Assistant Registrar
Nominations are now invited for the post of Assistant Registrar (known as Vice President). The successful candidate will take office after the AGM in November 2024 for a period of 3 years. Any fellow of the College is eligible to self-nominate.
Why should I apply?
The Royal College of Pathologists has a key role in the professional aspects of pathology services in the development and delivery of healthcare. Those holding office in the College provide professional leadership, and thereby contribute at a national level to the maintenance and development of pathology services and the quality of care that patients receive. The College expects its office holders to be proactive and to provide leadership, not only in their own specialty, but also in pathology in general, in the wider context of health services. The College’s influence extends to all sectors of healthcare provision.
We are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion within our organisation, as well as using our voice and platform to help make pathology as a profession more inclusive. This means reflecting critically on issues of diversity and inclusion within all that we do, identifying and taking appropriate actions to reduce inequality, and welcoming challenge.
We welcome applications from anyone regardless of their disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion or socioeconomic background.
What does the role entail?
In general, the role of the Assistant Registrar is to support the President and the College in all aspects of its work. The Assistant Registrar is a Trustee of the Royal College of Pathologists. Trustees lead the College, deciding how it is run and ensuring that it meets its aims and objectives. Trustees will use their skills and experience to make sure the College runs efficiently and delivers its strategic objectives as described in the College’s Strategic and Forward plan. For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-essential-trustee-what-you-need-to-know-cc3
It is worthy of note that the College plans to convert this post to be recognised as a 4th Vice President in due course. This will require changes in College ordinances, which takes time. In the interim, appointment will be made as Assistant Registrar but the successful appointee will be known as 'Vice President' in accordance with the by-laws of the College.
Specific responsibility for leading the College’s work on workforce has been delegated to the Assistant Registrar by the Trustee Board. The activities of the Workforce team aim to maintain standards in pathology by reviewing and approving consultant level job descriptions and monitoring appointments. It enables the College to advise on the planning of an efficient, high-quality pathology service through direct surveys and advise relevant professional groups of the results. For more information see http://www.rcpath.org/workforce
In between formal meetings, much of the committee work is dealt with electronically. The post holder is expected to respond to electronic requests. Where possible, meetings are scheduled to take place on the same day to reduce the need for travel. To facilitate job planning for those involved, most College formal commitments are scheduled for the same day each week, Thursday.
In addition, the Assistant Registrar will also oversee the corporate members programme of College work, working with the President, Registrar, the Corporate and Public Engagement Manager, other College staff and industry partners. These is a stronger emphasis on this area of work and the role will support engagement with corporate members, helping to coordinate corporate collaborative ventures and planning related educational and sponsorship activity.
The majority of meetings take place ‘remotely’, through the use of Zoom or MS Teams. There may be occasional face to face meetings and to facilitate job planning for this circumstance, most College formal commitments are scheduled for the same day, Thursday.
What is the commitment?
Average 2 Programmed Activities (PAs) per week but commitment will be variable through the year.
The key duties of the role include:
Attendance at Committee meetings
- Trustee Board (5-times a year).
- Council (4-times a year).
- Operational Management Group (or equivalent; usually once per month).
- Honorary Officers meetings (usually once per month).
- Professional Performance Panel (approximately 4-times a year).
- Relevant Specialty Advisory Committees as allocated (each Honorary Officer oversees the activity of several SACs. These will be shared by mutual agreement).
- Relevant joint/intercollegiate committees as allocated.
- Other relevant groups/committees/panels as they arise.
Social duties
- Attendance at fellow admission ceremonies (welcome address) and post-ceremony functions.
- Attendance at AGM.
- Attendance at Annual Dinner (formal).
Media duties
- Giving interviews to the media as required.
- Writing articles for the press as required.
- Cooperating with broadcast programmes as required.
General
- To represent all specialties in all aspects of their work.
- To provide support for, including undertaking annual appraisal, clinical directors.
- Representing the College on outside bodies as agreed by Council.
- Deputising for the President if requested.
- The role involves travel and the postholder would expect to spend some nights away from home.
Workforce
- Lead on the presentation of pathology data to workforce planning authorities.
- Develop working relationships with a range of external partners both in relation to workforce planning and a wider scope of relevance to the College.
- Provide regular reports on workforce activity to the Trustee Board and Council.
Corporate engagement
- Oversee the corporate members programme of work within the College, working with industry partners.
- Develop the work of RCPath Consulting to provide expert pathology advice to industry.
- Develop sustainable, and mutually beneficial, relationships with industry and with kindred organisations. Where possible (and appropriate), enter into financial agreements with such partners.
- Generate profile-raising and advocacy activities in collaboration with funders.
How do I nominate?
You may submit your nomination via the Civica website by 12 midday on Friday 5 July 2024. The website also contains further information on the role and requirements, including a role description and person specification.
If you would like to discuss the role with a Trustee or member of the College Senior Management Team, please email [email protected]