Fitness to Practise Officer

The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing are seeking to appoint a Fitness to Practise Officer to be the School’s primary lead on Fitness to Practise (FtP) issues. You will be responsible for ensuring that the School is compliant with statutory duties and reporting obligations and advising senior and key staff through this key position as well as liaising across SoMDN, the University and nationally to ensure that the School adopts best practice.

This position is open-ended, for up to 4 PAs (2 days ie 14 hours) or equivalent per week and may also be suitable for two candidates to share the role on 2 PAs (7 hours each).

The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing is renowned for pioneering teaching methods and superb facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate study. The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing is part of the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences.

We welcome applications from candidates who are a Senior Clinician (Senior Clinical Lecturer, Honorary Consultant, GP Principal or above) and have considerable experience of undergraduate FTP processes.

Job Purpose

To be the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing (SoMDN) primary lead on Fitness to Practise (FtP) issues. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that the School is compliant with statutory duties and reporting obligations and advising senior and key staff through this key position as well as liaising across SoMDN, the University and nationally to ensure that the SoMDN adopts best practice.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Overall responsibility for the development and implementation of the School’s Fitness to Practise strategy, working closely with the Head of School and other senior academics, including Investigating Officers and Fitness to Practise panel members. Attending relevant committees and liaising with internal legal teams and external agencies.

2. Act as the School’s primary point of contact for Fitness to Practise. This will include liaising with external agencies involved in the Fitness to Practise function including lawyers, partners conducting independent assessments, and other agencies such as the General Medical Council and other regulatory bodies.

3. Undertake relevant teaching/update activities at a senior level on FTP issues as appropriate and required by the Head of School. This includes selecting and instructing new Investigating Officers and Fitness to Practise Panel Chairs on the FtP process and supporting the creation of relevant templates, guidance documents and SOPs in relation to FtP.

4. Act as the public face of the School’s FTP work, representing the School and University on external forums, ensuring that the School/University’s position on relevant matters is clearly articulated and aligned.

5. Oversight and management of the functions of the School’s Fitness to Practise processes on a day-to-day basis, providing expert, specialist advice and guidance in the field of FTP for colleagues involved in FTP issues. This includes selecting, guiding, and instructing senior academics, Investigation Officers, Fitness to Practise panel members and partners undertaking independent assessments. The FtP Officer will also provide guidance on structuring Fitness to Practise reports and conducting Fitness to Practise panels.

6. Oversee FTP case management ensuring compliance and the highest standards of good practice. This includes liaising with the Head of Professional Services to  develop realistic service level agreements around the caseload and prioritisation in line with wider School administrative activities.

7. Act in a quality assurance capacity ensuring appropriate SoMDN compliance with FTP policy and procedures, raising awareness and knowledge with both staff and students.

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Senior clinician (Senior Clinical Lecturer, Honorary Consultant, GP Principal or above).

A2 Excellent understanding of relevant postgraduate processes and legislation.

Desirable:

B1 Possession of Higher Degree.

B2 Experience of working with regulatory agencies.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Familiarity with the requirements placed on the SoMDN by both internal and external regulatory processes.

C2 Ability to inspire and to positively engage all staff in the delivery of the FTP.

C3 Good administrative and organisational skills.

C4 Skilled in using Microsoft Office packages.

C5 Ability to engage and work effectively with a range of colleagues from a variety of backgrounds in developing strategy and methodology.

C6 Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

C7 Excellent presentation skills.

C8 Willingness and ability to work as part of a team.

C9 Able to provide academic leadership.

C10 Ability to provide guidance to colleagues such as FtP panel members, Investigating Officers and others involved in the FtP process. Including advising on FtP processes, and the structure of FtP meetings, investigations and reports.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Considerable experience of undergraduate FTP processes.

Further Information

• For further information regarding Glasgow and the University: http://www.gla.ac.uk

• For further information regarding the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences: http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/

• For further information regarding the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing: http://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/medicine/

Dimensions, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing:

1. The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Medicine covers three key subject areas, Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing

2. An Academic population over 270 staff

3. Overall student population of 2300 students, and 1000+ honorary staff

4. A School budget of £40 m of which £10m is from research grants and commercial contracts.

5. 4 undergraduate programmes of study and 10 taught postgraduate programmes

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be on the Clinical Consultants scale £96,963 – £128,841 per annum pro rata

This position is open-ended, for up to 4 PAs (2 days ie 14 hours) or equivalent per week and may also be suitable for two candidates to share the role on 2 PAs (7 hours each).

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Informal Enquiries should be directed to Professor Matthew Walters, Head of the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, [email protected]

Vacancy Ref: 136308,    Closing Date: 08 January 2024.