CQC GP specialist advisor – all you need to know
Working as a GP CQC specialist advisor can be a challenging yet satisfying portfolio career. A spokesperson for the Care Quality Commission tells us what it takes
How do I get into the role (including necessary qualifications)?
You will need to be a GP with a licence to practise, currently working in the relevant clinical setting. You will be required to complete an application form and pass a written assessment, following which you’ll be invited to attend a group interview. If successful, you will need to complete mandatory training, a comprehensive induction programme and, where appropriate, undertake an inspection as an observer before you move to completing inspections on behalf of the CQC.
How much does it pay?
For those in current clinical practice CQC pays £540 per inspection (duration: one day).
How much time do I need to devote to it?
The arrangement is flexible so can work around clinical commitments. The CQC tries to give at least six weeks’ notice of an inspection opportunity, but in exceptional circumstances it may need to send invitations at short notice.
The day rate of pay includes reading briefing documents prior to an inspection, which will ensure you are fully prepared ahead of your attendance on the day. On the day of inspection, you access the provider’s clinical system to analyse patient records in relation to the CQC Ardens searches, review workflow and other aspects of clinical care, and conduct a lead GP interview. You will also be required to review the inspection report. In some circumstances – where enforcement action is being taken – you may be called to attend regulatory decision meeting, review enforcement documents or even give evidence at tribunal.
What’s good about the job?
It’s an opportunity to be part of improving health care in your field outside of one’s own practice. Being a GP specialist advisor also gives you the chance to see how other GPs work and add to your own knowledge. Specialist advisors report being able to take away examples of best practice from providers they have inspected back to their own organisation, as well as gaining a better understanding of how CQC inspections work.
What’s bad about the job?
The majority of what GP specialist advisors are required to do can often be completed remotely, however, it can require onsite visits which can mean travel. Specialist advisors may also be required to stay overnight if an inspection is scheduled to last more than one day (although this is unlikely for GP practices).
CQC has recently completed a recruitment round, so do keep an eye on CQC’s recruitment pages for any future opportunities.
Advice from the MDDUS
Advisory roles may not involve patient care — but if you’re combining this with clinical work, we can help make sure you’re covered.
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READERS' COMMENTS [1]
Please note, only GPs are permitted to add comments to articles
It looks like a bit of an open-ended commitment :
Only £ 540 for a whole day PLUS needing to read up for a day beforehand, and attend additional meetimgs afterwards, so maybe comes out at £200 per day, or less; and additional training needed, in own time?
And sporading dates at random, presumably not to fit my schedule of locum work : would they expect me to cancel a day or two of locum bookings? that could cost more than just the day rate for the locum!
Nah – different career please.