Diploma of Geriatric Medicine senior examiner

As Professor Michael Vassallo nears the end of his very successful term as the Diploma in Geriatric Medicine (DGM), the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Assessment Unit is looking to recruit a new DGM senior examiner to continue Professor Vassallo’s excellent work.

From February 2025, across a tenure of three years, the DGM senior examiner will work alongside the RCP Assessment Unit, which is based at the Spine, Liverpool, to provide clinical insight and leadership in relation to the conduct of the DGM, ensuring that the examination remains relevant and robust. 

The key responsibilities of the post holder will be:

  • Chairing the DGM examination board;
  • Ensuring the DMG is conducted fairly and in line with RCP procedures;
  • Supporting the knowledge-based assessment (KBA) and clinical examination leads in the production of exam materials and the recruitment, training and management of examiners;
  • Representing the PANE examination board on relevant groups and committees.

Applicants should:

  • be a statutory regulated healthcare professional, in good standing with the relevant regulatory body
  • be in active clinical practice
  • have at least six years’ experience of working with older people as a significant part of their clinical workload
  • be up to date with equality and diversity training and appraisal process
  • have been actively engaged in the training of resident doctors within the last two years, and to be up to date as appropriate with national guidelines
  • in addition, experience of DGM examining and/or Board membership is desirable.

The ideal candidate will meet the criteria above and will be passionate about the provision of care for older people and the development of academic standards. They will engage effectively with clinician colleagues and RCP Assessment Unit staff alike to consolidate and strengthen the DGM.

The DGM Examination Board meet once per year, with the DGM Development Group meeting twice per year, all via Microsoft Teams. There are two clinical examination periods per year, typically in June and November. All clinical examinations are held at the Spine, Liverpool. In addition, the senior examiner will work with the RCP Assessment Unit and examiner colleagues between these meetings and examinations. The total time commitment annually is approximately seven days.

Applicants should forward a short CV (2 pages) and a covering letter outlining their suitability for the role to Steven Ansty via Assessment.Unit@rcp.ac.uk by 09:00 UK time on 4 November 2024. 

For further information about the post please contact Steven Ansty via Assessment.Unit@rcp.ac.uk or 0151 318 1888. 

Interviews will take place the week commencing 25 November 2024, via Microsoft Teams.

The interview panel will consist of:

  • Dr Celia Bielawski (Clinical Lead for Assessment, RCP Assessment Unit)
  • Jasmine Sands (Head of Research & Psychometrics, RCP Assessment Unit)
  • Steven Ansty (Head of Development & Standards, RCP Assessment Unit).