Paediatric ST4 Recruitment 2020 – R2R Self-assessment Framework & Guidance

As part of the application form, completed on Oriel, applicants will be required to complete a self-assessment using the framework below, which will be verified by clinical
assessors after the longlisting process and will determine whether an invitation to interview will be made.

In order to support the score given for each of the areas of assessment, evidence will need to be uploaded outside of Oriel in the form of clear documentation that provides the
details required to achieve the score the applicant has awarded themselves. Details and instructions on how to complete this upload will be provided by PaedsNRO in due course
and will be available on the RCPCH website at https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/specialty-training-st3-st4-application-guidance.

The assessors will subsequently be able to access the applicants’ upload folders, to look at all the document evidence they need to verify the self-assessment score.

As such all documents must clearly demonstrate the level of evidence required for the relevant self-assessment score, so that the assessors are able to easily verify the scores.
Applicants must also be sure to include evidence that shows clear personal involvement.

Applicants must ensure the title of each document is clearly labelled, so it corresponds to the area of assessment it is evidencing. Failure to clearly label your documents may
prevent the assessors from considering that piece of evidence in the final self-assessment score.

The tables below outline the nine areas of assessment that need to be covered, detailing the scores that can be awarded, along with the corresponding indicators of evidence
required and details of the sort of evidence that needs to be provided in the upload folder.

The examples of evidence that should be uploaded for consideration are detailed in the tables below. Applicants are permitted to upload more than one document as examples
of evidence for the score being considered but again please indicate clearly to which area of assessment each and every uploaded document relates.

The areas of assessment that must be covered are as follows:

1. Clinical experience linking to a career in paediatrics, relevant to application level and experience of applicant
2. Supplementary clinical experience, relevant to ST4 Paediatric role
3. Clinical Skills linking to career in paediatrics relevant to application level and experience of applicant
4. Resuscitation Courses
5. Safeguarding Experience
6. Quality Improvement Project (QIP)/Audit relevant to application level and experience of applicant
7. Management relevant to application level and experience of applicant
8. Academic publications/ presentations/posters relevant to application level and experience of applicant
9. Teaching relevant to application level and experience of applicant
10. Achievements Outside Medicine (with evidence and signposting relevance to specialty)
Area of assessment
1. Clinical experience linking to a
career in paediatrics, relevant to
application level and experience of
applicant
Indicators Score Evidence
No evidence 0
Experience in Paediatrics – minimum 24 months (full time 1 Acceptable evidence to achieve any
equivalent) of the scores, as follows:
Minimum of 24 months experience in Paediatrics PLUS: 2 • Appropriate ARCP outcomes
• at least 6 months experience in Neonatal Intensive Care • Supervisor reports covering
• OR Paediatric Intensive Care each post worked
• OR other Paediatric Sub-specialty* • Letters of appointment for each
post worked
Minimum of 24 months experience in Paediatrics PLUS: 3 • Relevant Paediatric Course
• at least 6 months experience in Neonatal Intensive Care Certificates
• AND at least 6 months experience in either:
o Paediatric Intensive Care All examples used as evidence must
o OR another Paediatric Sub-specialty* be clearly related to the posts
and/or sub-specialties outlined in
Minimum of 24 months experience in Paediatrics PLUS: 4 the corresponding indicators.
• at least 6 months experience in Neonatal Intensive Care Reports and letters should contain
• AND at least 6 months experience in Paediatric Intensive clear signature/sign-off from
Care supervisor or another appropriate
• AND at least 6 months in another Paediatric Sub-specialty* senior colleague

*Recognised UK Paediatric Sub-specialties are as follows: Child Mental Health, Clinical Pharmacology, Community Child Health, Paediatric Diabetes and
Endocrinology, Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Paediatric Immunology, Infectious Disease and
Allergy, Paediatric Metabolic Medicine, Paediatric Nephrology, Paediatric Neurodisability, Paediatric Neurology, Paediatric Oncology, Paediatric Palliative
Care Medicine, Paediatric Respiratory Medicine & Paediatric Rheumatology.

(N.B. Neonatal Medicine and Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine (PICM) are also recognised UK Paediatric Sub-specialties)
 Area of assessment
2. Supplementary clinical
experience, relevant to ST4
Paediatric role
*ARCP = Annual Review of Competency Progression: the process by which doctors in UK training are reviewed each year to ensure that they are offering
safe, quality patient care, and to assess their progression against standards set down in the curriculum for their training programme.
Indicators Score Evidence
No evidence 0
• At least 6 months experience of Middle grade 1 Acceptable evidence to achieve any
responsibilities (tier 2 or registrar) in Paediatrics of the scores, as follows:
OR
• At least 6 months experience in related specialties, defined • Appropriate ARCP* outcomes or
as Internal medicine, Emergency Medicine, General equivalent accreditation of
Practice, Psychiatry, Anaesthetics, Paediatric Surgery training
• Supervisor reports covering
• At least 6 months experience of Middle grade 2 each post worked
responsibilities (tier 2 or registrar) in Paediatrics • Letters of appointment for each
OR post worked
• Up to 12 months experience in related specialties, defined • Relevant Paediatric Course
as Internal medicine, Emergency Medicine, General Certificates
Practice, Psychiatry, Anaesthetics, Paediatric Surgery
All examples used as evidence must
• At least 12 months experience of Middle grade 3 be clearly related to the posts
responsibilities (tier 2 or registrar) in Paediatrics and/or sub-specialties outlined in
AND the corresponding indicators.
• At least 6 months experience in related specialties, defined Reports and letters should contain
as Internal medicine, Emergency Medicine, General clear signature/sign-off from
Practice, Psychiatry, Anaesthetics, Paediatric Surgery supervisor or another appropriate
senior colleague
 Area of assessment
3. Clinical Skills linking to career in
paediatrics relevant to application
level and experience of applicant
N.B. All evidence of skills (including
DOPS*), whether in skills or
developmental logs should be
signed and observed by a
Supervisor/Senior
OR
Evidenced by logs accompanied by a
signed letter/document confirming
that these skills (including DOPS*)
have been observed by a
Supervisor/Senior
Indicators Score Evidence
No relevant clinical skills 0
Some relevant skills but with little direct relevance to 1 Skills log + developmental log
paediatrics
Examples of skills but limited in scope and/or somewhat 2 • Skills log + developmental log
vague/unspecific with limited/superficial attempt to link • Paediatric Skills Course
examples to Paediatrics. Provides evidence of generic skills but Certificates
not clear of relevance specifically to Paediatrics • Evidence of some, but not all,
Mandatory DOPS*
Some specific example of clinical skills, with relevance to 3 • Skills log with observed
specialty and own development clearly explained (e.g. content feedback + developmental log
or transferable skills). Evidence of the majority of neonatal, with reflection
general paediatric or safeguarding competencies, sufficient to • Paediatric Skills Course
work on tier 2 rota including mandatory practical skills/Directly Certificates
Observed Procedural Skills (DOPS) • All Mandatory DOPS*

More than one specific and significant example of clinical skills, 4 • Skills log with observed
with relevance to specialty and own development clearly feedback + developmental log
explained. Describes effectively all neonatal competencies of a with reflection
new ST4. In addition, evidence of General Paediatrics and • Paediatric Skills Course
Safeguarding competencies including all mandatory practical Certificates
skills/DOPS, as above. • All Mandatory DOPS*

*Mandatory DOPS/Directly Observed Procedural Skills in UK Paediatric Training are as follows:

1. Bag/mask ventilation (can be evidenced by a relevant life support skills course, usually demonstrated by course completion certificate)
2. Peripheral venous cannulation
3. Lumbar puncture
4. Tracheal intubation (of newborn infants)
5. Umbilical venous cannulation
 Area of assessment Indicators Score Evidence
4. Resuscitation Courses • No courses completed 0

• Passed (APLS/EPLS/PLS) 1 Paediatric Resuscitation Course

• OR NLS or equivalent Certificate

• Passed (APLS/EPLS/PLS) 2 Paediatric Resuscitation Course

• AND NLS or equivalent Certificates for both courses

• Passed (APLS/EPLS/PLS) 3 • Paediatric Resuscitation Course

• AND NLS or equivalent Certificates for both courses
AND Nominated for instructor of (APLS/EPLS/PLS) or NLS • Certificate or signed letter of
recommendation to be
instructor

APLS = Advanced Paediatric Life Support

EPLS = European Paediatric Life Support
NLS = Neonatal Life Support
PLS = Paediatric Life Support

Area of assessment Indicators Score Evidence

5. Safeguarding Experience No safeguarding training/courses completed 0

Safeguarding CBD*/reflection/case summary 1 Paediatric Resuscitation Course

Certificate
Completion of Level 3 Safeguarding** 2 Level 3 Safeguarding certificate

*CBD = Case-Based Discussion: A formative assessment tool designed to develop and assess clinical reasoning and decision making, which forms part of the
range of workplace-based assessments, used in UK Paediatric Training. **See RCPCH resource for definition of level 3 -
https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2019-08/safeguarding_cyp_-_roles_and_competencies_for_paediatricians_-_august_2019_0.pdf
 Area of assessment
6. Quality Improvement Project
(QIP)/Audit relevant to application
level and experience of applicant
*Last three years of clinical work = last three years’ worth of clinical work undertaken by the applicant i.e. does not have to be within the last three calendar years
Indicators Score Evidence
Has not participated in an audit or quality improvement project (QIP) 0
Has contributed to other postgraduate (not paediatric) audits/quality 1 Brief summary of audit/QIP
improvement projects, (i.e. data collection OR made other minor
contributions, but not led or designed the project)
Has made a significant contribution to audits/quality improvement 2 Summary of audit/QIP including evidence of
work undertaken in the last three years of clinical work*. This lead role from clinical supervisor
includes managing an audit/quality improvement project and making
recommendations for changes to practice based on findings OR closing
the audit loop - one a year and presented at a local meeting
I have made a significant contribution to audits/quality improvement 3 • Summary of audit/QIP including
work as a postgraduate. This includes managing an audit/quality evidence of lead role from clinical
improvement project and making recommendations for changes to supervisor
practice based on audit findings OR closing the audit loop - one per Programme of presentation at local meeting
including date and speakers
year and at least 1 presented at a regional, national or international
meeting
I have made a significant contribution to audits/quality improvement 4 • Summary of audit/QIPs including
work undertaken in the last three years of clinical work*. This evidence of lead role from clinical
includes managing an audit/quality improvement project and making supervisor
recommendations for changes to practice based on audit findings OR • Programme of presentation at local
meeting including date and speakers
closing the audit loop - one per year and at least 1 presented at
Evidence of re-evaluation of audit/QIP
a regional, national or international meeting including local guideline/pathway
development
I have made a significant contribution to audits/quality improvement 5 • Summary of audit/QIPs including
work undertaken in the last three years of clinical work*. This evidence of lead role from clinical
includes designing, leading and managing an audit/quality supervisor
improvement project and implementing changes to practice based on • Programme of presentation at local
meeting including date and speakers
audit findings and closing the audit loop - more than one project a year
Evidence of re-evaluation of audit/QIP
and at least 1 presented at a national or international meeting including local guideline/pathway
development
Area of assessment
7. Leadership and Management
relevant to application level and
experience of applicant
Indicators Score Evidence
No experience of management 0
Involvement in rota organisation, coordinating shifts/guideline 1 • Annotated minutes from
development relevant meetings
Examples of rota solutions
Lead role as undergraduate/junior doctor in local organisations 2 • Annotated minutes from
within university, medical school or department relevant meetings
• Letters of appointment
Feedback from organisation
regarding role
Lead role as undergraduate/junior doctor at higher level within 3 • Annotated minutes from
university, medical school or regional NHS relevant meetings
• Letters of appointment
Feedback from organisation
regarding role
Lead role nationally at undergraduate or postgraduate level 4 • Annotated minutes from
relevant meetings
• Letters of appointment
Feedback from organisation
regarding role
 Area of assessment
8. Academic publications/
presentations/posters relevant to
application level and experience of
applicant
Where possible (i.e. size of
document/poster etc allows),
applicants should upload a digital
version of their presentation/
publication as part of their
evidence
N.B. This section excludes audit/QIP
(section 5)
*Examples of peer reviewed publications could include: Archives of Disease in Childhood, Paediatrics, JAMA Paediatrics etc
Indicators Score Evidence
No publications or presentations completed 0
Co-author of a poster at a regional meeting 1 Evidence of presentation and posters
must include details of the following, as
Oral presentation at a meeting of a regional/home nation medical 2 appropriate:
organisation
• Whether poster or presentation
OR first author of a poster at regional meeting or co-author of a poster • Venue
at an international/national meeting • Organisation
• Meeting type (local/ regional etc)
Evidence of appropriate authorship
One or more abstracts or articles published as co- author (including 3 Evidence of e-publications/letters must
case reports) include details of the following, as
appropriate:
OR one or more letters or e-publications/letters published as first
author • Whether e-publication(s)/letter(s)
• Evidence of appropriate authorship
Where published
Commissioned chapter written in a published book (either first author 4 Evidence of
or co-author) publications/chapters/books must
include details of the following, as
OR one or more abstracts or articles published as first author appropriate:
(including case reports)
• Type of publication(s)
Evidence of appropriate authorship
Co-author of an original review or research article (could be directly 5 Evidence of original reviews/research
relevant to paediatrics but not essential) in one or more peer reviewed articles must include details of the
publications* following, as appropriate:
First author of an original review or research article (could be 6 • Original review/research article
directly relevant to paediatrics but not essential) in one or more • Evidence of published publication
peer reviewed publications* in peer – reviewed journal
• Evidence of appropriate authorship
Area of assessment
9. Teaching relevant to application
level and experience of applicant
Indicators Score Evidence
• No contribution to teaching 0
• Some experience in teaching Health Professionals 1 Details of Teaching Programmes
• OR Some experience of teaching Health-related topics to a with dates showing contribution
non-medical audience
• OR Attendance at a Teaching the Teachers course, Generic
Instructors course or similar
• Major contribution to a local teaching programme including 2 Emails/Course programmes
developing/organising a programme detailing lead/ organisational role
• OR Has instructed on a course e.g. an ALS/NLS
Postgraduate Certificate in education/teaching 3 Certificate for relevant
postgraduate course
Major contribution to a regional or national teaching 4 • Course Certificates/ Modules
programme including developing/organising a programme as a achieved.
postgraduate • Emails/Course programmes
detailing lead/ organisational
role
• Evidence of feedback
• Postgraduate Diploma in education/teaching 5 Postgraduate Diploma certificate
• Major dissertation and been awarded a Masters in 6 Appropriate certification
Medical/Clinical Education
Area of assessment
10. Achievements Outside
Medicine
(with evidence and signposting
relevance to specialty)
Indicators Score Evidence
No involvement in significant activities outside medicine and no 0
opportunity to demonstrate leadership within my medical career
Involvement in significant activities outside medicine, e.g. 1
• non-medical qualification
• local voluntary work
• specific physical or other challenges - marathons, triathlons,
mountaineering
OR
• significant caring responsibility outside of work whilst training
• Active member of a group, club or organisation promoting 2
recreation, charity, community activities etc • Certificates
AND/OR
• leadership as part of a small team within hospital setting • Letter for special circumstances
Organisation of or lead for activities such as: 3 • Letters of appointment etc
• Sporting or recreational club captaincy
• Music or creative leadership References from organisations
• Voluntary organisation management
• Medical or non-medical politics
• Groups within medicine (e.g. ‘mess’ presidency, regional trainee
representation)
Exceptional commitment to activities such those above or: 4
• Charity/scouting/guide/youth organisation/children’s camp events
• Expedition leadership
• Sits/sat as trainee representative in national
committee(s)/working parties)
• Significant responsibility within organisation e.g. BMA, GMC,
RCPCH, CQC etc