RCP associate college tutors (ACTs) have an important and key role in supporting their local RCP CT. They do this by:
- acting as the link between resident doctors, the CT and RCP
- providing peer support to, and arranging regular meetings with, their physician resident doctors
- promoting education amongst trainees and supporting professional development and training
- maintaining regular contact with regional RCP resident doctor representatives and attending RCP meetings
- representing and championing the RCP within their trust.
ACTs are professionally responsible to the RCP and the local education and training board (LETB) but are managerially responsible to their trust.
Many trusts and LETBs also produce an ACT role description. Therefore, the RCP role description should be read in conjunction with local documents.
Once appointed, please make sure you contact your local regional office to notify them of your appointment.
ACT role descriptionHow to apply
If you would like to become a college tutor or an associate college tutor in your hospital, please download the RCP role description and express your interest to your college tutor postgraduate medical education department manager.
to find the college tutor in your hospital please contact your local regional office.
Develop your career and gain CPD points
CPD opportunities will support you with progressing through your training programme and demonstrating evidence in teaching and leadership.
The RCP offers a range of one- and two-day in-person and virtual workshops, online courses, and podcasts, to help you develop in your career, meet the requirements of your curriculum and your personal development aspirations.
Explore our range of courses and workshops
ACT abstract competition 2026
This year we’re offering ACT’s the opportunity to gain national recognition by taking part in an on-site poster competition showcasing local quality improvement (QI), service development, or educational projects delivered whilst in role as an ACT. ACTs wishing to present a poster must submit a 300-word abstract which clearly outlines their project. These abstracts will be reviewed, and shortlisted authors will be invited to develop a poster to present at the conference in Liverpool on Friday 13 November 2026.
Prizes:
- Winner: £200 + in-person medicine 2027 ticket
- Runner up: in-person medicine 2027 ticket.
The competition will open for submissions on Friday 24 April and close on Monday 6 July (midnight).
Competition categories
We invite submissions outlining QI, service development, or educational projects in which you have played an active role in improving practice.
Quality improvement (QI) focuses on systematically enhancing patient care, safety, and outcomes by refining existing healthcare processes. Using structured approaches such as the Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycle, QI projects identify gaps in practice, implement targeted changes, and measure their impact over time.
We welcome submissions describing data-driven initiatives that improve educational delivery, clinical efficiency, or patient experience. Projects should demonstrate how practical, iterative changes can lead to meaningful and sustainable improvements in healthcare.
Your 300 word abstract should clearly describe:
- the problem or gap identified
- the aim of the project
- the intervention(s) implemented
- the results and impact
- your specific role and contribution
- key learning points and future recommendations.
Eligibility
ACTs from 2025 and 2026 cohorts are eligible to apply. ACTs who have recently stood down (in the last 9 months) are welcome to apply. There is no limit to the number of entries per person. Joint submissions from multiple ACTs within a trust are welcome, but please be aware only one ACT can present per topic, and prizes would be allocated to the lead ACT. If shortlisted for presentation at the event, the lead author and any ACT co-authors will receive a certificate of recognition for their portfolios.
How to apply
Applications should be made via our online form. Before applying, you will need the title of your proposed poster, a 300-word abstract, the details of the college tutor who is in support of your application (this should be agreed before submission) and details of any co-authors (if relevant).
ACT conference poster competition winners 2025
Each year, ACTs submit a 250‑word abstract on real-time improvements delivered in post for presentation at the CT and ACT national conference. This year’s theme was ACT success stories:
- Read Dr Muha Hassan's blog on outpatient training
- Read Dr Hannah Parker and Dr Kieran Hardern's blog on simulation training for IMTs
- Read Dr Dominic Mears' blog on acting up as a registrar.
