>> Staff Grade Doctors

• A non-training career grade.
• A secure hospital career for those doctors who are unwilling or unable to become a Consultant but who wish to remain in hospital medicine.
• Either – A minimum of 3 years full time hospital service in SHO or higher grade including adequate training in relevant speciality or equivalent experience.
• MRCP is not a requirement
• Sessions – 4 hours (including reasonable time for refreshment).
• Whole time (10 sessions) or part time.
• No strict limit on number of sessions. Can be paid for more than 10.
• RCP and BMA recommend 5 – 7 fixed sessions for a 10 session (full time job). For part time SGs at least half of the sessions should be fixed commitments (eg. out patient clinics, operating lists, multidisciplinary ward rounds or regularly scheduled sessions).
• It is recommended that at least 2 flexible sessions are included for CPD, audit and administration for full time posts and part timers even those with 3 – 5 fixed sessions.
• Onerous workload or significant extra responsibilities can be remunerated through extra sessions.
• Part timers are eligible for the award of a temporary but not a regular additional session to cover for absences other than annual or study leave or for unfilled vacancies.
• 50 locum sessions per year may be allowed to cover for a colleague on annual or study leave provided time off in lieu cannot be granted.
• Sessional allocation can be reviewed at annual job plan meeting.
• Usually probationary year and then extended without term and held until retirement
• Fixed term contracts are disapproved of.
• SG should be able to compete for Specialist Registrar posts on an equal basis with other doctors.
• Responsible to a named Consultant.
• An appropriate level of Consultant supervision should be provided. The degree of supervision will depend on the experience of the individual SG.
• 3 months notice – on both sides.
• Annual leave – 5 weeks first 2 years then 6 weeks.
• Paid study leave and expenses – 30 days in 3 years.
• Optional points – when on top of pay scale. Expected to demonstrate skills and expertise beyond what would normally be expected of the grade.
• Annual job plan meeting and appraisal.
• Employing authorities may appoint a Staff Grade at any point on the pay scale including the optional points.

Leaflets

BMA -The Staff Grade
          Circular on job plans for Staff Grades in all specialities
RCP - Recommendation for job plans and job description for Staff Grades in medicine