Guidance for training

The clinical radiology and interventional radiology curricula are developed to meet GMC standards for post-graduate medical education. The GMC published their latest standards "Excellence by Design" in 2017 and all specialities are updating their curricula to meet the new standards. The new Clinical Radiology and Interventional Radiology curricula will come into effect in August 2020. 

The Gold Guide, published by the Conference of Post-graduate Medical Deans (COPMeD), sets out the arrangements for specialty training as agreed by all four nations' health departments.

The Specialty training handbook: A guide to the RCR’s role in training gives you an overview of what the RCR does and doesn't do in the arena of specialty training.

Via the links below, you will find additional information and guidance on various aspects of training which we hope will be of use to both trainees and trainers. If there are additional resources that you feel should be added to this page, please email the training team.

Guidance on training in radiology

Less than full-time training

More and more doctors are choosing to train and work less than full-time. This page explains the different reasons to choose LTFT working, how to apply for it and also provides advice, guidance and support from the RCR's LTFT representatives.

Supported return to training

The RCR is keen to support radiology trainees who are returning to training after a period of absence. With this in mind, we have developed a return to training toolkit which provides advice and guidance tailored to radiology. Also under the banner of supported return is information and advice to help you develop your own local return to training course.

Out of programme activities

There are many out of programme activities that trainees can undertake. This page gives information about the options available and how to apply.

Research in training

All trainees are required to be involved in some research activity during training and the academic committee has provided some guidance and suggestions on how trainees can achieve this.

Interventional radiology training

There are a number of guidance documents related to sub-specialisation in interventional radiology:

• Guidance for CR(I) Recruitment and Training
• Guidance for trainees considering IR
• Guidance for training programme directors
• Guidance on the balance between IR and vascular surgery training

Scientific basis of imaging and molecular imaging training resources

Functional and molecular imaging techniques are becoming more prominent in both research institutions and day to day clinical practice. To reflect this, they are included in the clinical radiology curriculum as both core content on the scientific basis of imaging and higher-level content for those wishing to specialise in molecular imaging. In order to help trainees, a variety of resources have been identified and collated for ease of access.

On-call and handover guidance

The on-call and handover guidance originally published in 2016 has been updated and is now available. Whilst the RCR cannot define working arrangements, we can give guidance that ensures on-call work for trainees can maximise learning and that appropriate support is available. 

Maintenance of core competencies

Trainees are expected to maintain core competencies throughout their final years of special interest or sub-specialty training. We have provided some practical guidance on how trainees, training programmes and ARCP panels can manage this.

Cross-cover by doctors in training

Health Education England issued some guidance for trainees about providing cross-cover outside their training programmes in times of exceptional service need.

Reflective Practice

Undertaking reflective practice is an important part of all doctors’ working lives. The following resources provide guidance on the subject.

• Academy of Medical Royal Colleges publication on guidance for reflective practice
• Academy of Medical Royal Colleges: Facilitating reflection: A guide for supervisors
• The Medical Protection Society Limited (MPS) information on the legal use of reflective practice and eportfolios

Tax relief for trainees

As of 14 May 2013, all mandatory fees paid by medical trainees throughout their training may be tax-deductible. The College can provide receipts for payments made from 14 May 2013, please contact membership@rcr.ac.uk. For more information about the legislation or to find out how to receive this tax relief please visit the HMRC website.

Currency of examinations

Where trainees enter an approved training programme and wish to record previously undertaken exams in their chosen specialty, the College will adopt the guidance of the GMC. The GMC guidance on currency of exams states "An examination may be taken before the candidate enters the relevant GMC-approved training programme or when they are on a break in the programme. In this scenario, the pass will be considered current as long as the candidate enters or re-enters the programme within seven years of passing the examination and satisfies any other currency requirements determined by the relevant royal college or faculty."

Training roles and responsibilities

Regional Specialty Adviser (RSA)

RSAs are the regional representatives of the RCR with respect to education and training. Have a look at the RSAs page to see more about their role, the list of current RSAs and vacancies.

College Tutor

College tutors are appointed to support RSAs. While there will be just one RSA per region, there is likely to be a College Tutor in each training department within a region. The terms of reference explain more about their role.

SPA time and postgraduate education

The provision of training and education is a fundamental activity within the NHS and we have issued some guidance about how different training roles should be recognised though SPAs.

Supervision

Training for supervisors

The RCR runs Supervisor Skills, Training the Trainer and Trainee in Difficulty events throughout the year. See the event listings for dates and details.

Resources for supervisors

HEE has published a suite of resources for supervisors on "Enhancing supervision for postgraduate doctors in training".