Specialist Grade 

The Specialist doctor grade, introduced in 2021, provides SAS doctors with a clear opportunity for career progression within the SAS pathway. Specialist posts are created at the discretion of employers where a specific workforce need has been identified, and applicants must demonstrate a defined set of generic capabilities to be eligible for this grade. 

The SAS NIMDTA career development programme supports progression to Specialist grade by aligning educational activities with the GMC Generic Capabilities Framework (GCF). Through the programme, we provide GCF-mapped educational events, opportunities to develop leadership, teaching, and quality improvement skills, and guidance on building a strong portfolio of evidence aligned to Specialist grade expectations. 

Roles and responsibilities vary across medical grades. The comparison table below outlines the key differences between Specialty Doctor, Specialist, and Consultant roles to support understanding of progression within the medical career pathway. 

Click here to see the template person specification for Specialist grade. 

What is expected at Specialist level? 

Doctors working at Specialist grade are expected to demonstrate: 

• Advanced clinical expertise within their specialty 
• Leadership and effective multidisciplinary teamwork 
• Contribution to service development and quality improvement 
• Involvement in education and training 
• Commitment to professional development and reflective practice 

These expectations align closely with the GCF domains and provide a consistent framework for evidencing readiness for progression. 

Supporting your Progression 

The SAS NIMDTA career development programme supports progression to Specialist grade by aligning educational activities with the GCF. Through the programme, we offer GCF-mapped educational events, opportunities to develop leadership, teaching, and quality improvement skills, and guidance on building a strong portfolio of evidence, all aligned with Specialist grade expectations. 

This enables you to: 

• Build clear, structured evidence across all domains 
• Demonstrate capability in line with national standards 
• Strengthen your Specialist grade application 

Evidence for Application 

When preparing for Specialist grade, you will need to demonstrate evidence across key areas. This may include: 

• Appraisal and PDP documentation 
• Evidence mapped to GCF domains 
• Quality improvement activity 
• Teaching and supervision experience 
• Leadership roles or contributions 

You can view how our courses map to the GCF domains and support Specialist grade progression here. 

Guidance on the role and recruitment of a Specialist 

The Belfast Trust has recently approved a guidance document outlining the role of a Specialist and the process for recruitment into Specialist posts. This document is now available as a reference resource for staff who are interested in progressing to a Specialist role. 

As additional Trusts approve similar documentation, these resources may also be made available here in due course. 

Guidance on the recruitment of a specialist

Resources 

The 2021 specialist grade explained - BMA 

SAS 2021 Contract documentation and guidance - DoH