Specialty Recruitment

The timeline for February 2023 recruitment is available here.

Please note this timeline only relates to the locally (NIMDTA) managed specialties listed below.  Nationally recruited specialties will be following the national 2022 timeline.

Applications for all specialties will be made via the Oriel Recruitment System

Specialty	Level	Number of vacancies	Interview Capacity	Interview Dates
Combined Infection Training – Leading to a single CCT in Microbiology	ST3	0-1	5 interview slots	TBC
Combined Infection Training – Leading to a dual CCT in Microbiology & Infectious Diseases	ST3	0-1	5 interview slots	TBC
Dermatology	ST3	2	10 interview slots	TBC
Gastroenterology	ST4	1	10 interview slots	15 November 2022
Geriatric Medicine	ST4	2	10 interview slots	28 October 2022
Haematology	ST3	2	10 interview slots	16 November 2022
Immunology	LAT3	1 (6 months)	5 interview slots	TBC
Rehabilitation Medicine	LAT3	1 (6 months)	5 interview slots	TBC
Renal Medicine (Nephrology)	ST4	1	10	28 October 2022
Respiratory Medicine	ST4	3	10 interview slots	14 November 2022
Rheumatology	ST4	1	10 interview slots	TBC

*Northern Ireland is planning to perform recruitment as outlined in the table above.  If a point is reached where online interviews are no longer manageable due to the ongoing pandemic, appointability may be determined based on scores awarded at shortlisting.  This will either be based on MSRA scores or Self-Assessment scores.

Medical Specialty Shortlisting

The timeline for August 2022 recruitment is available here 2022 Medical Recruitment Timeline

Round 1 – Application Window 10am Thu 4 Nov 2021 – 4pm Wed 1 Dec 2021

Round 2 – Application Window 10am Thu 18 Nov 2021 – 4pm Thu 9 Dec 2021

The Applicant Handbook for posts commencing August 2022 is available below:

Medical Specialty Recruitment Application 2022

It is important that all applicants read this guidance as it contains information that applicants will require regarding the 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 2022 in any specialty process.

Deferral of Posts: Deferral for non-statutory reasons within the GP Process will not be facilitated in Northern Ireland.

2022 Competition Ratios

2021 Competition Ratios

2020 Competition Ratios

2019 Competition Ratios

2018 Competition Ratios

2017 Competition Ratios

2016 Competition Ratios

2015 Competition Ratios

2014 Competition Ratios

 

Shortlisting for the majority of specialties will be performed either via Validated Self-Assessment or MSRA (Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment).  The Vacancy table above provides details of which shortlisting method applies to each specialty.

The Northern Ireland MSRA Applicant Guidance is available here: MRSA Applicant Guide – NI Specialties

A number of the recruiting specialties are using validated self-assessment to shortlist candidates. The method of shortlisting is detailed for all specialties in the vacancy tables above. Where self-assessment is being used candidates are asked to read and follow the guidelines below:

1. All Candidates MUST upload evidence for ALL self-assessment domains at time of application.
2. All Evidence MUST be uploaded in PDF FORMAT.
3. You MUST upload an index page before completing the self-assessment. The index should detail the evidence you have provided for each domain, to help the validators navigate through your evidence. This document MUST be named 00Index.pdf. An approved index template can be downloaded from the document library for this vacancy which illustrates how we expect your evidence to be organised. Failure to provide an index that clearly lists where all required evidence can be found AND which domain it is linked to will result in your application being rejected.  An example index document is available here:
   Download
4. Please combine evidence for each domain into ONE pdf per domain in the order listed within your index document. Each Domain should then be labelled accordingly (i.e. 01Quals)
5. If it is not possible for you to combine documents into one pdf, you will be permitted a max of 5 documents per domain and they should be labelled accordingly (.ie, 01a, 01b, etc. in order based on your index page)
6. Please ensure you keep to the naming convention above and DON’T use any non-alphanumeric characters (ie. &*.%$) as this will prevent the transfer of your documents into SharePoint for validation.  The naming convention is provided to allow the validation panel to quickly identify your evidence and identify which domain it applies to.  If it is not clear from the file name which domain the evidence relates to, the validation panel reserves the right to reject that file. 
7. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure uploaded documents FULLY DEMONSTRATE the required evidence based on the rating they have chosen. Failure to do so may result in the score for that domain being reduced. (i.e. if you have claimed that you have presented at a national or international meeting, do not expect your slides alone to be accepted as evidence; instead please upload confirmation from the conference organisers that your presentation was included in the programme of events.)
8. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure uploaded documents are CORRECTLY ORIENTATED AND LEGIBLE. Failure to do so may result that domain being scored zero.
9. ONLY upload documentation directly relevant to your self-assessment. The validating panel cannot be expected to review your entire portfolio. If a candidate is deemed to have uploaded unnecessary documentation that prevents the validation panel from quickly identifying the correct evidence, their application will be rejected.
10. You can only claim on the basis of achievements completed at point of submission of your application.
11. Scores are not adjustable after submission – you cannot amend your self-assessment score after should you have made a mistake on your application form, or gained an achievement after the submission of your application.
12. It is never permissible to share or upload patient identifiable data.  Any file found to contain patient identifiable data will be removed from your evidence folder, prior to validation, to prevent it being shared further. NIMDTA may also be obliged to raise this as a GDPR issue and inform your Responsible Officer.

Please click below to download the NIMDTA Audit/QIP Confirmation Form. This form is designed to help candidates evidence the degree of their involvement in Quality Improvement / Audit.  One form should be used for each audit / quality improvement project you are claiming points for as part of your self-assessment.  This is not the only way to evidence your audits or Quality Improvement projects, but is felt to be an effective way to quickly demonstrate your involvement for review by the validation panel.

All 2022 interviews will be performed online.  HEE managed recruitment will be performed via MS Teams, NIMDTA managed recruitment will be performed via Zoom. The format of interviews differs between specialties.  Each interview process will be around 20 minutes per candidate with questions which may assess skills such as communication, clinical judgement, prescribing amongst others.    During the interview process, candidates may encounter a lay representative who will be there to ensure the panel is conducting a fair and transparent process.

 

When you join the interviews you will be admitted into a waiting room until the panel is ready.  Once in the interview, you will initially be asked to hold up photographic ID to the camera and then to rotate your camera around your room.  The camera sweep is to allow you to show the panel that you are alone in the room, with no personal belongings.  Candidates are also advised that they are not to record the interview nor use a virtual background.

 

For information regarding National Recruitment Processes, please refer to the lead recruiters’ website.

 

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 Medical Specialty Recruitment Application 2022 

Below you will find a list of documents that successful candidates will be asked to present via a Zoom after an offer has been accepted. 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. 

Document	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.

• 2020 Career Planning Presentation
• Professional Support Unit Contacts

The following information will be made available on Oriel:

• 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 the form below:

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.

 

References

Reference reports are not used for scoring purposes during shortlisting or interview but will be reviewed during the selection process and again prior to confirmation of appointment for successful applicants. The reference process is designed to check the accuracy of your previous employment and training history and to provide assurance of your suitability for employment.  You must provide contact details, including up-to-date e-mail addresses, of three referees who have supervised your clinical training within the past three years. If you are applying to more than one specialty, you may opt to nominate different referees for each specialty. If you have recently had a career break and can not nominate referees from the past three years, then your referees must include your two most recent supervisors.  You should contact your clinical referees in advance to confirm that they are willing to provide a reference and are available and able to do so in the time period required for selection and appointment.  If you are offered, and accept a training programme, your employer will not be able to issue a contract without references.  It is important that applicants confirm referee email addresses prior to completing the application form. Once offers have been accepted, referees will be contacted by email with details of their referee account. It is therefore important that email addresses are and for email accounts that are regularly accessed.

Access NI Checks

From 1 April 2015, AccessNI checks will be completed online. Applicants for forthcoming interviews will no longer be required to bring a completed AccessNI form to interview with them; they will however still need to bring the required ID documents (see link for AccessNI page below). On acceptance of an offer, applicants will be emailed with instructions on how to apply for an AccessNI Certificate online.  Please bring the original document and one photocopy of each piece of ID to your document check with you.  Please visit the Access NI page for further information.

Fitness to Practise Declarations

As part of the application process to specialty training, applicants are required to declare any fitness to practise issues to recruitmentconfidential.nimdta@hscni.net. These declarations are held confidentially by the Professional Support Department until the recruitment process is complete. Declarations from successful applicants will be shared with the Trainee Review Group (TRG) to establish if the information provided warrants completion of an individual Transfer of Information (TOI) form. The information will also be forwarded to the Medical Director, Director of Medical Education and Medical HR within each future employing Trust for the duration of the training programme.

Please complete and return the form below 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)

All CT1/ST1 Person Specifications have as one of their eligibility criteria the possession of an ALS certificate. This will be checked pre-employment, and any offer of a training programme will be conditional upon you presenting it to your first employer or the Deanery.

Right to work in the UK

From 6 October 2019, all medical practitioners have been added to the Shortage Occupation List in the UK. This means that all medical practitioners are exempt from the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) and can apply for any specialty in any recruitment round, subject to eligibility.

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.

Information for applicants from the EU

You will be aware that the UK is no longer part of the European Union.  This means staff from the EU, EEA and Switzerland will now require a visa to work and study in the UK.  The HSC continues to welcome and value staff and trainees from Europe as it does the whole world. The link below explains the documents you will now require to demonstrate your right to work and study in the UK.

Understanding your right to work in the UK: EU, EEA and Swiss citizens (accessible version) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

EU citizens resident in the UK by 31 December 2020, need to regularise their status to continue living and working in the UK beyond 30 June 2021 and should have applied to the EU Settlement Scheme. The deadline for applications to the EU Settlement Scheme was 30 June 2021. The Home Office will continue to accept applications where there are reasonable grounds for missing that deadline.

Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status): Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The UK has introduced a new points based immigration system that applies to anyone who wants to come to live, study or work in the UK. If you are new to the UK and wish to take up employment or study you will need to have the correct visa.  The link below gives more information on the routes available you.

Applying for a visa to come to the UK – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You will be asked to identify on your application from if you consider yourself disabled as set out in the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA.) You will also be asked to give specific arrangements you require to attend interview if invited. This information WILL NOT be available to short-listing or selection panels. For more information on the DDA please click here

You will be asked to show on your application form if you consider yourself disabled as set out in the Equality Act 2010 and whether you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. This information will not be available to short-listing panels. For further information visit: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/index.htm.  Where necessary and possible, reasonable adjustments will be made to facilitate attendance at interview to meet the needs of applicants with disabilities. Applicants will need to ensure that they enter into an early dialogue with the relevant recruiting organisation. Eg NIMDTA, College or other UK Deanery.

Please note candidates travel to attend interviews at their own cost. Travel expenses will not be reimbursed by NIMDTA.

When you submit an application for specialty training, you are applying for a place on an educational training programme. You are not applying for a specific programme, rotation or post.  If you are successful at interview, you will be allocated to the most appropriate programme based on your selection score and programme availability. Your programme preferences will be taken into consideration wherever possible. You will receive confirmation of your placement and a contract of employment will be issued by the employing organisation, subject to satisfactory pre-placement checks.

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, except in the case of candidates who have accepted a GP Post (subject to approval). 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 form below and forward it to gpspecialtytraining.nimdta@hscni.net or specialty.nimdta@hscni.net as soon as possible after acceptance of post.

Application for Deferral of Commencement of Specialty Training 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.

Application for Deferral of Commencement of Specialty Training

Delay Policy- Covid19 Related Requests

 

Allocation of placements will take place on completion of the recruitment process. If you have special circumstances which need to be considered when allocating your placement, please complete the appropriate documentation in the ‘Special Circumstances – Guidance for Specialty Trainees’ which can be found here.

It is inevitable that some applicants will be disappointed by the outcome for the recruitment process as it is a competitive one.  A complaints process is an essential safeguard against unfairness.  The complaints process for 2022 recruitment appears below:

Complaints Policy and Procedures 2022

Information regarding working patterns, detailed job descriptions, salary scales and Terms and Conditions of Employment for Specialty Training Doctors will be available on the Trust websites. Our Trust HR Information page contains details of forms which must be downloaded and completed for commencement of your placement, and also details the documentation you are required to supply on our first day.