The BSSH is seeking expressions of interest for the position of Chair of the Education and Training Committee. The role is for a three year term from January 2025 – December 2027. Whilst the role itself does not begin until January 2025, we would anticipate there being an induction period of around 3 months this year, overlapping with the current Chair and a 3 month period of mentoring in 2025.
Closing date:
Please complete and return the attached application form to secretariat@bssh.ac.uk by 9am Monday 22nd July 2024.
Purpose of the Committee
The aim of Education and Training Committee is to further the education and training agenda of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH). This covers the inception, development, promotion and maintenance of activity related to continuing professional development of trainees, established consultant surgeons and associated professionals with an interest in Hand Surgery as well as patients.
Eligibility and selection criteria
The Chair should be a full member with previous experience on a BSSH committee. Applicants will benefit from having enthusiasm for all facets of education and leadership/management skills.
Shortlisting will be undertaken by the Education and Training Committee and interviews will be held when there is more than one suitable candidate.
The interview panel will be composed of the current BSSH committee Chair, a committee representative, a BSSH Council Trustee or Officer Representative and another committee Chair.
The Chair’s duties include:
- Leading and helping to develop the BSSH Education and Training Strategy
- Co-ordinating the various roles of the Committee, setting projects, tasks and deadlines.
- Having oversight of the committee’s projects and activities.
- Chairing Committee meetings twice each year in March and September.
- Attendance and reporting at Council meetings 2-3 times each year.
- Reviewing requests for course badging by the BSSH.
- Liaison with the secretariat regarding Committee membership and appointments.
- Liaison with BOA, BAPRAS, and RCS concerning revalidation and recertification.
- Liaison with BAHT and the Patient representatives.
General Responsibilities of the Committee
- Promotion and support of the education and training of all Hand Surgeons and associated professionals with an interest in Hand Surgery.
- Developing opportunities to optimise training and mentoring in Hand Surgery.
- Judging and awarding the Stack Fellowship, the BSSH Educational Grant, the BSSH Education and Travel Bursary, the Medical Student Elective Bursary, and the Educational Presentation Prize.
- Awareness of issues of affecting training; bringing ideas, opinions and articles to the attention of other members for discussion.
- Completing work-in-progress in good time for the thrice-annual Council meetings.
Working methods
- Email and telephone whenever possible- response within 7 days to 10 days excepting when on leave.
- Meetings (face to face and virtual) twice yearly, March and September to allow preparation for presentation at the subsequent council meeting.
- Meeting times and venue to be set 1 year in advance.
Time commitment
The duties as Chair do require a considerable amount of time.
- You will be committing to approximately 2-4 hours/week.
- You will need to respond to the secretariat team in a timely manner. 7-10 working days of a query or correspondence.
- Attendance at the E&T meeting and at council when required – necessitating 5 days of professional leave per year.
Current Projects allocated to Committee Members
- Maintenance of the Coaching and Mentoring Training programme.
- Ensuring the continuation of the BSSH Visiting Fellowship.
- BSSH patient information project collaboration.
- Expanding the BSSH’s Educational role with GPSIs and MSK Physios etc by creating training materials, including e-learning.
- WALANT website integration to BSSH portfolio.
- STASH (Student and Trainee Association for Surgery of the Hand) development and monitoring.
- Learning Log development for trainees in a range of specialties.
If you are interested being considered as Chair for the Education and Training committee, please register your expression of interest by completing this form and emailing it to secretariat@bssh.ac.uk by 9am Monday 22nd July 2024.
For an informal chat about the position you can contact me, Meg Birks, via secretariat@bssh.ac.uk
I can assure you that, despite the hard work, the Education and Training Committee is an enjoyable and fruitful experience. I would highly recommend it and look forward to receiving your application.
Applications will be formally considered by the committee on 26th September with the anticipation that you will attend an interview not long after to consider the final appointment. There will be a period of handover, details to be agreed with me as the existing chair.
Meg Birks
Chair BSSH Education and Training Committee
Apply here