Vocational Studies Tutor

The School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing are seeking to recruit a number of Vocational Studies Tutors. Vocational Studies (VS) is an integral part of Year 1 and Year 2 medical student education, covering clinical examination skills, ethics, professional values, communication skills, and early patient contact. Vocational Studies tutors are required to ensure a high quality clinical educational experience for students through good preparation, planning and co-ordination of weekly sessions in the undergraduate medical curriculum, within a course that focuses on the skills, behaviours, and attitudes of doctors. You will also maintain high standards of clinical teaching, assessment, and evaluation in the undergraduate medical curriculum in line with the requirements of the General Medical Council.

VS is taught during term times on Tuesdays (am and pm), Wednesdays (am), and Thursdays (am and pm). It involves small group teaching with 8-9 students meeting with their tutor weekly throughout the academic year. Most tutors undertake one session a week with a salary of £200 per session, working primarily in the Wolfson Medical School Building, although some clinical skills sessions and project work are undertaken at GP practices.

We welcome applications from individuals who are educated to MBChB and are registered with GMC. Candidates must be a practising clinician in good standing with the GMC or within 3 years of expiry of Licence to Practice and still registered with the GMC.

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.

Job Purpose

1. To foster learning within the 8 domains of Vocational Studies:

•          Clinical examination skills

•          Communication skills

•          Medical ethics and the law

•          Professionalism

•          Understanding the clinical context

•          People, patients and communities

•          Information Skills

•          Working with others/teamworking

Objectives

1. To ensure a high quality clinical educational experience for students through good preparation, planning and co-ordination of weekly sessions in the undergraduate medical curriculum within a course that focuses on the skills, behaviours, and attitudes of doctors.

2. To maintain high standards of clinical teaching, assessment, and evaluation in the undergraduate medical curriculum in line with the requirements of the General Medical Council.

Key Task Summary

1. To facilitate the delivery of the Vocational Studies curriculum.

2. To participate in the programme of tutor debrief and development.

3. To contribute to the formative and summative assessment of students and participate in marker calibration sessions.

4. To foster the welfare of students.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Key Tasks

1. To facilitate the delivery of the Vocational Studies curriculum:

•          Act as facilitator of learning for a group of medical students by meeting them every week (face to face or online) of the academic year to enable them to meet the learning objectives of the VS course.

•          To prepare and plan their learning by organising placement learning and patients.

•          Act as personal and professional development mentor in terms of professional regulation, responsibilities, and fitness to practice.

•          To teach and collaborate with other clinical teachers to ensure the achievement of learning outcomes in clinical contexts with patients for medical students through liaison with Medical Faculty and hospital staff.

•          Provide a clinical base in the community and to recruit and brief patients and other members of the community involved in teaching.

2. To participate in the programme of tutor development:

•          To attend briefing meetings and keep up to date with changes in course material and delivery.

•          To mentor new tutors.

•          To contribute to the review and evaluation of the VS course.

•          To participate in appraisal by course directors if required e.g. for retired clinicians.

•          To meet with other tutors to engage in the tutor debrief and development sessions.

•          To reflect on student evaluation and feedback to appropriate member of VS team.

3. To contribute to the assessment of students:

•          To provide formative assessment of clinical and communication skills.

•          Undertake marking of VS summative coursework, including giving effective written feedback

•          Participate in OSCEs ( formative and summative) and provide feedback to students.

•          Provide feedback on students’ formative e-portfolios

4. To foster the welfare of students:

•          Act as a professional role model and mentor for students.

•          Liaise with Advisors of Studies and the VS academic team where appropriate.

•          Be aware of referral mechanisms for student welfare and advice.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 Educated to MBChB. A2 Registered with GMC to be a practising clinician in good standing with the GMC or within 3 years of expiry of Licence to Practice and still registered with the GMC.

Desirable

B1 Possession of professional qualifications e.g. MRCGP Knowledge of current educational principles and best practice in medical education.

B2 To have undertaken additional formal learning/qualification in medical education e.g. diploma or post graduate trainers course.

Skills

Essential

C1 Excellent understanding of effective written and verbal feedback and ability to give constructive feedback.

C2 Excellent organisational, time management and administrative skills.

C3 Ability to participate in tutor development sessions and continuing professional development.

C4 Advanced clinical and communication skills – written and oral.

C5 Up to date knowledge of medical ethical and legal issues.

C6 Excellent interpersonal skills which would enhance student engagement.

C7 Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills compatible with small group teaching.

Desirable

D1 Knowledge of undergraduate medical curriculum.

D2 Good IT skills/willingness to upskill as needed.

D3 Small group facilitation skills.

Experience

Essential

E1 Experience of teaching or of being a learner in the last 3 years.

E2 Experience of working as a General Practitioner, or speciality doctor, in the last year.

Desirable 

F1 Knowledge of general practice and primary care and/or healthcare in the hospital setting  in West of Scotland.

F2 Accredited post-graduate trainer in general practice or educational supervisor in an undergraduate or postgraduate setting.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be £200 per session.

The posts are part time, 3 hours each session and open ended.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme

The post for which you are applying is considered registered work in terms of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act. It requires the successful applicant to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups [PVG] Scheme member prior to appointment. This check is necessary to ensure that the University of Glasgow fulfils its legal duties under the Act. If you are successful in your application, the offer of employment will be subject to PVG Scheme membership. Please note it is a criminal offence to apply for a child care position if you are on the Disqualified From Working with Children List.

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 Dr Lynsay Crawford, [email protected]

Interviews for this post are scheduled for June 2024.

Vacancy Ref: 141968,    Closing Date: Position will remain open until filled.