Core Surgical Training: Interview Skills Prep Course
Core Surgical Training: Interview Skills Prep Course
A concise, hands-on interview preparation workshop designed for junior NCHDs doctors applying to Core Surgical Training. Attendees will gain insights into the CST interview structure, practice essential stations (clinical scenarios, and communication), and receive immediate, personalised feedback from an experienced faculty of registrars and consultants. The aim is to boost confidence, refine interview skills, and enhance each candidate’s readiness for national selection.
Please book early to secure your place and to avoid disappointment. This event is FREE (£60 deposit refundable on confirmation of attendance) for ASiT members.
18:20 – 18:30 | Understanding the Core Domains of Assessment
• Clinical Judgement – Decision-making in real-time patient scenarios
• Interpersonal Skills – Communication, teamwork, and leadership
• Professional Development – Research, teaching, audits, and CPD
• Suitability for Specialty Training – Motivation, career aspirations, and work ethic
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18:30 – 18:40 | Clinical Scenario & Ethical Discussion
• Structured Approach to Clinical Cases
o Emergency management (ABCDE)
o Prioritisation & decision-making
o Justifying treatment choices
• Ethics & Communication Skills
o Breaking bad news
o Dealing with difficult colleagues/patients
o Consent, capacity, and confidentiality
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18:40 – 18:50 | Suitability for Surgery
• Personal Achievements & Career Development
o Surgical experience & training courses
o Research, audits, and presentations
o Teaching & mentoring experience
• Suitability for Specialty Training
o Motivation for surgery
o Work ethic & professionalism
o Time & stress management strategies
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18:50 – 19:10 | Break
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19:10 – 19:50 | Mock Interview Stations with Feedback
Candidates rotate through 4 structured stations:
4 X 10min. 7min interview, 3min feedback
1. Interpersonal Skills: Communication, Team work/leadership, Crisis management, negotiation/conflict resolution
2. Professional Development: Clinical research projects, attendance at meetings/course, audit projects, teaching activities
3. Clinical Judgement: Structured sequential clinical scenarios
4. Suitability for specialty training: References, motivation/drive, knowledge of specialty, time/stress management, work ethic/professionalism
Each candidate receives structured panel feedback on performance and improvement areas.
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19:50 PM – 20:00 PM | Final Review & Q&A
• Key takeaways & high-yield strategies
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Final Q&A session