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NIMDTA

Specialty, Associate Specialist and Specialist (SAS) Career Development

SAS Career development is now an established role within NIMDTA, following the appointment of an Associate Dean for SAS career development (December 2023).

We aim to build on the previous SAS development programmes with an annual programme incorporating regional and local events specific to SAS career pathways.

Individual applications for bespoke development projects involving SAS developing new or improving existing clinical services or seeking to extend their roles and skills and where funding is not otherwise provided in study leave budgets are also under development.

About SAS Doctors and Dentists in NI

There are approximately 700 Specialty, Associate Specialist and Specialist doctors and dentists working in HSC Northern Ireland, comprising around 15% of the medical workforce.

SAS work in all specialties and must have completed a minimum of 4 years postgraduate experience to become a SAS doctor/dentist, with at least 2 of these years in the relevant specialty. The majority of SAS in Northern Ireland are very much more experienced, with some SAS doctors having worked for over 20 years in their specialty.

Advantages and Benefits of choosing SAS as a career path choice

Advantages of a SAS career include improved work life balance, geographical stability, increased flexibility and ability to achieve a portfolio career.

Since 2021, career progression as a SAS doctor or dentist has become better defined. Specialty doctors progress both clinically, and by contributing to wider roles within healthcare for example teaching and training of others, innovation, service development and modernisation, leadership or management and representative work.

Introduction of the Specialist Doctor post for which a minimum of 12 years postgraduate experience with at least 6 years in a relevant specialty is required offers career progression beyond Specialty doctor. SAS Career development in NI is now supported by NIMDTA.

If you have any queries in relation to SAS Career Development in NI please contact: SAS.NIMDTA@hscni.net

Click here to Meet the SAS Career Development team!