HST Chemical Pathology Shortlisting Criteria
It may be a requirement to shortlist applicants, as outlined below:
Category
|
Description
|
Marks Available
|
Professional Qualifications/Education |
Undergraduate performance, teaching awards, higher degrees |
2.5
|
Publication & Audit Experience |
Publications, specialty publications, presentations, posters, audit – proof of same will be required |
2.5
|
Clinical Practice |
Candidate shows evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of the period of training, e.g. experience in specialty, attendance at specialty clinics, etc. |
10
|
Leadership & Management Experience |
Candidate demonstrates experience in a leadership or management role e.g. Lead NCHD, hospital committee membership etc. |
2.5
|
Teaching Experience |
Candidate demonstrates experience with teaching, or higher qualification in teaching |
2
|
Total |
|
19.5
|
HST Chemical Pathology Interview Criteria
Category
|
Marks available
|
General Suitability/Knowledge of Specialty |
30 |
Research/Audit/Teaching |
10 |
Relevant Career to Date |
30 |
Clinical Questions |
20 |
Interview Performance |
10 |
Pass Mark: 60 overall to incl |
|
HST Clinical Genetics Shortlisting Criteria
Applicants for Higher Specialist Training (HST) in Clinical Genetics must have completed, or be in the final year of, Basic Specialist Training (BST) in General Internal Medicine or Paediatrics, and must hold the MRCPI.
Applicants who have completed a GP training scheme and hold Membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners (MICGP) will also be considered.
Candidates who do not fall into any of the above categories must submit a Letter of Equivalence issued by RCPI.
Category
|
Description
|
Marks Available
|
Professional Qualifications/Education/Achievements |
Undergraduate performance, teaching awards, higher degrees. Professional and Extracurricular achievements. |
30 |
Clinical Practice |
Adequate exposure and experience |
30 |
Publication and Audit Experience |
Publications, specialty publications, presentations, posters, audit, quality improvement programmes |
20 |
Leadership and Management experience |
Candidate demonstrates that they have held a leadership or management role eg. Lead NCHD, hospital committee membership, organising membership examinations, audit or quality improvement programmes |
10 |
Teaching Experience |
Candidate demonstrates experience with teaching or higher qualification in teaching |
10 |
Total |
|
100 |
HST Clinical Genetics Interview Criteria
Category
|
Marks
|
CV (Professional Qualifications Undergraduate performance, teaching awards, higher degrees. Professional and Extracurricular achievements) |
30 |
Clinical Practice |
20 |
Publications, Research and Audit |
15 |
Management training and experience |
10 |
Teaching, training and experience |
10 |
Interview performance |
15 |
Total |
100 |
HST General Paediatrics Shortlisting Criteria
The Faculty of Paediatrics may be required to shortlist applicants, included in this shortlisting will be a review of the Appraisals submitted on your behalf, as outlined below:
Category
|
Description
|
Marks Available
|
Professional Qualifications/Education |
Undergraduate performance, teaching awards, higher degrees |
5 |
Publication & Audit Experience |
Publications, specialty publications, presentations, posters, audit – proof of same will be required |
5 |
Progression in Clinical Practice and Suitability |
Candidate shows evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of the period of training, e.g. experience in specialty, attendance at specialty clinics etc. Candidates must show their suitability for a career in Paediatrics and their career trajectory. Appraisal review |
6 |
Leadership & Management Experience |
Candidate demonstrates experience in leadership or management role e.g. Rostering duties, hospital committee membership,etc. |
2 |
Teaching Experience |
Candidate demonstrates experience with teaching, outside of day-to-day teaching of medical students or higher qualification in teaching |
2 |
HST General Paediatrics Interview Criteria
Category
|
Marks Available
|
CV – career to date |
20 |
Research/Audit/Teaching |
20 |
Clinical Question 1 |
20 |
Clinical Question 2 |
20 |
Suitability/Professionalism/Interview Performance |
20 |
Total |
100 |
Geriatric Medicine HST Shortlisting Criteria
Applicants for Higher Specialist Training (HST) in Geriatrics and GIM must have completed, or be in the final year of, Basic Specialist Training (BST) in General Internal Medicine, and must hold the MRCPI.
Applicants with MRCP(UK) may be considered.
Candidates who do not fall into any of the above categories must submit a Letter of Equivalence issued by RCPI.
Category
|
Description
|
Marks Available
|
Professional Qualifications/Education |
Undergraduate performance, teaching awards, higher degrees |
10 |
Publication & Audit Experience |
Publications, specialty publications, presentations, posters, audit |
10 |
Clinical Practice |
Candidate shows evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of the period of training, e.g. experience in specialty, attendance at specialty clinics etc. |
10 |
Leadership & Management Experience |
Candidate demonstrates that they have held a leadership or management role e.g. Lead NCHD, hospital committee membership etc. |
5 |
Teaching Experience |
Candidate demonstrates experience with teaching or higher qualification in teaching |
5 |
Total |
|
40 |
Geriatric Medicine HST Interview Criteria
Category
|
Marks available
|
Interview Performance and Professionalism |
40 |
Clinical Experience |
20 |
Management/Leadership/Teaching |
20 |
Research / Audit |
20 |
Total |
100 |
HST Histopathology Shortlisting Criteria
The Faculty of Pathology conducts an aptitude test for any persons wishing to apply to the HST Histopathology Programme. These are conducted in year 2 of the BST Histopathology Scheme and are in lieu of shortlisting for this specialty ONLY. The criteria for the aptitude tests are defined as below:
Category
|
Description
|
Professional Qualifications/Education |
Undergraduate performance, teaching awards, higher degrees |
Publication & Audit Experience |
Publications, specialty publications, presentations, posters, audit |
Clinical Practice |
Candidate shows evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of the period of training, e.g. experience in specialty, etc. |
Leadership & Management Experience |
Candidate demonstrates experience in a leadership or management role e.g. Rostering duties, hospital committee membership, etc. |
Teaching Experience |
Candidate demonstrates experience with teaching or higher qualification in teaching |
HST Histopathology Interview Criteria
Category
|
Marks Available
|
BST Performance |
30 |
Research & Audit |
10 |
Management & Leadership |
10 |
General Suitability |
30 |
Presentation / Communication |
20 |
Total |
100 |
HST Neonatology Shortlisting Criteria
There may be requirement to shortlist applicants as outlined below:
Category |
Description |
Marks |
Professional Qualifications/Education |
Undergraduate performance, teaching awards, higher degrees |
5 |
Publication & Audit Experience |
Publications, specialty publications, presentations, posters, audit – proof of same will be required |
5 |
Progression in Clinical Practice and Suitability |
Candidate shows evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of the period of training, e.g. experience in specialty, attendance at specialty clinics etc. Candidates must show their suitability for a career in Neonatology and their career trajectory. |
6 |
Leadership & Management Experience |
Candidate demonstrates experience in leadership or management role e.g. Rostering duties, hospital committee membership etc. |
2 |
Teaching Experience |
Candidate demonstrates experience with teaching, outside of day-to-day teaching of medical students or higher qualification in teaching |
2 |
Total |
|
20 |
HST Neonatology Interview Criteria
Category |
Marks Available |
CV – career to date |
20 |
Research/Audit/Teaching |
20 |
Clinical Question 1 |
20 |
Clinical Question 2 |
20 |
Suitability/Professionalism/Interview Performance |
20 |
Total |
100 |
Eligibility criteria for Neonatal Sub-specialist Training includes Basic Specialist Training (BST) in Paediatrics (2 years minimum) and successful completion of year 1 and 2 of the Higher Specialist Training Programme in General Paediatrics.
Please note there will be no Paediatric Cardio Intake for July 2026
HST Palliative Medicine Shortlisting Criteria
Applicants for Higher Specialist Training (HST) in Palliative Medicine must have completed, or be in the final year of, Basic Specialist Training (BST) in General Internal Medicine, and must hold the MRCPI.
Applicants who have completed a GP training scheme and hold Membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners (MICGP) will also be considered.
Candidates who do not fall into any of the above categories must submit a Letter of Equivalence issued by RCPI.
There may be a requirement to shortlist applicants, as outlined below:
Category |
Description |
Marks Available |
Personal Attributes/Professional Qualifications/Education Performance/Trajectory |
Higher degrees relevant to the specialty, academic, teaching or other awards. Evidence of personal attributes relevant to the specialty including attitudes, values, knowledge, behaviours or skills. Displays understanding of the specialty and role. |
7.5 |
Progression in Clinical Practice and Suitability |
Candidate shows evidence that present achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of the period of training. Candidates must show their suitability for a career in Palliative Medicine, their career trajectory and potential to succeed. Appraisal review |
7.5 |
Research Experience |
Evidence of quality and intensity or research experience to date, and level of independence and responsibility demonstrated. Evidence of contribution to outputs such as peer-Reviewed publications or national/ international presentations; proof of same required. |
5 |
Leadership & Management Experience (including QI and Audit) |
Candidate shows evidence of capabilities and experience in leadership and management roles e.g. engagement with team management activities, hospital committee membership, project management participation in clinical governance activities including Completed QI and audit processes |
5 |
Teaching Experience |
Candidate shows evidence of capabilities and experience with teaching roles and ability to teach others, e.g. formal teaching qualifications, supervision of others, leading or participation in educational activities, development of educational resources. |
5 |
Total |
|
30 |
HST Palliative Medicine Interview Criteria
Category |
Marks available |
CV – career to date |
25 |
Clinical Exposure |
25 |
Research/QI Experience including audit |
20 |
Managment/Leadership/professional Attributes |
20 |
Knowledge of the specialty |
10 |
Total |
100 |
HST Pharmaceutical Medicine Interview Criteria
Category |
Marks Available |
CV |
30 |
National Policy |
20 |
Teaching and Prescribing |
30 |
Knowledge and Vision |
10 |
Research and Audit |
10 |
Total |
100 |
Entry Criteria for Higher Specialist Training
Applicants for Higher Specialist Training (HST) in Pharmaceutical Medicine must have a certificate of completion Basic Specialist Training (BST) in General Internal Medicine and obtained the MRCPI.
Applicants with appropriate higher examinations (including MICGP or MRCSI) may be considered.
Applicants who do not hold a BST Certificate and MRCPI must provide evidence of equivalency at the time of application.
All applicants must hold of a position of employment in Ireland that is within a national regulatory agency (e.g. Health Products Regulatory Authority [HPRA]) or within a private enterprise (e.g. a pharmaceutical company such as Pfizer/Abbott, or a medical device company), and whose daily practice is in the field of Pharmaceutical Medicine.
The applicant's employment location must be listed as an approved training site for Pharmaceutical Medicine. Applicants to the training programme must be supported by their employer organisation and supply evidence of this at application stage.
Entry on the training programme is at Year 1. Deferrals are not allowed on entry to Training Programme.
HST Public Health Medicine Shortlisting Criteria
It may be required to shortlist applicants, as outlined below:
Category |
Description |
Marks Available |
Professional Qualifications/Education/ Career to Date including experience relevant to Public Health |
Performance; awards; evidence of progression, experience and achievements relevant to Public Health, commensurate with the length of time in training |
30 |
Clinical and Public Health Audit and QI Experience |
Evidence of quality, safety and audit. Proof of same will be required |
10 |
Publications and Research |
Publications, specialty publications, presentations, posters. Proof of same will be required |
10 |
Leadership, management and teaching |
Teaching experience; higher qualification in teaching; evidence of leadership or management role. |
20 |
Commitment to Public Health & Understanding of the Public Health Landscape |
Demonstration of commitment to Public Health and Understanding of the Public Health Landscape |
30 |
Total |
|
100 |
HST Public Health Medicine Interview Criteria
Category |
Marks Available |
CV – Career to date including professional qualification |
30 |
Research/Audit/ Quality Improvement |
20 |
Teaching, Leadership and Management |
20 |
Understanding of the Public Health Landscape and overall suitability |
30 |
Total |
100 |
To apply for Higher Specialty Training in Public Health Medicine, you must have:
- a certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training in a recognised Irish training programme: General Internal Medicine or Paediatrics or Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Histopathology or Psychiatry or Surgery.
- or a certification of completion of the Irish Specialist Anaesthesiology Training or the Irish National GP Training programme.
- or evidence of completion of an equivalent training programme approved by a postgraduate training body – applicants in this category should first apply to our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.
- or evidence of verifiable professional public health experience with at least 24 months experience of working in a public health setting (e.g. Senior Medical Officer or other role).
- or evidence of exceptional academic achievement within the field of Public Health.
Indicative guidelines regarding the last criterion
Such applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the reviewing panel. Applicants applying under this criterion require a minimum of 24 months whole time equivalent of post-internship clinical experience, of which at least 12 months should be within a clinical setting relevant to Public Health.
Exceptional/outstanding academic achievements in public health or related field may include (but are not limited to) evidence of higher qualifications, research training, awards/prizes.
Professional public health experience may include (but is not limited to) experience of working within a Department of Public Health in Ireland or abroad (e.g. Senior Medical Officer or equivalent), or in another relevant public health organisation which involves clinical responsibility and decision-making.