North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

PCH Anaesthesia and RCOA Primary MCQ Examination Fellow

The closing date is 26 April 2026

Job summary

This is a new and exciting opportunity for a post Primary FRCA candidate with an interest in education and assessment.

The post is for a period of one year initially, renewable by mutual consent. The successful candidate will work flexibly within the Department of Anaesthesia and for the RCOA Exams Department under the supervision of the Chair of the Primary MCQ also based in Peterborough.

The Fellow will have the opportunity to work closely with the RCOA Primary Examiners and RCOA Examinations Department, under local supervision by the Chair of the Primary MCQ Group. You will work closely with the leads of the FRCA Primary Written Core Group providing valuable advice and a trainee perspective on single best answer (SBA) content, design and paper setting.

You will be funded by the RCOA to undertake a 1 year part-time Post Graduate Certificate (PGCert) in Medical Education. If you have already completed a PGCert or PGDip in Medical Education, you may use the funding to continue your studies with the next level of the same course (PGDip or Masters)

Main duties of the job

As the Primary MCQ Examinations Fellow, you will provide on-call cover on the Senior Tier Rota (CT3 and above; 1 in 8) which involves providing support to the theatre, obstetric and critical care on call teams. Further training and supervision will be available as needed and required. Your normal working day shifts will be dedicated to RCOA Primary Examination Fellow duties, which can be performed remotely.

Your Fellowship duties will include tasks relating to development and maintenance of the Primary MCQ, focused around the planned changes to the exam. This will include: finalising the exam blueprint, creation of question resources, SBA question writing and editing (training provided), and advising on/assisting with management of the SBA bank. Other potential projects can be discussed with the Chair, including development of content for affiliate examiners, development of resources for exam candidates, and evaluation/assurance projects related to the Primary MCQ.

About us

We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, with a special focus on welcoming individuals from disabled, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, as well as those from our local area.

In line with our dedication to employee support, we offer a variety of benefits. For more information, please see the attached staff benefits leaflet.

We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees feel valued and empowered to excel in their roles. Join us and become part of a team dedicated to making a positive difference in our community.

Details

Date posted

10 April 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Doctor - other

Salary

£65,048 to £73,992 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

176-S-7678023

Job locations

Peterborough City Hospital

Bretton Gate

Peterborough

PE3 9GZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

The role will involve review of live Primary Exam questions; the successful candidate will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement and will be responsible for ensuring that they maintain the integrity of the dataset.

The RCOA Fellow duties are intended to allow flexible working. Some travel to the College in Red Lion Square, London may be required (approximately 4-5 individual days per year, expenses paid).

The successful candidate will be responsible to the Lead Clinician for Anaesthesia and accountable to the Chief Executive at NWAFT. The successful candidate will be responsible to the Chair of the Primary FRCA Written Exam and accountable to the Director of Education, Training and Examinations at the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role will involve review of live Primary Exam questions; the successful candidate will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement and will be responsible for ensuring that they maintain the integrity of the dataset.

The RCOA Fellow duties are intended to allow flexible working. Some travel to the College in Red Lion Square, London may be required (approximately 4-5 individual days per year, expenses paid).

The successful candidate will be responsible to the Lead Clinician for Anaesthesia and accountable to the Chief Executive at NWAFT. The successful candidate will be responsible to the Chair of the Primary FRCA Written Exam and accountable to the Director of Education, Training and Examinations at the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • MBBS or equivalent
  • Primary FRCA pass

Desirable

  • Other qualifications relevant to Education (including Postgraduate courses, PGCerts, Diplomas or Masters)
  • Final FRCA pass

Courses

Essential

  • Advanced Life Support (OR equivalent)

Desirable

  • Interhospital Transfer Training Course
  • Other courses relevant to Education or Assessment
  • Advanced Paediatric Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support (OR equivalent)

Experience

Essential

  • Full GMC registration with license to practice
  • 36 months anaesthesia / ICU experience in UK training post
  • RCOA Stage 1 Training Certificate or Confirmation of Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate
  • Obstetric anaesthesia experience (including on call work)
  • Experience delivering medical education at an undergraduate or postgraduate level

Desirable

  • Experience delivering education to UK Trainee Anaesthetists
  • Experience with single best answer question writing

Technical Skills

Essential

  • Experienced in providing general anaesthesia for a variety of elective specialties
  • Experienced in providing emergency anaesthesia
  • Experienced in providing spinal and epidural anaesthesia
  • Experienced in siting arterial lines and central venous catheters
  • Experienced in using various software packages, including Microsoft Excel, Sharepoint and Teams

Motivation

Essential

  • Interest in medical education including assessment
  • Commitment to supporting UK anaesthesia education and training

Education

Essential

  • Detailed knowledge of the UK anaesthesia training programme and curriculum.

Desirable

  • Regular contribution to a teaching programme
  • Experience with delivery and design of assessments in medical education
  • Has a post-graduate teaching qualification
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • MBBS or equivalent
  • Primary FRCA pass

Desirable

  • Other qualifications relevant to Education (including Postgraduate courses, PGCerts, Diplomas or Masters)
  • Final FRCA pass

Courses

Essential

  • Advanced Life Support (OR equivalent)

Desirable

  • Interhospital Transfer Training Course
  • Other courses relevant to Education or Assessment
  • Advanced Paediatric Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support (OR equivalent)

Experience

Essential

  • Full GMC registration with license to practice
  • 36 months anaesthesia / ICU experience in UK training post
  • RCOA Stage 1 Training Certificate or Confirmation of Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate
  • Obstetric anaesthesia experience (including on call work)
  • Experience delivering medical education at an undergraduate or postgraduate level

Desirable

  • Experience delivering education to UK Trainee Anaesthetists
  • Experience with single best answer question writing

Technical Skills

Essential

  • Experienced in providing general anaesthesia for a variety of elective specialties
  • Experienced in providing emergency anaesthesia
  • Experienced in providing spinal and epidural anaesthesia
  • Experienced in siting arterial lines and central venous catheters
  • Experienced in using various software packages, including Microsoft Excel, Sharepoint and Teams

Motivation

Essential

  • Interest in medical education including assessment
  • Commitment to supporting UK anaesthesia education and training

Education

Essential

  • Detailed knowledge of the UK anaesthesia training programme and curriculum.

Desirable

  • Regular contribution to a teaching programme
  • Experience with delivery and design of assessments in medical education
  • Has a post-graduate teaching qualification

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Peterborough City Hospital

Bretton Gate

Peterborough

PE3 9GZ


Employer's website

https://www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Peterborough City Hospital

Bretton Gate

Peterborough

PE3 9GZ


Employer's website

https://www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Anaesthesia/ICU, Chair Primary FRCA

Dr Coralie Carle

coralie.carle@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

10 April 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Doctor - other

Salary

£65,048 to £73,992 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

176-S-7678023

Job locations

Peterborough City Hospital

Bretton Gate

Peterborough

PE3 9GZ


Supporting documents

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