Elections

Terms for the following committee positions are listed below.

BNTA Chair

Job Description

As chair of the BNTA, you represent the neurosurgical trainees’ views at the quarterly SBNS council meetings at the royal college in London and chair the BNTA meetings biannually on the Thursday of each SBNS meeting. The council meetings are generally very interesting and provide insight into the politics and work ‘behind the scenes’ in neurosurgery. You have to provide a report of BNTA activity before each meeting, at the meeting your views are often asked for on issues that will affect training and trainees, and it is likely that you will be asked to canvas trainee opinion on various matters throughout your term. As chair you are invited to attend a yearly president’s forum chaired by ASiT to raise concerns specific to neurosurgical trainees, and to the royal college in Edinburgh for their trainees’ council meeting with the Edinburgh college president, again to raise issues specific to neurosurgery. Throughout the two years you will field questions from trainees at all stages in training and you provide a point of contact for various other people/groups/medical equipment companies etc. It’s an involved job, but very interesting and good fun too!

SAC Rep

Job Description

To attend 3 SAC meetings a year, always held at Royal College of Surgeons in London. Must get local deanery funding to claim back travel expenses (as SAC do not support this) and use study leave to attend meetings – dates are given 1 year in advance. Read all pre and post meeting material relating to meetings – you may be asked to respond or circulate to committee/trainees. Ensure any training issues highlighted by the trainee body are discussed/represented at meetings – there is usually a specific time point in the meeting for this. Throughout meeting you will be asked to contribute to the round table discussion on training issues on agenda – presenting ideas/comments to all SAC consultants and 1 meeting a year will also have all TPDs present and is a much larger meeting. Report back key training issues to BNTA committee and trainee body, relating to; National selection, Training requirements and curriculum, GMC survey findings, ARCP outcomes and assessment at different deaneries, Work-force planning, Operative log books and bootcamps.

Organisation skills, presenting skills and the ability to engage in (sometimes challenging) debate to represent trainee interest are essential for this role.  

LTFT SAC Rep

Job Description

Specifically designated to look at and represent issues relating to flexible training in neurosurgery. This includes; Less than full time working for any reason – including academic split, time out of neurosurgery and transition back – including academic time, parental leave and interests outside of neurosurgery. New challenges relating to split training in neurosurgery – e.g. with interventional neuroradiology or other specialties. Any other models of flexible working patterns in neurosurgery.

Academic Rep

Job Description

The BNTA Academic rep is responsible for: representing the BNTA membership at the Academic Committee of the SBNS, providing regular updates to the BNTA membership regarding academic and research developments, co-ordinating the academic and research activities of the BNTA through its research arm, the British Neurosurgical Trainee Research Collaborative (www.bntrc.org.uk), representing the BNTRC at the UK Neurosurgical Research Network and the Pan-specialty Association of Research Collaboratives.

ASiT Rep (2 positions)

Job Description

You represent the BNTA on the ASIT council, along with reps from the other 9 surgical specialties. Council meetings held every 2 months, usually at the Royal College of Surgeons in London. Discussions are usually about everything affecting the Surgical Trainee – ISCP, future or planned changes (well before they are announced……), research collaborations, EWTD, the ASIT conference etc. Sometimes, responses are drafted and fed back to the appropriate quarters. Other responsibilities include representing ASIT at important decision-making meetings, interviewing/assessing Silver Scalpel nominees, contributing to the annual ASIT conference and being a liaison between the BNTA and ASiT.

Treasurer

Job Description

Responsible for the  administration of the BNTA accounts, and making account available to the membership and if required the SBNS Council.

Information Technology/Informatics Rep

Job Description 

Responsible for sending out emails on behalf of the BNTA, updating the twitter account and website. Being the link between the members as the committee members when it comes to questions and information distribution. Being technically proficient is important.

Fellowship/Post CCT Rep

Job Description

Responsible for collecting and representing the interests of post CCT trainees who are in a fellowship programme, nationally or internationally.

Exams Rep

Job Description

The Exam Representative acts as a liaison between trainees and the exam board, providing feedback on the exam process, and representing trainee concerns related to examination and assessment.