Advanced Life Support
You are expected to keep up to date with your ALS training throughout your ST years. This needs to be done every 4 years. See the Resuscitation Council website for courses.
Management, Teaching and Audit
You are expected to do at least one management course (NOT an online course) and one teaching course during your training. These are often available in the hospitals you will be working in (see courses section). You are also expected to undertake or supervise an audit project in each year of your training. This will be checked at your ARCP.
UK Kidney Association
Main national meeting held once a year, usually in the spring, with presentations covering clinical and basic science research. Other meetings are held at various locations during the year. Joining the UKKA is recommended as meetings are cheaper for members and you are e-mailed about courses etc. coming up. Membership costs £70 per year (£65 if paying by direct debit). Information can be found on the UKKA website about courses/meetings.
American Society of Nephrology
The ASN meeting (“Kidney Week”) is held annually in late October/November and is attended by around 12,000 delegates. It is certainly worth attending at least once during training, especially when doing research. Trainees can get free membership (international fellow) during their StR years. The option to become an international fellow does not exist on their website, but you can contact them and they should be able to tell you what to do. Click here to go to their membership page.
SpR Club
Two meetings per year held over a weekend for educational and social purposes. Costs of meetings subsidised. Highly recommended.
BMA/Unions
Membership of the British Medical Association gives you access to the BMJ, and the BMA can represent you if you ever have any employment issues. The Unite union also have a section that is devoted solely to medical students and qualified doctors.