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Flexible Training > FAQs
FAQs
Q Returning to medicine after a career break?
Individuals who have been out of medicine and wish to explore a
return to practice are welcome to discuss their options with the
Deputy Postgraduate
Dean, Professor Selena Gray.
Q How much am I expected to work?
A flexible trainee will be required to undertake at least 50% of a
normal working week. (If you are unable to work 50% you may be
eligible for the Flexible Careers Scheme - further details on this
website.) Day time working, on-call and out-of-hours duties should
normally be undertaken on a basis pro rata to that worked by full time
trainees in the same grade and speciality, unless the circumstances
which justify flexible training make this impossible, provided that
legal and educational requirements are met. It is normally advised
that a programme based on 60% of a full time post is drawn up.
Most trainees will work a total of 24-28 hours per week and will be
in the F6 Band. The basic salary will be paid by the Strategic Health
Authority and the intensity supplement by the Trust. Some trainees may
work 28-32 hours (F7) but we expect F6 to be the norm.
A flexible trainee’s programme should contain the same elements as
that of a full-time trainee including departmental meetings, audit,
research, teaching etc.
- The duration of training (eg until
CCT) will be extended according to the number of hours worked.
If you are considering flexible training because of a young family
it is vital that you arrange comprehensive child care. This may not be
cheap but it is an essential component of a stress free professional
life (as stress free as possible!). Other flexible trainees will be
able to give you practical advice on obtaining child care.
Q What if I want to work more?
If you want to work more than F6, perhaps up to F8/F9 we would
normally advise you to discuss this option with your Programme
Director, Speciality Manager and the Trust. It may be possible to
reduce your commitments within an existing fully funded post, but this
will be dependent on the service commitments in the particular post.
If you are already working at F6 as a flexible trainee and you wish
to work more hours, and the Trust wishes to pay the additional amount,
the Deanery is happy to support this, but Strategic Health Authority
funding will only go up to F6.
Q Do I have to do on-call?
If the equivalent post has on call duties you will need to do
approximately pro-rata on-call to the full timers. It may be possible
to do a maximum of 6 months without on call if full timers are doing
on call. If you have already undertaken and met the College
educational requirements for on call/out of hours work during your
training in your speciality, then whether or not you are required to
do on call will depend on the service needs of the Trust within that
post. Individuals doing SHOs as part of vocational training schemes
should discuss with the Associate Director of GP Education whether
they need to do on call duties.
Q How much study leave and annual leave should I get?
Annual leave is calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Study leave is allocated at the full amount per year for each year
of training. Trainees are expected to attend their speciality academic
programme at the same frequency as their full time colleagues.
Q Can I take time off in lieu?
Time recouped in lieu of work out of contracted hours is possible.
For example if a trainee usually works Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
and attends a conference on Friday, they are entitled to claim back a
day in lieu of study leave is they wish to do so.
Q What impact does maternity leave have on my CCT?
Sick leave and/or maternity leave up to a total of three months
during the training programme is allowed without it affecting your CCT
date. After this time, the CCT date will be put back by the relevant
amount of leave taken.
Q Does it affect the incremental date?
The incremental date for salary increases remain annual for
flexible trainees, and does not become pro-rata per sessions worked.
As with full timers this is not affected by time out of training due
to maternity leave.
Q Can I do an interdeanery transfer as a flexible trainee?
Individuals who are training flexibly can request an Inter Deanery
Transfer (IDT) as can any other trainee. Funding is not usually
available immediately, and trainees who need to move should do this in
good time - at least six months in advance.
Q How is flexible training funded?
The Strategic Health Authority will fund the basic salary costs of
flexible trainees normally at the F6 Band. Trusts are responsible for
intensity payments. (See the BMA guidance on the new contract for
details of how salaries are calculated.)
Q What if I want to return to full time training?
You may, at a future date, request to return to full-time training.
To do this you will need to apply through the Programme Director and
await the availability of a full-time vacancy in the programme. You
will need to inform the Associate Dean (Flexible Training) and your
Speciality Manager of your intentions.
Q Can I do the Foundation Programme as a flexible trainee?
If you want to undertake flexible training in the Foundation
Programme then you need to complete the application form for flexible
training and also apply for the Foundation Programme as normal. It is
advisable to discuss your intentions with the Foundation Programme
Director. Once you have secured a place on the Programme, assuming you
are eligible for Flexible Training, the Foundation Programme Director
will work with you to identify a suitable training location.
Q Can I do the GP VTS as a flexible trainee?
If you want to undertake flexible training in the GP VTS then you
need to complete the application form for flexible training and also
apply for the GPVTS as normal. Once you have secured a place on the
VTS programme, assuming you are eligible for Flexible Training, the
GPVTS Director will work with you to identify a suitable training
programme.
Q What if my partner also wishes to apply?
When both partners (eg husband and wife) request flexible training
this should be made clear on the application form. A case for funding
both partners would need to be made on the application form.
Eligibility would be determined by national criteria.
Useful contacts
Professor Selena Gray
Associate Postgraduate Dean (Flexible Training)
Severn Deanery
Academic Centre
Frenchay Hospital
Bristol BS16 1EL
selena.gray@southwest.nhs.uk
0117 3403455
Becky Trainer
Flexible Adminstrator
Associate Postgraduate Dean (Flexible Training)
Severn Deanery
Academic Centre
Frenchay Hospital
Bristol BS16 1EL
becky.trainer@southwest.nhs.uk
0117 3403466
This page was last updated
03/09/08
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