Proposal to explore a new route to MACP membership

Proposal to explore a new route to MACP membership......

In the last year, the MACP has taken the decision to end the option of the portfolio route to membership for any new entrants. This was not an easy decision to take, but it was taken for several important reasons.

The route offered an alternative route to membership for people not wishing, or not able, to undertake a university based programme. During the 10 years that the route was in place 34 new members used it to gain membership of the MACP. A significant proportion of these (15) had already gained a post graduate qualification in another IFOMPT recognised country, with the rest using the route as their primary means of gaining MACP membership, and submitting totally new evidence to support this. In the same time period, 575 new members have joined through the HEI route to membership.

For those people in the first category, the portfolio route consisted of them submitting their portfolio of evidence, which was, for the most part, copies of their post graduate training programme and placements etc. For those in the second category, they were required to generate new evidence of their reasoning, of clinical placements, case studies etc, in line with IFOMPT requirements.

Although the MACP had identified a contact person for people on the portfolio route to membership, their role was predominantly to assess the portfolio once it was submitted, and to help with queries relating to the process of submission. Their role was not to act in a mentoring or course leader role. The support mechanisms and governance arrangements for those on the portfolio route were felt by the Executive Committee to be at odds with those offered by university-based courses, and as such, it was felt that the process was much less transparent than it should have been, and much less supportive for those choosing this route.

The Executive Committee felt that a complete review of the portfolio route was required, to explore its uptake, its support mechanisms for students, its governance arrangements, documentation, fees and parity with the university-based routes to membership.

The Executive Committee are committed to exploring a viable alternative route to membership, provided that this route offers the same level of support and governance for those undertaking it, and as long as it is financially viable, both for the MACP and those on the route. The value of a portfolio route in maintaining an alternative route to membership is acknowledged and valued, and is important for the MACP to be as inclusive as possible. However, it is essential that portfolio route offers the same high standards and support mechanisms as the university based routes.

We are looking for someone with the relevant experience and expertise to review the portfolio model, and to help us to devise, if possible, an alternative route to membership that fulfils the above requirements. We are looking for someone with a broad range of relevant experience to undertake this review, and feel that an excellent knowledge of the MACP and its commitments are essential.

We are looking for someone with:
Course leadership experience in a course leading to MACP membership
CEA or Executive Committee experience
Excellent communication skills
MACP membership (preferably)

The task:
To explore the viability of alternative routes to MACP membership, which offer equitable standards and governance arrangements, and support to students as the university based routes to membership. Any alternative route to membership must fulfil the requirements of the IFOMPT Standards Committee, and be financially sustainable for the MACP. We would expect a report and recommendations to be produced, which outlines viable alternative options, clearly stating the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative.

Timeframe:
We expect this process to take 9-12 months to complete. We would expect updates to be sent to the Chair of the MACP and the Chair of CEA for each of the Executive Committee meetings and for the person undertaking the review to present their findings to the Executive Committee in person on completion.

We aim to start this process in May 2012 with a view to completion by May 2013

Executive Committee meetings are held 5 times a year, and the successful applicant will liaise with the Chair of the Executive Committee and submit a report prior to each meeting. Meeting dates will be confirmed in due course.
CEA meetings dates will also be confirmed on appointment. These are help 3 times per year

Payment:
The MACP will pay £2000 as a fee for completion of this work. The MACP will also cover all travel, accommodation and subsistence costs in line with our usual expenses policy. Additional funding will need to be discussed with the Executive Committee.

We are looking make an appointment by the end of March 2012 and require your expressions of interest and a supporting statement of no longer than 1 side of A4 by Feb 20th 2012

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Chris Mercer at:
Christopher.mercer@wsht.nhs.uk