What is a Trainee Network Link (TNL)?
A Trainee Network Link (TNL) is a trainee anaesthetist who acts as a go-between for their colleagues and the Association Trainee Committee.
This allows direct contact between trainees at regional level and the Trainee Committee, and helps build communication on issues, ideas and opportunities across regions.
We now have a TNL in all regions in the UK and Ireland. So far, we've gathered reports on local ideas and initiatives. We've had some excellent feedback too. Despite the pressures on training there's a formidable amount of hard work going on at local level by motivated groups of trainees and trainers, and we hope this scheme can evolve to keep supporting this energy and enthusiasm within our specialty.
The role of a TNL
We expect a TNL to be an enthusiastic trainee at any stage of training, a current trainee member of the Association, keen to be actively involved and quick to respond to queries from the committee.
The post is held for a minimum of 12 months and includes a number of responsibilities great for improving personal and professional development in areas such as leadership and management.
Holding this role will also make for engaging discussion at ARCP. Several past TNLs have also become democratically elected members of the Trainee Committee.
Formal TNL responsibilities include:
- Helping to raise the profile and encourage membership of the Association and Trainee Committee by ensuring local trainees are aware of the services and support available to them
- Sharing information from the Trainee Committee and the Association, including regular e-newsletters and 'hot' or political topics of note
- Advertising and encouraging trainee attendance and participation at the annual Trainee Conference
- Discussing via email, local forums or regional trainee groups any issues that arise within your region, and feedback concerns to the Trainee Committee for consideration and action at a national level
- Keeping the Trainee Committee informed of local ideas, progress and examples of excellence that are to be recognised and might be of benefit to trainees elsewhere in the UK and Ireland
- Aiming to attend the annual Trainee Conference and the Link Conference, where TNL meetings are held to meet the Trainee Committee and to allow networking and discussion to occur
- Completing and returning an annual feedback and information form
- Ensuring the role of TNL is self-sustaining by establishing the next regional TNL prior to stepping down
For further details about the TNL role please download the ’TNL Charter’:
2023/24 TNL Charter.