What is the “call the boss” station in the ST3 plastics interview?

You play the on-call registrar phoning the on-call consultant about an acute case; an assessor plays the consultant receiving your call. It is a five-minute communication station within the OSCE block, testing a clear, structured handover that ends in a specific ask.

What are you marked on in the communication station?

A structured handover: your introduction, the history, the examination findings, the investigations planned, and your management plan — finishing with a clear ask (“I’d like you to come in,” or “can this wait until morning?”).

How do I handle the consultant’s push-back?

Expect it. The “consultant” will question your plan or the urgency to see whether you can justify it. Stand behind a safe plan with your reasoning rather than backing down — but be willing to adapt if they add new information.

The ST3 Plastics “Call the Boss” Communication Station

The communication station — often called “call the boss” — is a five-minute part of the OSCE block in the ST3 Plastic Surgery interview. You are the on-call registrar phoning the on-call consultant about an acute case, and the assessor plays the consultant on the other end of the line.

How the station runs

The call opens simply — “Hello, this is the plastics consultant on call.” — and then the consultant listens to your handover and probes it. Expect deliberate push-back: they may question whether the case can wait until morning, or challenge your plan, to see whether you can justify the urgency and the management. A strong candidate defends a safe plan with clear reasoning, and adapts sensibly if new information is added.

What you are marked on

Introduction — who you are, where you are, and why you are calling.
History — a concise, relevant summary of the case.
Examination — the key findings.
Investigations planned — what you have done or will do.
Management plan — your proposed plan, ending in a specific ask.

How to prepare

Use a structured handover tool (SBAR works well) so nothing is missed, and always finish with a clear, specific ask rather than a vague update. Rehearse the acute scenarios that come up here — major burn, replantation, necrotising fasciitis, open fracture, compartment syndrome, free-flap compromise — out loud, and get someone to push back on your plan. You can rehearse the communication station with an AI consultant on Reviva.

Frequently asked questions

What is the “call the boss” station in the ST3 plastics interview?: You play the on-call registrar phoning the on-call consultant about an acute case; an assessor plays the consultant receiving your call. It is a five-minute communication station within the OSCE block, testing a clear, structured handover that ends in a specific ask.
What are you marked on in the communication station?: A structured handover: your introduction, the history, the examination findings, the investigations planned, and your management plan — finishing with a clear ask (“I’d like you to come in,” or “can this wait until morning?”).
How do I handle the consultant’s push-back?: Expect it. The “consultant” will question your plan or the urgency to see whether you can justify it. Stand behind a safe plan with your reasoning rather than backing down — but be willing to adapt if they add new information.

Sources. Based on the ST3 Plastic Surgery selection format modelled by Reviva and the national selection marking scheme. Educational only — confirm the current format against the official national recruitment portal.