One of the most important people in the process of becoming a QP is your sponsor. Your sponsor should provide you with a wealth of knowledge & experience and a passion for their work. The sponsor is not just someone who signs your application form at the end of the process!Sponsor Requirements
your sponsor must be a member of one of the 3 professional bodies (RPS, RSC, SoB) and should be a practising Qualified Person. In practice it is common that your sponsor will be your line manager. This is preferential as they will already know your previous experience and be regularly available for discussions and reviews. A line manager who is not a QP may act as your sponsor as long as the application form is counter-signed by a QP performing duties under the license to which you are engaged.
The role of the Sponsor should not be taken lightly as the role carries significant responsibility. The QP Guidance Notes issued by the joint professional bodies gives a comprehensive list of roles & responsibilities of the sponsor and is well worth a read for both QP trainees and sponsors alike.
Sponsor Form
The sponsor form will form part of your completed QP application package to your professional body. The QP sponsor form was comprehensively updated in 2013 to ensure sponsors are fully integrated into the trainee QP's training. The updated form also gives the sponsor more documentation to complete prior to submitting the trainee's application form. Sponsor's will have to provide examples of occasions where the trainee QP has met a number of competencies.
So, what should you look for in a potential sponsor? Here are some of my sponsor tips (in no particular order) from my limited experience with working with my own sponsor:
- Share an office
2. Allocate time
Allocate time for regular meetings each week. These should review your current training topics, application form, planned visits and work diary. Having some structure to these meetings helps to make use of the (usually limited) time available. Set objectives & goals for the next meeting to ensure you can target your study topics effectively. Making the meetings formal, for example by scheduling in Outlook is a great way of keeping the meetings.
3. No sugar coating
Your sponsor needs to be honest with you. If you answers to questions or knowledge around a specific area is lacking then they need to tell you. There is no point in pretending all will be fine come viva day as you'll need toughening up before meeting the 3 assessors in your viva. Obviously constructive criticism works best and the trainee needs to be receptive to this. Taking the mickey is acceptable if your answers are daft enough.....
4. Old school Vs New school
I think it really helps having a sponsor who has gone through the viva as they should know what it takes to train someone to pass. Grandad & transitional QPs have not gone through the viva process and, to me, would appear not to be in the best position to prepare someone for a viva they haven't sat before. Ensure your sponsor is up to date in all recent GMP/legislation updates as you will need to be tested regularly on this area as this is sure to come up in the viva.
5. Well networked
Your sponsor should be well networked within the QP community. I haven't met one that hasn't been well networked yet - even in the NHS! Having contacts is particularly important to help arrange industry visits to cover areas/dosage forms and provide introductions to other trainee QPs for potential study partners. It is important to create these networks yourself in order to get different opinions from your sponsor - your sponsor doesn't always know best! (only your mum does)
6. Involved in QP trainee recruitment
Having the sponsor directly involved with the recruitment process will ensure the applicant's understanding of the level of commitment required throughout the training period. As a sponsor you will also need to be able to communicate effectively with your trainee and being on the interview panel will provide an insight to the candidates personality.
7. Supportive
During your QP training you will have ups and downs. There will be times where your confidence soars around particular topics and other times where you feel you cannot see the woods for the trees. Having a supportive sponsor who knows how to recognise these signs will help you to get through the bad times and keep you grounded during the highs. They should also understand to recognise when you've had enough and need a break for a week or 2 as the training can quickly become all-consuming.
8. Prepared to be challenged
As the trainee gains knowledge and experience the sponsor should be expected to be challenged from time to time. The sponsor needs to encourage this to develop the debating skills in the trainee which will be needed not only in the viva but as performing their QP duties in the future.
9. Get the rounds in
You need to get along with your sponsor as you will likely be spending considerable time with them throughout your training. Having common interests outside of the GMP-world is beneficial and enjoying each other's company over a beer or 2 always helps.
10. Keep them sweet
When you finally pass your viva make sure you find a suitable way of thanking them (be creative). Don't piss them off and leave the company straight after gaining your QP status! That is likely to leave a sour taste in their mouth - remember, the QP world is small and well networked!!
I've been really lucky with my sponsor. We were friends before even starting the QP training and are of similar age which helps with the working relationship. More importantly, he has only recently passed the viva so all his knowledge is still lodged in his head (for now at least).
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