Academic Foundation Training Places in the North West 2009

Tne North Western Deanery has published details of the local recruitment to academic foundation training places in the North West for 2009.

Recruitment Timeline

Monday 1st September 2008 – Applications Open

Monday 15th September 2008 (2pm) – Applications Close

Wednesday 1st/Thursday 2nd October 2008 – Interviews

Looking for vacancies

A summary of the available vacancies including key contacts can be found on the North Western Deanery website www.nwpgmd.nhs.uk

Vacancies are advertised locally by the individual Trusts. Further details about the vacancies can be found on the Trusts’ webpages.

Important documents

You can download all of the documents that you need to make an application from the North Western Dearnery website

Key documents include the national person specification, eligibility criteria and the application form. You will also find links to guidance documents that will help you to complete the form.

Making an application

The application includes a series of questions which ask you to demonstrate examples of how you have developed skills in key areas. To help you to get inside the minds of the selectors it is worth thinking about the principles behind foundation training. According to the Rough Guide to the Foundation Programme, ‘foundation programmes are designed to give basic competence in professional skills like communication, teamwork and the use of evidence and data’. It also states that ‘you should consider every activity a chance to learn something new’. It will pay to bear these principles in mind when considering your best evidence of your skills.

To find further clues for the type of candidate selectors will be looking for, refer to the following key documents outlining professional skills and attributes:

The New Doctor 2007

Good Medical Practice

Medical Student: Professional Behaviour & Fitness to Practice

The application form includes a 400 word personal statement which asks you to demonstrate your suitability for the academic programme. Use the person specification along with the above documents to come up with some key headings to organise your material.

You will also need to submit an up to date CV that highlights your academic achievements and experience. For information on the basic principles of CV writing, see the Careers Service website.

If you would like someone to look over your CV or application form, don’t forget that the Careers Service runs an applications advice service Monday – Friday. Call 0161 275 2829 to check the times that the session will be running each week or check the website.

Submitting your application

Applications can only be sent by post or courier – there is no online submission facility. Plan ahead and leave enough time for your application to make it through the postal system. Remember, the deadline is 2pm on Monday 15th September and late applications will not be considered!

Good luck!