What Happens After I Pass the CASC?
Once you have passed the CASC you can breathe a sigh of relief! You have worked long and hard and have passed one of the final hurdles of your core training. It is important to recognise this massive achievement, but as always it is also important to think about the next steps.
So what else needs to be done before you move on to other horizons? Here are a few things to think about.
Preparing for an ST4 Job
There are a few more boxes to tick before you can move on to an ST4 job. Some important things to things to think about are completing your e-portfolio so you pass your ARCP and can be signed off with an outcome 6- completion of core training. Ensure you have covered and linked all of the objectives outlined in the core training curriculum and always remember to complete your Form R.
It’s also essential to attend a course for Section 12 approval. There are various local and national courses that offer the Section 12 induction course, including one offered by the Royal College of Psychiatry. Try to get this done in time for the start date of your ST4 training - the administrative process can take a few months. You will also need to think about getting references for this, as well as having a recent DBS check and an up-to-date CV.
Speciality Choices
Although many people may be set on a subspecialty- it is quite common to reach the end of your core training and feel uncertain about which path to choose. We would recommend thinking about doing a QI project or taster days in a speciality you may be thinking about.
Remember that a single rotation in a speciality may not be representative of the whole speciality and can be heavily influenced by workload, your clinical supervisor, the team and the systems in place in your working environment (which can give you both a positive or negative skew of that specialty).
Think about chatting to those already in the speciality – from our experience, we have always found senior colleagues very helpful and keen to chat about their chosen career path. Have a think about what you value in not only your career but also your life in the future. And sometimes simply weighing up the pros and cons of various specialities can provide a lot of clarity- if you don’t believe it, make a table and try it out for yourself!
Time out of training
Perhaps you are thinking about taking some time out of training after completing your core training. You might want to travel and take a complete break from psychiatry, and/or you might use this as an opportunity to gain experience in another subspecialty, or work on other projects within mental health that you’re passionate about. There are lots of opportunities available for people in your position, and we would recommend to plan early, think about your career and finances, and of course enjoy this unique time in your career. Speaking to your educational supervisor is often a good place to start.
