Introduction
NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) posts are allocated annually to Integrated Academic Training (IAT) partnerships comprising a Health Education England (HEE) local office, Higher Education Institute (HEI), and NHS organisation.
The primary purpose of an ACF is to provide a clinical and academic training environment for a doctor in the early stages of specialty training to prepare an application for a Training Fellowship leading to a PhD (or equivalent), or if applicable a postdoctoral fellowship.
The ACF recruitment process is managed by the relevant HEE local office in the IAT partnerships. IAT partnerships must adhere to the guidance in this document for recruitment and appointment to NIHR ACFs from the 2022 IAT allocation of competition and posts.
NIHR ACFs may be advertised in up to three GMC specialties, and at multiple specialty training levels equating to ST1, 2, 3, (or 4 in Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry or Paediatrics).
The broad framework regarding eligibility for ACFs is described in this document; however, IAT partnerships will identify at which level(s) each ACF is offered.
The principles set out in the Copmed Gold Guide will still apply.
2022 NIHR ACF Recruitment Time
Table 2022 ACF Round 1 Timetable
- Application Window - 01/10/2021 to 03/11/2021
- Interview Window - 08/11/2021 to 14/01/2022
- Initial Offers Issued - 20/01/2022
- Hold Deadline - 27/01/2022
- Return recruitment status updates to NIHR Academy - From 03/02/2022 onwards
- No upgrades
2022 ACF Re-advert Timetable
- Application window - 08/02/2022 to 31/03/2023 (Successful 2022 NIHR ACF applicants must be in post by 31/03/2023)
- Return recruitment status updates to NIHR Academy as requested until all posts are unconditionally filled
Optional - 2022 ACF Re-advert timetable allowing clinical benchmarking
- Application Window - 08/02/2022 to 04/03/2022
- Interview Window - 08/03/2022 to 05/04/2022
Recruitment
Recruitment is managed by HEE local offices using National Guidance and the National Application Form on Oriel. Recruitment to all 2022 NIHR ACF posts should follow the 2022 ACF Round 1 timetable. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the recruitment process can be found in Appendix 1A - FAQs Round 1 Applicants and Recruiters. Guidance regarding advertising Priority Research Theme NIHR ACF posts on Oriel can be found in Appendix 4.
The award of a National Training Number (NTN) will be made to applicants who are successful in the appointments process. NTNs are awarded by Postgraduate Deans.
Any applicant deemed appointable at the ACF interviews that does not hold an NTN/Deanery Reference Number (DRN) at the right level and in the associated clinical specialty will need to be assessed/interviewed through the relevant national process for the specialty at the appropriate clinical level and deemed appointable in order to be formally appointed to the ACF post.
Applicants will be ranked on their performance at the ACF interviews and not the national clinical interviews, where the ACF applicants are only required to demonstrate that they are deemed appointable (as above).
Applicants must meet the requirements of the national person specifications for entry into medical specialty training at the advertised level or levels.
Applicants may start an ACF at four different Specialty Training (ST) levels equating to ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST4 only in the case of Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, and Paediatrics.
NIHR ACF posts in General Practice (GP) may start at either ST1 (four year post), ST2 (three year post) or ST3 (two year post), with 12 months protected academic time regardless of total post duration. If your IAT partnership wishes to recruit to GP ACFs beyond ST1, please contact the NIHR Academy in the event that you require any clarification.
Specialty-specific ACFs are considered as run-through posts for the duration of the ACF and beyond. Clinical progression is based on the achievement of competencies. The Programme Board of Modernising Medical Careers agreed in October 2007 that ACF training should remain run-through, even if the trainee was appointed to a training position in an uncoupled specialty; this remains the case for 2022.
For specialties without a core training period the ACF will enter directly into the specialty programme.
For specialties with core training the ACF will have direct appointment to a GMC specialty specific academic programme (e.g. Gastroenterology) even if they are appointed at ST1, ST2, ST3 (or ST4 in Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry and Paediatrics). Progression will be directly into the advertised specialty as long as core competences are obtained.
ACFs in NIHR Priority Research Themes may be based in specialties with or without a core training period. The ACF can enter into an academic core training programme for two to three years, during which clinical and academic specialisation would occur according to individual preferences and local academic opportunities.
Specialty-specific ACF posts awarded through the IAT competition, where the academic component is associated with a NIHR Priority Research Theme, have run-though into the advertised specialty, as long as clinical competencies are obtained.
ACF Advertisement
All ACF posts must be advertised on Oriel by 09.00 on 1 October 2021 and open for applications for at least four weeks. The recommended minimum content for the advert can be found in Appendix 3.
ACFs should be advertised as GMC specialty-specific e.g. gastroenterology or immunology, regardless of the level. The ACF would have direct appointment to a specialty-specific academic programme such as gastroenterology or immunology etc. Progression will be directly into the advertised specialty as long as clinical competencies are obtained.
Posts can be advertised at a specific entry level or at multiple levels. IAT partnerships will need to make it clear at what level or levels each ACF is being offered.
The list of 2022 NIHR ACF posts will be available on the NIHR website IAT page, where ACF applicants will be directed to the Oriel application system.
ACF posts may be advertised in up to three specialities. IAT partnerships will need to make it clear that the multi-specialty options are in competition for a single post.
The NIHR Priority Research Themes and proposed research associated with the 2022 allocation of ACFs must be clearly described in the advertisements. Guidance on advertising Priority Research Theme posts on Oriel can be found in Appendix 4.
Eligibility
ACF posts are open to individuals entering medical specialty training and those who are currently in medical Specialty training Registrar (StR) posts and hold an NTN (whatever the specialty or locality).
ACF applicants would not normally be expected to hold a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or other higher degree, but applicants may include:
- Bachelor of Medicine (MB) PhD graduates and those with an intercalated PhD obtained during medical undergraduate training to enable postdoctoral research applications
- Doctors who have previously undertaken an MD or PhD may apply to continue postdoctoral research as long as they possess the other entry requirements for the specialty – they will need to show that they have a commitment to academic medicine
- Medical graduates who obtained PhDs prior to medical undergraduate training – their PhD may or may not be considered relevant by the appointments committee.
Application
The National Application Form on Oriel should be used for 2022 ACF recruitment.
HEE local offices should use the 2022 person specifications for the relevant specialty and level of entry, in addition to the generic academic person specification (Appendix 2). If available, plain English Summaries of the research project and training associated with the priority research theme ACFs can be included in the advertisement for each individual competition post.
An academic reference must be provided for applicants applying for ACF posts in addition to clinical references.
Job Description
The job description must be agreed by both the academic and clinical leads involved in the scheme and include the following information, as a minimum:
- Job title, level, and name of the specialty in which the post has run through
- Confirmation that the posts attracts an NTN
- Duration of the post, and what happens at the end of the post if an applicant is successful or unsuccessful in obtaining a Training Fellowship
- NHS organisation(s) in which training will take place
- Research institution(s) in which training will take place
- Whether day release or block release will be used for protected research time
- Description of the research component of the programme (minimum 250 words)
- Description of the clinical training component of the programme (minimum 250 words)
- Academic Programme Director name
- Clinical Training Programme Director name
- Programme contact for further information (phone or email)
- HEE local office contact for further information (phone or email)
- A link to the NIHR website IAT page for further information.
Shortlisting
ACF applicants should have their application forms scored against the shortlisting template (Appendix 5). Shortlisted applicants must be medically-qualified and should provide evidence of clinical competency appropriate for the ST level of the ACF. Shortlisting must be undertaken by at least two qualified individuals, both of whom should have received training in fair recruitment, selection, and equal opportunities within the last three years.
ACF Interviews
The duration of the ACF interview should be approximately 30 minutes and follow the interview evaluation form in Appendix 6.
Partnerships should continue to undertake academic interviews for recruitment to NIHR ACF posts (and we would suggest locally funded posts) digitally, using online platforms such as Teams/Zoom/Skype. They will need to be conducted safely both for interviewees and recruitment staff (including all panel members), ensuring that all government guidelines in place at the time are followed.
Applicants will have been sent a generic dataset/publication question in advance of the interview by recruitment staff for exploration at interview.
Applicants will be ranked on their academic scores. An interview panel briefing document and Chair's briefing checklist can be found in Appendix 7 and Appendix 8, respectively.
The appointment panel should have appropriate representation that reflects the IAT partnership offering the ACF programme and specialty. The panel should include:
- The lead of the ACF training programme, or their representative, to provide clinical academic representation.
- Representation from the relevant academic community, as required. These individuals represent the specialties or theme of the ACF being offered and should have an awareness of the research projects/training available at the locality.
- A lay representative, if available.
Representatives on the appointment panel may take on more than one role to assist with efficient running of the interviews e.g. the IAT Lead sits on a panel in both a clinical and academic capacity.
The appointment panel members should have received training in fair recruitment, selection and equal opportunities (equality and diversity training) within the last three years.
ACF Interview Selection Criteria
The assessment criteria at interview should be derived directly from the person specification, including academic aptitude, commitment to an academic career, and the training and service requirements.
The NIHR ACF interview evaluation form and guidance may be found in Appendix 6.
The following should be remembered when formulating the assessment criteria:
- NIHR ACFs are intended to offer training to those who can demonstrate outstanding potential for development as a clinical academic in research including educational research
- The training will require the ACF to spend 25% of their time undertaking academic training combined with clinical training in the remaining 75%
- The expected outcome of an NIHR ACF is the preparation of a successful application for a research Training Fellowship or educational training programme leading to a higher degree, or if applicable, a postdoctoral fellowship
- Progress will be monitored, but in the event that an individual is unsuccessful in obtaining a research training fellowship/place on an educational training programme within three years, they will join a standard clinical training programme.
The selection criteria should require applicants to demonstrate:
- High-level interest in the proposed academic field, backed up if possible by relevant publications, prizes or distinctions
- Their potential as a doctoral or post-doctoral researcher
- Clarity about longer-term career aspirations and how the ACF will provide opportunities for career development.
To assess the applicants’ prior research experience, it is essential that the appointment panel have the applicants’ application forms, including publication record, on the day of interview.
The Selection Process
Applicants will be assessed for their potential as a clinical academic at the ACF interviews. Applicants may be assessed against the criteria in the appropriate clinical programme person specification for that specialty as well as against the appropriate academic person specification (Appendix 2) at the ACF interview. An interview panel briefing document and Chair’s briefing checklist can be found in Appendix 7 and Appendix 8, respectively.
ACF applicants with an appropriate NTN/DRN will have previously demonstrated their clinical competencies in the appropriate GMC specialty and level for the ACF post.
Applicants without an appropriate NTN/DRN will need to demonstrate their clinical competencies for the ACF post at clinical benchmarking.
Offers
The top ranked applicant at the ACF interview will either be given an unconditional or conditional offer. Conditional offers will be given to successful applicants at the ACF interviews that do not already hold an NTN/DRN in the GMC specialty and level to which they are applying. Applicants with a conditional offer will need to attend clinical benchmarking in the GMC specialty of the ACF post to which they are applying. Please see Appendix 1A for a summary of recruitment and clinical benchmarking requirements.
Clinical Benchmarking
Clinical benchmarking relates to applicants reaching the “threshold of appointability” at the national standard clinical interviews/assessments for the GMC specialty and level of ACF post to which they are applying. Only applicants successful at the ACF interviews that do not hold an NTN/DRN at the appropriate level and in the GMC specialty to which they are applying need to be clinically benchmarked.
Applicants that do not reach the level of appointability at clinical benchmarking will have their ACF offer withdrawn. Only one attempt at clinical benchmarking per ACF post is permitted.
Applicants who already have an NTN/DRN in the specialty they are applying for do not need to participate in national recruitment as they have already been clinically benchmarked. The recruitment process is summarised below in Figure 1. FAQs regarding ACF recruitment may be found in Appendix 1A.
Figure 1. Schematic showing the NIHR ACF recruitment process
Read a description of figure 1 - schematic showing the NIHR ACF medical recruitment process
Flexibility
The NIHR Academy wishes to see full appointment to posts. The NIHR objectives of supporting clinical academic medicine and making the NHS an internationally-recognised organisation of excellence for patient-based research are not furthered by having vacant training posts. The deadline for successful applicants to be in post for NIHR ACFs allocated in 2022 is 31 March 2023. Where possible, recruitment to unfilled posts should continue until the post is filled. If the post is unfilled on 31 March 2023 then it will be withdrawn from the IAT partnership’s allocation.
In order to re-advertise unfilled posts, the NIHR Academy needs to be made aware of status changes in ACF offers made in Round 1 (awarded, conditional offer, or unfilled). IAT partnerships should provide information regarding the recruitment status of posts via email to iat@nihr.ac.uk and in order to request permission to readvertise unfilled posts. Further details may be found in Appendix 1B.
Changes to Allocated ACF Posts
You should only recruit to specialties as they are profiled in your approved 2022 specialty spread. However the NIHR Academy will provide flexibility in considering changes to the original specialties.
If difficulties arise in e.g. recruitment, or with capacity, a request to change the specialty/ies of an ACF post may be made in writing to NIHR Academy IAT stating the reason for the change. All necessary approvals must be in place from the College and/or Lead Dean to recruit to the posts in the GMC specialties and that the relevant Programme Leads are happy with this process and decision.
If a specialty is changed without prior written approval from NIHR Academy this may affect funding.
Providing Information
IAT Partnerships are expected to provide up to date information on NIHR ACF posts. Funding in 2022 will come from the DHSC Science, Research and Evidence Directorate funding stream and not through the workforce funding streams. It is important that HEE local offices provide information on available and filled posts in a timely manner according to the dates shown below in Table 2.
Key dates for Providing Recruitment Information to NIHR Academy
- Initial outcome from Round 1 and permission to re-advertise - 27/01/2022 – 07/02/2022
- Recruitment status update until all posts are unconditionally filled - As requested by NIHR
ACF Appraisals
There should be joint academic and clinical appraisal according to Follett principles with assessment, according to College and HEE local office recommendations for ACFs. A general overview for reviewing the progression of trainees undertaking joint clinical and academic training programmes is provided in the Gold Guide. The Academy of Medical Sciences has formulated supplementary guidelines to aid trainees, supervisors, and assessors in reviewing academic training and progress. These are available from the Academy of Medical Sciences Guidelines for monitoring academic training and progress.
Completion of an ACF
The duration of an ACF will be for a maximum of 3 years (or 4 years in General Practice). During this time, the trainee combines clinical specialty or core training with academic training, which is geared towards competing for a training fellowship.
When a trainee obtains a fellowship, the ACF post comes to an end, with the right to run-through training retained by the trainee. The trainee normally spends 3 years outside of their clinical programme in Out of Programme Research (OOPR) working towards the completion of a PhD, MD or or equivalent. The trainee will need to obtain agreement from their HEE local office to take the time out of their clinical programme. This will not normally be refused. Agreement for OOPR will require confirmation from the relevant HEE local office that the trainee has achieved relevant clinical competences and is ready to leave the clinical programme, and ideally, that the research project has been peer reviewed and approved.
Upon completion of a Training Fellowship, the trainee will return to their clinical programme as a standard trainee and at an appropriate point, may competitively apply for a Clinical Lectureship, provided appropriate academic and clinical competences have been obtained, or they may continue in clinical training.
Early Exit from Academic Training
There are several points at which an ACF may decide, or be advised, to leave the academic training pathway. As long as clinical competences have been successfully achieved, the trainee can re-join the standard clinical specialty-training programme, retain their NTN, but lose their entitlement to run-through.
In all instances, it is important to remember that the Clinical Training Programme Director (acting on behalf of the Postgraduate Dean) would have to identify a suitable placement in the clinical programme, and that in some cases this could take up to one year. It is therefore important to give warning to the Postgraduate Dean as soon as the possibility of early exit from the programme arises. It is hoped that it will not occur but it is possible that the individual leaving the academic training programme might have to wait for a suitable clinical placement while retaining their NTN. During this time, they may have to find other work. It is essential, therefore, that the trainee gives as much notice as possible of their intentions to avoid this situation arising.
Early exit might occur at the following points:
- During the course of the three year ACF programme (up to four years in General Practice) the funding should continue until exit from the programme to allow “seamless” return to the clinical programme
- At the end of the ACF, the fellow may fail for whatever reason to obtain, or may decide not to pursue, a Training Fellowship for PhD or MD studies. Academic funding will not continue beyond three (or four in General Practice) years, so as much warning as possible is needed if the fellow wishes to continue in a clinical programme
- After completing a training fellowship and obtaining a PhD/MD (or equivalent), a trainee may decide, or be advised, not to pursue academic training any further. Hopefully, this decision will have been arrived at over a period of time, so that maximum warning can be given to the HEE local office in order to avoid or minimise any wait to re-enter the clinical programme
- Early exit might occur due to the trainee going OOP for nonstatutory reasons, such as OOPE, where the OOP experience is not related to the ACF.
Appendix 1A – NIHR ACF Applicant and Recruiter Round 1 FAQs
The following guidance is for NIHR ACF recruitment into all General Medical Council (GMC) specialties.
FAQ 1 - What is the process for applicants to NIHR ACFs that will commence in 2022?
The ACF recruitment process is summarised in Figure 1 and the timetable for 2022 recruitment is in Table 1.
NIHR ACF posts are allocated annually to Integrated Academic Training (IAT) partnerships comprising an HEE local office, Higher Education Institute (HEI) and NHS organisation.
The recruitment process is managed by the relevant HEE local office in the IAT partnerships, and advertisements will appear on their websites and Oriel from October 2021. Applicants will need to apply for NIHR ACF posts using the Oriel online application system.
The 2021 NIHR ACF recruitment window runs from October 2021 to 31 March 2023, this is divided into round 1 (October 2021 – January 2022) and re-adverts (February 2022 – 31 March 2023).
ACF Application Form
- Applicants will need to complete the ACF application form for the ACF posts advertised in the relevant specialties and levels through Oriel.
Specialty Training Application Form
- ACF applicants who require clinical benchmarking if they were successful at the ACF interview will need to complete the relevant specialty training application, when the national application window opens. Specialty training application form options and a definition of those applicants requiring clinical benchmarking is detailed in FAQ 2 and FAQ 3.
Following assessment of the ACF application forms, shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews (November 2021 – January 2022). The interviews are organised by the HEE local office hosting the ACF post.
The ACF interview has several components assessing the clinical–academic potential of the applicant. Appointable applicants will be ranked at the ACF interview, with the top ranked applicant being offered the ACF post when the offer window opens.
A conditional offer will be given to successful ACF applicants that do not already hold a National Training Number (NTN) or Deanery Reference Number (DRN) in the GMC specialty and level to which they are applying. These applicants require clinical benchmarking (defined in FAQ2) in the GMC specialty of the ACF post to which they are applying before they can accept the ACF offer. ACF applicants will receive a conditional offer when the offers window opens in January 2022.
If the top ranked applicant at the ACF interview requires clinical benchmarking, ACF applicants that were deemed appointable at interview will also be invited for clinical benchmarking, if required.
An unconditional offer can be made to reserve applicants who pass clinical benchmarking (or to those with an appropriate NTN/DRN) for the advertised ACF should the preferred ACF applicant withdraw or fail clinical benchmarking.
FAQ 2 - What is clinical benchmarking?
Clinical benchmarking relates to ACF applicants reaching the “threshold of appointability” at the national standard clinical interviews/assessments for the GMC specialty and level of the ACF post. ACF applicants that are successful at interview but do not hold an NTN/DRN in the appropriate GMC specialty and ST level for the post need to be clinically benchmarked. For example:
- Applicants who hold a DRN in a core specialty, who are applying for an ACF at ST3/4 will be required to attend clinical benchmarking at the higher level. The clinical interview that resulted in the award of the DRN will not be acceptable for clinical benchmarking.
- Applicants who hold an NTN at ST3 in Cardiology, who are applying for an ST3 cardiology post do not need to attend clinical benchmarking as they would have already passed the clinical benchmarking for this post.
Applicants who fail to reach the “threshold of appointability” at clinical benchmarking, will be ineligible for appointment to the ACF post in that recruitment round. Under these circumstances the conditional ACF offer will be withdrawn.
Withdrawal of a conditional ACF offer does not prevent the affected applicants from reapplying in future recruitment rounds.
If applicants require clinical benchmarking at national clinical assessment/interviews then the HEE local office hosting the ACF post will arrange this.
FAQ 3 - Do applicants need to submit a separate application for standard clinical training in that specialty in order to be able to attend an interview for clinical benchmarking?
If ACF applicants require clinical benchmarking then they must also complete a separate standard clinical application form. They will be asked on their standard clinical application form whether they wish to be considered for academic recruitment only (i.e. clinical benchmarking only) or whether they wish their standard clinical application to be considered for both academic and clinical appointments. The two options are described below. Once an applicant has made their selection and submitted the standard clinical application form they will not be able to change this decision.
Standard clinical application form options:
1. Academic Recruitment Only
This option informs the national recruitment office that the applicant wishes their standard clinical application form to only be used for clinical benchmarking for the ACF post they have applied for. They will only be invited to standard clinical interviews if they were appointable at the ACF interviews, and thus invited for clinical benchmarking. This selection informs the national recruitment office that they should be removed from the offers process for the standard clinical training posts. Their score will only be used to assess whether they have reached the level of appointability, they should be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.
2. Academic Recruitment and Specialty Training
This option advises the national recruitment office that in addition to using the standard clinical application for clinical benchmarking as part of the ACF recruitment process (Option 1), the ACF applicant would also like to be considered for a standard clinical training post in the related specialty. Their score will be used to assess whether they have reached the level of appointability for the ACF post offer, and they should be informed of the outcome as soon as possible. If their score is also high enough to be appointed to a standard clinical training post then they will receive this offer when the national standard, clinical training offers window opens. Guidance on accepting ACF posts is detailed below.
FAQ 4 - The ACF applicant currently holds a clinical NTN at the appropriate level in the GMC specialty associated with the ACF; do they need to be clinically benchmarked?
No. They will have already passed the assessment at the national clinical interview for this GMC specialty and therefore will not have to do so again.
FAQ 5 - The ACF applicant currently holds a Deanery Reference Number (DRN) having previously successfully applied for core level training. Will they still need to be clinically benchmarked?
It depends on the level of training of the ACF that is being applied for.
If they hold a DRN whilst applying for a post linked to a GMC specialty that has relevant core level training (e.g. internal medicine trainee in Anaesthetics, Core Medical Training for medical specialties and Core Surgical Training for surgery), then they will have already passed the assessment at the clinical interview previously and therefore will not have to do so again.
However, if they hold a DRN for core training but are applying to academic training at a higher training level (i.e. ST3/4) they will need to attend a national clinical assessment/interview at the appropriate level.
If the core level training they are undertaking is not relevant to the GMC specialty they are applying for in the NIHR ACF round, then they will need to undergo clinical benchmarking.
FAQ 6 - The ACF applicant holds a National Training Number but not in the same GMC specialty that they are applying for academic training. Will they still need to be clinically benchmarked?
Yes. Although they have met the required standard in a national clinical interview before, it was not in the same GMC specialty. Different specialties assess different skills and competences at interview and therefore it should not be assumed that success in one clinical interview is appropriate for all specialties.
Therefore, to ensure a consistency of approach with all applicants, they will need to undergo clinical benchmarking for this GMC specialty.
FAQ 7 - When will ACF offers be released?
Academic Round 1 offers will be released in January 2022. If the ACF applicant already holds an NTN in the relevant GMC specialty and are the preferred applicant following the ACF interview, then they can be offered the post. If they require clinical benchmarking, then the offer will be conditional upon meeting the required standard in the clinical assessment/interview.
Offers, or an indication of interview performance, will not be released to applicants (either officially or unofficially) before the offers date. This ensures that applicants are given a fair opportunity to attend all of the ACF interviews they have applied for without undue pressure to accept a post they interviewed for at the start of the window. This also ensures that IAT partnerships are able to make full use of the interview window.
FAQ 8 - What is the process of accepting an ACF post after clinical benchmarking?
If, after confirmation of clinical benchmarking, the applicant accepts the ACF post, they must ensure that they withdraw from all other applications that they have submitted. It is their responsibility to contact the appropriate lead recruiter(s) and inform them that they would like to withdraw their application. This should be done within five working days of confirmation of clinical benchmarking. Withdrawal from other applications will not automatically occur through Oriel.
FAQ 9 - What happens if the applicant does not reach the required standard at clinical benchmarking?
Their NIHR ACF offer will be withdrawn by the relevant HEE local office.
FAQ 10 - Would the ACF applicant receive a rank at the clinical interview when being clinically benchmarked?
It depends on the option selected in the standard clinical application form. ACF applicants who select:
- Academic recruitment only will not receive a rank at the standard clinical assessments/interviews.
- Academic recruitment and specialty training will receive a rank at the standard clinical assessments/interviews.
FAQ 11 - What will be the likely delay between the round 1 ACF interview and clinical benchmarking?
It depends on the level of the NIHR ACF post that they are applying for. Round 1 NIHR ACF interviews will take place in November/December 2021.
Please refer to the MDRS website for details of national recruitment and selection.
Appendix 1B - Recruiter and Re-advertisement FAQs
These FAQs are specifically for the HEE Recruiters; however, see FAQs 1-11 as these are relevant to both applicant and recruiters on the application process.
FAQ 12 - As applicants now attend a separate clinical interview, can the NIHR ACF interview now cover academic topics only?
This is at the interview panel’s discretion. The ACF interview should cover clinical-academic and academic elements. The addition of clinical specific questions is at the interviewing panel’s discretion.
FAQ 13 - Do we need to set up separate clinical benchmarking interviews for those that have applied for NIHR ACF posts?
No. It is expected that applicants will attend the specialty-specific national clinical interviews that take place during the NIHR ACF recruitment window 01 October 2021 – 31 March 2023. However, where specialty specific national clinical interviews are not available (for example ST2 ACF posts) then a local clinical benchmarking process may be set up following consultation and agreement with HEE.
FAQ 14 - How do we manage the offers process?
Offers to NIHR ACF posts should be made in line with the published academic recruitment timeline, through Oriel. Following ACF interviews if the preferred applicant holds an NTN or equivalent in the same GMC specialty, they should be offered the ACF post.
A conditional offer should only be given if the top ranked applicant at the ACF interview requires clinical benchmarking. The conditional offer relates to the applicants reaching the required standard at clinical benchmarking. The first attempt at clinical benchmarking will determine the outcome of the conditional offer for the NIHR ACF post. Conditional offers for subsequent NIHR ACF applications would also require clinical benchmarking.
It is the responsibility of the HEE local office that has been allocated the ACF post to release applicant offers/conditional offers, not the HEE local office responsible for clinical benchmarking.
The applicants will be ranked based on the ACF interviews regardless of their ranking in the national clinical interview. If the top ranked ACF applicant fails clinical benchmarking, then the 2nd reserve applicant should be given an unconditional/conditional offer, dependent on the requirement for clinical benchmarking, where relevant.
Where possible the change in offer from conditional to unconditional/withdrawn following clinical benchmarking should occur as soon as possible and is not dependent on the national standard, clinical offers window, as it relates to the ACF Round 1 offers process not the national standard clinical timeframes.
FAQ 15 - Do applicants receive a rank at clinical interviews when being clinically benchmarked?
It depends on the option selected in the standard clinical application form. ACF applicants who select:
Option 1 - Academic Recruitment only will not receive a rank at the standard clinical assessments/ interviews.
Option 2 - Academic Recruitment and Specialty Training will receive a rank at the standard clinical assessments/interviews.
FAQ 16 - What happens if an applicant, who we make an academic offer to, fails to reach the required standard at clinical benchmarking?
Their conditional academic offer will need to be withdrawn by the HEE local office where the ACF will be based and this will need to be communicated to the applicant.
Under these circumstances, if the second ranked applicant already has the relevant NTN/DRN or has passed clinical benchmarking they may be offered the ACF post. If the post is rejected, then offers should continue through the ranking to the other ACF applicants deemed appointable at the ACF interview and who have been successfully clinically benchmarked (where required).
FAQ 17 - What is the required standard for NIHR ACF applicants undergoing clinical benchmarking?
Applicants who do not hold an NTN/DRN will need to be assessed and interviewed through the relevant national process for the specialty. The applicant will be required to reach the “threshold of appointability” at national selection assessment/interview. They do not need to have been ranked high enough to have received a specialty training post i.e. “appointed”.
Applicants that do not reach the appointable score threshold at national selection assessment/interview will have their ACF offer (or place on reserve list) withdrawn.
All ACF offers to applicants not holding an NTN/DRN must clearly state that this is a conditional offer subject to passing the “threshold of appointability” in the national process and that offers will be withdrawn from applicants that are unsuccessful in that process.
It is important that specialties clearly determine their appointable threshold in a way that is transparent, fair, and equitable to all ACF applicants. It is recommended as best practice that cut-off scores are agreed prior to interviews.
FAQ 18 - What is the timescale for an applicant accepting an ACF post after clinical benchmarking?
It depends on the ST level of the ACF post that they are applying for. Round 1 NIHR ACF interviews will take place in November/December 2021.
Please refer to the MDRS website for details of national recruitment and selection.
FAQ 19 - What is the process for re-advertising and recruiting to unfilled NIHR ACF posts from academic Round 1?
In order to re-advertise ACF posts, NIHR needs to be made aware of recruitment outcomes in Round 1. For example: accepted unconditional offer, conditional offer, or unfilled.
The 2022 NIHR ACF recruitment window runs from October 2021 to 31 March 2023, this is divided into Round 1 (October 2021 – January 2022) and re-adverts (February 2022 – March 2023).
Recruitment outcomes, specialty change requests, and general queries should be sent to iat@nihr.ac.uk to provide information regarding the current recruitment status of posts. An update on recruitment status should be provided to NIHR Academy as requested, or until all posts are unconditionally filled.
Re-advertising of unfilled posts should commence as soon possible after the posts have been confirmed as unfilled and NIHR has been notified. The NIHR Academy needs to be made aware of unfilled ACF posts as soon as possible. The deadline for successful applicants to be in post for 2022 allocated NIHR ACFs is 31 March 2023. Where possible, recruitment to unfilled posts should continue until the post is filled. If the post is unfilled on 31 March 2023 then the NIHR ACF post will have expired and will be withdrawn from the IAT partnership’s allocation.
FAQ 20 - How can applicants for re-advertised ACF posts attend clinical benchmarking?
To facilitate successful ACF applicants attending clinical benchmarking, where possible, re-advertised ACF posts should follow the optional timetable for re-adverts in Table 1.
Following the optional timetable is advised to maximise the availability of clinical benchmarking interviews. However, it is not mandatory and recruitment to unfilled posts should continue until the post is filled (up to 31 March 2023), assuming the applicants have already been or scheduled to be clinically benchmarked in the current round or already hold an appropriate NTN/DRN.
Successful applicants at the ACF interview should be notified of their offers as soon as possible. If successful applicants at the ACF interviews require clinical benchmarking then this should be coordinated through Health Education England (HEE) local offices and the lead recruiter for the related specialty as soon as possible to ensure placement at the national clinical training interviews, as per Round 1.
FAQ 21 - What is the process if the ACF applicant has not applied for standard clinical training in addition to the ACF?
Where national clinical recruitment at the appropriate level and specialty as the re-advertised ACF post is available in the 2022 NIHR recruitment window, applicants must also complete the clinical application form. If the clinical application is not completed, then the ACF application may be withdrawn by the lead recruiters.
FAQ 22 - If an applicant applied for an ACF in Round 1 and failed clinical benchmarking can they apply to re-advertised ACFs and another attempt at clinical benchmarking?
Yes, applicants can apply for re-advertised ACF posts and if available clinical benchmarking, but they are only permitted one attempt at clinical benchmarking per ACF.
FAQ 23 - What happens if national clinical training interviews are unavailable for clinical benchmarking?
Where standard clinical training interviews are unavailable then only the following applicants will be eligible for re-advertised ACF posts:
- applicants that hold an appropriate NTN/DRN
- applicants that are scheduled to be clinically benchmarked in the current round
- applicants that have been successfully clinically benchmarked in the current round.
FAQ 24 - When are the national clinical training interview windows for clinical benchmarking?
Please refer to the MDRS website for details of national recruitment and selection.
FAQ 25 - What if the ACF post is unfilled following the optional re-advertisement timetable?
Re-advertising unfilled NIHR ACF posts should continue beyond the optional re-advert timetable, where necessary to ensure the posts are filled by 31 March 2022. However, the NIHR ACF adverts should state that applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- they hold an appropriate NTN/DRN
- they are scheduled to be clinically benchmarked in the 2022 NIHR ACF recruitment window
- they have already been successfully clinically benchmarked in the 2022 NIHR ACF recruitment window.
FAQ 26 - Do successful ACF applicants, for re-advertised posts, who have passed clinical benchmarking in academic Round 1 have to be clinically benchmarked again?
If the ACF applicant has been clinically benchmarked in the same GMC specialty and level as their NIHR ACF application (since 2022 ACF recruitment opened) then the applicant will not require further clinical benchmarking. However, HEE local office recruitment teams will need evidence to confirm clinical benchmarking from the relevant national recruiter.
When applicants are invited to the ACF interview, the HEE local offices will be responsible for ascertaining if they require clinical benchmarking for that specialty. If the applicant has previously been deemed appointable and may even have been offered a post, they must inform the HEE local offices and provide evidence. They will not be required to undertake further clinical benchmarking.
Appendix 2 - NIHR ACF Academic Person Specification
| CRITERIA | ESSENTIAL | DESIRABLE | WHEN EVALUATED |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIGIBILITY |
|
|
|
| KNOWLEDGE & ACHIEVEMENTS |
|
|
|
| EDUCATIONAL & PERSONAL ASPECTS |
|
|
|
| COMMUNICATION SKILLS |
|
|
|
Please note that applicants with MB/PhDs or other relevant higher degrees are eligible for the scheme
‘When evaluated’ is indicative, but may be carried out at any time throughout the selection process
Appendix 3 - NIHR ACF Advert Guidance
Minimum content for 2022 NIHR ACF adverts
1. Post type
- NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship
2. GMC Specialty and level(s)
If a multi-specialty option is available, then include the following:
- Please note that an appointment may not be made in this specialty.
- There will be 1 ACF post in either <GMC Speciality 1 and levels> OR <GMC Speciality 2 and levels> OR <GMC Speciality 3 and levels>
3. Host integrated academic training partnership details
- Higher Education Institute
- NHS Organisation
- HEE local office
4. NIHR Priority Research Theme (if advertising an IAT Competition post)
- Platform Science and Bioinformatics
- Epidemiology and Public Health
- Therapeutics or Clinical Pharmacology
- Health Needs of Older People
- Dementia
- Medical Education
- Acute Care
- Mental Health
- Multimorbidity at any age
5. Proposed Research
Outline the proposed research associated with this post. If this is an IAT Competition post state how it will support the NIHR priority theme
6. The elements of the clinical and academic programme associated with the post
Either a web link or provide details
7. Details of protected academic time
8. NIHR ACF Person specification
Either attached or a web link to the document on the NIHR website
9. Links to further information
HEE local office website and NIHR website
10. Job description
As an attachment to the advert or web link.
Appendix 4 - Advertising IAT Competition Priority Research Theme posts on Oriel
IAT Competition posts are based around NIHR Priority Research Themes. They can be advertised in up to three GMC specialties.
When advertising these priority research theme posts on Oriel, it is important that advertisements can be found regardless of whether a potential applicant searches for the research theme, or for one of the GMC specialties associated with it.
To ensure that applicants do not miss advertisements, the following steps should be followed when advertising research themes on Oriel:
- Advertise Research Theme
The main Oriel advertisement should be the research theme. This is the vacancy that ACF applicants will submit their applications for.
- Advertise each of the associated specialties for information only
One information only vacancy should be created for each of the specialties associated with the research theme. This will enable applicants to search for a particular specialty that they are interested in but will only allow them to apply against the main research theme vacancy.
A link to the main advert, where individuals should apply, should be provided in the information section.
Appendix 5 – NIHR ACF Shortlisting Guidance Notes
2022 NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowships
Introduction
The shortlisting assessments for NIHR ACF posts should be appropriate for appointment to the ACF in the specialty and at the training level advertised. Each application should be rated as either “Shortlisted” or ‘Not Shortlisted’ for interview to the particular Integrated Academic Training post.
Medical/Clinical experience
Select appropriate evidence of experience relevant to the ACF post entry level
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| i) No evidence | 0 |
| ii) Minimum relevant clinical experience | 1 |
| iii) Average relevant clinical experience | 2 |
| iv) Above average relevant clinical experience | 3 |
/3
Degree in a relevant subject area
Only score the highest degree awarded
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| i) No evidence | 0 |
| ii) 2-1 Intercalated Degree (BSc/BA/MSc/MRes or equivalent) | 1 |
| iii) 1st Intercalated Degree (BSc/BA/MSc/MRes or equivalent) | 2 |
| v) Masters/MPhil/PhD/MD in a relevant subject area | 3 |
/3
Prizes
Awarded appropriate prizes indicating excellence/potential excellence for ACF
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| i) No evidence | 0 |
| ii) One or two undergraduate/ postgraduate | 1 |
| iii) More than two undergraduate/ postgraduate | 2 |
/3
Teaching experience
Score formal teaching role where evidenced or higher education teaching qualification e.g. FHEA
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| i) No evidence | 0 |
| ii) Formal teaching role | 1 |
| iii) Any higher education teaching qualification | 2 |
/2
Evidence of Scientific Publications
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| i) No evidence | 0 |
| ii) Good quality published abstract(s) as a co-author | 1 |
| iii) Several good quality published abstracts as a first author | 2 |
| iv) Publication(s) in a major journal as a co-author | 3 |
| v) Publication(s) in a major journal as a first-author | 4 |
/4
Evidence of Scientific Presentations
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| i) No evidence | 0 |
| ii) Limited to local/regional levels | 1 |
| iii) National level | 2 |
| iv) International level | 3 |
| v) Several presentations at international level | 4 |
/4
Language skills and content of evidence
Assess the written English and how applicants link their experience to the post they are applying for
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| i) No evidence of competence in written English | 0 |
| ii) Competence in and reasonable use of written English | 1 |
| iii) Criteria ii) with some relevant evidence linked to the application | 2 |
| Clear and concise use of appropriate written English, providing relevant evidence throughout | 3 |
/3
Academic experience
Rate a subjective assessment of academic experience balancing achievements with career stage.
For example, an applicant currently in their FY2 year with the same quantifiable academic achievements (publications, prizes, degrees ect.) as an applicant at ST3 level would score highly
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| i) No evidence of relevant academic experience | 0 |
| ii) Evidence of minimum relevant academic experience | 1 |
| iii) Evidence of average relevant academic experience | 2 |
| iv) Evidence of above average academic experience | 3 |
/3
Academic potential
Rate a subjective assessment of academic potential balancing achievements with career stage.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| i) No evidence of relevant academic potential | 0 |
| ii) Evidence weak | 1 |
| iii) Evidence limited | 2 |
| iv) Evidence ample | 3 |
| v) Evidence outstanding | 4 |
/4
Shortlisting Outcome
Total score = /28
Select:
Appendix 6 – NIHR ACF Interview Guidance Notes
2022 NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowships
Introduction
The interview for NIHR ACF posts should be at least 30 minutes long and appropriate for appointment to an ACF at the training level advertised. Each applicant should be rated as either ‘Appointable’ or ‘Not appointable’ to the particular Integrated Academic Training post. In addition, applicants should be ranked based on their total scores, with the highest scoring applicant being offered the post, dependent on clinical benchmarking. The remaining appointable applicants will be notified that they are appointable but are reserve applicants.
‘Average’, ‘Good’, ‘Very good’ and ‘Exceptional’ relate to comparison with ACFs already in the programme where appropriate (at the time of their appointment).
The non-linear score sheets below should be used as a minimum for questioning under the various headings, however the proposed questioning are examples only and the actual questions used are down to the panel’s discretion, following Follet Principles.
All applicants to an ACF post should assess the same datasets/publication and be asked and scored on the same questions.
ACADEMIC: SCIENTIFIC
Understanding of data
Applicant provided with a generic dataset/publication (e.g. outcomes following an intervention) - this will be released to shortlisted applicants in advance of their virtual interview. The dataset/publication should be appropriate for assessment in 10 minutes and should be no longer than 2 sides of A4.
Ability to explain a dataset concisely to a scientific audience
“Please explain the data you have been shown”
- Negative indicators: Little appreciation of issues such as experimental design, statistics, power calculations, appropriate controls.
- Positive indicators: Clear communication; Ability to summarise data/design succinctly. Discussion of relevant controls and confounders; discussion of statistical analysis
| Outcome | Score |
|---|---|
| Little or no evidence | 0 |
| Acceptable | 2 |
| Average | 4 |
| Good | 6 |
| Very good | 10 |
| Exceptional | 16 |
Comments...
Ability to explain the result to a lay audience
“Please briefly explain this data for a lay audience”
- Negative indicators: Inappropriate use of technical terms, technical language and complicated sentence structures.
- Positive indicators: Clear communication; clear, plain English summary; able to explain significance in lay terms.
| Outcome | Score |
|---|---|
| Little or no evidence | 0 |
| Acceptable | 1 |
| Average | 2 |
| Good | 3 |
| Very good | 5 |
| Exceptional | 8 |
Comments...
Evidence of academic achievements to date
This should reflect demonstrable achievements rather than ‘just’ posts held.
“Please summarise your academic achievements and your personal contribution”
- Negative indicators:Little demonstrable academic activity; academic activity without productivity
- Positive indicators: Degrees; publications; prizes; posters; presentations; projects completed (Scoring should reflect whether prizes etc. were at a local, national or international setting).
| Outcome | Score |
|---|---|
| Little or no evidence | 0 |
| Acceptable | 1 |
| Average2 | 2 |
| Good | 3 |
| Very good | 5 |
| Exceptional | 8 |
Comments...
Knowledge of science/academic medicine related to the advertised ACF post
“Can you tell us what area of research linked with this ACF post interests you?”
- Negative indicators:Little evidence of prior thought about specific projects; little evidence of knowledge of local expertise; little knowledge of relevant methodological approaches, does not know the research theme of the competition ACF post
- Positive indicators: Knowledge of area of endeavour; knowledge of local expertise; appropriate ideas for a possible project; Understanding of relevant methodological approaches (e.g. strengths and limitations), research theme if competition post
| Outcome | Score |
|---|---|
| Little or no evidence | 0 |
| Acceptable | 2 |
| Average | 4 |
| Good | 6 |
| Very good | 10 |
| Exceptional | 16 |
Comments...
Experience of research
“Can you describe your personal practical experience of research (in any form)?”
- Negative indicators: Little experience; little or superficial understanding of challenges, pitfalls, need for funding
- Positive indicators: Relevant practical experience; understanding of the pitfalls and limitations from practical experience; ability to discuss how research activities proceed in principle (in any field); ability to discuss PPI/PPE (patient/public involvement/engagement)
| Outcome | Score |
|---|---|
| Little or no evidence | 0 |
| Acceptable | 1 |
| Average | 2 |
| Good | 3 |
| Very good | 5 |
| Exceptional | 8 |
Comments...
General/broad knowledge of other areas of science/academic medicine
“Can you share with us some aspect of academic medicine/clinical or basic research that you have read recently that excited you, outside of your immediate area of interest?”
- Negative indicators: Little evidence of reading or exploration; little understanding of relevant methodological approaches available across biomedicine
- Positive indicators: Knowledge and understanding of new findings in their field; evidence of reading across fields outside their immediate interest; evidence of ability to identify a research development outside their field which could be utilised in their area of interest. Understanding of relevant methodological approaches; (e.g. strengths and limitations)
| Outcome | Score |
|---|---|
| Little or no evidence | 0 |
| Acceptable | 1 |
| Average | 2 |
| Good | 3 |
| Very good | 5 |
| Exceptional | 8 |
Comments...
Balancing your clinical and academic responsibilities
“What do you see are the challenges to balancing the clinical and academic roles? Give an example of how you have overcome similar career challenges so far. What skills will you need and how will you develop them?”
- Negative indicators: Little appreciation of issues such as time management, clinical / externally driven pressures, recourse to the support of others in protecting academic time
- Positive indicators: Clear communication; example of time management/ protecting time given; clear on need for skills to protect academic time; recourse to academic supervisor/programme director
Total score = /69
Appointability to Integrated Academic post
The panel should consider the local academic research training environment and any academic research aspirations of the applicant and determine whether those aspirations can be fulfilled through appointment to this post.
| Outcome | Score |
|---|---|
| No | Unsuccessful |
| Yes | 0 |
Interview panel to determine whether applicant is appointable to the ACF post in the institution in which it is to be held.
| Academic Outcome | Select |
|---|---|
| Unacceptable for appointment to ACF at training level advertised | Unsuccessful |
| Acceptable for appointment to ACF at training level advertised | Successful |
Applicants Name/Reference Number:
Panel Member Declaration
I will ensure that I have read the relevant 2022 NIHR ACF Guidance for Recruitment and Appointment, and as a member of the Interview Panel, understand:
The requirements I have in respect to:
- Confidentiality;
- Storage of Personal Data;
- Declaring a potential conflict of interest; and
- Equality.
That in considering the applicant and in accordance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation 2016, the Data Protection Act 2018, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Equality Act 2010, the scores and comments I have provided will be used to:
- Provide an assessment for ranking purposes;
- Inform discussion at the meetings and may be used to provide anonymised information and feedback to applicants.
Panel member name (PLEASE PRINT): …
Panel member signature: …
Date: …
Oriel privacy policy: found on the Oriel website
Optional - Additional questions
The heading, questions, negative and positive indicators should be determined prior to interview.
Heading:
Question:
Negative indicators:
Positive indicators:
| Outcome | Score |
|---|---|
| Little or no evidence | 0 |
| Acceptable | 1 |
| Average | 2 |
| Good | 3 |
| Very good | 4 |
| Exceptional | 5 |
Comments...
Heading:
Question:
Negative indicators:
Positive indicators:
| Outcome | Score |
|---|---|
| Little or no evidence | 0 |
| Acceptable | 1 |
| Average | 2 |
| Good | 3 |
| Very good | 4 |
| Exceptional | 5 |
Appendix 7 - Interview Panel Briefing Document
Interview process
Recruitment offices should use the nationally agreed NIHR ACF scoresheets for the ACF interviews. The interviews should be at least 30 minutes in duration. The IAT partnerships hosting the ACF post should provide the recruitment team with the appropriate dataset/publication ahead of the interviews. The questions, negative and positive indicators on the scoresheets for any additional questions must be completed ahead of the interviews. Panel members should have access to applications and academic references at interview and have a full briefing on the process, scoresheets and sign the code of practice.
Panel members should score individually and should not confer prior to awarding a mark. Where clinical concerns are raised about an applicant, based on their performance at interview, then they must be deemed un-appointable.
Panel wash ups should take place throughout the day, and no less frequently than twice per day. Wash ups should only include panel members who have interviewed and scored an applicant. The recruitment leads should ensure that all the panel are aware that the outcome of the interviews should not be revealed until the offers are released on 20 January 2022.
Interview roles and responsibilities
The appointment panel should have both clinical and academic representatives that reflect the IAT partnership offering the ACF programme and specialty. It is expected, in addition to the clinical and academic representative that the panel should include a lay representative – if available.
1. Lay representative (if available)
Not a medically-qualified individual but with experience of healthcare management. Their role is to provide impartial oversight of the process, ensuring that interviews are appropriate and fair. They will observe interview panels and be available to answer questions or deal with concerns on the day. If there is an issue with the interview the applicant should request to speak with a lay representative at the first opportunity.
2. Lead of the ACF training programme (or their representative)
Usually medically qualified specialists who are responsible for delivering the content of the interviews and providing quality assurance of the process. They are available to answer questions which require clinical or academic clarification during the interviews.
3. Additional representation from the relevant clinical academic community (if required)
Usually medically qualified specialists who are responsible for delivering the content of the interviews and providing quality assurance of the process. They are available to answer questions which require clinical or academic clarification during the interviews. These individuals represent the specialties of the ACF being offered and should have an awareness of the research projects/training available at the locality.
At interviews, the following additional personnel should be available:
- Recruitment Officer
This person is responsible for the smooth running of the interview process. They are usually senior administrators in the HEE Local Office/Deanery hosting the interviews and are responsible for ensuring that interview materials and data are appropriately handled. They are usually the point of contact for messages handled via helplines, escalating them appropriately. There will be an administrator present during each digital interview so that they are available to support the panel by for example, managing the panel members and candidates entering and leaving the interview. HEI IAT administrators should also be available to support HEE colleagues to ensure there is enough staffing resource.
Equality and Diversity training
All interview panel members are required to have undertaken Equality and Diversity training in the last three years. Recruiters must obtain evidence of completion of this training from the interviewers. This would normally be in the form of a certificate to confirm completion of training. Verbal confirmation from the interviewer is not acceptable evidence.
Conflicts of Interest
Recruitment leads should ensure there is a mechanism in place for interviewing panel members or trainees to declare any conflict of interest e.g. knowing an applicant. This could be achieved by providing a list of prospective applicants to the interview panel(s) before the interviews commence.
If a panel member or applicant know one another then their conflicts of interest should be declared prior to interview.
Where possible, applicants known to one or more panel members should be switched to another panel. If this is not possible then the administrative team should arrange for a lay representative or other member of the recruitment team (e.g. the recruitment lead) to be present, in addition to the interviewers, at the relevant panel.
A list of panel members should be available for applicants to review for conflicts of interest prior to interview(s). If it is not recognised in advance of the interview that an applicant is known to a panel member, and there is no opportunity to implement the measures described above, the interviewer should note their prior knowledge of the applicant on the scoresheet. The panel member should also allow the other panel members to lead the questioning for that applicant and also notify the selection team of this before or during the post interview wash up, to ensure that any potential aberrant scores can be reviewed.
Appendix 8 – Chair’s Briefing Checklist
Chair's welcome
Welcome to Panel and Introductions
While interviews are being conducted digitally, panel members should be kept to a minimum. Panel members may assume more than one role on the panel:
Attendees should include:
- A lay representative (if available)
These are not medically qualified but have experience of healthcare management. Their role is to provide impartial oversight of the process, ensuring that interviews are appropriate and fair. They will observe interview panels and be available to answer questions or deal with concerns on the day. If there is an issue with the interview the applicant should request to speak with a lay representative at the first opportunity.
- Lead of the ACF training programme or their representative
Usually medically qualified specialists who are responsible for delivering the content of the interviews and providing quality assurance of the process. They are available to answer questions which require clinical or academic clarification during the interviews.
- Additional representation from the relevant clinical academic community
Usually medically qualified specialists who are responsible for delivering the content of the interviews and providing quality assurance of the process. They are available to answer questions which require clinical or academic clarification during the interviews. These individuals represent the specialties of the ACF being offered and should have an awareness of the research projects/training available at the locality.
At interviews, the following additional personnel should be available:
- Recruitment Officer
This person is responsible for the smooth running of the interview process. They are usually senior administrators in the HEE Local Office/Deanery hosting the interviews and are responsible for ensuring that interview materials and data are appropriately handled. They are usually the point of contact for messages handled via helplines, escalating them appropriately. There will be an administrator present during each digital interview so that they are available to support the panel by for example, managing the panel members and candidates entering and leaving the interview.
Please thank members for their involvement.
Code of practice
Please remind the panel that:
HEE is committed to eliminating unjustified discrimination and to promoting equality of opportunity for all applications to our Fellowships and other training schemes. HEE welcomes applications from all sections of the community and does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, disability, age, race/ethnicity, religion or philosophical belief or sexual orientation.
In order to support this commitment, the Panel must ensure that the decisions and judgements about people are based on objective and justifiable criteria.
Quoracy
Please note that in order for the panel to have quoracy, the minimum number of panel members listed in the NIHR recruitment guidance paperwork is required to take into account the balance of expertise required for the meeting.
Conflicts of interest
You should remind the panel that they must declare all conflicts of interest with applicants. Where possible, applicants known to one or more panel members should be switched to another panel. If this is not possible then the administrative team should arrange for a lay representative or other member of the recruitment team (e.g. the recruitment lead) to be present, in addition to the interviewers, at the relevant panel.
Interview process
You should remind Panel members of the purpose of the ACF interview and indicate if any of the posts are competition posts and that the applicants should demonstrate a knowledge/interest in the research theme associated with the post.
Additional questions should be determined prior to the interviews.
Determine who is leading on each interview question, with all panel members scoring each question, independently.
Panel Process for discussion of applications
On the basis of the scores and comments received from Panel members a rank list is produced. The panel should determine the cut off for appointability for the ACF posts. The top ranked applicant will be offered the NIHR ACF, if the applicant requires clinical benchmarking the offer will be conditional on them reaching the level of appointability at national clinical assessment.
If the top ranked applicant withdraws or does not reach the level of appointability at clinical benchmarking then the post will be offered to the next highest ranked applicant.
Closing Remarks
Please remind Panel members that they should not discuss the outcome of today’s interview. All enquiries about the outcome and requests for feedback should be directed to the HEE.
The offers date for ACF Round 1 interviews is 20 January 2022.
Please thank the Panel.