Medical Education Fellow - Widening Participation and Medical Admissions

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023.

About the College/Department

At the University of Derby, we are shaping the future of medical education through innovative programmes, widening participation and strong partnerships with our local communities and healthcare providers. Central to this ambition is the development of the University of Derby Medical School, with plans to deliver a five-year undergraduate MBChB programme. Our growing Medicine at Derby portfolio also includes an Access to HE (Medicine) Diploma, the Recognising Potential Pathway to Medicine, outreach activities and postgraduate and professional development opportunities. Working closely with NHS partners, schools, colleges, community organisations and the University of Sunderland, we aim to develop a skilled, compassionate healthcare workforce that meets the needs of Derby, Derbyshire and beyond.

About the Role

We are seeking an innovative medical professional with an interest in education to lead the development, delivery and evaluation of the University's Recognising Potential programmes and associated pathways into medicine and healthcare. The role will focus on supporting learners from underrepresented backgrounds to raise their aspirations, develop their skills and confidence, and successfully progress into higher education and future healthcare careers.

Working closely with the Founding Dean of Medicine and a wide range of internal and external partners, you will design and deliver engaging educational programmes for learners aged 8–18 and beyond, including aspiring medical students and those studying on the University's Access to Medicine Diploma. Activities will include medical school application support, UCAT and Multiple Mini Interview preparation, clinical and communication skills workshops, simulated work experience, outreach activities and summer schools.

You will play a key role in developing innovative learning resources, evaluating programme impact and using evidence to drive continuous improvement. Building strong partnerships with schools, colleges, healthcare organisations and community stakeholders will be central to creating sustainable educational pathways and expanding access to medicine and other healthcare professions.

This role is 0.2 FTE (working pattern to be discussed at interview; however may include some weekends and evenings), on a 12-month Fixed Term Contract.

Principal Accountabilities

Programme Development and Leadership:
- Lead the planning, development, delivery and continuous improvement of the University's Recognising Potential programme.
- Design and deliver a structured annual programme for Year 12 and Year 13 students preparing applications to Medicine.
- Develop and deliver enrichment activities and educational support for students enrolled on the University's Access to Medicine Diploma.
- Design and deliver aspiration-raising activities for children and young people aged 8–16 years.
- Develop innovative educational resources, including simulation-based learning activities, communication skills workshops, clinical skills sessions and digital learning materials.
- Ensure programme content remains aligned with current medical admissions processes, NHS priorities, widening participation objectives and healthcare workforce needs.
- Support the admissions processes for medical admissions.
- Contribute to the development of a flagship regional widening participation programme that increases progression into medicine and healthcare careers for learners from underrepresented backgrounds.

Educational Delivery:
- Deliver engaging, high-quality educational activities that support progression into medicine and healthcare professions.
- Plan, facilitate and evaluate activities including UCAT preparation, Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) preparation, UCAS and personal statement guidance, clinical communication skills workshops, professionalism and values-based learning sessions, simulated work experience activities, healthcare careers education, outreach workshops, summer schools and enrichment programmes.
- Create authentic and immersive learning experiences that enhance learners' confidence, skills and understanding of healthcare careers.

Evaluation and Quality Improvement:
- Develop and implement robust evaluation methods to assess the effectiveness and impact of widening participation and outreach activities.
- Collect, analyse and interpret participation, engagement and outcome data.
- Produce reports and impact summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
- Monitor learner progression and outcomes where appropriate.
- Use evaluation findings to inform continuous improvement and future programme development.
- Contribute evidence and reporting to support Medical School development, accreditation and regulatory requirements.
- Support the dissemination of innovation and good practice through presentations, publications and educational scholarship where appropriate.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Working:
- Develop and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders including academic colleagues, professional services teams, schools and colleges, healthcare organisations and community partners.
- Work collaboratively with the Schools and Colleges Liaison Team, Marketing and Recruitment, Academic Registry, student ambassadors, Derbyshire Hub+ and other widening participation partners.
- Represent the University at outreach, recruitment and stakeholder engagement events.
- Develop partnerships that strengthen progression pathways into medicine and healthcare professions.
- Promote collaboration across education, healthcare and community sectors to support the widening participation agenda.

Medical School Development:
- Contribute to the strategic development of the University of Derby Medical School through widening participation initiatives, outreach pathway development and educational innovation.
- Support recruitment and admissions-related activities where appropriate.
- Contribute to the Medical School's ambition to widen access to medicine and attract applicants from the broadest possible range of backgrounds.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications:
- Primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent qualification).
- Full GMC registration with licence to practise.

Experience:
- Experience of undergraduate and/or postgraduate medical education.
- Experience of widening participation, outreach, access or aspiration-raising activities.
- Experience supporting learners applying to medicine or other healthcare professional programmes.
- Experience developing educational resources, programmes or learning materials.
- Experience delivering interactive and learner-centred teaching to groups from diverse educational backgrounds.
- Experience evaluating educational programmes and using evidence to inform quality improvement.
- Experience working collaboratively across organisational or professional boundaries.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:
- Knowledge and understanding of UK medical school admissions processes.
- Knowledge of UCAT and Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) preparation.
- Understanding of widening participation, social mobility and fair access agendas within higher education.
- Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and their application within educational settings.
- Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational, project management and prioritisation skills.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently and use initiative whilst contributing effectively as part of a wider team.
- Strong data analysis, report-writing and digital literacy skills.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences.
- Demonstrable commitment to widening participation, educational inclusion and social mobility.

Business Requirements:
- Ability to work outside of normal working hours (including some evenings and weekends) to support the business during key University events.
- Ability and willingness to travel across Derbyshire and the surrounding region as required.

Desirable Criteria:

Qualifications:
- Postgraduate qualification in Medical Education or a related discipline.
- Fellowship or Membership of Advance HE, the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME), or equivalent professional recognition.

Experience:
- Direct involvement in undergraduate medical admissions processes.
- Experience of simulation-based education.
- Experience of educational research, scholarship or publication.
- Experience of developing and evaluating widening participation programmes.
- Experience working with schools, colleges, NHS organisations and community partners.
- Experience contributing to strategic educational development or curriculum innovation.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
- Knowledge of current developments and emerging trends in medical education.
- Understanding of healthcare workforce development and widening participation policy.
- Ability to identify opportunities for innovation and service development.
- Experience of presenting educational outcomes or good practice at conferences, workshops or professional events.
- Understanding of regulatory and quality assurance requirements relevant to medical education.

Benefits:
- Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata).
- Teacher's Pension Scheme.
- Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
- Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers.
- Discounted onsite gym.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- A flexible working environment.
- A commitment to personal and professional development.