Prof Mark Castleden, Director of Continuing Professional Development (DCPD) wishes to retire and the BGS invites expressions of interest in the post.

Requirements
The DCPD must be a full member of the Society, of consultant or senior academic status, with a comprehensive understanding of geriatric medicine and the role of the geriatrician, and their needs, coupled with a good knowledge of developments in medicine and in the delivery of care. A good knowledge of medical education, CPD, and validation are essential; an understanding of IT technology and its potential in education would be desirable.

Role of the DCPD
The DCPD will use his/her best endeavours to ensure that the Society, through its scientific meetings, publications and electronic media, provides its members with every opportunity to keep up to date with developments in geriatric medicine and the management of older patients across the United Kingdom. The DCPD also represents the BGS views at meetings of the Royal Colleges on CPD.

Term of office
The DCPD serves for a period of 4 years, but is expected to understudy his/her predecessor for a year prior to taking over.

The DCPD is a member of :

• the BGS UK Management Committee (in an advisory capacity)
• the BGS Education & Training Committee
• the RCP London SAC Geriatric Medicine
• and represents the BGS on the Federation of Royal Colleges CPD meetings, and the JCHMT and its successor
  

• keeping the CME curriculum up to date in co-operation with the Meetings Secretaries
• ensuring that the curriculum is covered through a rolling programme of education, provided by the Society’s UK scientific meetings, and by encouraging its inclusion in the national meetings organised in Scotland, N.Ireland and Wales, and regional meetings throughout the UK
• determining the allocation of CME points for attendance at meetings of geriatric medicine throughout the United Kingdom (the DCPD is supported administratively in this by the BGS office)
• updating the BGS/Novartis Foundation geriatrics syllabus website
• case finding, reviewing and editing the data to be placed on BGS/Novartis Foundation website, advising on any other educational materials the BGS may produce, such as an educational supplement to Age & Ageing
• keeping au fait with developments in medical education and training in Europe
• fulfilling any other work related to CPD/CME that the UKMC may require

Scope
The post is an honorary un-paid appointment, which offers the holder an opportunity to make a substantial contribution to the Society and the specialty of geriatric medicine, and to influence significantly the quality of geriatric medicine.

Administration
The DCPD is supported administratively by the BGS office. Travel and subsistence expenses are paid related to the work undertaken. By prior agreement with the Administrative Director, there may be scope for establishing an additional budget to cover e.g. the production of publications, or other activity.

Mark Castleden
Director of Continuing Professional Development
Richard Lynham
Administrative Director