The advice zone
Got a career or university related problem that needs answering? Can't find the right person to point you in the right direction? Log on to the Advice Zone at www.bmjcareers.com/advicezone to post a question or to see if one of our experts has already solved your problem
Any tips on starting in a new place of work?
Starting in a new place of work is a regular occurrence
for junior doctors on rotations moving round every six months or sometimes
more often. For more senior doctors or doctors returning to medicine after
a career break - general practitioners and consultants - this may
be much more infrequent and therefore much more daunting.
- Be prepared. Information is power on your first day. If there's
an induction day, go to it if you can, even if it means attending the fire
lecture; you'll have a chance to meet other new doctors and probably
some who are returning to the hospital. Find out essential information
before you arrive: location of the car park, the accommodation, the nearest
sandwich shop, and the doctors' mess. Have a chat with the outgoing
doctor from your post as soon as you're offered the job, to get the
low down. Remember too, that they've been in post for the past few
months and will be ready to move on - stay positive even if what they
say isn't. Find out if you are going to be on-call on your first day:
forewarned is forearmed.
- Smile. Even if you've travelled from Kent to Glasgow
in the past 24 hours, make an effort. First impressions are made within 30
seconds of someone meeting you. Even the most hardened night sister has a
soft underbelly somewhere.
- Ask questions. You won't know everything at 9 am on your first
day. If you're a junior doctor, you are there to learn as well as to
do the job. It is safer to ask than to guess if you're not sure. Be
brave and bleep your seniors with seemingly daft
questions - you'll have to ask only once.
- Find your allies. A new job is like a new school playground - not
everyone will be your friend, and indeed there may be some less pleasant
characters around. You may find that a healthcare assistant or cleaner is a
good source of information, based on a lifetime of experience on the same
ward.
- Know your boundaries. All this positive thinking may be making you feel
like a pushover. Just because you're new, it doesn't mean that
you have to make tea for all the midwives. Don't start habits that
you don't want to continue. Don't do jobs that other people are
employed to do. However, doing your bit for the team from the outset will
stand you in good stead. Be aware of your working style and if you feel
your methods being questioned then explain. Don't let those raised
eyebrows become huddles in corners discussing your failings.
- Address difficulties. This can be a challenge if you're in a post for
only six months. There are things that are unchangeable, but some things
you can do differently. If all your senior house officer colleagues are
experiencing similar problems, for example, then it may be worth discussing
these with your consultant, especially if you already have an alternative,
better plan. If your problems are your own, look for help and support. This
can be formally through clinical directors or your postgraduate dean or
informally by chatting to colleagues. It may be that simply changing your
attitude improves the problem, although the slow pace of change for junior
doctor jobs has been partly due to the "I'm only here for six
months" attitude.
- Enjoy yourself. As a doctor you will spend a large proportion of your
life at work. If it's not going well for you, find out why. Is it the
people? Is it the hours? Is it the NHS? Is it the specialty? Be aware of
the part of your day that you enjoy, when you don't notice the time.
Is it talking to patients? Or is it putting them to sleep? You are here to
learn your specialty, but you may also be here as a human being somewhere
along the road of your career. Now may be the time to look again, or to bed
down into the comforting place of work that feels right for you.
Zoe Goodman, salaried general practitioner, Leeds
I'm a Senior House Officer and I need to live
my life for a while. Can I return to medicine in five years' time?
The flexible careers scheme currently funds doctors who
want to return to hospital medicine providing they have not been out of
clinical practice for more than five years. Funding is for a maximum of six
months full time or equivalent part time in a supernumerary post and is
subject to the individual doctor being able to organise a suitable
placement. Most deaneries have an associate dean who manages the flexible
careers scheme. Details can be obtained from NHS Professionals (tel 0845
606 0345).
The postgraduate dean needs to be satisfied that a six
month placement (or equivalent part time) is sufficient for the applicant,
to reach a standard where they can compete ,in open competition for a NHS
post.
- It must be at
least two years since the applicant last worked in a substantive NHS post
- The applicant
must have at least 12 months whole time equivalent previous work in a
substantive NHS post (can include preregistration posts)
- The applicant
will be required to supply references from their last period of employment
in the NHS
- The applicant
must have been out of clinical practice for no more than five years. If the
applicant has been out of clinical practice for more than five years, then
he or she must first undertake a clinical attachment before being
considered for the scheme
- The applicant
must have full registration with the General Medical Council and be in good
standing with the GMC
- The applicant
must be able to demonstrate full compliance with occupational health and
Criminal Records Bureau clearance requirements
- The applicant
must have settled status in the United Kingdom or indefinite leave to
remain.
It is not known if this funding will be available in
five years' time. You would be taking a risk by leaving medicine and
may not be able to return successfully. You might find it helpful to get
some career counselling, perhaps at your trust or postgraduate deanery.
Anne Hastie, director
of postgraduate general practice education, London Deanery
I wish to specialise in infectious diseases. When is
the best time to do a PhD and will I get paid a salary?
When is the best time to do a PhD? Anytime really. You
may have more flexibility before you get your training number, or you may
be able to make arrangements during your specialist training. The
postgraduate dean may be able to advise you on this. Will you get paid a
salary while studying? This depends on who funds your PhD. Wellcome and
Medical Research Council grants usually include basic salary, but you may
lose some income from out of hours or on-call.
Tim O'Dempsey, senior
lecturer in clinical tropical medicine, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
studentBMJ 2005;13:221-264 June ISSN 0966-6494
