Introduction
An Advisory Appointments Committee (AAC) is a legally
constituted interview panel. It is established by the appointing
body and should include the following persons:
· The Chief
Executive of the appointing body
· The Medical
Director of the appointing body
· A
Consultant employed by the appointing body and from the relevant
specialty
· A
University representative (If required)
· A lay
member, normally the Chair
· A College
Assessor
· Any
other additional members considered appropriate by the Trust
The function of an AAC is to decide the applicants suitable for
the post and to recommend these names to the recruiting Trust. This
applies equally to Consultant, Staff Grade and Associate Specialist
appointments.
The College Assessor’s role in this process is to ensure the AAC
runs fairly by providing an impartial, external opinion as a
representative of The Royal College of Psychiatrists. Their
presence aims to maintain standards of practice in the profession
as well as enables a reliable and constructive assessment of the
training and experience of a candidate. As a core member of the
AAC, the College Assessor must be involved in all stages of the
process, including shortlisting.
In order that the most suitable candidate is identified for the
post, the nominated College Assessor should ensure that the
applicants are eligible for appointment in terms of inclusion on
the Specialist Register. Additionally, they should encourage Trusts
to provide mentorship for newly qualified Consultants.
Appointment criteria for consultants
Since 1 January 1997, inclusion on the GMC’s Specialist
Register is a legal requirement for doctors who wish to take up a
consultant appointment in the NHS. This is with the exception of
Specialist Registrars who are able to apply for consultant posts if
the expected date of the award of their CCT falls no more than 6
months after the date of interview. It is important to not
discriminate against doctors who do not hold either MRCPsych or a
CCT, but have obtained Specialist Registration via other
routes.
Consultant job descriptions
In accordance with the NHS (Appointment of Consultants)
Regulations, amended in January 2005, the Trust should consult the
Regional Advisor with regard to the job description and person
specification prior to advertisement. This aims to ensure that
proper consideration has been given to all areas of the appointment
in relation to the facilities provided, including clinical,
research, teaching and managerial responsibilities, and a
satisfactory balance has been achieved.
Organising an Advisory Appointments Committee
An AAC is arranged by the appointing body once the Regional
Advisor has commented on and agreed the job description, and the
post has been advertised.
Once a College Assessor has been identified for the AAC, the
College should be notified of the details of the interview as soon
as possible. A copy of the job description approval letter from the
Regional Advisor must be sent to the College. This is important to
ensure accurate records are maintained, which is fundamental to
work-force monitoring, as well as enabling the College to send
Assessors the appropriate paperwork in advance of the
Committee.
How to find a College Assessor
The contact details of all approved, trained College Assessors
can be found on a secure section of the website. Trusts can access
this with a username and password, which permits them to search by
specialty and region.
Trusts should ask an Assessor if they are available to attend
an interview at least six weeks prior to the Committee, or if
possible, at the beginning of the recruitment process.
It is important to remember that, in order to fulfil their
role as an external Assessor, the College representative must not
be an employee of the recruiting Trust. It is also essential that
the Assessor specialises in the specialty of psychiatry the
interview is for.
If recruiting for an unusual specialty area such as perinatal
psychiatry or neuropsychiatry, the Trust should contact the College
directly and they can provide a list of names. If you are
experiencing difficulties finding an Assessor, please contact the
College who will be happy to advise you further.
It is important to note that not involving the Regional
Advisor in the approval of the job description or arranging a
properly constituted Advisory Appointments Committee may have
implications for the appointee’s eligibility for educational
supervisor status.
Feedback
Following an AAC all Assessors must complete a feedback form
for the College and the Regional Advisor. This is invaluable for
monitoring the recruitment of Psychiatrists in the NHS
College/ Faculty Services to Foundation Trusts: Involvement in
the Appointment of Consultant and SAS Posts
Tel: 020 7235 2351 ext. 282
Fax: 020 7235 7976