Introduction
Clinical Supervisors are a very important feature of the Clinical School and the system of clinical supervisions is greatly valued by our undergraduate students. It is perceived to be one of the strengths of the Clinical School’s courses.
Covid-19 Update
Whilst the guidance on medical education provision and clinical training arrangements need to be followed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Clinical Supervisor recruitment very much remains open, with the role of the Clinical Supervisor perhaps assuming even more importance in the present circumstances.
Whether face-to-face bedside teaching sessions (with a few students at a time) or teaching sessions that are taking place remotely, both students and supervisors alike are deriving great value from the sessions and much has been learned about effective remote teaching over the pandemic.
If you are based in Cambridge (Addenbrookes or Papworth) and are not in Paediatrics, the eligibility section explains who can apply for this post.
If you are based in Paediatrics at Addenbrookes or in one of our partner regional hospitals the eligibility for the post will be determined by the paediatrics department or regional trust. Please contact the relevant administrator for more information.
What’s involved?
If you:
- enjoy teaching clinical students
- could spare approximately an hour a week
- are prepared to commit to teaching a small group of students (6-9) for ideally a year or more and, at the minimum, no less than 6 months
- are prepared to deliver 8 sessions minimum per term
you might like to think about becoming an Undergraduate Clinical Supervisor.
- In addition if you are based in Cambridge you will be able to get a link with a Cambridge College. See FAQ section for more details on this.
There are different application processes depending on where you are based at the time of applying to become an Undergraduate Clinical Supervisor. The application stages section explains how the applications process works for your location.
Where are you currently based?
Whether you are based in Cambridge (Addenbrookes and/or Papworth) OR in one of our partner regional hospitals, you can apply on this website to become an Undergraduate Clinical Supervisor.
Once you have submitted your application form, your application will be e-mailed directly to the Administration Team for either the hospital at which you are based, or in the case of you being at Addenbrookes and your specialty being Paediatrics your application will be e-mailed directly to the Addenbrookes Paediatric Department.
How it works
The teaching is clinical bedside teaching on medical and surgical wards. The main objectives are to develop the students’ clinical and communication skills (history and examination skills) clinical reasoning/decision making skills and “Ward Craft”. The supervisions are not for sub-specialty, pathology or theoretical teaching.
Remuneration
In return for the clinical supervisions you carry out you will receive a small payment (as the teaching you deliver will be in addition to any teaching commitment included in your NHS contract).
Cambridge-based non-Paediatric supervisors assess their students and submit supervision reports to the relevant colleges through the Cambridge College Online Reporting System (CamCORS).
Paediatric and regionally based supervisors assess their students as directed by that department or regional trust. This will be explained by the appointing department or Trust.
Appraisal
You will be able to discuss your progress as a clinical supervisor through an annual appraisal which can be included in your postgraduate training portfolio for your Annual Review of Competence Progression.
Once appointed, clinical supervisors should encourage their group of students to provide feedback about the teaching provided. This happens via an anonymous form they are asked by the Clinical School to complete about the teaching they have received. Where feedback is received about you, you will provided with a copy at your annual appraisal.
Cambridge-based supervisors book themselves onto a 15 minute appraisal slot which usually will takes place in the Clinical School between January and March each year. This is a one-to-one discussion with a faculty member of the Clinical Supervisor Programme.
Paediatrics and regionally-based supervisors will be advised by their department or regional Trust about how the appraisal system works where they are based.
Training
As a clinical supervisor you will be eligible to apply for the Clinical School’s Integrated Foundations of Medical Education (IFME) programme – please note that there is separate information and a separate application process for this programme. Details about the IFME programme can be found in the Education section of the Clinical School webpages.
For more information about becoming a clinical supervisor please read the Clinical Supervisor Guidelines
and please watch the Recruitment video (particularly if you are a Cambridge-based applicant – please watch the video before making an application).
Please also read the Application Stages before making an application.
We have included a Frequently Asked Questions page which you may find useful.