Opportunity Review: Academic Lead for Medicine (Lincoln)
This review offers insight into the Academic Lead for Medicine (Lincoln) position, based at the Medical School, Lincoln. It aims to guide potential candidates by highlighting the advantages and key considerations for their career progression.
About the Role and Its Advantages:
This exciting role is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development and delivery of medical education at the Lincoln Medical School (LMS), a collaborative initiative between the Universities of Nottingham and Lincoln. As LMS embarks on its journey towards full independence, this position offers a chance to be at the forefront of innovation in curriculum design, teaching, and assessment within the field of Medicine.
Key advantages for candidates include:
- Impactful Curriculum Development: You will play a pivotal role in shaping LMS's independent medical curriculum, leading innovations in teaching, learning, and assessment. This is an excellent chance to leave a lasting mark on medical education.
- Collaborative Environment: The role fosters close working relationships with medical sub-specialty leads at Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group (LCHG) and the Academic Attachment Lead for Medicine (Nottingham), offering a rich collaborative experience.
- Flexible Working: The position is offered on a part-time basis (up to 0.3 FTE, negotiable) and can be worked flexibly, accommodating various personal and professional commitments. This offers a strong work-life balance.
- Professional Growth: The role provides opportunities to align the curriculum with national frameworks, including GMC standards, and contribute to assessments as an examiner. This will enhance your expertise in medical education quality assurance.
- Supportive Team: You will join a developing medical school that is committed to delivering high-quality education and ensuring an exceptional student experience. The team is dedicated to the success of LMS and its students.
- Career Progression: The University of Nottingham is committed to staff development, offering training, continued support, and opportunities for career advancement.
Key Responsibilities and What They Mean for Your Career:
The responsibilities of this role are designed to foster significant professional development:
- Curriculum Leadership: Collaborating to define learning outcomes and overseeing curriculum content will hone your strategic planning and educational design skills.
- Alignment with National Standards: Ensuring alignment with GMC guidelines, Outcomes for Graduates, and the Medical Licensing Assessment demonstrates a commitment to best practices in medical education and strengthens your understanding of regulatory requirements.
- Teaching and Assessment Expertise: Standardising teaching, contributing to assessments, and providing feedback will deepen your pedagogical skills and assessment strategies.
- Curriculum Innovation: Leading the design and implementation of an independent medical curriculum is a significant opportunity to showcase your innovative thinking and curriculum development capabilities.
- Quality Assurance: Developing a strategy for quality management and ensuring compliance with GMC standards will equip you with valuable experience in educational governance and continuous improvement.
Key Considerations for Candidates:
To excel in this role, candidates should possess the following qualifications and attributes:
- Academic and Professional Standing: An MBBS or equivalent, CCT in General Internal Medicine or a medical sub-specialty (or eligibility within 6 months), and a recognised HEA teaching qualification (at least Associate Fellowship) are essential.
- Clinical and Research Excellence: Membership/Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and a PhD or equivalent in a medical specialty or medical education, or extensive equivalent professional/teaching/research experience, are highly valued.
- Teaching and Communication Skills: Proven experience in undergraduate medical student teaching, excellent oral and written communication, and strong influencing skills are crucial for effective collaboration and delivery.
- Teamwork and Independence: The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, with strong delegation skills, is vital.
- Commitment to Quality: A demonstrated commitment to delivering high-quality services to students and fostering collaborative links with partners like the NHS and GMC is paramount.
- Fixed-Term Nature: Please note that this is a fixed-term post until 31 May 2030.
Benefits and Rewards:
Beyond the professional advantages, the University of Nottingham offers a comprehensive package of benefits:
- A friendly, diverse, and supportive working environment.
- Hybrid working arrangements for a balanced approach.
- Generous holiday entitlement (30 days plus bank holidays and university closure days).
- A reward scheme recognizing excellent work.
- Commitment to staff development through training and career progression.
- Access to a range of benefits including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, and travel schemes.
This role presents a compelling opportunity for experienced medical educators to contribute to the growth and success of a new and dynamic medical school, while advancing their own careers in medical education.