Lay Advisors – Examinations and quality assurance

Summary

We are seeking two Lay Advisors with professional experience and interest in examinations and quality assurance.

About the opportunity

Successful applicants will become members of the Lay Advisory Group and will also serve as the lay representatives on either the Medical Examinations Board or Surgical Examinations Board.

Both Boards play an important role in the governance and oversight of the College’s examinations, including their development and delivery, quality and standards, examiner recruitment and training, and ensuring examinations and assessments continue to reflect agreed guidelines and best practice.

What will you bring?

As the lay advisor, you will bring an independent and non-clinical perspective to discussions and decision-making.

You will review Board papers, participate actively in discussions, ask questions and provide constructive challenge. You will help the Board consider issues from a broad range of perspectives, including those of candidates, patients, the public and other stakeholders where appropriate.

We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience or an interest in areas such as:

• education, assessment or qualifications;
• governance, regulation or professional standards;
• quality assurance and continuous improvement;
• public, patient, learner, student or consumer representation;
• equality, diversity, inclusion or accessibility;
• policy and decision-making; or
• working with Boards, committees or advisory groups

You should be able to consider complex information objectively, exercise sound independent judgement and constructively challenge assumptions. You should also be able to communicate effectively with people from a range of professional backgrounds and have an interest in fairness, transparency, accessibility and high standards.

You will also contribute to the wider work and discussions of the Lay Advisory Group, bringing the independent perspective expected of all College lay advisors.

Medical Examinations Board

The Medical Examinations Board is responsible for the College’s objectives relating to medical examinations, including our College’s contribution to the postgraduate career grade MRCP(UK).

The Board oversees areas including examination development and delivery, examiner recruitment and training, examination standards, quality assurance and continuous improvement.

The Medical Examinations Board meets three times per year, with members expected to attend at least two meetings annually.

Surgical Examinations Board

The Surgical Examinations Board supports the College’s work relating to its Collegiate and intercollegiate surgical examinations, including intercollegiate FRCS, MRCS, and FRCS (Ophthalmology).

The Board oversees areas including examination development and delivery, examiner recruitment and training, examination standards, quality assurance and continuous improvement.

The Surgical Examinations Board meets three times per year, with members expected to attend at least two meetings annually.

Commitment

The Medical and Surgical Examinations Boards each meet approximately three times per year, with members expected to attend a minimum of two meetings annually. Total time commitment, including meetings of the Lay Advisory Group is expected to be approximately 15 hours per year.