BMA graduate scheme - information for prospective candidates
Why choose the BMA?
- Good career development opportunities
- Opportunity to champion the medical profession
- It is well respected and influential
- Good learning and development opportunities
- You can make a difference
- Challenging and varied work
- Initiative, a proactive style and willingness to take ownership of work
- Creativity and new ideas
- Strong team players
- The ability to interact and build relationships with people at all levels
- The potential to influence and lead others
- Commitment to supporting the medical profession
- Strong analytical, research and written skills
Part of a unique organisation
There really is no other organisation quite like the British Medical Association. So what is it that sets us apart from the rest?
As part of the BMA Graduate Scheme, you will immediately be involved with work that allows you to actively contribute to your department and the organisation. We are looking for bright, talented individuals, therefore, we want to make sure that we keep you challenged through a programme of varied placements and development opportunities.
Being the voice of the medical profession, that represents and protects doctors’ interests and provides them with an array of services, the BMA really is an organisation within which you feel you can make a difference through your
work.
We are a well respected and influential professional body, that is consistently in contact with the Government, the Media and other influential bodies in order to promote our policies. Therefore, when you see a press release on a project that you were working closely on, for example, you really do feel as though you are personally contributing to
the future of medical politics.
What we do - see a description of the BMA departments' activities
Programme structure
Prior to you joining us, the Learning and Development department will put together a range of placements for you which will form the basis of your one year programme. The placements will provide a balance between your areas of interest and what will give you wide exposure to the organisation as a whole. For example, your placements could range from working in the Science and Education department doing research and writing policies, a marketing role in the Membership Development department, to working in our International department liaising with doctors from all over the world or working on the political side in a committee representing GPs.
Example of a typical Graduate Programme:
Shadowing
In an organisation as diverse as the BMA, there will still be areas that you want to spend time in on top of your longer placements, and this can be arranged through shadowing visits.
For example, Ethics is a small specialist department, so we organise shadowing visits here for you to spend time with the Ethics Advisers and find out how they fit into the BMA.
Our Regional Services Advisers are home-workers placed all over the country, therefore, rather than a longer placement we find it fits in better for you to accompany them to employment tribunals and negotiating meetings, for example, to learn about the important role they play in the BMA.
Additional elements
You will also attend the ARM (Annual Representative Meeting) where new policies are debated and you will be given a specific role to undertake at this one week conference. In addition, you will have the opportunity to shadow Council - the BMA's decision making body - and attend one of their meetings where BMA policy is debated and direction is determined. Moreover, each Graduate Trainee will be allocated a specific project to work on during the scheme.
Your development
The BMA is committed to investing in its people; its most valuable resource, and we hold the Investor in People standard which reflects our approach and commitment to learning and development.
In addition to the learning and development that you will gain on the job rotating around different areas, we also provide you with structured opportunities to ensure you can fulfil your potential.
Induction
At the BMA we place a great deal of value in induction. The Learning and Development department will welcome you with a solid induction to the scheme and the organisation. We will then ensure that for each of your placements your respective line manager will provide you with a comprehensive induction to the role that you will play within that function and the structure of the department itself.
Learning and Development
Throughout the programme, the Learning and Development department will provide you with various core training courses and development opportunities to build your skills and support you in your roles, such as presentation skills training and business writing, for example.
Continued development
We also have a policy at the BMA for funding long term study programmes after one year’s service. In fact, previous Graduates of other schemes have studied part time alongside working at the BMA to gain Masters qualifications, for example, relating to their field of work that will enable them to contribute more to the goals of their department and develop their career.
Further support
Learning and Development Department
The Learning and Development Department will be there throughout the scheme to support you, and you will have regular catch-ups with them.
“Buddies”
In addition to having your line manager and the Learning & Development department for support and guidance, you will also be introduced to Graduates of previous schemes who will act as “buddies” to you. The BMA is a welcoming organisation which is epitomised by a friendly Graduate community where Graduates from previous schemes have all got to know each other and have built up rapports.
Your career
Through the scheme, as you move between your placements you will find out how all the different functions fit together to form the wider organisation. You will also have the opportunity to network and work with a variety of individuals; building relationships and adapting to new working environments. Moreover, through working in a number of areas you will acquire an array of skills and knowledge, from researching and writing policies to delivering good customer service to our members, for example. Therefore, the scheme provides an excellent grounding upon which to build a varied and rewarding career.
By the end of the scheme you will be in a position to identify your chosen field of interest, and you will then be able to start applying for a permanent role at the BMA. The Learning and Development department will support you in applying for a permanent role within the Association. They will also facilitate a careers workshop to help you with this process. Moreover, mentoring support will be available from managers at any stage, and the Learning and Development department will be able to assist you in finding a suitable mentor.
Previous graduates have moved into a variety of roles following on from the scheme, ranging from Executive Officers in Representational and Political Activities, Press Information Officer, Marketing Assistant and Research and Policy Executive in Science and Education. All graduates from previous schemes have been successful in obtaining a permanent role in the organisation.
Read more about them.
Q&A
How many places are there and how long does the scheme last?
There are four places on the scheme and it will last for one year, at the end of which you will be supported in finding a permanent position in the organisation.
When would I join the scheme?
The scheme will start in September of the year of application.
Am I guaranteed a permanent position upon completion of the one year scheme?
You join us on a permanent contract, but do have to apply for jobs at the end of the scheme. All Graduates from previous schemes have been successful in securing a role with us.
How much will I be paid?
Your starting salary will be £24, 000 (for September 2008 intake) and when you move into a permanent role your salary will increase in line with that position.
What benefits will I get?
You will automatically become a member of the BMA Pension Scheme. You will receive 25 days holiday per annum plus BMA Day and Bank Holidays. We will also loan you the cost of a season ticket for travel to work. We have a subsidised staff restaurant and discounts at local fitness centres and all employees are entitled to eye care vouchers. Read more benefits
Applications
The closing date for applications this year is 11 May 2008