PERSON SPECIFICATION 2023

GENERAL (INTERNAL) MEDICINE – ST4

ENTRY CRITERIA
Essential Criteria

Qualifications: When is this

evaluated? iii
Applicants must have:
Application form
• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
Interview/selection
• Either of the following:
centre iv, pre-
 MRCP(UK) Part 1 at time of application and MRCP(UK) full diploma by the offer deadline i employment
 Eligibility for the specialist register in general internal medicine by time of application ii check
 Completion of Irish Basic Specialty Training in medicine and the MRCPI full diploma by
offer date

Eligibility: When is this

evaluated?
Applicants must:
Application form,
• Be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practise v from, the GMC
interview/selection
at the advertised post start date vi
centre, pre-
• Have evidence of achievement of foundation competences from a UKFPO-affiliated employment
foundation programme or equivalent, by time of application in line with GMC check
standards/Good Medical Practice
• Have evidence of achievement of Internal Medicine Stage 1 capabilities, for the round of
application, via one of the following methods:
 Current employment in a programme which leads to successful completion of
Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training vii by the advertised post start date, via one of
these approved routes:
 UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
 UK ACCS (Internal Medicine) viii
 UK Broad Based Training (medicine route)
 A standalone UK IMY3 programme (following completion of UK core
medical training/ACCS (acute medicine))
 JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent Internal Medicine Stage 1
Training programme ix
 Successful completion of one of the programmes listed above, evidenced by
ARCP x
 Completion of UK ST3 in General Internal Medicine and satisfactory progress for
any subsequent GIM training, by the advertised post start date, evidenced by
ARCP xi
 Evidence of achievement of Internal Medicine Stage 1 capabilities at time of
application. Acceptable evidence is only permitted via the Alternative Certificate to
Enter Group 1 Higher Physician Specialty Training xii
• Be eligible to work in the UK
PERSON SPECIFICATION 2023

Fitness to practise: When is this

evaluated?
Is up to date and fit to practise safely
Application form,
references
Language skills: When is this
evaluated?
Applicants must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable
effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues, as assessed by the Application form,
General Medical Council xiii interview/selection
centre

Health: When is this

evaluated?
Applicants must meet professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards / Good Medical
Practice) Application form,
pre-employment
health screening
Career progression: When is this
evaluated?
Applicants must:
Application form
• Be able to provide complete details of their employment history
Interview/selection
• Have evidence that their career progression is consistent with their personal circumstances
centre
• Have evidence that their present level of achievement and performance is commensurate with
the totality of their period of training
• Have sufficient experience xiv working in medical specialties (not including foundation level
experience) by the advertised post start date. This can be via either:
 Training completed in:
 UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
 UK ACCS (Internal Medicine)
 UK Broad Based Training (medicine route)
 A standalone UK IMY3 programme (following completion of UK core medical
training/ACCS (acute medicine))
 JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent Internal Medicine Stage 1
Training programme or
 Have at least 36 months’ experience in medical specialties (of which at least 18 months
must include the care of acute medical in-patients). Experience in certain acute care
common stem specialties can be counted towards the 36 months in some
circumstances xv
• Have notified the Training Programme Director of the Specialty Training Programme they are
currently training in if applying to continue training in the same specialty in another region xvi.
• Not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a CCT/CESR in the specialty; and must not currently be
eligible for the specialist register for the specialty to which they are applying xvii
• Applicants must not have previously relinquished or been released / removed from a training
programme in this specialty, general internal medicine or associated Core training programme,
except if they have received an ARCP outcome 1 (outcome 6 for associated core training) or
under exceptional circumstances xviii
• For those wishing to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where
available): no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in the specialty by intended start
date
PERSON SPECIFICATION 2023

Application completion: When is this

evaluated?
ALL sections of application form completed FULLY according to written guidelines
Application form

SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualifications

Essential Criteria Desirable Criteria When is this

evaluated?
• As above • Full MRCP (UK) at the time of application
Application form,
• Higher degrees including MSc, PhD or MD
interview/selection
(where the research thesis is not part of
centre
first medical degree)

Career Progression

Essential Criteria When is this

evaluated?
• Evidence that present achievement and
performance is commensurate with totality Interview/selection
of training centre

Clinical Experience

Essential Criteria Desirable Criteria When is this

evaluated?
• Evidence of experience in a range of acute • Experience of managing patients with
medical specialties, with experience of severe acute medical disease. Application form
managing patients on unselected medical Interview/selection
take during core training or equivalent centre
References

Clinical skills – clinical knowledge & expertise

Essential Criteria Desirable Criteria When is this
evaluated?
• Demonstrates awareness of managing • Evidence of some capabilities in the
acute medical conditions, including specialty as defined by the relevant Application form
emergencies, in patients and out patients curricula Interview/selection
• Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to • Evidence of skills in the management of centre
apply sound clinical judgement to acute medical emergencies References
problems
• Evidence of skills in the management of
• Able to work without direct supervision patients not requiring hospital admission
where appropriate
• Able to prioritise clinical need
PERSON SPECIFICATION 2023

• Able to maximise safety and minimise risk

Academic skills
Research, Audit and Quality Improvement: Research, Audit and Quality Improvement: When is this
Essential Criteria Desirable Criteria evaluated?
Application form
• Demonstrates understanding of research, • Demonstrates an understanding of
including awareness of ethical issues research methodology Interview/selection
centre
• Demonstrates understanding of the basic • Evidence of relevant academic and
principles of clinical risk management, research achievements, and involvement References
evidence-based practice, patient safety and in a formal research project
clinical quality improvement initiatives
• Evidence of relevant academic publications
• Evidence of involvement in a quality
improvement or formal research project • Evidence of involvement in a quality
improvement project or other activity
• Demonstrates knowledge of evidence which:
informed practice
 Uses recognised QI methodology
• Demonstrates an understanding of clinical
 Focuses on patient safety and
governance
clinical improvement
Teaching:  Demonstrates an interest in and
commitment to the specialty
• Evidence of teaching experience and/or beyond the mandatory curriculum
training in teaching
• Evidence of exceptional achievement in
medicine
Teaching:
• Evidence of involvement in teaching
students, postgraduates and other
professionals and evidence of participation
in a teaching course

Personal skills
Personal Skills – Essential Criteria Personal Skills – Desirable Criteria When is this
Communication Skills: Management and Leadership Skills: evaluated?
Application form
• Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken • Evidence of involvement in management
communication, and capacity to adapt commensurate with experience Interview/selection
language to the situation, as appropriate centre
• Demonstrates an understanding of NHS
• Able to build rapport, listen, persuade and management and resources References
negotiate
• Evidence of effective multi-disciplinary
Problem Solving and Decision Making: team working and leadership, supported by
• Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to multi-source feedback or other workplace
solve problems/make decisions, indicating based assessments
an analytical/scientific approach • Evidence of effective leadership in and
outside medicine
Empathy and Sensitivity:
Other:
• Capacity to take in others’ perspectives and
• Evidence of achievement outside medicine
treat others with understanding; sees
patients as people
PERSON SPECIFICATION 2023

• Demonstrates respect for all • Evidence of altruistic behaviour e.g.

Managing Others and Team Involvement: voluntary work

• Able to work in multi professional teams and

supervise junior medical staff
• Ability to show leadership, make decisions,
organise and motivate other team members;
for the benefit of patients
• Capacity to work effectively with others
Organisation and Planning:
• Capacity to manage/prioritise time and
information effectively
• Capacity to prioritise own workload and
organise ward rounds
• Evidence of thoroughness (is well prepared,
shows self-discipline/commitment, is
punctual and meets deadlines)
Vigilance and Situational Awareness:
• Capacity to monitor developing situations
and anticipate issues
Coping with Pressure and Managing
Uncertainty:
• Capacity to operate under pressure
• Demonstrates initiative and resilience to
cope with changing circumstances
• Is able to deliver good clinical care in the
face of uncertainty
Values:
• Understands, respects and demonstrates
the values of the NHS (e.g. everyone
counts; improving lives; commitment to
quality of care; respect and dignity; working
together for patients; compassion)

Probity – professional integrity

Essential Criteria When is this
evaluated?
• Demonstrates probity (displays honesty,
integrity, aware of ethical dilemmas, Application form
respects confidentiality) Interview/selection
• Capacity to take responsibility for own centre
actions References

Commitment to specialty – learning and personal development

Essential Criteria Desirable Criteria When is this

evaluated?
PERSON SPECIFICATION 2023

• Shows initiative/drive/enthusiasm (self- • Extracurricular activities / achievements Application form

starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative) relevant to the specialty Interview/selection
• Demonstrable interest in, and understanding • Evidence of participation at meetings and centre
of, the specialty activities relevant to the specialty
• Evidence of attendance at organised References
• Commitment to personal and professional teaching and training programme(s)
development relevant to the specialty
• Evidence of self-reflective practice

i
The published deadline’ refers to a deadline date set in each recruitment round; Round 1 (30/03/2023) Round 2 (20/04/2023) Round 3 (23/10/2023)
ii
Eligibility for the specialist register must have been approved by the GMC to be considered.

iii
‘When is this evaluated’ is indicative but may be carried out at any time throughout the selection process.

iv
‘Selection centre’ refers to a process, not a place. It involves a number of selection activities which may be delivered as part of the assessment process.

v
The GMC introduced the licence to practise in 2009. Any doctor wishing to practise in the UK after this date must be both registered with and hold a licence to practise from the GMC at time of
appointment.

vi
‘The advertised post start date’ refers to the first date from which posts recruited in a round can commence. This will be specified clearly within the published advertisement for that recruitment round.

vii
Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training is the replacement programme for core medicine training. Trainees who have completed core medical training or ACCS (acute medicine) and a further standalone
third year (IMY3) in internal medicine training, will be eligible to apply. Those not undertaking the third year of an internal medicine training programme will need to supply an alternative certificate.
viii
ACCS (internal medicine) is the new name for ACCS (acute medicine), only those whose programme entails completing the Internal Medicine Stage 1 curriculum will be eligible without requiring an
alternative certificate
ix
Details of internationally accredited JRCPTB internal medicine training programmes can be found on the JRCPTB website: [Link]

x
Applicants who have an ARCP outcome with all capabilities signed off apart from the full MRCP (UK), will be eligible to apply on this basis, subject to the normal rules on completing the MRCP (UK).
Additionally, anyone who has an ARCP outcome 10.1 will be eligible to apply on the competence criterion and will be required to complete outstanding competences in their ST4 programme.

xi Successful completion will normally be an ARCP outcome 1 and it is expected that trainees applying in this position will have completed at least six months of GIM training as part of their higher
specialty training programme by the advertised post start date.

xii
The Alternative Certificate to Enter Group 1 Higher Physician Specialty Training is a document designed by the JRCPTB listing the necessary core capabilities required for progression to ST4, as
defined in the internal medicine stage 1 curriculum: [Link] The certificate is available to download from the Physician Recruitment website:
[Link] Applicants must ensure the version of the form they are using meets the requirements detailed on the website.

xiii
Applicants are advised to visit the GMC website which gives details of evidence accepted for registration.

xiv
Any time periods specified in this person specification refer to full time equivalent.

xv
For information on how experience in acute care common stem specialties will be counted, please visit the Physician Recruitment website: [Link]
eligible/experience

xvi
The Support for Application to another region form, signed by the Training Programme Director of their current Specialty Training Programme confirming satisfactory progress must be submitted to the
recruitment office managing that application at time of application.

xvii
Programmes in Group 1 higher medical specialties are dual accredited with Internal Medicine Stage 2. Applicants who hold a CCT in internal medicine are eligible to apply but should note that they will
be expected to fulfil the internal medicine service requirements of any post they are offered and will be unable to reduce the length of the programme.

xviii
Exceptional circumstances may be defined as a demonstrated change in circumstances, which can be shown on the ability to train at that time and may include severe personal illness or family caring
responsibility incompatible with continuing to train. Applicants will only be considered if they provide a ‘support for reapplication to a specialty training programme’ form signed by both the Training
Programme Director / Head of School and the Postgraduate Dean in the region that the training took place. No other evidence will be accepted. Please note that this requirement does not apply to trainees
who exited UK core training with an ARCP outcome 3 or 4 where they were only missing the full MRCP (UK) diploma.