deal with enquiries by telephone, correspondence and personal visitations in relation to the various areas of responsibility of the post.

6. To report regularly to the steering group on progress and any difficulties for resolution.

7. Other appropriate duties as required.

Workload Dimensions & outline timescales:

Core Medical TrainingACCS (Medicine)27 Specialties3 Sub-Specialties

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PMETB will require the revised documents for submission in groups of 4/5 specialties between 7th October 2009 and 15th December 2009.

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Terms and Conditions

Salary Scale Grade F (£30,000 pa on appointment)

Annual Leave 29 days annual leave plus statutory holidays (full time)

Other Benefits: Generous holiday entitlement Pension Scheme Free staff restaurant Interest-free Season ticket loan (following

completion of probation) Maternity Policy Kidsunlimited Childcare Vouchers Investors in People (IiP) accreditation Comprehensive training package Occupational Health Services Corporate Gym Membership Cycle Scheme Use of Facilities

In addition to the RCP benefits set out above, the College complies with all statutory rights; details of which can be found at http://www.berr.gov.uk/employment/

Full details on any of the above benefits can be gained from the HR Department upon request or, following employment, via the College Intranet.

In consultation with staff, benefits and policies may be reviewed and changed over time.

The College operates a “No Smoking” policy

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Royal College of Physicians

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Position: Project Manager – Project 2010

Job Number: PTB140

Department: JRCPTB Date: January 2009

General and Professional Education Application

Interview

EssentialEducated to degree standard

DesirableA project management qualification

Technical Competencies Application

Interview

EssentialDemonstrable successful experience of project management

Proficient in the use of features of a range of software products relevant to work including Microsoft software products.

DesirableUnderstanding of the nature of curricula and assessment methods and their role in education

Basic knowledge of the NHS

Knowledge of postgraduate medical education structures and processes

Grade Competencies Application

Interview

EssentialTakes ownership of situations and accepts responsibility for making decisions or taking action

Grasps hold of issues that are blocking progress so that they can be resolved

Exercises integrity and judgement in dealing with privileged information or giving information or advice

Anticipates the requirements and needs of stakeholders to improve delivery and quality of service

Communicates at all levels and across all disciplines with ease

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Encourages others to share ideas to work towards solutions

Takes steps to establish and develop effective relationships both within and across functional and geographical divides

Uses a range of planning methods and tools consistent with the demands of the task

Juggles priorities to ensure that projects of the highest importance are delivered first (above those that are driven by crisis or pressure)

Uses effective decision making skills to manage changes in plans and to stop projects becoming bogged down

Creates meaningful and measurable performance indicators so that everyone knows what is to be delivered by when

Takes care of both small and large aspects of tasks and projects so that delivery proceeds smoothly and there are no gaps in ownership

Secures resources (money, people, time, information) and works within these

Allocates resources, (money, people, time, material), to ensure completion on time and within budget

Uses the features of a range of software systems relevant to work

Uses a systematic approach to planning and organisation to ensure tasks and projects are delivered on time and within budget

Keeps information up to date and in a form which can be used by others

Provides and maintains an audit trail for work activities which demand this

Finds ways to sustain momentum on lengthy projects

Researches, analyses and classifies data so that it can be used for appropriate purposes

Uses a range of analytical and creative problem solving techniques and processes to deal with unplanned situations

Suggests ways in which the College may improve its

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practices, processes and procedures, identifying emergent needs before they become problems

Encourages a sense of urgency on critical issues where the need for action exceeds the need for debate

Uses Project Management tools

DesirableEncourages colleagues to consider and discuss external trends which may impact on the College

Initiates debate with respect to appropriate ways of responding to new situations

RCP Generic Competencies Application

Interview

EssentialAdapts to agreed changes and new ways of working positively, effectively and completely

Recognises conflicting demands and takes practical decisions to deal with them

Persists in the face of adversity

Admits to making a mistake

Takes the initiative when there is a need to act

Sets high personal standards as an example to others

Tells the truth, even when there is a personal cost associated with this

Learns from experience by reviewing activities and revising plans in the light of the review

Interacts with staff and other professions with respect for difference and diversity

Shows enthusiasm for achieving service improvements

Demonstrates enthusiasm for the College when dealing with outsiders

Shows patience and courtesy when dealing with people for whom English is not a first language or who have a hearing or other impairment which creates difficulty in communication

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Demonstrates a bias for action once issues have been debated and decisions taken

Works to improve bad relationships rather than letting them escalate or infect others

Works collaboratively on projects, sharing experience and learning with a common aim

Recognizes the needs of others and, where this is practical, offers assistance without being asked

Works with others who have different outlooks or viewpoints

Demonstrates good listening skills through their responses to other people’s communication

Prioritises their workload according to importance and urgency

Demonstrates an ability to work to deadlines

Responds effectively and positively to pressure

Stays focused on tasks and understands why achievement is important

Sees issues through to delivery to the customer, whether it is a given task, a telephone enquiry, or a longer term goal

Recognises problems and spots when existing approaches are no longer valid

Identifies the best sources of expertise and knowledge for problem solving

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