The Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations (JCIE) is the body responsible to the Presidents, and through them the Councils of the four surgical Royal Colleges of Great Britain and Ireland for the supervision of standards, policies, Regulations and professional conduct of the Intercollegiate Specialty Board Examinations. This document sets out the framework to which the JCIE adheres for the administration and conduct of these Examinations. Success in the appropriate examination is a mandatory requirement for higher surgical trainees on the Specialist Registrar Grade who are training towards the award of the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board of the United Kingdom, the Certificate of Specialist Doctor (CSD) or Specialist Registration with the Medical Council of Ireland prior to being admitted to the Specialist Register and being eligible for a consultant appointment in their chosen specialty. These Examinations are also open to overseas trainees Type 2 who have fulfilled the relevant criteria but who are not eligible for a CCT.

The curricula for the relevant training programmes are the responsibility of the Joint Committee on Higher Surgical Training (JCHST) and this framework should be read in context with the corresponding Terms of Reference and Structure relevant to the activities of the JCHST.

Go to top

A2. Aim of the Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations

The aim of the JCIE is to ensure that there is a professional Examination system in place which will assess and report fairly and conscientiously whether a candidate possesses the core knowledge and necessary practical abilities in diagnosis and planning of care to meet the required standard.

The JCIE is supported by nine Intercollegiate Specialty Boards, one for each of the following surgical specialties:

· Cardiothoracic Surgery

· General Surgery

· Neurosurgery

· Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

· Otolaryngology

· Paediatric Surgery

· Plastic Surgery

· Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery

· Urology

It also carries responsibility for the administration and conduct of the Faculty Fellowship in Accident and Emergency Medicine Examination.

The Boards are responsible to the JCIE for the format, scope and conduct of their specialty examinations, for examining on the curriculum as established by the JCHST and for ensuring that their examinations are conducted in a fair, objective and reproducible manner using a broad range of assessment tools such as MCQs/spot tests, clinical examinations, practical sessions and orals pertaining to the specialty.

Go to top

A3. Membership of Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Specialty Examinations

The membership of the JCIE is as follows:

Chairman appointed by advertisement, selection and interview by the Presidents of the four Surgical Royal Colleges and the President of the FSSA term of office normally 3 years
Chairman of each of the Specialty Boards (9)– serve for a period of 3 years
Chairman of the Joint Committee on Higher Surgical Training ex officio - serve for a period of 3 years
One representative from COPMed
The four Presidents or their nominated representatives ex officio
Chairman or representative of Intercollegiate Basic Surgical Examination (ICBSE) ex officio
Lay Representative

In attendance

· Secretary JCIE – Head of Intercollegiate Specialty Examinations;

· Deputy Secretary JCIE

· Intercollegiate Specialty Managers (2)

· One trainee representative (currently ASIT)

· Dean of the Faculty of Accident & Emergency Medicine

· Secretary JCHST – Head of Training & Regulations

Go to top

A4. Terms of Reference of the JCIE

The terms of reference of the JCIE are to:

a) keep under general review Examination Regulations, format, scope and conduct of the Examinations for each of the specialties in line with changes in training as defined by the JCHST;

b) implement agreed policy for all matters relating to the Intercollegiate Specialty Examinations, and make recommendations for change as appropriate;

c) ensure that strategic planning and development of examinations are ongoing;

d) ensure consistency of approach within the Boards and their examinations;

e) ensure the provision of training and Guidelines for Examiners and monitor assessment of Examiners’ techniques and conduct of the examinations;

f) ensure compliance with the relevant Acts of Parliament e.g. Data Protection and Race Relations;

g) ensure effective quality assurance of examinations;

h) maintain records of results, review and monitor examination outcomes and distribute relevant information to SACs, Postgraduate Deans and Programme Directors;

i) maintain a Register of candidates for each of the Specialty Examinations;

j) notify Colleges of successful candidates for the award of the Fellowship in the specialty;

k) implement the Review and Appeals procedure where necessary;

l) ensure that the activities of the JCIE and the Boards are administered on a truly Intercollegiate basis;

m) ensure that the necessary framework and efficient administrative / management infrastructure are in place to support the work of the JCIE and the Intercollegiate Specialty Boards;

n) submit to the Colleges audited accounts and draft budgets;

o) keep under regular review all Regulations and documentation related to the conduct of the Intercollegiate Specialty Examinations.

Go to top

A5. Membership of the Intercollegiate Specialty Boards (ISBs)

Intercollegiate Specialty Boards

Each Specialty Board is comprised of 7 members:

One representative appointed by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
One representative appointed by the Royal College of Surgeons of England
One representative appointed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
One representative appointed by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Two representatives elected by the appropriate Specialist Association/Society
The SAC Chairman ex officio

In Attendance

Head of Intercollegiate Specialty Examinations
Specialty Manager (Examinations)
Trainee Representative

The term of office for Members of the Board is 5 years with the exception of SAC Chairman who is normally appointed for 3 years (period of office as SAC Chairman). Approximately 6-9 months prior to a Board member's retirement date ISB Secretariat will write to the appropriate College/Association asking for a replacement.

In order to comply with the new process for appointing the Chairman as outlined below, it may be necessary to increase the membership of the Board to 8, where necessary, if the current balance of College and relevant Specialty Association representation on the Board is to be maintained.

The term of appointment for Board Chairman is for three years. The process for appointment of Board Chairman will be through advertisement, selection and interview. The post will be advertised to all existing Board Members, Panel of Examiners and to those who have demitted from either the Board or Panel of Examiners within the last 12 months. The current Chairman would not be eligible for re-election. The current SAC Chairman would not be eligible to stand as Chairman of the Board.

The interview Panel will consist of the following:

· Vice President or representative from one of the Colleges (in rotation) and President or nominated senior representative of the Specialty Association

· JCIE Chairman

· Representative from either the Board or Panel of Examiners

In attendance: Head of Intercollegiate Specialty Examinations

The Honorary Secretary is appointed for three years and is nominated from, and elected by, the existing membership. If more than one nomination is received then a confidential postal ballot is conducted. The Honorary Secretary may have their time extended on the Board to allow them to complete 3 years in their role.

Members of the Board are automatically members of the Panel of Examiners

Go to top

A6. Terms of Reference for each Board are to:

a) be responsible for the overall conduct of the Intercollegiate Examination in the specialty in accordance with policies of the Colleges and the JCIE;

b) audit and review examinations to ensure that they are valid, reliable and reproducible;

c) review and modify examination syllabus, format and scope, guidance notes as necessary in line with JCIE policies so that the content reflects changes in training;

d) determine candidates’ eligibility to sit the examinations in accordance with criteria laid down in the Regulations;

e) ensure the availability and suitability of examination facilities which provide a supportive environment conducive to candidates being able to properly achieve their potential;

f) provide briefings for both candidates and examiners to ensure that they are fully aware of the procedures;

g) conduct the adjudication of the examination in accordance with the guidance notes;

h) provide internal quality assurance both for the set up and conduct of examinations – monitored on a regular basis and, through JCIE, co-operate with external quality assurance;

i) ensure an openness to the examination procedures by welcoming appropriate outside observers and ensuring compliance with the code of practice for external observers;

j) provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates and their Programme Directors;

k) advertise, consider applications and recommend appointments to the Panel of Examiners in accordance with guidelines set by JCIE for formal approval of Senate.

Go to top

A7. Conditions of Appointment to the Panel of Examiners

Appointment to the Panel is for 5 years from the date of the first examination. Examiners may, however, be retained for one further year in exceptional circumstances. Examiners who have already completed 5 years on the Panel may re-apply, after a one year break, for a second (and final) 5 year period. Examiners would automatically retire from the Panel when they retire from clinical practice within the NHS or Public Health Service (Ireland) but may be called upon as a reserve Examiner for up to 12 months.

Members appointed to the Board are automatically appointed to the Panel of Examiners and must therefore comply with the Criteria for Appointment.

Go to top

A8. Vacancies for the Panel of Examiners

• Vacancies are normally advertised in College Journals and through the Specialty Associations.

• Applications are considered by the Board. Unsolicited applications will be held on file and considered when the Board is next considering applications.

• Efforts are made to ensure a fair distribution within the Panel and Sub-Specialty Interests, geographical location and Colleges are all taken into account when considering applications.

• Successful applicants are notified in writing and their appointment will be recommended to the Senate of the Surgical Royal Colleges for ratification at the January Senate of the following year.

• Unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing. If requested the application may be held on file and considered at a future date.

• Before examining, new examiners must attend an Intercollegiate Specialty Board Examiners’ Induction Course (within 12 months of appointment) and are required to observe an Intercollegiate Specialty Examination prior to examining.

• No fees or honoraria are paid to examiners but travel expenses are reimbursed and hotel accommodation is provided.

• These will be equal opportunity appointments

Go to top

A9. Criteria for Appointment to the Panel of Examiners

In accordance with the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board’s Principles for Assessment System for Postgraduate Medical Training – Principle 6, ‘examiners will be recruited against criteria for performing the tasks they undertake’.

Applicants will be required to provide two structured references to support their application, one from the Chief Executive/Medical Director/Clinical Director [with regard to Trust approval for examination commitments] and the other from either the Chairman of the Surgical Training Committee or the Training Programme Director [with regard to the applicant’s teaching, training and examining abilities].

Go to top

Eligibility Criteria

1) Fellow (including Fellow ad eundem) of one of the four Royal Surgical Colleges of Great Britain and Ireland and in good standing with the College.

2) In clinical practice within the National Health Service/Public Health Service (Ireland) (normally a minimum of 6 PAs) and have held a substantive consultant post for a minimum of 5 years. Consultant experience gained overseas can be considered providing the applicant is currently holding a substantive consultant post in UK or Ireland.

3) In good standing with the GMC and not under investigation by an NHS Trust/Employing body.

4) Able to complete one term of office before retirement (i.e. 5 years).

5) Must have approval of the Chief Executive, Medical Director or Clinical Director to commit the time necessary to undertake this important educational role .

Go to top

Person Specification
Strcuctured references and declaration forms to be completed - see panel of examiners.

1) Be able to demonstrate a policy of courtesy, fairness and non-discrimination towards all candidates.

2) Have high professional standards in, and commitment to the teaching and development of higher surgical trainees.

3) Have a commitment to continuing professional development and ensure that they are up to date in their specialist knowledge.

4) Have an enthusiasm for, competence in and loyalty to the surgical profession.

5) Command the respect of consultant colleagues and trainees within the specialty and have the support of the Chairman of the Specialist Training Committee or Training Programme Director.

6) Have a commitment to the professional conduct and development of the examinations and a willingness to provide the time necessary to honour commitments to write questions and attend examinations.

7) Commitment to ongoing assessment, training and development as an examiner.

8) Previous examining experience e.g. MRCS, University undergraduate, supervision of candidates for higher degrees.

Go to top

Updated November 2005