How To Get Ahead Of The Pack! Short Listing Top Tips!

How To Get Ahead Of The Pack!Short Listing Top Tips!

Dr Ausami Abbas

ST2

Southampton Scheme

Wessex School of Radiology

2010….. The Facts

• 655 applications

• 35% F2

• 60% of All candidates interviewed

• 89% offered 2 interviews

• 181 ST1s appointed (27%)

• 50% of those appointed direct from Foundation program

Radiology is competitive

• Run through training to CCT• Fewer ST1 posts (radiology and all specialties)• Specialty that is expanding• Applications from foundation and core training• Interview offers before other SpR/ST3

specialties • People who previously would have applied to

Core surgical training are now applying to radiology

• If successfully applying to radiology is competitive

• ….. Then you need to be competitive!!

Be Honest:Which Group Do You Belong to?

Amazing

Average

Awful

Can I Improve My chances?

Do I have time? How can I do it?

Is it too late?

Good News

• Lots of easy points to gain

• Need to be dedicated and organised

• Need to be realistic with how you improve your application

Short listing Points!

• Commitment to radiology• Understanding of career/training in radiology• Audit• Research• Publication• Presentation• Teaching• Courses• Skills• Exams• Career progression

Commitment to Radiology

• Work shadow programme• Taster week• Attendence at “Wessex radiology career day”• Radiology themed audit• Elective in radiology• Radiology Bsc• Member of radiology societies (eg BIR, SRT)• Subscribe to a journal (eg BJR)• Attendence at radiology courses/meetings

Audit

• Radiology themed• Evidence of completing

audit cycle• Presenting audit findings

at local, regional or national meetings.

• Understand difference between audit & research

• Ask Current radiology trainees if there are any audits you can help with.

Publications

• Doesn’t have to be radiology themed• 1st Author (ideal)• Pubmed indexed journal• If you haven’t try -asking seniors if you can help them -Interesting cases -Classic cases -Audit resultsThis can take a longtime and be time consuming!

Presentations

• Local / regional/ national /international• Posters or oral• Radiology meeting (ideal) • Interesting cases/ audit results• Ask seniors if you can help out with project• Ask Radiology trainees if you can help with a poster• Meetings : UKRC June

SRT July Wessex BIR December 5th National BIR December

Teaching

• Evidence of delivering formal teaching

• Regional vs local

• Timetable

• Feedback

• Teaching the teachers course

• Student tutor?

• Radiology training day?

Courses

• ATLS/ALS• Basic surgical skills• US course• X-ray courses• BIR training days

Skills

• Evidence of hand eye coordination

- Chest drains

- Central lines

- Ascitic drains

- Lumbar puncture

• Attendance/presenting at MDT

• US experience

Exams & Career progression

• More is expected of Core then F2 applicants

• Exams are more relevant to those at the end of Core training

• Evidence of distinction or prizes

• Evidence of achievement outside of medicine

• Management experience

Don’t Panic

• Aim to get extra points

• Work hard now• Focus on the

achievable!• Commitment to

radiology is KEY!!!• Have a back up plan

Finally…..• Give yourself time to complete the form

• Show it to trusted colleague

• Get the grammar checked

• There are lots of points available for the “150 word question” sections for the smart applicant

• “STAR” technique

Situation and Task, A: Action, R: Reflection.

Questions?