Medical Panellists and Performance Assessors wanted by MPTS and GMC

New medical panellists and performance assessors are being recruited to help improve patient safety.

The General Medical Council (GMC) wants to recruit new medical panellists and performance assessors to help improve patient safety across the UK. 

The medical panellists will be selected by the new autonomous Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) which was launched on June 11.  

The MPTS has taken over all fitness to practise cases about doctors from the GMC and makes decisions on what action is needed to protect patients at the dedicated MPTS hearings centre in Manchester.  

Panellists are required to hear evidence in fitness to practise hearings, decide whether the allegations against the doctor are proved and what action, if any, is required.  

Women, young people and individuals from black and minority ethnic backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply as are doctors with a disability.  

Panellists must be able to demonstrate integrity and objectivity to reach considered and unbiased decisions affecting other people.  

They need to commit a minimum of 20 days a year and receive a daily fee of £310, or up to £430 for GPs to cover locum costs, plus reasonable expenses.  

The GMC also wants to recruit qualified and experienced medical performance assessors to evaluate the performance of doctors when formal concerns have been raised about their fitness to practise.  

Assessors visit the doctor’s workplace where over three days they conduct an interview with the doctor concerned, review patient records and observe clinical practice. They then oversee a day of tests at the GMC's skills centre in Manchester.  

Since this is a highly sensitive and challenging task, the GMC is looking for confident professionals from a wide range of specialties and expertise to perform the role effectively.  

Candidates must have a genuine interest in the role, demonstrate sound judgement and intellectual and analytical ability and be able to commit to 11 days a year.  

In return, they will gain invaluable experience in working to maintain quality healthcare across the UK and will be paid £450 per day on assessment days.  

Niall Dickson, Chief Executive of the General Medical Council, said:  

'MPTS panellists and GMC performance assessors play a crucial role in helping deliver high standards.  

'The GMC and the new MPTS service are now looking to recruit individuals of the highest calibre to these key posts and want to hear from people from a wide range of backgrounds.'  

The closing date for both roles is 1 July 2012. For further information and to apply online visit https://jobs.gmc-uk.org.