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 and Specialty
Doctor 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 AAC.
How to find a College Assessor
The contact details of all approved, trained College Assessors
can be found on a secure section of the
College 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 AAC, 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.
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.
Further information and resources
How to become a College Assessor
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1.
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The applicant is required to be nominated by their Regional
Advisor, the Chair of their Division or the Chair of their
Faculty. Details of these can be found on the College website.
The nomination should be sent to the College, along with a
copy of their CV.
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2.
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The applicant’s name will be put forward to the Education,
Training and Standards Committee for endorsement.
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3.
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Once official approval has been granted, the new Assessor will
be invited to attend a Training Day.
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4.
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It is important Assessors have obtained Diversity/Equal
Opportunities Training and the College requires confirmation that
the Assessor has attended such training or will undertake training
within their Trust or Deanery.
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5.
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The Assessor’s name will be put on a protected page of the
College website, with permission, for NHS Trusts to access when
they require a College representative to attend their Advisory
Appointments Committee.
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Contact information
Workforce Manager
17 Belgrave Square
London SW1X 8PG
Tel: 020 7235 2351 ext 6282
Fax: 020 7235 7976
Updated 16 September 2011