College Fellows who are Joint Specialty Fellowship (JSF) Examiners or current and past Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations (JCIE) examiners are invited to apply for the Interim JSF Specialty Lead role in Neurosurgery. The JSF exams are run in conjunction with international partners in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia and offered in 9 surgical specialties.

Joint Specialty Fellowship (JSF) Committee

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) has a longstanding reputation for offering the highest standards of surgical education and training activity, both nationally and internationally.

In conjunction with our international partners in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, Joint Specialty Fellowship (JSF) examinations are offered in the specialties of:

• Cardiothoracic surgery
• ENT
• General surgery 
• Neurosurgery
• Paediatric surgery
• Plastic surgery
• Urology
• Trauma and Orthopaedics
• Vascular surgery

The Role of JSF Specialty Lead

The role of JSF Specialty lead is to oversee activity relating to their specialty particularly relating to JSF accreditation and examinations.  The objectives of the lead will include but not be limited to: 

• Chairing the JSF Specialty Committee
• Leading the delivery of the JSF examinations with our partners
• Leading the accreditation of training programmes and centres with our partners
• Organising the examination team in collaboration with the Colleges
• Ensuring the examination meets the standards of the JSF Board and Colleges
• Producing reports on examinations as part of quality assurance

Responsibilities and Duties

Working with the JSF Coordinator:

• Liaise with contacts representing international partners regarding future arrangements e.g. accreditation and examination activity.
• Compile the exam/accreditation team to undertake the activities.
• Report relevant specialty specific information to JSF Committee (at least twice per year).
• Act as liaison for JSF activity and attend the relevant College Surgical Specialty Board (SSB) (at least twice a year).

Applicant Specification

• Fellow of RCSEd in good standing with no restrictions on practice
• Current or previous examination experience with Joint Committee in Intercollegiate Examinations (JCIE) or Joint Surgical Colleges Fellowship Examination. 
• Experienced JSF Examiner 
• Current with relevant examiner training
• In clinical practice or within two years of retirement from clinical practice
• Knowledge and understanding of the College relationship with international partners.

Person Specification

• Demonstrate the qualities of courtesy, fairness and non-discrimination.
• Have high professional standards and a commitment to surgical training and assessment
• Committed to the ongoing development of the JSF examinations and accreditation processes
• Be able to lead the specialty examination team and collaborate with the College and international partners.
• Have excellent communication skills
• The ability to commit time to delivery of the JSF objectives including question writing, standard setting, calibration, examiner training and support, quality assurance and analysis of examination data.

Term of Appointment 

The interim JSF Lead is appointed for an initial term of one year and is eligible for reappointment with the approval of the Committee Chair and Council. 

Please note that this position is voluntary, however travel, accommodation and subsistence for 
activities relating to the role will be reimbursed in accordance with the applicable College Travel Policy. 

Following an appointment, the successful candidate will be expected to shadow the incumbent JSF Lead for a period of three months to familiarise themselves with the role.