As for all trainees reaching the end of their training, flexible trainees are allowed a 'period of grace' of six months following their CCST date in which to find a consultant post.

After this it may be possible to arrange a single, fixed term extension to training. Requests for such extensions should be made to the postgraduate dean at least three months before the end of the period of grace. Extensions are more likely to be granted to those in specialties where there are few consultant posts arising, and those who have special reasons for being in a particular geographical area, as is the case for many flexible trainees.

It has been argued that flexible trainees should have a pro rata extension to the period of grace, but it is felt that this gives an unfair advantage over full time colleagues who may also have compelling reasons to stay in a particular area. Also, the flexibility of the single extension period should allow for personal circumstances, whatever the status of the trainee.

Thus, the advice from the flexible training office is 'Be prepared!' - the sooner you start planning your next move the better. The following guidance, assembled from the experiences of those who have gone before you, is aimed at helping those who would like to continue working part-time as a consultant, or indeed for those who would like to work part-time for the first time.

Finding a part-time post

Most consultant posts are advertised as full-time positions, so it is important to think through a strategy as to how you might find a part-time post.

Your options would include

• Applying for full-time posts, making it clear in your application that you would like to work part-time
• Applying for full-time posts, then negotiating reduced sessions once appointed
• Applying for full-time posts with a job share partner
• Applying for part-time posts, if any are advertised
• Identifying and approaching trusts where you would like to work, advising them of your imminent availability and what you have to offer

Of all the methods it is the latter which has most often been reported to us as successful.

You are not obliged to declare your intention to work part-time when applying for a post, but trusts prefer candidates to do so. And if you do declare your intentions, you do run the risk of being passed over for a full-time candidate.

By approaching trusts in advance of any post becoming available you avoid the difficult decisions that have to be made in applying for a full-time post, and you enable them to think about how you could add to their service, rather than how they are going to manage a full-time service requirement with a part-time consultant.

Some general advice about planning a career move:

• Plan your career ahead as much as possible. Set yourself short and medium term goals and deadlines, and stick to them.
• Get your CV in shape. You never know when you might need it. 
• Network, network, network (meetings, colleagues, part-time consultants etc) 
• Keep a record of people you've met, written to, places you've visited, and maintain contact.
• Read relevant articles. 
• Make sure of your CCST date in writing.
• Put your name on job-share registers: BMA, College, Deanery.
• Think about what you want in a consultant post: For example: geography, job-share or stand alone, type of hospital, sub-specialty, size of population / workload.

Negotiating the terms of the post

Once you have landed your post, you need to be very careful in negotiating the terms. Although there is a tendency to avoid awkward discussions when you first arrive in a post, and simply be grateful that you have won it, it is much more difficult to negotiate terms once you've accepted the initial deal. If you have been appointed to a specially created post, this is even more important as the terms will not have been negotiated before.

Things you need to consider:

• Check the catchment population you will be serving v college guidance on the desirable consultant/population ratio.
• Check arrangements cover for when you aren't there, a named consultant preferably, not just the person on call.
• Check what junior support will be available to you.
• Check you are doing fixed commitments pro-rata of full-time expectations, including CPD.
• Negotiate to have the consultant 'eleventh session' included in your pay - you will need this extra time allowance at least as much as your full-time colleagues.
• Consider the best days to be at work (spreading days through the week can be better than working blocks of days).
• Consider any non-clinical areas you'd like to become involved in, and ensure you build time in.

Further Reading

Klemperer F & Ramsay R (2000) (Working Part-time as a Consultant) British Medical Journal Classified 25 November p2