Recruiting CTFs, new bleeps, and a new placement for TCMS
Academy news, March 2025
Spring Away!
The Undergraduate Academy is looking ahead to our Spring “Development Day” later this month. Development Day is our staff and faculty “away” half-day conference. This spring it will be held at the nearby Worcester Woods Country Park. This means we can all enjoy a short walk over from our base at the Charles Hastings Education Centre, which is fitting because this year we will be joined by Dr Paul Southall to take a closer look at the Academy’s environmental sustainability – what we’re doing already, and what we could be doing more! We’ll also be joined by Prof Kay Mohanna from the University of Worcester, who will be presenting on Problem-based Learning (PBL) and taking us through the Three Counties Medical School’s new plans to introduce Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships for their students.
Poster for the Spring Development Day, 2025
Clinical Teaching Fellows - learning and teaching
As we welcome March, our Clinical Teaching Fellows (CTFs) are gearing up for a busy month filled with study days and, hopefully, some warmer weather to match their enthusiasm! As well as eagerly anticipating the Academy Development Day, promising to be a day of growth, collaboration, and inspiration, the CTFs will also be continuing their own learning journeys through their PGCert and PGDip courses.
Our 2024-2025 Clinical Teaching Fellows: Drs Imam, Komal, Kirsty, Jessica, Jagdeep, Charlotte, Hannah, Lucy, and Ellie. Not pictured: Dr Alex (on maternity leave)
And we’re recruiting!
We are also now recruiting for CTFs for the 2025-2026 academic year. Seeking doctors eligible for full GMC Registration, MBChB, MBBS or equivalent medical qualification, having completed F2 training or equivalent - for a fast-moving, highly rewarding and much in demand position with us here at the Academy.
A brand new placement for Three Counties Medical School
We are excited to welcome Year 2 TCMS students for the very first time this month, as they embark on a brand new placement for the Academy, beginning 17 March 2025. This marks a significant milestone both for them, and for the Academy, and we look forward to supporting their growth and learning.
New bleep for Clinical Skills
The Clinical Skills team is in the process of launching a new practical skills advice bleep. Available now, students can contact the team by pager, should they need advice or assistance with skills sign-off in clinical practice. The bleep number is 304 and will be in use Monday to Friday, 08.00-16.00.
New course for Simulation
In another brand new first for the Clinical Skills and Simulation team, they carried out an ISH (Intermediate Support Huddle) course for our midwifery colleagues. This is a course designed to help colleagues look after one another and debrief distressing clinical scenarios. Nursing midwifery and AHP staff are encouraged to book onto the ISH course via ESR. Medical staff can book via the Postgraduate office mailbox.
OSCEs
Preparations are in full swing for the Year 4 OSCEs, scheduled for April 2025. We are committed to ensuring that our students are well-prepared and confident as they approach this important assessment, and that the day runs smoothly and as stress-free as feasibly possible for students, Academy staff and examiners.
Mental Health First Aid
In other news, we are proud to share that Julia and Harry are undertaking a "Mental Health First Aid” course. Their dedication to enhancing their skills in this crucial area is commendable and stands to benefit our community greatly.
Material from the Mental Health First Aid course (MHFA England)
Movements
Last month, we welcomed year 4 SPM A and SPC students to the Academy for their clinical placement. And we welcomed two Warwick students to the academy on the 17 Feb who will be working at the Alexandra Hospital site on placement, with a series of tutorials and bedside teaching sessions, as well as participating in simulation and our Escape Room sim on 25 Feb.
As we step into March, we anticipate the arrival of Year 5 UoB Assistantships, who will be joining us on placement starting from 10 of March 2025.
For our Year 3 Birmingham students, the month ahead brings three exciting carousel days, designed to hone their practical skills. These sessions will focus on the key areas of cardiology, neurology, endocrinology, and respiratory, providing invaluable knowledge and experience.
As we celebrate new beginnings, we also bid fond farewell to our Year 4 Birmingham students. They will be completing their study days and final teaching sessions with us, marking the end of an enriching chapter and the start of their next professional adventures.
Upcoming dates for the diary
Fri 14 March: Last day for Year 4
Mon 17 March: TCMS CA2 Induction
Wed 26 March: Staff and faculty Development Day at Worcester Woods Country Park
Thu 27 March: Last day for SCP2
Fri 28 March: Year 5 Assistantship end
Mon 31 March: SCP3 Warwick Induction
Tue 8 - Wed 9 April: Year 4 OSCEs at the Alex
Mist - and planes - over Worcester, early March 2025 (Photo: Bob Churchill)