Becoming a GP Educator or Learning Organisation

Becoming a learning organisation in Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB is a rewarding way of supporting the next generation and recruitment in Primary Care. Hosting learners that offer a wealth of enthusiasm can have a positive impact across your practice, can support development of a multi-professional educational culture and provides opportunities to keep in touch with new developments in practice and education. It is also an extra pair of medical hands for appointments with patients and help recruitment. Being recognised as a Learning Organisation is an indication of high standards of organisation and educational support.

Click here for more information from HEE about becoming a Learning Organisation. You will also find some useful information to support you in your application below:

Before submitting your application as a Learning Organisation, you will need to ensure you have approved Educators. To support your GP Educators in what is involved for each tier visit HEE's website, and for more information on how to support an ACP Educator click here.

Now you are ready to become a Learning Organisation, get in touch with your local Training Programme Directors click here, to discuss your application and complete the form.

As part of your application, you will need to provide the name of the placement manager as well as the named educational lead for each of the professional groups (this could be the same person for all).

What happens once you are approved

Great news, you have been approved!! Next, you will receive a recognition letter, results of the formal assessment as well as your approval anniversary date.  The Training Hub will inform the Training Programme Director of your approval status, who will then be in touch to arrange your placements.

On-going quality monitoring will form an important part of your approval and collecting regular learner feedback for your organisation will support you in the process of ensuring high standards of training are maintained in the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB area.

Being involved in the training of GPs and can be one of the most rewarding and stimulating aspects of a career. Becoming an Educator in Hertfordshire and West Essex is an opportunity to enhance your skills, remain up to date with clinical development, offers variety and supports the next enthusiastic generation.

Educator training is designed by -and mainly delivered by- HEE either directly or in collaboration with local universities.

To qualify as a GP Educator

Applicant Checklist

• Applicants must be working within the East of England

• Tier 3 educators must have MRCGP. For tier 2 educators this is desirable.

• Applicants must be at least 1 year post-CCT if applying to become a tier 2 educator

• Applicants must be at least 2 years post-CCT if applying to become a tier 3 educator and working in an existing learning organisation, or 3 years post-CCT if not working in an existing learning organisation.

• Applicants should ordinarily be on the Medical Performers List

• Educators previously approved by other deaneries are recognised by the East of England

• Applications should be made within one year of completing the relevant tiered educator training. Eligibility outside of that timeframe would have need to have been granted by the Head of School

Before you reach the application & interview stage, there are 5 stages you will need to undertake. These stages can be completed in any order and build upon educational theory. Most elements are available for remote learning so you can complete at your own pace.

1. E-Learning: via eLfH

2. Educational theory: University Day (ARU) (unless you have a previous educational qualification) for Tier 2b here and Tier 3 here – NEW DATES ADDED

3. Medical Education Fundamentals: (HEE) General Educator Training Videos– details here

4. GP School Specific Educator Training(HEE) Video Packs here:
Fundamental Pack – for all Tiers; 2a, 2b and 3
Intermediate Pack – for Tiers 2b and 3 only
Advanced Pack – for Tier 3 only

5. Online Tutorial (HEE):
After you have completed the video packs relevant to your Tier, you will need to book an online tutorial with HEE to discuss your learning. The length of the online tutorial will vary depending on the Tier you wish to apply for but will be between 1 and 3.5 hours. You can find dates and booking details here. 

For more detail on the work that is involved for each of the tiers visit. Here is a helpful 9 Minute video with Brendon O’Leary, which helps to explain the steps needed to become a GP Educator.

Tier 2A (OOH CS) 1st Assessment after 1 – 2 years:

• Attend the equivalent of at least one GP educator day online or in person. Evidence of viewing pre-recorded material is acceptable.

• Equality and diversity and active bystander training within the previous 3 years.

• It’s recognised that some educators will only be able to attend part of an online learning event, or watch part of a learning event later if an event is recorded. For online learning topics broadly 1 hour in length, we would suggest that 3 such topics make up a half-day and 6 such topics make up a full day of the equivalent of a GP Educator day or Spring/Autumn Symposium.

Tier 2A (OOH CS)  Ongoing Quality Management after 4 years:

• Benchmarked COTs and audio-COTs

• Equality and diversity and cultural competence and bystander training within the previous 3 years.

• Attend the equivalent of at least one GP school educator day online or in person. Evidence of viewing pre-recorded material is acceptable.

• Attend the equivalent of at least one Autumn Seminar or Spring Symposium online or in person. Evidence of viewing pre-recorded material is acceptable.

• Feedback on the quality of your debrief from at least one learner whom you’ve supervised during OOH clinical work. This would usually be a GP Trainee but could be another health professional or F2 doctor.

• It’s recognised that some educators will only be able to attend part of an online learning event, or watch part of a learning event later if an event is recorded. For online learning topics broadly 1 hour in length, we would suggest that 3 such topics make up a half-day and 6 such topics make up a full day of the equivalent of a GP Educator day or Spring/Autumn Symposium.

Tier 2B (Clinical Supervisor) 1st Assessment after 1 – 2years:

• Attend 50% of trainer workshop meetings online or in person. Evidence of viewing pre-recorded material is acceptable.

• Attend at least one GP educator day online or in person. Evidence of viewing pre-recorded material is acceptable.

• Equality and diversity and active bystander training within the previous 3 years.

• It’s recognised that some educators will only be able to attend part of an online learning event, or watch part of a learning event later if an event is recorded. For online learning topics broadly 1 hour in length, we would suggest that 3 such topics make up a half-day and 6 such topics make up a full day of the equivalent of a GP Educator day or Spring/Autumn Symposium.

Tier 2B (Clinical Supervisor) Ongoing Quality Management after 4years:

• Attend one local ARCP panel as an observer

• Attend 50% of local trainer workshops online or in person. Evidence of viewing pre-recorded material is acceptable.

• Benchmarking a COT and CBD. Tier 4 and 5 educators may count sessions they run as well as sessions they attend.

• Attend the equivalent of at least one GP School Educator Day and one Autumn Seminar or Spring Symposium online or in person. Evidence of viewing pre-recorded material is acceptable.

• Equality and Diversity Training and cultural competence and bystander training within previous 3 years.

• Peer review of teaching or feedback from teaching. This would usually be a GP Trainee but could be another health professional or F2 doctor.

• Attend an Exam Masterclass.

• It’s recognised that some educators will only be able to attend part of an online learning event, or watch part of a learning event later if an event is recorded. For online learning topics broadly 1 hour in length, we would suggest that 3 such topics make up a half-day and 6 such topics make up a full day of the equivalent of a GP Educator day or Spring/Autumn Symposium.

Tier 3 (Educational Supervisor) 1st Assessment after 1 – 2 years:

• Attend 50% of trainer workshop meetings online or in person. Evidence of viewing pre-recorded material is acceptable.

• Attend at least one GP educator day online or in person. Evidence of viewing pre-recorded material is acceptable.

• Equality and diversity and active bystander training within the previous 3 years.

• It’s recognised that some educators will only be able to attend part of an online learning event, or watch part of a learning event later if an event is recorded. For online learning topics broadly 1 hour in length, we would suggest that 3 such topics make up a half-day and 6 such topics make up a full day of the equivalent of a GP Educator day or Spring/Autumn Symposium.

Tier 3 (Educational Supervisor) Ongoing Quality Management after 4 years:

• Participate as a panel member in a local ARCP panel

• Attend 50% of local trainer workshops online or in person. Evidence of viewing pre-recorded material is acceptable.

• Benchmarking a COT and CBD. Tier 4 and 5 educators may count sessions they run as well as sessions they attend.

• Attend the equivalent of at least two GP School Educator Days and one Autumn Seminar or Spring Symposium online or in person. Evidence of viewing pre-recorded material is acceptable.

• Equality and Diversity Training and cultural competence and bystander training within previous 3 years.

• Peer review of teaching or feedback on teaching. This would usually be a GP Trainee but could be another health professional or F2 doctor.

• Attend an Exam Masterclass.

• Reflection on ESR feedback (when available). We recognise that not all Tier 3 educators will have completed an ESR if they supervise other types of learners, for example, Foundation Doctors. This only needs completing for Tier 3 educators who have completed an ESR.

• It’s recognised that some educators will only be able to attend part of an online learning event, or watch part of a learning event later if an event is recorded. For online learning topics broadly 1 hour in length, we would suggest that 3 such topics make up a half-day and 6 such topics make up a full day of the equivalent of a GP Educator day or Spring/Autumn Symposium.

Now you are ready to become an Educator, get in touch with your local Training Programme Directors / Expansion Lead (Richard Stanley) to discuss your application and to request the link to the application form.