Critical Progression Points

There are four critical progression points during anaesthetic training:

Critical progression point 1: Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC)

This is the first component of training and in practice normally takes between three and six (indicative) months for most doctors to achieve. It is a summative assessment and anaesthetists in training must complete it in its entirety before trainers consider whether it is acceptable for them to progress to undertake aspects of clinical anaesthetic practice without direct supervision. It is important that anaesthetists and their trainers recognise that possession of the IAC does not imply that an anaesthetist in training may deliver direct anaesthetic care to patients without continuing appropriate supervision, but is the first milestone in the training programme.

Critical progression point 2: End of Stage 1 (CT3)

To complete Stage 1 training successfully, the anaesthetist in training must pass the Primary FRCA in its entirety, as well as attaining all of the generic and specialty learning outcomes required for that stage of training. In signing the Stage One Training Certificate, trainers must be satisfied that the anaesthetist in training has obtained the required level of achievement in all of the learning outcomes for stage 1. If this is not the case, then the anaesthetist in training requires additional training time, as detailed in the Gold Guide. Satisfactory completion of Stage 1 is a prerequisite for eligibility for recruitment, and entry, to stage 2 of the anaesthetic training programme.

Additionally, The Initial Assessment of Competence in Obstetric Anaesthesia (IACOA) must be obtained by all anaesthetists in training during stage 1, before being considered safe to work in an obstetric unit without direct supervision. It is recommended that this is attained after a block of obstetric anaesthetic training, usually commenced after one year in programme. Achieving the IACOA does not signal meeting the obstetric anaesthetic capabilities of Stage 1 training.

Critical progression point 3: End of Stage 2 (ST5)

To complete Stage 2 training successfully, the anaesthetist in training must pass the Final FRCA in its entirety, as well as attaining all of the generic and specialty learning outcomes required for that stage of training. In signing the Stage Two Training Certificate, trainers must be satisfied that the anaesthetist in training has obtained the required level of achievement in all of the learning outcomes for stage 2. If this is not the case, then the anaesthetist in training. requires additional training time, as detailed in the Gold Guide. A satisfactory ARCP outcome will be required for entry to Stage 3 training (ST6-7).

Critical progression point 4: End of training (ST7)

The final progression point is at the end of training when anaesthetists in training will be required to demonstrate that they have met the specified standard in all of the HLOs for the end of this final stage of training. Trainers must be satisfied that this is the case and a satisfactory outcome will be required before signing a Stage 3 Training Certificate in order that an anaesthetist in training can apply for the award of a CCT.