>> Associate Specialists

• Established for doctors committed to a career in the hospital service, who are unable to complete higher professional training or who having completed it, are unable or do not wish to accept the full responsibility of a Consultant appointment.
• Entry Criteria – 10 years medical work since qualification. Minimum of 4 years as Registrar, Specialist Registrar or Staff Grade, at least two of which should have been in the appropriate speciality. Equivalent service eg. Clinical Assistant is also acceptable with the agreement of the relevant College or Faculty Regional Advisor and of the Regional Postgraduate Dean.
• MRCP is not a requirement
• Senior Hospital Doctor.
• A career grade.
• Responsible to a named Consultant but can work independently without supervision.
• Professional contract similar to that of Consultant.
• Full time = 11 notional half days (NHD).
• 1 NHD = 3½ hours.
• Maximum part timers (10 NHD) and part timers (9 NHD or less) are entitled to up to ½ hour travelling time to and from sessions (up to one hour total).
• Those with particular onerous duties can be eligible for up to 2 additional NHDs
• RCP and BMA recommend 5 – 7 fixed NHDs for maximum part time or full time AS. For part time doctors at least ½ of NHDs per week should be fixed. At least 2 NHDs per week of the flexible sessions should be allocated for CME and Audit. If part time doing 3 – 5 fixed NHDs at least 2 flexible sessions are included for CPD, clinical audit and administration duties.
• Annual job plan and appraisal.
• Starting salary – account is taken of previous equivalent service. Can be started on higher incremental point than minimum.
• Paid study leave and expenses – 30 days in 3 years.
• Annual leave – 6 weeks per year.
• When reach top of incremental point can apply for discretionary points. Doctors have to show they have demonstrated skills and expertise beyond what would normally be expected and to have made an outstanding contribution to the service of patients, teaching, research and the development of the service.
• 3 months notice on both sides

Leaflets

BMA - The Associate Specialist
           Model workload for Associate Specialists in all specialities
           Circular on Job Plans for Associate Specialists in all specialities
RCP - Recommendation for job plans and job description for Associate Specialists