Advisory Appointments Committees and Job Description Approvals

What is an AAC?  

An Advisory Appointment Committee (AAC) is a legally constituted interview panel that is established by an employing body in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to appoint consultants or SAS doctors posts.

The role of an AAC is to determine whether any applicants are suitable for appointment and to recommend the most appropriate candidate to the employing body. They ensure that the best person for the job is selected through a fair and transparent process, and that the successful candidate either has the required qualifications and competencies or is fully prepared to undertake the role.

Who sits on the AAC panel? 

In order to be quorate, an AAC Panel should include at least the following members:  

• A lay member (normally the Chair of the employing body or another non-executive director)
• The employer’s Chief Executive or a nominated deputy
• The Medical Director of the employing body (or their medically qualified nominated deputy)
• A consultant working at the employer, normally from the relevant specialty or sub-specialty 

• The Royal College AAC Assessor 

   

What is the role of the RCoA? 

The Royal College of Anaesthetists has an important role that covers the specialties of anaesthesia, intensive care medicine, and pain medicine, which includes: 

• Reviewing and approving job descriptions and person specification to ensure that job plans provide adequate clinical, administrative, and professional development time
• Providing College representatives to participate on interview panels
• Providing guidance on the suitability of applicants for appointment 

What JDs do we approve? 

We can assist you in reviewing and approving the following anaesthetist, intensivist, and pain medicine posts: 

• Permanent (substantive) Consultant
• Fixed-term cover posts over 12 months
• Academic posts that contain an element of clinical work
• Specialty Doctor
• Specialist Grade Doctor (Senior SAS)
• Military 

Currently, we do not approve Locum posts. 

If you have any questions, please email aac@rcoa.ac.uk or call 020 7092 1571