The role of the CTA is to provide academic support to students within a year group, helping to develop their skills and knowledge as they prepare for practice. Clinical Tutor Associates (CTAs) are doctors in training who provide academic support to Edinburgh medical students, helping to develop their skills and knowledge as they prepare for practice. The CTA scheme was created in response to student feedback highlighting a need for more personalised academic support for students during their clinical years. The scheme now provides each year group with a dedicated cohort of experienced trainee doctors with an interest in developing their skills as educators, who will deliver relevant and accessible teaching to all students within that year. The role offers significant benefits to CTAs including developing key skills in education and team working. Over an academic year, CTAs need to be able to dedicate 30 hours of time to teaching and, in some academic years, portfolio marking. Preparation time to develop teaching resources and plans is included in these 30 hours. Workshops are spread across the academic year and there is flexibility for CTAs to provide workshop sessions at times suitable for them. Please note that all in-person teaching will take place in Edinburgh, so travel may be required for CTAs who work outside of Edinburgh. As students’ progress through the clinical years of medical school, their focus and experiences shift too. This is reflected in the CTA scheme, where the CTA role adapts between years. CTA teaching will be tailored to each year. For example, Year 4 students receive sessions on history and examination skills to complement their first clinical placements. In Year 6, CTAs will run mock OSCE workshops in the build-up to exams. Any doctor in training working in south-east Scotland can apply to become a CTA . If you want to find out more, please contact: Eleri Williams This article was published on 2024-09-09
