Gold Standard for Trainer Applicant
Published 2015.
This document is designed to lay out the qualities of the theoretically 'perfect' FT Trainer and training practice. We appreciate that no such trainer or practice exists and we certainly do not want to put off applicants.
We have fantastic trainers throughout the south west, but no FT trainer can be absolutely perfect and meet every single criterion in the trainer selection process to the maximum. However, if such a trainer did exist, he or she would score the maximum number of points in the selection process. Our intention with this document is to provide a 'gold standard' for applicants to aspire to. We hope this will be a useful aid to applicants filling in the application form and taking part in the application process, as well as placing a benchmark as an aim for year on year improvement for existing trainers.
The trainer selection system is divided into 4 categories:
- Knowledge and Experience
- Qualifications
- Skills and Abilities
- The practice
Knowledge, experience and qualifications are assessed from the application form (together with supporting documentation) and evidence seen at the practice visit. Skills and Abilities are assessed at interview. The practice is assessed at the practice visit
Knowledge and Experience and Qualifications
The ideal trainer will;
- have a substantial NHS commitment but not be so busy that they do not have time for their FD
- have an established and stable relationship at the practice with influence over decision making, ideally being a practice owner
- have a PGCE in medical or dental education, or 30 credit points toward a PGCE together with two other postgraduate qualifications
- will have experience giving presentations and facilitating groups on a variety of postgraduate courses
- will have over 10 years experience in GDP or salaried service
- will have accumulated over 30 hours of postgraduate education in the year of application, 18 hours or more of which will be on postgraduate courses outside an existing trainers commitment to Foundation Training courses and workshops
- be able to present evidence of regular reflective writing
- have prepared a Personal Development Plan. This will be drawn up as part of a documented appraisal process with a colleague and will include learning objectives derived from reflective writing and a 360 degree appraisal
- have undertaken training in coaching and appraisal skills
- have prepared or have access to a Practice Development Plan
- be currently serving or have recently served on committees such as BDA and LDC or other health related bodies
- be able to demonstrate high clinical and ethical standards by presentation, for example, of clinical notes, radiographs and laboratory work at the practice visit
- provide a wide range of treatment, including a full range of treatment to NHS patients, including minor oral surgery
Skills and Abilities
The ideal trainer will;
- work as part of a team in a well run practice
- be able to cope with change and will be flexible and handle uncertainty
- be able to communicate effectively with patients and team members
- be accessible and approachable to their FD and display an 'open door policy'
- be willing to reorganise their own routine to take account of the presence of their FD
- demonstrate an ability to reflect and self assess
- demonstrate involvement in the training and development of practice staff
- be able to give and receive feedback well
- have enthusiasm for teaching and learning
- be able to show evidence to demonstrate the skills above
The FT Practice
The ideal training practice will;
- be modern and well appointed with high standards of decor
- be fully equipped with a wide variety of modern equipment, materials and instruments
- have excellent and motivated staff with good communication skills and appropriate training
- have documented training records for all staff and records of annual appraisal for staff
- be fully compliant with all legislation and display 'best practice' with regard to HTM 01-05
- have participated in the Bristol University Green Audit and achieved high standards of environmental awareness
- will show a wide range of NHS and private dentistry undertaken
- have a quiet area where tutorials can be delivered
- hold both the BDA Good Practice Award and Investors in People award
With regard to the proposed surgery for the FD, the surgery will;
- be close to, and on the same floor as, the trainers surgery
- be light and spacious
- be installed with modern well maintained equipment including X-ray
- be equipped with a full range of instruments, including instrument trays for minor oral surgery, access to rotary or reciprocating endodontic instrumentation, stainless steel crowns
- be stocked with high quality materials
- be staffed by a trained and experienced dental nurse who is motivated to help the FD develop their skills
- have access to the internet
- have a camera for clinical photography within immediate reach
This list is not exhaustive, and some items on it are compulsory eg internet access and rotary endodontic equipment, but it is intended to be a guide to what the theoretically perfect trainer and training practice would look like in order to score maximum points in the trainer selection process