What does your specialty involve?
How do I get into your specialty?
How do I make myself competitive at Foundation and/or Core Training to get into your specialty?
What personal attributes do I need for your specialty?
How competitive is it to get a training post?
How long is the training after FY2 to CCT?
What postgraduate examinations will I need to work for during training?
Do I need to pass any postgraduate examinations at Core level to get into "run-through"?
Is your specialty stressful?
What are the best and worst aspects of your specialty?
I would like to have a family - is that possible while training in this specialty?
Is there any chance of Less Than Full Time Training in your specialty?
Is full time research mandatory duting training?
Are the hours anti-social?
What tips can you give on starting and advancing in your specialty?
What are the chances of a Consultant post after CCT?
What is the dropout rate during training?
Can I spend some of my time training abroad?
Can I work part time or job share as a Consultant?
Where can I get the best information about your specialty and the training programme locally and nationally?

 What does your specialty involve?

With over 6,000 consultants and other career grade doctors working in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine across the UK, this specialty usually forms the largest department in any hospital.  Anaesthetists come into contact with two thirds of all patients admitted to UK hospitals, and are highly trained physicians who provide a whole range of care for patients - not just in the operating theatre.

Most anaesthetists’ work revolves around operative procedures, but the role is varied.  They are usually consulted in regard to preoperative optimization of patients for surgery, and run High Dependency and Intensive Care Units, acute pain rounds and chronic pain clinics.  They are also involved in obstetric analgesia and anaesthesia, emergency medicine in Accident and Emergency Departments, resuscitation, major accident care and patient transfers between hospitals.

Anaesthetists are also widely involved in the teaching and training of medical students, postgraduate doctors in training, nurses, midwives and paramedics. [back to top]

How do I get into your specialty?

Doctors are eligible to apply for CT1 posts in Anaesthesia after completion of Foundation Training or equivalent.  [back to top]

How do I make myself competitive at Foundation and/or Core Training to get into your specialty?

Maintaining a high standard in assessments that contribute to the record of competency progression (ARCP) is a good starting point. Further useful tips include undertaking Anaesthesia/Intensive Care Medicine F1/2 rotations if available, or completing a taster module in Anaesthesia.  Completing acute provider courses e.g. ALS, ATLS, APLS, FCCS; active involvement in audit or publications will all help to make an application more competitive.  [back to top]

What personal attributes do I need for your specialty?

Anaesthesia allows specialists to work in an intensely practical way. The key attributes of a good anaesthetist are:

• Self-reliance and the ability to assess the severity of life-threatening conditions, as well as initiate emergency treatment. 
• An understanding of their own limitations and the need to call for help 
• Attention to detail (especially with regard to monitoring and record-keeping). 
• Good communication skills with relatives and patients. 
• Good interpersonal skills to deal with all members of the theatre team. 
• Reliability. 
• Ability to self-motivate. 
• Punctuality. 
• Flexibility. 
• A good team-player. 
• Reasonable degree of manual dexterity.  [back to top]

How competitive is it to get a training post?

This varies from year to year. As the largest hospital specialty we recruit a significant number of trainees each year.  Efforts are made to match the number of posts available to expected demand for trained anaesthetists.  [back to top]

How long is the training after FY2 to CCT?

The fastest route would involve 2 years of Basic Level Training (CT1 and CT2) during which it would be expected the trainee would pass the Primary FRCA examination.

After entry to higher specialist training (StR3), following competitive interview, a  CCT in anaesthetics can be obtained in 5 years (i.e. at end of StR7 year). Dual accreditation in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine is also available.  Trainees wishing to be considered for dual accreditation, must be at StR3 level or above and are competitively interviewed and appointed.  
Intermediate and Higher Training for a CCT in anaesthetics involves subspecialty rotations through areas such as paediatric, obstetric,  cardiothoracic and neuro anaesthesia, intensive care, emergency anaesthesia, and chronic pain management.   [back to top]

What postgraduate examinations will I need to work for during training?

FRCA is essential for entry to higher training at StR5 level.  [back to top]

Do I need to pass any postgraduate examinations at Core level to get into "run-through"?

Yes, Primary FRCA is essential to complete Basic Level Training and to be eligible to enter intermediate training, by competitive interview, at StR3 level.  [back to top]

Is your specialty stressful?

At times it certainly can be.  Anaesthetists are often seen as the most capable doctors at dealing with sick patients and are often called on for help in difficult situations. It is not a career for the faint hearted, but supportive consultants encourage trainees to develop critical skills.  Some “stress” can also provide part of the stimulation of working in an acute specialty.   [back to top]

What are the best and worst aspects of your specialty?

Every anaesthetist will have different views as to the best bits. It could be seeing an individual through a difficult operation safely or learning to apply knowledge, skills and aptitudes to solve challenging problems in intensive care. Some enjoy the technical side; others love the immediacy of results, or the great variety of medical and surgical issues that have to be dealt with on a daily basis.
The specialty is growing and a career in anaesthetics is secure, challenging and rewarding.
The worst aspects are arguably the demanding nature of the specialty.   [back to top]

I would like to have a family - is that possible while training in this specialty?

Absolutely!  Many trainees have successfully combined family life with training.  [back to top]

Is there any chance of Less Than Full Time Training in your specialty?

Yes, following consultation with the Postgraduate Dean and Educational Supervisor and careful consideration of the practicalities.  [back to top]

Is full time research mandatory duting training?

No.  Each trainees needs are individual.

A period or research training is encouraged and in particular registering for a higher degree e.g. MPhil, MD or PhD. Studying a subject in depth can also develop generic skills in time management, writing and computer literacy.

Some may prefer to explore interests in teaching and education. Registration for a part-time Diploma or Masters in Education would be an option.  [back to top]

Are the hours anti-social?

Nearly all on call rotas within Anaesthesia and Intensive Care are full shift rotas, compliant with the current EWTD requirements.  Some of the best training opportunities will occur “on-call” and experience gained during this time builds confidence.  [back to top]

What tips can you give on starting and advancing in your specialty?

Before deciding to apply for a training post contact trainees in the specialty and speak to a number of them to informally assess the programme. Speak to the educational supervisor for Anaesthetics in the hospital or contact the training programme director for further discussion about your interest in a career in Anaesthetics or Intensive Care Medicine. Attend the NIMDTA careers fair/ road shows in your area.  [back to top]

What are the chances of a Consultant post after CCT?

All trainees who have achieved a CCT in Anaesthetics in the Northern Ireland training programme have been appointed as consultant anaesthetists within the UK. There is an excellent chance of being appointed as a consultant if you have been serious about your training responsibilities and have developed a broad portfolio of skills relevant to the specialty.  [back to top]

What is the dropout rate during training?

Very low.  One or two trainees out of over 120 anaesthetic trainees within the Northern Ireland Training Scheme drop out of training each year.  [back to top]

Can I spend some of my time training abroad?

Yes. Provided prospective recognition has been sought from the Training Programme Director and Postgraduate Dean and this has been granted and approved by GMC then a period of training abroad can count towards CCT. This option takes a lot of planning and needs to be organised well in advance. Post CCT experience is increasingly encouraged.  [back to top]

Can I work part time or job share as a Consultant?

Yes.  [back to top]

Where can I get the best information about your specialty and the training programme locally and nationally?

Locally contact one of the educational supervisors for anaesthetics (consultant anaesthetist) within your hospital.
The anaesthetic training programme specialty co-ordinator is Mr Michael Reid (michael.reid@nimdta.gov.uk)

The Head of School for Anaesthetics & Intensive Care Medicine is Dr Clive Stanley (clive.stanley@nimdta.gov.uk).
The Deputy Head of School & Training Programme Director is Dr Sally Anne Phillips (sally-anne.phillips@nimdta.gov.uk)

Nationally, information relevant to prospective trainees is available on the Royal College of Anaesthetists website (www.rcoa.org). The Anaesthetic & Intensive Care Medicine curriculum is published on the PMETB website (www.pmetb.org.uk) and located in the approved curricula section.  [back to top]