Welcome to the Specialty Recruitment pages of the NIMDTA website.
From 6 October 2019, all medical practitioners have been added to the Shortage Occupation List in the UK. This means that medical practitioners are exempt from the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) when applying to foundation and specialty training programmes, with the exception of Public Health, subject to eligibility.
Recruitment Opportunities
Commencing February 2020
Specialty | Level | Number of vacancies | Lead Recruiter | Interview Dates | How to Apply |
Anaesthetics | ST3 | 2 | West Mids | 24th Sept 2019 | Oriel |
Clinical Oncology | ST3 | 0-2 | LaSE | 1st Oct 2019 | Oriel |
Palliative Medicine | ST3 | 1 | ST3Recruitment.org.uk | 10th Sept 2019 | Oriel |
Cardiology | ST3 | 2 | NIMDTA | TBC | Oriel |
Chemical Pathology | ST3 | 2 | NIMDTA | TBC | Oriel |
Clinical Genetics (Available from Oct 2019) | LAT3 | 1 | NIMDTA | TBC | Oriel |
Combined Infection leading to a CCT in Medical Microbiology | ST3 | 1 | NIMDTA | 15th Oct 2019 | Oriel |
Combined Infection leading to a Dual CCT in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases | ST3 | 2 | NIMDTA | 15th Oct 2019 | Oriel |
Genitourinary Medicine | LAT3 | 1 | NIMDTA | TBC | Oriel |
Haematology | ST3 | 2 (& LAT x 3) | NIMDTA | 23rd Oct2019 | Oriel |
Medical Oncology (No Guaranteed On-call) | LAT3 | 1 | NIMDTA | 18th Oct 2019 | Oriel |
Neurology | ST3 | 1 | NIMDTA | TBC | Oriel |
Rehabilitation Medicine | ST3 | 1 | NIMDTA | TBC | Oriel |
Respiratory Medicine | LAT3 | 3 | NIMDTA | TBC | Oriel |
Commencing August 2020
The timeline for August 2020 recruitment is available here
Specialty | Level | Number of vacancies | Lead Recruiter | Selection | Interview Dates | How to Apply |
Anaesthetics | CT1 | 12 | HEE West Midlands | Please check https://anro.wm.hee.nhs.uk/ for further details | 24th Jan 2020 | Oriel |
ACCSAnaesthetics | CT1 | 4 | HEE West Midlands | Please check https://anro.wm.hee.nhs.uk/ for further details | 24th Jan 2020 | Oriel |
Broad Based Training | CT1 | 4 | NIMDTA / GPNRO (HHE West Midlands) | Shortlisting assessed via the GP Situational Judgement Test | 14th Feb & 2nd March 2020 | Oriel |
Cardiothoracic Surgery | ST1 / ST3 | 1 | HEE Wessex | Please check http://www.wessexdeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/national_ct_surgery_st1__st3.aspx for further details | 3rd – 4th Feb 2020 | Oriel |
Core Psychiatry | CT1 | 10 | NIMDTA | Shortlisting based on desirable criteria | 21st Jan 2020 | Oriel |
Core Surgery | CT1 | 35 | NIMDTA | Shortlisting based on desirable criteria | 4th – 5th Feb 2020 | Oriel |
Emergency Medicine | ST/CT1 | 12 | NIMDTA | Shortlisting based on desirable criteria | 12th Feb 2020 | Oriel |
GP | ST1 | 111 | GPNRO | Please check https://gprecruitment.hee.nhs.uk/ for further details | 13th – 14th Feb 2020 | Oriel |
Histopathology | ST1 | 1 | NIMDTA | Shortlisting based on desirable criteria | 10th Feb 2020 | Oriel |
Internal Medicine | IMT1 | 56 | IMTRecruitment | Please check https://www.imtrecruitment.org.uk/ for further details | 29th – 30th Jan 2020 | Oriel |
Obstetrics & Gynaecology | ST1 | 12 | NIMDTA | Shortlisting based on desirable criteriaTo view NIMDTA’s O&G Prospectus, please click here | 3rd Feb 2020 | Oriel |
Ophthalmology | ST1 | 1 | HEE South West | Please check http://severndeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/vacancies/ for further details | 6th – 7th Feb 2020 | Oriel |
Paediatrics | ST1 | 16 | HEE West Midlands | Please check https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/education-careers/apply-paediatrics for further details | 26th February 2020 | Oriel |
Radiology | ST1 | 3 | NIMDTA | Shortlisting based on desirable criteria | 27th – 28th Feb 2020 | Oriel |
Neurosurgery | ST1 | 1 | HEE Yorkshire & Humber | Please check https://www.yorksandhumberdeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/national_recruitment/national_neurosurgery_st1__st3_recruitment for further details | 29th – 30th Jan 2020 | Oriel |
*Please note that, due to the inclusion of medical specialties in the shortage occupation list, shortlisting may take place. In these instances, the criteria will be taken from the desirable criteria on the person specification for the specialty and may include such areas as Management and Leadership Skills, Academic Skills: Research, Audit and Teaching Sills or Commitment to Specialty. This criteria will be assessed via the evidence provided in the application form.
Applicants Guide
The Applicant Handbook for Northern Ireland for posts commencing August 2020 is available below:
It is important that all applicants read this guide as it contains all the information that applicants will require regarding this Recruitment process.
SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND: Please note that Flexibility in Deployment of Trainees is applicable only to England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has separate arrangements for management of requests for Special Circumstances. Further information is available via email to Recruitmentconfidential.NIMDTA@hscni.net Facilitated Placements will not take place in Northern Ireland for August 2020 in any specialty process.
Deferral of Posts: Deferral for non-statutory reasons within the GP Process will not be facilitated in Northern Ireland.
Competition Ratios
Interview Formats
For information regarding National Recruitment Processes, please refer to the lead recruiters’ website.
Specialty | Interview Format | Interview Dates |
Anaesthetics | Please check https://anro.wm.hee.nhs.uk/ for further details | 24th Jan 2020 |
Broad Based Training | Candidates will need to attend the following:Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA)GP Selection Centre on 14 February 2020 (information on both the MRSA and GP Selection centre is available via the GP Recruitment link below)
Broad Based Training interviews on 2 March 2020 which will consist of 3 x 10 minute stations and a 20 minute Paediatric prescribing station. |
14th Feb & 2nd March 2020 |
Cardiothoracic Surgery | Please check http://www.wessexdeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/national_ct_surgery_st1__st3.aspx for further details | TBC |
Core Psychiatry | 3 x 10 minute structured interview | 21st Jan 2020 |
Core Surgery | 3 x 10 minute structured interview | 4th – 5th Feb 2020 |
Emergency Medicine | Multi-station interview including ALS station | 12h Feb 2020 |
GP | Please check https://gprecruitment.hee.nhs.uk/ for further details | 13th – 14th Feb 2020 |
Histopathology | 4 station interview including unseen presentation, CV, Written report & clinical Scenario | 10th Feb 2020 |
Internal Medicine | Please check https://www.imtrecruitment.org.uk/ for further details | 29th – 30th Jan 2020 |
Obstetrics & Gynaecology | 3 x 10 minute structured interview | 3 February 2020 |
Ophthalmology | Please check http://severndeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/vacancies/ for further details | 6 – 7 February 2020 |
Paediatrics | Please check https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/education-careers/apply-paediatrics for further details | 26 February 2020 |
Radiology | Multi station interview including unseen presentation, prioritisation scenario and Film viewing | 27th – 28th Feb 2020 |
Neurosurgery | Please check https://www.yorksandhumberdeanery.nhs.uk/recruitment/national_recruitment/national_neurosurgery_st1__st3_recruitment for further details | 29th -30th Jan 2020 |
ID Check Process
Below you will find a list of documents that you will be required for ID check process when attending interview in Northern Ireland. These are part of the pre-employment check process and are in addition to any documentation required as part of the actual interview process; please check with your Lead Recruiter for any specific interview documentation.
Documentation required | Number of copies required | Notes |
Proof of identity | 1 | Original Passport |
Right to work | 1 | Evidence of visa status, including letter from the Home Office, Passport and Residence Permit |
Proof of Address | 2 | Please refer to this link (http://www.nimdta.gov.uk/professional-support/human-resources/access-ni-checks/) for what are acceptable form of Proof of Address required for Access NI Checks |
GMC/GDC Certificate and License to Practice | 1 | GMC/GDC Certificate or valid registration certificate Candidates must bring a copy of both their original GMC certificate and their renewal letter which can be obtained from the online register. |
National Insurance number | 1 | Accompanying evidence is not required, however please ensure you are able to confirm your National Insurance Number when asked. |
PORTFOLIO Candidate portfolios may be examined by panel members and may be scored as part of the interview process. Candidates are strongly advised to ensure that it contains all information detailed in their application form e.g. audits, publications, evidence of any specific competences required to enter the specialty. As candidates will be asked to refer to documents during the interview process it is important that these can be accessed quickly if required. Although many trainees now use e-portfolio, a hard copy portfolio is required at interview. Candidates should refer to the lead recruiter website for further guidance on how to prepare their portfolio, but please see below for a basic guide
Offers of Appointment
All specialty training offers will be made through Oriel.
Appointments to training programmes or posts will be offered in rank order, based on selection scores.
Not all candidates deemed eligible for appointment by the interview/selection panel will be offered a post as recruitment offices will invite more applicants to interview than posts available.
Following interview and/or assessment, the recruitment office will contact applicants, if successful, with news of an offer. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a message informing them that they have not been successful on this occasion.
Applicants deemed eligible for appointment who rank below the number of vacancies available, could still receive an offer, if offers made to higher ranked candidates are rejected.
Applicants receiving training offers through Oriel will have the option to accept, decline or hold (until the hold deadline) the offer made. Applicants will be given 48 hours (excluding weekends but including bank holidays) from release of the offer to decide whether to accept, reject or hold it.
Offers which are not responded to within the 48 hour deadline will expire and will be offered to another applicant.
Single Transferable Score: Please note, where a recruitment process is using Single Transferable Score, applicants should be reminded that offers should be accepted with upgrades.
Further information is available via the Applicants Handbook
Career Information
Candidate Feedback
Written feedback will, be made available to candidates on request.
The following information will be made available:
- Your score per station
- Your total score
- Maximum score available
- Your appointability and the minimum score required for appointability
- Your rank and the rank needed to obtain a post
For National Recruitment processes using the digital scoring system, all candidates will receive feedback no later than 7 days after the nationally agreed offers deadline.
Candidates may request feedback by submitting this form. Written feedback, other than the information identified above, is not provided. Verbal feedback is also not provided.
Requests for scoresheets / interview notes will be dealt with under the Subject Access Provisions of the Data Protection Act. For details of how to make a request, please visit our Data Protection and Freedom of Information Page.
Pre-Placement Checks
References
Access NI Checks (Criminal Records Checks)
Fitness to Practise Declarations
Please complete and return this form to declare any Fitness to Practise issues
Pre-Placement Health Assessment
NIMDTA co-ordinates pre-placement health assessments on behalf of the employing Trusts. Successful applicants will be unable to commence employment without having completed a satisfactory PPHA and may result in withdrawal of the offer of appointment. It is vitally important that all appointed candidates comply with requests for information either by NIMDTA or the employing Trust. Further information on how this will be carried out will be provided on the NIMDTA website.
Evidence of Advanced Life Support (ALS)
Right to work in the UK
Applicants to Public Health will still be subject to the RLMT.
Home Office Requirements
• Criminal Records Certificates
The Home Office requires those applying to come to the UK as a Tier 2 doctor or dentist in training, and their adult dependants, to produce a criminal record certificate from any country in which they have been resident for 12 months or more, consecutively or cumulatively, in the previous 10 years, aged 18 or over.
As it can take some time to obtain a criminal record certificate, applicants should begin the process of seeking certificates, if required, at the earliest opportunity. Further information is available from page 11 of the Applicants Handbook available from the Oriel Resource Bank.
• Maintenance
Public bodies cannot offer to certify maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). If applicants are successful in being appointed to a training programme in the UK, and require Tier 2 sponsorship, they will be required to provide evidence of maintenance (funds) to the Home Office when they make their visa application.
Full guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-application-for-uk-visa-as-tier-2-worker
Evidence of immigration status would be a biometric residence card, date stamped passport and/or identity card. All of these documents need to be dated as at or prior to the application closing date. You will be asked to bring your passport and proof of your immigration status to any interviews or assessments you attend
Further information will be made available via the NIMDTA Immigration page. A link to the page will be added here in due course.
Information for applicants from the EU
You will be aware that the UK is in the process of leaving the European Union. This means freedom of movement will be affected in the future. The HSC will continue to welcome and value staff and trainees from Europe as it does the whole world.
From 31 October 2019 the UK will have left the European Union. If an agreement is reached with the EU, then EU citizens and their family members will be able to move to the UK until 2021 on the same basis as you could do today, with the same rights to work and study freely, as you currently do. For EU citizens who already live in the UK, you are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. All EU citizens who have lived in the UK for more than five years continuously will be eligible for ‘settled status’ (equivalent to indefinite leave to remain). If you have lived in the UK for less than five years you will be eligible for ‘pre-settled status’ and can upgrade this to ‘settled status’ when you have been here for five years. As the Prime Minister announced on 21 January, this process is free to all from 30 March 2019. Any payment made for an application before this date will be refunded. More information on the settlement scheme can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
In the event that an agreement is not reached, from 31 October 2019 EU nationals could still continue to come to the UK as they do now under retained free movement laws until 31 December 2020 before the UK’s new immigration system begins in 2021. During this period, newly arriving EU citizens will still be able to enter the UK as they do now and will be able to visit, work or study without applying for a visa, but they will not be eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. European Temporary Leave to Remain (Euro TLR) has been introduced as a new transitional immigration status for EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members who arrive in the UK after a no-deal exit day and before 31 December 2020. If you want to stay in the UK, you can apply from within the UK for Euro TLR status which will be granted for 36 months, subject to identity, criminality and security checks. Application for the Euro TLR status is voluntary, however if you do not gain Euro TLR status before 31 December 2020 you will be required to apply for a work visa under the future immigration system. Being granted the Euro TLR status does not secure a right to stay in the UK when the 36 month period expires. It can be used as a bridge to a new immigration status where the time accrued under Euro TLR can be used towards a qualifying period for settlement under a future immigration system.
More information will be available soon on the process to register and how the UK’s Future Immigration System will work. To keep up to date, please regularly visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eu-immigration-after-free-movement-ends-if-theres-no-deal
Disability Discrimination Act
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
Travel Expenses
Allocation of Placements for Doctors in Training
Deferral of Start Date
Applicants can only defer the start of their specialty training programmes on statutory grounds such as personal ill health or maternity leave. Commencement cannot be deferred for reasons such as research. Applicants who have had a period of ill health or maternity during the training programme from which they are applying will be permitted to defer their entry to specialty training by the same period of time. Tier 2 visa applicants wishing to defer should also discuss this with the appropriate Tier 2 sponsor to ensure they are able to do so under current immigration rules. Applicants must complete the Application For Deferral Of Commencement Of Specialty Training form and forward it to gpspecialtytraining.nimdta@hscni.net and specialty.nimdta@hscni.net as soon as possible after acceptance of post. For Hospital Specialty Training applications, NIMDTA will seek support from the appropriate Head of School and Training Programme Director. All applications will be considered by the relevant Head of Department and applicants will be advised by email of the outcome.
Although deferral for non-statutory reasons within the GP Process may be facilitated in some parts of the UK, this will not be facilitated in Northern Ireland.
Special Circumstances
Complaints Process
If an applicant has concerns or complaints about their interview process, they should raise this immediately with the Recruitment Lead before leaving the interview venue. The Recruitment Lead will then complete this form.
Trust Information
Code of Practice - Provision of Information for Postgraduate Medical Training
View Information for Newly Appointed Doctors in Training.If you have any questions regarding the information above, please contact specialty.nimdta@hscni.net.