The Role of the TPD

Setting Standards: The Role of the Training Programme Director (TPD)

A TPD is expected to provide effective leadership and to take a proactive and strategic role in the educational management of specialty training programmes. This will include working in close collaboration with the members of the relevant KSS Deanery school or committee, Royal College representatives and clinical and educational supervisors to:

contribute to the development of a strategy for the KSS Deanery school in line with Royal College curricular policy;
actively manage specialty training programmes;
ensure that training programmes are of a consistent high quality across KSS Deanery;
facilitate a network of communication between the Royal College and the KSS Deanery;
undertake a career management role;
assist with the management of trainees requiring support or in difficulty.

Lead responsibility for LTFT training andOOP, unless delegated.

APPOINTMENT PERIOD

A TPD appointment is normally offered as a two year fixed term secondment to KSS Deanery from an appropriate employer for a period of two years. Following appraisal this can then be extended by the agreement of all parties for a maximum period of a further three years.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

It is important that the TPD has a close working relationship with the appropriate Heads of KSS Deanery schools and committees, the SWT, Associate/Assistant Deans, Royal Colleges, specialty STC chairs, specialty advisers, specialty tutors, education supervisors, the Postgraduate Dean and KSS representatives including clinical tutors and DMEs.

The TPD should feel able to approach LEP DME / relevant specialty tutors directly where necessary.

The TPD is managerially and professionally accountable to the relevant KSS Deanery Head of School.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To contribute to the development and support of educational partnership between the Royal College and KSS Deanery both locally and as part of the national development of specialty schools.
In accordance with GMC requirements, to ensure effective leadership and management of specialty training programmes.
To ensure that programmes deliver the specialty curriculum in an educationally appropriate manner and enable trainees to gain the relevant competencies, knowledge, skills, attitudes and experience.
To take into account the needs of the trainees in the programme as well as service needs when planning individual programmes.
To provide support for clinical and educational supervisors within the programme and ensure that colleagues understand and are able to use the relevant curriculum, assessment methods and web based tools.
To support systems to ensure standards of specialty training are set and met at local level and to support the central quality management systems-GEAR.
To contribute to the planning and management of recruitment, Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) and all other trainee and workforce related in-year exercises.
In collaboration with relevant LTFT training colleagues, to assist with co-ordination of appropriate training programmes for trainees who need to work less than full time.
To provide advice to relevant colleagues to ensure that the interests of LTFT trainees, trainees in academic medicine and research attachments, international doctors, are respected and protected.
To provide advice to KSS Deanery and clinical and educational supervisors on the transfer of trainees between deaneries and on the appropriateness of time to be spent out of programme.
In collaboration with the KSS Deanery Head of School, to advise KSS Deanery regarding the implementation of local increases or decreases in numbers of trainees and/posts in line with national allocations.
To assist the KSS Deanery Head of School and Deputy Dean in the educational management of trainees who are running into difficulties by supporting educational supervisors in their assessments and in identifying remedial placements where required.
To ensure, with the assistance of KSS Deanery administrative support, that employers are normally notified at least three months in advance of the name and relevant details of the trainees who will be placed with them. From time to time, it might be necessary to recommend that trainees be moved at shorter notice.
To contribute to the development of the KSS Deanery trainee database (Intrepid, see below) for specialty training.
To ensure that there is a policy for careers management which covers the needs of all trainees in their specialty programmes and posts.
To facilitate career management or be able to provide access to career management skills or provision.
To publicise the specialty, where there is a need to do so, to attract appropriate candidates, e.g. co-ordinating taster sessions during foundation training, career fair representation, or liaison with specialty leads and with Royal Colleges/Faculties.
To support specialty matters in the South Thames Foundation School.
To ensure that the interests of LTFT trainees, trainees in academic medicine and research attachments, and overseas doctors, are respected and protected.
To assist trainees requiring support or in difficulty in liaison with KSS Deanery.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To promote equality and diversity in all aspects of work.
To be an active member of the Directorate, Department and SHA.
To promote the values of the SHA.
To ensure effective communications within and between teams, be involved in and participate in meetings, team briefings, development days, corporate events etc.
To organise and administer the workload in a timely and efficient manner.
To engage with the line manager in regular appraisals and performance reviews against agreed objectives. To be responsible for actively identifying own development needs and committing to a personal development plan based on continuous learning.
To cover for colleagues during periods of absence or peaks in workload.
To utilise annual leave entitlement to accommodate KSS Deanery Christmas closure, as required.

The information being handled by staff employed by the NHS South East Coast SHA is strictly confidential. Failure to respect the confidential nature of this information and to comply with the information governance requirements of the SHA will be regarded as a serious breach of SHA policy, which may result in formal action being taken under the disciplinary policy and procedure, including possible dismissal.

Staff must take reasonable care, and be aware of their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act (1974) and to ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for staff and visitors to the SHA.

It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure that they follow the policies and procedures which apply to them as part of their employment with the SHA.

This job description will be agreed between the job holder and the manager to whom he/she is responsible. It may be reviewed in light of experience, changes and developments during the on-going appraisal and performance review process.

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The Role of the TPD

Setting Standards: The Role of the Training Programme Director (TPD)