Neonatology encompasses the management of prematurity and all the attendant physiological and pathological challenges as well as the diagnosis and management of congenital anomalies (identified both ante- and postnatally).
Overview
Neonatology includes care of the well and sick infant in the newborn period, as well as long term follow-up of certain infants at risk of complications including neuro-disability. As such it has a very broad remit. There are significant acute and neonatal intensive care (NIC) components, but it also addresses the chronic management and developmental issues of graduates of the NIC unit.
Many neonatologists are involved in clinical and basic science research to further our understanding of this special population of patients. Trainees must participate in care and management of the foetus and new-born in collaboration with maternal foetal medicine specialists and paediatric subspecialists. Trainees must be competent in the management of the critically ill newborn infant, including techniques of resuscitation, airway support, electric vital signs monitoring, temperature control and nutritional support.
Higher Specialist Training (HST)
Requirements
- Have completed a Medical Degree.
- Be eligible for inclusion on the Trainee Specialist Division of the Medical Council Register at the time of application.
- Have completed your Internship before the start of the training programme in July.
- For non-Ireland, -UK, -Australia, -Canada, -New Zealand or -US: An IELTS certificate OR the Occupational English Test (OET).
- 2 years completed in HST General Paediatrics.
FAQs
- You can apply to Higher Specialist Training in 28 programmes across our Faculties. You can apply to more than one programme, although we advise against applying to more than two programmes.
- You must submit a separate application for each programme. The application process is fully online –you don’t need to submit a paper application.
- Make sure you read the entry requirements for your chosen programme carefully. The entry requirements are listed in the HST Curriculum for each programme.
- Shortlisting for interviews (where necessary) will take place in December/January. Interviews for shortlisted candidates take place in February.
- As there are a limited number of places in HST, entry to each programme is competitive.
- Certificate of completion of Basic Specialist Training (BST)
- Evidence of postgraduate qualification such as MRCPI
- Proof of Irish Medical Council registration / eligibility for registration
- Proof of English language competency
- Two Appraisal Forms
- Passport identity page Stamp 4 Residency Permit (if applicable to you)
There are three ways to confirm your eligibility for Irish Medical Council (IMC) registration:
- Submit your certificate of current or previous registration on one of the divisions of the IMC.
- If you are not currently and have never been registered on one of the divisions of the IMC, you may be considered automatically eligible for registration if you completed your medical degree in one of a list of EU countries.
- If you do not fall into either category 1 or 2 above, please contact the IMC and ask them to provide a letter confirming your eligibility for registration and submit this with your application.
If you completed BST but do not yet have your BST Certificate, please apply now by contacting Helpdesk@rcpi.ie.
The online application form will ask you for the following information:
- employment and training history
- clinical practice - experience to date
- academic achievements
- teaching experience
- audit experience
- research experience
- presentations to date
- publications to date
- management and leadership experience
- career objectives
- contact details of two references, one of whom must be your most recent supervising consultant (must be same two references who have completed your Appraisal Forms)
Please note you are not required to submit additional documents related to the above. Please be brief in describing only relevant experience under each of the headings on the application form.
Please note that formatting (paragraphs, special characters, bullet points, spacing etc.) will not copy over to your final application. All free text boxes are limited to 500 characters (letters/spaces etc).
Interview details will be posted in the Current Applications box on the website.
Please visit our Entry Guidance and Advice section for information on how scores are allocated for your application and interview:
https://www.rcpi.ie/Learn-and-Develop/Training-Programmes/Higher-Specialist-Training/HST-Policies-Procedures-and-Important-Documents#hst-entry-guidance-and-advice
We have a dedicated team to help you through your Higher Specialist Training, available to deal with any questions you may have. Contact us on helpdesk@rcpi.ie