Four tiers of careers support
Four tiers of career support
As a trainee in London there are four tiers of career support
Tier 1: Self-help resources
The new national medical careers website is a comprehensive resource on all specialties (as well as including information on careers beyond clinical practice). It is based on the 4 stage framework (although slightly different terms are used).
| London Deanery |
National Careers Website |
|---|---|
| Self-assessment | Understanding yourself |
| Career exploration |
Exploring yourself |
| Decision making |
Choosing a specialty |
| Implementing your plans |
Getting into training |
For the first-time medical careers information has been gathered together in one place and the national careers website should form a major strand of your career related research.
- Your postgraduate education centre library also has a collection of careers resources. These include both medicine specific and general career guides as well as DVDs on how to prepare for medical interviews.
- All foundation trainees should have been given a copy of a short booklet entitled ‘Planning your medical career: a guide to careers support’. A detailed list of self-help resources (including relevant websites) is included in this booklet. ‘Planning your medical career’ is also available as a pdf download.
- Foundation trainees have been given a copy of a more comprehensive career planning book ‘ROADS to Success’. If you haven’t received your copy ask the Medical Education Manager at your postgraduate education centre.
- Whilst post-foundation doctors have not been issued with an individual copy of ROADS to Success – spare copies should be available at the postgraduate centre library.
Tier 2: Support from your Education Supervisor
You should be having regular discussions about your career plans with your educational supervisor. In order to get the most out of these discussions, always bring your portfolio to your supervision sessions. In addition you might also want to consider bringing any career planning activities (eg results of self- assessment exercises or of career research tasks) to discuss with your supervisor.
Tier 3: Support from Postgraduate Education Faculty
Within each trust there should be faculty members who have received additional training in carer support and who may be able to help you with your career plans. Faculty with enhanced career support skills could include the Foundation Programme Training Director, the Director of Medical Education, The Faculty Carers Lead or the Medical Education Manager. The Medical Education Manager at your trust is a good first port of call.
Tier 4: Deanery Resources
If you are experiencing particular difficulty planning your career or considering a major career change, then support from the deanery Careers Unit may be useful. Referral to the deanery Careers Unit is via your educational supervisor/medical education manager/training programme director. Ask them to email careersunit@londondeanery.ac.uk. All sessions with staff from the Careers Unit are confidential.