Transition to consultant

Please share any resources or tips (using the form below) you have on these stages of training as we are finding there is significant variation in experiences of registrars. This part of training is about reflecting on your work and development to plan ahead for consultant readiness in the final year of training (a formative assessment).  The guidance explains there is no pass/fail outcome, and it is about reviewing how close you are to completing the Key Area 10 learning outcomes (see image below).

The focus in this period shifts from project work to portfolio working, integrating competencies, and working at more senior and complex levels. We should be demonstrating  awareness of political, organisational and situational impacts on our work and giving evidence of tackling these. The KA10 with the subsequent focus on personal development is to prepare registrars for an acting up period before CCT and consultant roles. The faculty describes the KA10 competencies:

"Competences for Consultant Practice (CCP). CCP describes the overarching learning outcomes registrars demonstrate when they are ready for independent practice as consultants. Readiness for independent consultant practice requires an ability to consistently judge how to select and use a range of specialist public health expertise and skills and work at senior organisational levels to deliver improved population health in complex and unpredictable environments."

I have the KA10 competencies on a table and add 'ideas' during supervisions so when it comes to writing I've got things to go with. I've also been reviewing job descriptions for consultant roles to look at how  roles, responsibilities and desirable qualities are described. I use this for pre-bench-marking myself (and my confidence!), to help me word my reflections and to shape my development plans as I work towards my KA10 assessment.

One area I'd like to see developed is the "so what". Ideally this process would lead to tangible development through structured and evidence based work; maybe using specialist coaching or senior level multi-day courses would be justified here. If we default to the sort of self-development we've always done for ourselves, there is a real risk of getting the same results... A menu of possible interventions, a review of the the sorts of needs that are common at this stage of training and recommendations would be a great addition to the Faculty website. 

Tasks:

• Multi Source Feedback exercise and a reflective piece after review with a senior (not ES). We use the NHS Leadership tool in the North East (The cost is £48 - currently we have to pay for this and claim back through the study leave process including getting a study leave form completed using Accent leave manager and then claiming payment using EASY..).

• Write 3 reflections covering at least two of the three pillars of public (Health Improvement, Healthcare Public Health, Health Protection) on these areas:

○ Public Health Expert

○ Personal Effectiveness and Impact

○ Commitment to Public Health values

• Educational Supervisor report on the reflective notes.

• Educational Supervisor report on progress towards the KA10 competencies. 

• KA10 panel discussion to discuss findings, developments plans, career plans and shaping final year of training.

Multi Source Feedback

Some regions use the NHS Healthcare Leadership 360 tool. The process is supported by a facilitator and takes around 6 weeks to complete. Your facilitator will guide you through each step of the process so before accessing the tool its best to identify and meet with your facilitator. 

• Choose raters based on the guidance from your facilitator and educational supervisor. 

• Email raters in advance to explain the process and aim to leave 4 weeks for them to complete the process.

• When reviewing feedback, focus on themes and making development plans rather than taking a statistical analysis approach to the numbers.

I will come back and review once I've had my panel. In the mean time I'd love if you would pass on your tips and experiences through the form below. For me the main areas are how to be objective about your strengths and weaknesses, what panels have focused on in discussions, tips for writing, and creating the PDP after.