E-Learning for Clinical Teachers
Fellowships in Medical Education (FME) – responses to Frequently Asked Questions
When are the FME opportunities advertised?
Providing that funding allows we hope to be able to offer the fellowship opportunities on a twice yearly basis in two cohorts (February-April and August-October). The opportunities are usually advertised in June/July of each year for FME placements in the following year - eg, advertising and recruitment June-September 2009 for FME placements in Feb-April and Aug-October 2010. The opportunities are advertised on the Faculty Development website and are also circulated to Trust Directors of Medical Education, Postgraduate Education Centres and other routes such as Synapse.
Which of the 5 available posts can I apply to?
The Fellowships are open for all eligible/interested trainees to apply to. You may feel that your interests and experience are more suitable to some of the 5 posts than others, but you are free to apply to any of the posts that interest you. If you are interested in a few please indicate your order preference on the first page of the application form, but if you are only interested in one or two please give them a preference/choice number and then mark an 'X' against those that you do not wish to be considered for.
I am FTSTA – am I eligible?
The Fellowships have been set up as a full time 6-month 'Out of Programme Experience' (OOPE). Unfortunately, in accordance with ‘A Guide to Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK’ (The Gold Guide, DH June 2007), trainees in FTSTA posts are not permitted to take OOPE and so regrettably FTSTAs would not be eligible to apply for the Fellowships.
I am currently doing a Locum Appointment – am I eligible?
The FME attachments have been set up as a full time 6-month 'Out of Programme Experience' (OOPE).
Unfortunately locum appointments/posts do not qualify for OOPE and therefore you would not be eligible to apply for a FME attachment.
I am a GP - am I eligible?
Although we would welcome applications to the FME posts from GP Registrars, our understanding at the moment is that Out of Programme Experience (OOPE) can be difficult to obtain for GP programmes in London due to the short training period. Since the FME posts have been set up as 6 month OOPE attachments it will therefore be very difficult for GP's to take up these opportunities. However GP trainees can potentially be eligible for OOPE between ST2 and ST3 (although requests to interrupt ST3 are unlikely to be supported). GP Registrars could possibly also be eligible if they were able to apply and commence the Fellowships at the point between completing their training but before certification. In both cases above it would be down to the timing of each individual's training schedule and trainees interested in the FME opportunities should first discuss the likelihood of obtaining OOPE with Ann Mullen in the Deanery GP Recruitment and Workforce team - tel: 020 7866 3215 Ann.mullen@londondeanery.ac.uk
I am a Foundation Programme trainee – am I eligible?
Eligibility for the Fellowships is mostly determined by whether you are eligible to take an 'Out of Programme Experience' (OOPE). The FME person specification gives further detail about the eligibility criteria. If you are interested in putting in an application you might want to discuss it with your Training Programme Director/Clinical Tutor to establish whether they will be able to support you taking time out of your programme.
The Guide to Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK (Gold Guide, 2007) states the following about taking time out of programme: Section 6.91
"Time out of programme (OOP) will not normally be agreed until a trainee has been in a training programme for at least one year, unless at the time of appointment deferral of the start of the programme has been agreed."
I am due to finish training soon and am currently awaiting my CCT – am I eligible?
Unfortunately it might prove difficult to take up the FME opportunity and once you have received your CCT you would not be eligible. You might possibly be eligible if you are able to apply and commence the Fellowship at the point between completing your training but before certification - but this would be down to the timing of your training schedule.
I have my CCT – am I eligible?
Unfortunately eligibility to apply for the Fellowships is connected with eligibility to take time out of programme (OOPE). If you have already completed your programme and have your CCT unfortunately OOPE is not available to you and therefore you would not be eligible for an FME Fellowship.
I am a SpR (Calman) – can I apply?
Yes - we would accept applications from any SpR who has not received a CCT/CCST by the time of the start of the FME post.
I am training in another Deanery – am I eligible?
Yes - applications are welcome from trainees both within and outside of London for the FME opportunities.
I am training/working overseas – am I eligible?
Unfortunately not - the Fellowship opportunities have been set up as 'OOPE' (out of programme experience) placements - where trainees take 6 months out of training in order to take up the fellowship vacancies. In order to be eligible for OOPE, and therefore for the FME places, trainees must be an StR or an SpR in a recognised UK specialty training programme.
Are the Fellowships available Part-Time?
We are happy to accept applications to the fellowship placements from part-time candidates.