The Training Programme Director has a key role in managing the specialist training programme of the specialty. The fundamental role is that of co-ordinator and communicator between Specialist Registrars, the Postgraduate Dean, the Specialty Training Committee, and the appropriate Royal College or Faculty.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Administration and management of the training programme(s)
2. Participation in the appointments process
3. Overseeing the delivery of the training
4. Monitoring and inspection of posts

Administration and Management

This includes:

• in collaboration with the Chair of the STC, the identification of appropriate training placements/slots ensuring that trainees are placed only in educational and Deanery approved training placements that reflect the level of training appropriate to the individual trainee
• advising the Medical Personnel and Specialty Training Office (Millman Street) of rotational changes to the training programme, allowing adequate notice for information to be passed to Trusts and trainees
• input to the local (specialty specific) assessment process which informs the Annual Review
• participation in the Annual Review (RITA) process; this will enable the Programme Director to assess the progress of the individual trainee and plan their further training
• in collaboration with the STC "leads" concerned, ensuring that the interests of flexible trainees, trainees in academic medicine and research attachments, and overseas doctors, are respected and protected

Participation in the appointments process

This includes:

• liaison with the Medical Personnel and Specialty Training Department based within the Deanery.  It is essential that the Programme Director is made aware of the resignation of Specialist Registrars. The Programme Director may be involved in approving the wording of the advertisement, drawing up the person specification and specialty-training prospectus. In order to ensure that appropriate approval has been received, the attached form (Appendix A) must be completed before appointment can be authorised
• close involvement with the short-listing and interview processes. The Programme Director will be responsible for allocating, in conjunction with the appointment committee, the successful candidates to the vacant placements and may be required to set the trainee's provisional CCST date in accordance with Royal College/Faculty guidelines

Delivery of Training

This includes:

• establishment of an appropriate training programme in accordance with the Royal College/Faculty curriculum, and in liaison with other members of the STC/MSTC
• in collaboration with the STC lead on flexible training, co-ordination of appropriate training programmes for flexible trainees
• assessment of the individual needs of trainees and advising local educational supervisors of defined trainee objectives agreed at annual review (RITA) 
•  recommendation of placement for those requiring targeted or remedial training
• advising on the appropriateness of time spent out of programme, ensuring that Deanery paperwork (OOPE form) is completed by the trainee and signed by a member of the STC; ensuring that the resulting 'gaps' are appropriately filled
• counselling of individual trainees, particularly where local tutors are unable or inappropriate to fulfil this function, and alerting the STC/MSTC chairman and the Associate Dean with designated responsibility for the specialty for the need for 'trouble-shooting' at Trust level
• advice to the Deanery regarding the transfer of trainees between deaneries, in consultation with the STC Chair

Monitoring and Inspection

This includes:

• considering opportunities and bids for new SpR posts and advising the Deanery of requests to establish new posts (the final decision rests with the Dean Director)
  advising the Deanery regarding local increases or decreases in numbers of trainees and/or posts in line with national allocations
• advising the STC Chair and/or Regional Adviser of training difficulties to be addressed in specific trusts, and recommended temporary approval of posts for training pending SAC inspection, etc
• providing reports to support the Annual Review process

It is important to note that the Programme Director and Training Committee Chairman must maintain close liaison with regard to the management of the training programme. Whereas the Programme Director provides the main point of contact for the trainee, the Chairman's role is to oversee the activity of the Committee overall, to liase with SACs, Trusts and the Deanery on specific problems encountered, and support the Programme Director(s).

The Deanery advises that, generally, the role of the Programme Director and Chair of the STC should be taken by separate individuals to spread the work load, allow sharing of difficult decisions, and facilitate any subsequent appeals against decisions made by one or the other. Other member of the Committee should be nominated to represent the specific needs of flexible trainees, those in academic medicine and research attachments, and overseas doctors.

General

The Programme Director receives a contribution to costs from the Deanery, based on trainee numbers, to support his/her activity, and some have succeeded in negotiating sessional and NHS secretarial time with their consultant colleagues and Chief Executive.