Newly Appointed Trainees

Enroling with the College

It is mandatory for trainees to register with the enrolment College once appointed to a specialty training posts (StR or FTSTA). If you are already a member of the College your existing membership status will continue. If you are not yet a member you will need to apply for membership before your e-portfolio account details can be sent to you. Alternatively you can pay an annual trainee enrolment fee to the College which does not entitle you to the other benefits of membership. Use of the e-portfolio is compulsory for all StR and FTSTA trainees from 1 August 2008.

To enrol with the College please use the trainee >enrolment form.

In addition to the usual benefits of membership below are examples of specific ways in which trainees benefit from the work of the College:

• The work of the Ophthalmic Trainees' Group, which is supported by the College
• Approval of non-standard training posts towards the CCT (e.g. overseas fellowships and research posts) that the GMC will not approve without College support
• College support of the Regional Advisors, Programme Directors and College Tutors in their local work supporting trainees; a trial of additional support visits to help improve the quality of training is about to start.
• Travel Awards and Scholarships administered by the College
• CCT recommendations to the GMC at completion of training subject to satisfactory Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP)
• Availability of advice on education and training issues
• Curriculum and assessment development and review
• E-portfolio including CPD recording system
• Monitoring of acquisition of Workplace Based Assessments nationwide to improve reliability and fairness (necessary for continued approval of curriculum/assessments by GMC - this requires the universal use of the e-portfolio).
• Reduced fee for attendance at College Congress
• Access to the American Academy of Ophthalmology phthalmic News and Education (O.N.E.™) Networkfull including full text access to five journals - Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology, British Journal of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology Clinics of North America and Survey of Ophthalmology as well as the entire Wills Eye Manual.

If you are already a member of the College your existing membership status will continue, however the College is currently undertaking a review of subscription categories in order to ensure that the system is fair and equitable in light of the new examination structure. If you are not yet a member temporary status will be set up whilst your membership application is waiting for Council ratification.

Also see the trainee's information page for important information and documents.

For College information on trainee activities please visit the OTG section.

Updated: 21 July 2010 (SG)