Management Station: Interview Guide

Overview

The management station is split into two sections .

Section 1 | Management Presentation (5 mins)

The CST interview's management section begins with a 3-minute prepared presentation, focusing on leadership and management. You will receive the presentation topic via email two weeks beforehand, typically related to the CST person specification's leadership and management criteria.

Avoid listing experiences; instead, emphasise 2-4 achievements or specific instances demonstrating leadership and management skills. Examples may include involvement in the junior doctors’ forum or leadership roles within multidisciplinary teams.

Expect a 2-minute Q&A session following your presentation, where interviewers will assess content, delivery, and responses.

Section 2 | Management Scenario (5 mins)

After your presentation, you will confront an unforeseen management scenario encompassing ethical, professional, and personal dilemmas common in surgery. Respond to questions posed by interviewers related to the scenario, focusing on addressing real-time challenges like identifying and managing colleagues with potential issues.

You will have 5 minutes to answer the question, requiring quick thinking on your feet as the scenario will only be revealed during the interview. Employ a structured approach such as SPIES (Seek Information, Patient Safety, Initiative, Escalate, Support) to tackle the scenario effectively.

Expect potential additional information or prompts from interviewers as you navigate through the scenario, allowing them to assess your adaptability and critical thinking skills. Consider utilising any spare time to enhance your responses

You will be scored on the three scoring criteria:

1. Probity, professional integrity, and understanding of safety and ethics.

2. Judgment and prioritisation skills under pressure.

3. Communication effectiveness in conveying your decisions and rationale

Management Station: Interview Guide

The interview guide, included in this subsection of the website, will first show you useful frameworks for answering questions; this includes the useful STAR, CAMP, SPIES and SBAR frameworks. Visit the page and learn these prior to starting your revision and use them as a basis to formulate your answer around

Secondly, we will provide some useful interview tips on how to approach revision for this challenging station. Within the management station section of the website we have broken down the revision and learning into three key sections:

Section 1 | 3-minute Presentation

In this section, you will learn how to effectively tackle the 3-minute management presentation. This task is provided to candidates before the interview as part of the interview process. Since this is one aspect of the interview that you can prepare for thoroughly, it’s crucial to master this part of the management station.

Section 2 | Interview Questions

After the initial presentation, candidates will have 2 minutes to answer questions from the examiners. These questions generally focus on management and leadership but may also touch on communication skills, teaching, and training. Practicing commonly asked interview questions and applying frameworks such as STAR will put you in a strong position.

Section 3 | Management Scenarios

The final section involves a 5-minute management scenario. Candidates are presented with a situation, such as dealing with a drunk colleague at work. You must demonstrate your problem-solving, leadership, and management skills, explaining to the examiners how you would handle the situation. Using the SPIES framework and practicing various common ethical scenarios will help you excel in this part of the interview.

The management station in the CST interview plays a crucial role in showcasing your leadership skills, management experiences, and commitment to the field. Ethical Scenarios often form the basis for the second part of the management station. This includes topics such as a struggling colleague who was not getting enough theatre time "how would you approach this?". These scenarios are to test candidates probity, professional integrity, and understanding of safety and ethics. It is important to display a structured and organisation response whilst conveying your decisions clearly with appropriate rationale. 

Your communication skills will also be assessed in in the CST interview. Good candidates will have the ability to effectively communicate in various clinical scenarios and navigate the challenging managmeent and leadership questions. The examiners are looking for candidates who can demonstrate clear and concise communication, active listening, and an understanding of the emotional aspects of patient care.

Tools such as the STAR, CAMP, SPIKES and SBAR mnemonics included below are a great way of structuring a response to tackle these scenarios effectively.

CAMP Framework

When answering interview questions related to your CV or professional background, the CAMP acronym can serve as a helpful guide to structure your responses effectively. Following the CAMP structure will allow you to highlight key areas of your experience and accomplishments. Example questions for when to apply the CAMP framework:

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1. Tell me about yourself?

2. Why do you want to train as a surgeon?

3. Take me through your CV

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Clinical

Highlight your clinical experiences, rotations, and specialties you have worked in. Discuss specific cases, procedures, or patient interactions that demonstrate your clinical skills, decision-making abilities, and patient-centered care. Emphasize any relevant certifications, clinical audits, or quality improvement projects you have been involved in.

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Academic

Discuss your academic achievements, research endeavors, and contributions to medical literature. Highlight any publications, presentations, or research projects you have undertaken. Mention any academic awards, grants, or scholarships you have received, showcasing your commitment to evidence-based practice and academic pursuits.

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Management/Teaching

Showcase your management and teaching experiences. Describe any leadership roles you have held, involvement in multidisciplinary teams, or contributions to service improvement initiatives. Discuss your teaching activities, such as mentoring junior colleagues, conducting workshops or seminars, or participating in medical education programs. Highlight any feedback or evaluations you have received regarding your teaching and leadership skills.

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Personal 

Share personal qualities, interests, and experiences that complement your professional profile. Discuss your commitment to ongoing professional development, such as attending conferences or completing relevant courses. Mention any extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or community involvement that demonstrate your well-roundedness, teamwork, and resilience.

By following the CAMP framework, you can ensure that your responses are well-rounded, comprehensive, and highlight various aspects of your professional profile. Tailor your answers to align with the specific requirements and priorities of the role you are interviewing for. Practice discussing each component of CAMP to ensure you can articulate your achievements, experiences, and aspirations confidently during the interview.

STAR Framework

The STAR acronym is a widely recognised and effective framework for structuring responses to behavioural or situational interview questions. It can be particularly helpful when answering interview questions that require you to provide specific examples or scenarios from your experiences:

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1. Give an example where you worked under pressure?

2. Describe a situation when you dealt with a difficult patient?

3. Tell us about a time you played a key role in a team

4. Describe a situation where you had to ask for senior help

5. Give an example where your communication skills made a difference to the care of a patient.

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Situation

Begin by providing a clear and concise description of the situation or scenario you encountered. This sets the context for your response and helps the interviewer understand the background of the situation.

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Task

Explain the task or objective you were assigned or that you needed to accomplish in the given situation. This helps demonstrate your understanding of your role and responsibilities within the scenario.

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Action

Describe the specific actions you took to address the situation or achieve the task at hand. Be detailed in explaining the steps you followed, the decisions you made, and the skills or knowledge you applied. Focus on your individual contribution and highlight your strengths and abilities.

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Result

Discuss the outcome or result of your actions. Explain the positive impact your actions had, whether it was patient improvement, successful collaboration with colleagues, or resolving a problem effectively. Quantify the results when possible and emphasize any lessons learned or personal growth from the experience.

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By utilising the STAR framework, you can provide structured and well-rounded answers that showcase your abilities, experiences, and problem-solving skills. Remember to practice using the STAR approach before your interview, preparing examples from your previous experiences that align with the skills and qualities sought in the position. This will help you present yourself confidently and demonstrate your suitability for the role.

SPIES Framework

The SPIES acronym is a useful framework for effectively answering interview questions, particularly those that require you to provide specific examples or experiences. Useful for scenarios were you are dealing with difficult colleague or faced by a medical ethical dillemma. 

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1. One of you colleagues keeps coming in late. What do you do?

2. Consultant comes to ward drunk how would you manage this?

3. Consultant asks you to change some documentation to cover up his mistake. What do you do?

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Seek Information

Gather all relevant facts and details about the ethical issue at hand. Ask questions to understand the full context of the situation. This includes obtaining a detailed history, understanding the patient's perspective, and reviewing any relevant medical records or guidelines.

Example: If a patient refuses a recommended treatment, ask why they are refusing, explore their understanding of the treatment, and identify any concerns or misconceptions they might have.

Patient Safety

Prioritise the safety and well-being of the patient in all decision-making processes. Ensure that any actions taken do not harm the patient and consider ways to mitigate risks. This includes adhering to clinical guidelines, providing appropriate supervision, and monitoring for adverse effects.

Example: In a situation where a patient is at risk of harm (e.g., self-harm or neglect), immediate steps should be taken to ensure their safety, such as seeking urgent psychiatric evaluation or involving social services.

Initiative

Take proactive steps to address the ethical issue and find a solution. Demonstrate leadership by suggesting practical and effective actions. This involves thinking ahead, planning interventions, and being prepared to take responsibility.

Example: If a colleague is behaving unethically, take the initiative to document the behaviour, seek advice from a mentor or ethics committee, and discuss the issue with the colleague if appropriate.

Escalate

Know when and how to escalate the issue to higher authorities or seek additional help. Recognise situations that are beyond your expertise or authority and involve senior staff, ethics committees, or legal advisors as necessary.

Example: If faced with a complex ethical dilemma that impacts patient care significantly, escalate the issue to a senior clinician or the hospital's ethics board to ensure a comprehensive and balanced resolution.

Support

Provide emotional, psychological, and professional support to those involved in the ethical issue. Offer support to patients, families, and colleagues. This includes listening empathetically, providing clear communication, and facilitating access to additional resources or counseling.

Example: If a family is struggling with a difficult decision about end-of-life care for a loved one, provide compassionate support, ensure they understand all the options, and connect them with palliative care or counseling services.

By following the SPIES framework, you can deliver well-structured and comprehensive responses to medical interview questions. This approach allows you to showcase your clinical reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and capacity for reflection and improvement. Remember to practice using the SPIES framework with examples from your experiences, ensuring that you highlight your strengths and competencies relevant to the role as an CST trainee.

SBAR Framework

The SBAR tool is a structured communication technique widely used in healthcare settings, particularly during handovers and transitions of care. The acronym SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. This tool provides a systematic and concise framework for conveying critical information between healthcare professionals, ensuring effective communication and promoting patient safety.

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Situation

• Describes the current situation or the reason for the communication.

• Provides a brief and focused overview of the patient's condition or the issue at hand.

• Be concise and make it clear with your initial statement what you are concerned about

Background

• Offers relevant background information related to the patient's medical history, recent events, and contextual factors.

• Helps the recipient understand the broader context of the situation.

• Only include key points relevant to the situation at hand. You do not need to list off a full list of their medications for examples

Assessment

• Presents the healthcare professional's assessment of the patient's current status.

• Includes vital signs, symptoms, and any other pertinent clinical information.

• Can think about CCRISP assessment, ATLS findings etc

Recommendation

• Proposes a clear and specific course of action based on the assessment.

• May include suggested interventions, medications, or further diagnostic steps

The use of SBAR promotes consistency in communication, making it easier for healthcare teams to understand and act upon information, particularly in time-sensitive situations. While SBAR is commonly used in handovers, it can also be adapted for various communication scenarios, such as nurse-physician communication or interprofessional team discussions.

In the context of handover stations, candidates are often assessed on their ability to use the SBAR tool effectively to communicate patient information. This includes presenting information in a structured manner, using the appropriate level of detail, and making clear and actionable recommendations for patient care.

Begin by thoroughly understanding the structure and requirements of each interview section: the 3-minute presentation, the Q&A segment, and the management scenarios. Develop a consistent study schedule to ensure comprehensive coverage of each area. Start your revision for the management station by visiting the Frameworks for Answering Questions page in the study guide. Use frameworks like STAR for answering questions and SPIES for management / ethical scenarios to organise your responses clearly and effectively.

Next, explore the three individual management station sections on the website. We have divided the revision and learning process into three key sections, each of equal importance. While we have included some general tips on revising and performing well in these sections, for a complete understanding, make sure to work through each section thoroughly.

Section 1 | 3-Minute Presentation

The 3-minute management presentation is a crucial part of the interview process where candidates have the opportunity to showcase their preparation and presentation skills. Here are key steps to ensure you excel in this section:

• Understand the Prompt: Ensure you fully comprehend the topic or scenario given for your presentation. Clarify any ambiguities beforehand if possible.

• Structure Your Presentation: Organise your content logically with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Aim for three main points to keep it concise and impactful.

• Practice and Time Management: Rehearse multiple times to stay within the 3-minute limit. Practice speaking clearly and at a steady pace to ensure your message is conveyed effectively.

• Engage Your Audience: Use differing pitch in your voice to emphasise key points, maintain eye contact, and engage with your audience. Show confidence and enthusiasm about your topic.

Section 2 | Interview Questions

After your presentation, you will have 2 minutes to answer questions from the examiners. These questions will likely focus on management, leadership, communication skills, and teaching/training abilities. To prepare effectively:

• Practice Common Questions: Familiarise yourself with frequently asked questions in management interviews. Examples include:

  • How do you handle conflict within a team?

  • Can you give an example of a time you demonstrated leadership?

  • How do you ensure effective communication in your team?

• Use the STAR Framework: Structure your answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide clear and comprehensive responses.

• Highlight Relevant Experiences: Relate your answers to real-life experiences, showcasing your skills and achievements in previous roles.

• Stay Concise and Focused: Given the limited time, make your answers succinct and to the point, emphasising the key aspects of your response.

Section 3 | Management Scenarios

In the final 5-minute part of the management station, you will be presented with an management / ethical scenario, such as dealing with a drunk colleague at work. Here’s how to approach this:

• Understand the Scenario: Take a moment to fully grasp the details and implications of the scenario presented to you.

• Utilize the SPIES Framework: This framework (Seek information, Patient safety, Initiative, Escalate, Support) will help you structure your response effectively:

  • Seek Information: Gather all relevant facts about the situation.

  • Patient Safety: Prioritise the safety and well-being of any patients or team members involved.

  • Initiative: Demonstrate proactive problem-solving and decision-making skills.

  • Escalate: Know when and how to escalate the issue to higher authorities if necessary.

  • Support: Provide support to the colleague involved, ensuring they receive appropriate help and guidance.

• Practice Different Scenarios: Familiarise yourself with various ethical scenarios and practice your responses, focusing on demonstrating your leadership, management, and problem-solving abilities.

• Stay Calm and Composed: Approach each scenario calmly and methodically, showing your ability to handle difficult situations under pressure.

By following these guidelines and thoroughly preparing each section, you will be well-equipped to excel in the management station of your interview.

Practicing with Partners

Practicing with a partner can greatly enhance your preparation. Conduct mock interviews, simulating the interview environment, and take turns as the interviewer and interviewee to gain different perspectives. Provide and receive constructive feedback, focusing on clarity, conciseness, body language, and use of frameworks. Practice different management scenarios and management presentations with your partner to develop quick thinking and adaptability, helping you become more comfortable with various interview situations.

Utilising CST Interview Courses

Enrolling in CST interview courses provides structured learning and expert guidance. These courses often include mock interviews, which are invaluable for practice. Utilise all course materials, such as recorded sessions, practice questions, and instructor feedback. Engage with peers in the course to share insights, tips, and additional practice opportunities, which can offer new perspectives and keep you motivated.

General Tips

After each practice session, review and reflect on your performance to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Stay updated on current trends and common questions in management and ethical scenarios relevant to your field. Incorporate relaxation and stress management techniques to remain calm and focused during revision and the interview itself. By combining individual study, partner practice, and CST courses, you will be well-prepared for each section of the interview. Remember the following when practicing but also during your real interview:

1. Practice Makes Perfect: Conduct mock interviews and practice presentations with a virtual setup to get comfortable with the format.

2. Stay Engaged: Show enthusiasm and interest throughout the interview. Nod and give visual feedback to show you are actively listening.

3. Manage Time: Be mindful of the time limits for each section. Practice staying within the given timeframe for your presentation and answers.

4. Clear and Concise Responses: Keep your answers clear and to the point. Avoid rambling, as this can be more noticeable in a virtual setting.