BCS Mentoring Scheme
The new BCS mentoring scheme sets out to connect cardiac professionals at different stages within their career, where a mentor harnesses their experience and knowledge to support the next generation of cardiovascular professionals
About
The BCS Mentoring Scheme is an exclusive benefit for BCS members, available at no additional cost.
The scheme will enable individuals to develop and grow their professional practice, keep up to date with cardiological training, industry changes and the labour market. Both mentors and mentees can offer an invaluable service to fellow members, who with guidance and reassurance may gain the confidence to take that next professional step.
Our mentoring platform matches mentors and mentees based on their personalised preferences and their areas of expertise.
In the inaugural year, the mentee application process will be open to cardiology resident doctors within one year of CCT and consultant cardiologists within 5 years of first appointment. Please note places are limited.
We aim to extend the programme to a wider member group as the programme develops.
Become a mentor
Recruitment of mentors is now complete for 2024/2025.
Please contact us on [email protected] if you're interested in becoming a mentor for upcoming cohorts.
I'm interestedSign up as a mentee
The application process for mentees is opening soon, and will in the inaugural year be limited to cardiology resident doctors within one year of CCT and consultant cardiologists within 5 years of first appointment.
Opening SoonBecome a BCS Member
The BCS Mentoring Scheme is an exclusive benefit for BCS members, available at no additional cost.
Join BCS NowFrequently Asked Questions
Why join the BCS mentoring scheme?
The BCS Mentoring Scheme is an exclusive benefit for BCS members, available at no additional cost.
It sets out to connect cardiac professionals at different stages of their career, where a mentor harnesses their experience and knowledge to support the next generation of cardiovascular professionals. By supporting the development of fellow members, mentors are not only advancing the field of cardiology, but also providing the basis by which they can reflect and continue their own professional development.
The BCS Mentoring Scheme will enable individuals to develop and grow their professional practice, keep up to date with cardiological training, industry changes and the labour market. Both mentors and mentees can offer an invaluable service to fellow members, who with guidance and reassurance may gain the confidence to take that next professional step.
The mentoring is facilitated through our mentoring platform, which approved mentors and mentees have access to through the BCS member platform.
Is there a fee?
The BCS Mentoring Scheme is a benefit of membership and is available exclusively to BCS members.
There is no extra charge to use this resource, but please note that there are application criteria and that spaces are limited.
How can I become a mentor?
Thank you for your interest in becoming a BCS mentor.
Mentor recruitment for 2024/2025 is now complete, but if you’re interested in being a mentor for future cohorts, please email us at [email protected].
How can I become a mentee?
The BCS Mentoring Scheme is a benefit of membership and is available exclusively to BCS members.
In the inaugural year, the mentee application process will be open to cardiology resident doctors within one year of CCT and consultant cardiologists within 5 years of first appointment. Please note places are limited.
We aim to extend the programme to a wider member group as the programme develops.
The application process for mentees will open shortly.
What is the matching process?
When approved mentors and mentees are accepted into the programme, they are asked to fill out their mentoring preferences and a mentoring form (mentors) or mentoring request (mentees), which includes questions on professional experience and preferred mentoring topics. Our mentoring platform will then identify suitable mentors or mentees based on these preferences and criteria.
Approved mentors and mentees have access to the mentoring platform through the BCS member platform.
How frequently do mentors and mentees meet?
BCS expects mentors and mentees to meet for at least four 1-hour sessions over the period of 12 months. More frequent meetings are optional and may be necessary to review and discuss a particular topic e.g., the benefit of a change in role, an overseas opportunity, or the value of an available training course.
Sessions can be in-person, by phone or via Teams or similar online platforms. The BCS Annual Conference also offers a convenient venue for getting together over coffee or lunch.
Keep in mind that mentoring doesn’t necessarily require large amounts of time. The most important thing is to discuss mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of the mentoring relationship.
We strongly advise mentors and mentees to use the ‘My Connections’ tab in the mentoring platform to ensure all sessions and connections are recorded.
What are the expectations for participating in the scheme?
Mentors are expected to have one to two mentees, and all new mentors are required to complete brief mentoring training provided by BCS.
Mentors and mentees will be matched through our mentoring platform. Once matched, mentors and mentees are expected to meet at least four times over 12 months, with each session expected to last approximately an hour. Sessions can be in-person, by phone or via Teams or similar online platforms.
Mentors and mentees should also be willing to communicate reasonably often between sessions.
Mentors and mentees are expected to use the ‘My Connections’ tab on the mentoring platform to ensure all sessions and connections are recorded, and they will be asked to provide feedback on the mentoring experience.
For further information, please email us at [email protected]