Specialist registrar (SpR) & Senior registrar

A specialist registrar (SpR) is a doctor who is undertaking Higher Specialist Training (HST). Senior registrar is the title for doctors specialising in psychiatry and undertaking HST, which is the final step on the path to specialisation.

There are HST programmes available in over 50 specialties across 13 Irish postgraduate medical training bodies (PGMTBs). On completion, you will receive a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST), which allows you to register as a specialist on the Medical Council Register. This registration makes you eligible for consultant posts in Ireland.

Doctors walking together in hospital past reception desk

Specialist registrar and senior registrar posts

To ensure you gain the widest experience, HST schemes are rotational in nature, and you will rotate between jobs and/or clinical sites every six to 12 months. SpR posts are fully salaried.

Funding supports for NCHDs

There are various educational funding supports available to non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs). You’ll find an overview of funding and support schemes in our Supports section.

Learn more about the fellowships, scholarships, and placements available to you, including The Lead NCHD programme.