We are currently recruiting multidisciplinary professionals with experience of older people’s healthcare to be examiners for the clinical part of the DGM exam held in the Spine in Liverpool. These positions are voluntary but travel and accommodation expenses are all covered. Full training will be given. Examining is a recognised professional activity for which you can claim CPD points.
What is the Diploma in Geriatric Medicine (DGM)?
DGM is a credential awarded by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) which is delivered in collaboration with the British Geriatrics Society (BGS). The DGM is designed for individuals from different professions who want to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the healthcare of older people in primary, community and secondary care settings. It is split into an online knowledge-based assessment and a clinical assessment, held at the Spine, Liverpool.
What are the eligibility criteria?
As the DGM continues to grow, the RCP Assessment Unit are looking to recruit a number of further examiners to support the clinical examination. To become a DGM examiner, individuals must meet the eligibility criteria:
- Hold current statutory registration with the relevant regulator - normally the General Medical Council (GMC), Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health & Care Professions’ Council (HCPC), or the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register (PAMVR) in the case of physician associates (This is a temporary provision until statutory regulation of physician associates is complete and members of the PAMVR have transferred to the GMC register).
- Be in good standing with their regulatory body (or the Faculty of Physician Associates in the case of physician associates)
- Be able to demonstrate the following level of clinical experience:
- Clinicians should hold MRCP(UK)/MRCGP/MRCPsych (or equivalent) and have at least three years’ experience in working with older people in a significant proportion of their clinical workload.
- Advanced practitioners should have completed a relevant qualification (a masters degree or equivalent) and have gained at least three years’ clinical experience in working with older people after obtaining advanced practitioner status
- Physician associates should have completed a relevant qualification (a masters degree or equivalent) and at least five years’ experience in working with older people in a significant proportion of their clinical workload.
- Be actively engaged in the training of junior practitioners to provide high quality person-centred care for older people
- Be up-to-date as appropriate with relevant national guidelines, CPD requirements, employer’s equality and diversity training and appraisal process.
More information about the posts
Examiner appointments will be for a term of three years, subject to satisfactory performance, and renewable every three years thereafter, subject to review by the DGM Clinical Examination Lead and (in respect of continuing eligibility) by the RCP Assessment Unit. Terms will begin from the first scheduled examination date after an applicant has successfully completed their training (regardless of whether an individual can attend this date or not).
Please note that the position of DGM examiner is a voluntary one. Examiners do not receive honoraria or other remuneration for this role. The RCP will however cover all travel and accommodation expenses for attending each examination (held in Liverpool), as well as the training session you attend. Examining is a recognised professional activity and you can claim CPD points from your CPD provider for this activity.
How do I apply?
If you are interested in becoming a DGM examiner and meet the eligibility criteria, please complete the DGM examiner application form and a member of the RCP examinations team will be in touch with further information.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the RCP Assessment Unit via DGM@rcp.ac.uk.
