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You will be required to fill the self assessment form out at time of application.
Self assessment criteria and guidance documents will be available on this page in due course.
Self assessment
In a situation where the number of eligible applicants exceeds interview capacity, the score generated from the verified self assessment is used as a shortlisting tool to determine whether applicants are invited to online interview.
Please read the self assessment Criteria and Guidance that is located on this page.
Applicants are expected to score themselves using the scores provided on the Oriel form and using supporting documents in the Downloads section.
Applicants can award themselves a maximum of 36 marks in unverified self assessment.
Please note: a minimum verified score of 12 or above is required to be invited to online interview. Applicants however are not guaranteed an interview by scoring 12 or above, invitations to online interview will be subject to the available interview capacity.
ICMNRO are not at liberty to give advice to applicants on their scores/answers. Self assessment is a tool intended to reflect an applicant's strengths deemed important to higher training in Intensive Care Medicine.
If an applicant feels they can justify giving a certain score, they are encouraged to put this score on their application form. If applicants require further advice, ICMNRO recommend applicants speak with their Educational Supervisor and/or Faculty Tutor.
Please refer to the Self assessment domains found below and the Self assessment applicant guidance which can be found in the Downloads section.
Unverified self assessment
When completing their application, applicants will be required to complete self assessment, which involves scoring themselves against the scoring criteria provided. This is considered unverified self assessment; unverified scores will later be assessed by a clinical assessor during verified self assessment.
Applicants will score themselves on the following domains:
Self assessment domains
Please note: Unless stated otherwise, all domains are measured as at the time of application.
Domain 1: Additional degrees and qualifications
Descriptor
Score
I have no additional degrees or qualifications
0
I have a partially completed postgraduate qualification, that has not been used for application eligibility (for example, MRCP part 1 as non-physician)
Note – Not including EDIC which is counted in Domain 8
1
I have a full postgraduate qualification, that has not been used for application eligibility (for example, full MRCP for non-physician)
Note – Not including EDIC which is counted in Domain 8
2
I have a Masters level degree for example, MSc, MPhil or equivalent in addition to time spent and qualifications gained as part of my original medical degree
Note - excluding qualifications scored in Domain 6 – Teaching skills or Domain 8 – Achievements specific to ICM training
3
I have a PhD or postgraduate MD (UK definition) - 2 years original research or equivalent in addition to time spent and qualifications gained as part of my original medical degree
4
Evidence
Exam certificates or official letters of results with the title of the qualification needs to be uploaded and legible to credit marks
Educational qualifications at PG Certificate level are given credit in the teaching section (domain 6) and cannot also be counted in domain 1
PhD/MD and other higher degrees: must be completed, examined and awarded to get the full 4 marks, incomplete qualifications could get the 1 year credit of 3 marks
An MD will not be counted if it is awarded as a standard part of undergraduate training and not undertaken as an additional piece of original research – the MD must be 2 years to the UK definition
Intercalated degrees (BSc(MedSci)) for example would not attract points, unless in situations where the awarded degree was at Masters level and study was undertaken with other postgraduate students (for example a MRes) where three points would be awarded
Eligibility for application for ICM training requires full MRCP (Parts 1, 2 and PACES) for physicians, MRCEM/FRCEM Intermediate for EM trainees and Primary FRCA for Anaesthesia core trainees, therefore these do not count as additional qualifications for applicants from those specialties. Only additional qualifications score for example, full MRCP for an anaesthetic or EM core trainee
Only fully completed qualifications should be counted for 2 points
Final FRCA would score 2 points here if the trainee is in anaesthesia ST3/CT2/CT3 (as the minimum exam requirement for anaesthetic trainees is the primary FRCA), in the same way full FRCEM for a trainee from an emergency medicine background would also score 2 points
Additional ICM specific qualifications for example, EDIC are counted in domain 8
A fully completed diploma lasting one year could score 2 points in this domain
Domain 2: Additional achievements and prizes relevant to medicine
Descriptor
Score
I have no additional prizes or distinctions
0
I have 1 or more poster prizes or, other undergraduate prizes
1
I was awarded an overall distinction / honours in my original medical degree (within top 18% of cohort)
2
I have a prize or award at postgraduate level by a regional medical organisation
3
I have a prize or award at postgraduate level by a national or international medical organisation
4
Evidence
Please provide the prize certificate/citation or official letter from the awarding body
Distinction in undergraduate degree means overall distinction/honours, not just in some modules
National means that participation is routinely extended to, and accepted by, anyone in the country (this includes any of the UK home nations meetings for example, a meeting run by the Scottish Intensive Care Society or Welsh Intensive Care Society). International means participation extends beyond this
Regional means that participation is confined to, for example, a county, medical training region, health authority, or a recognised cluster of hospitals, extending beyond a city
If uploading funding attained for postgraduate research (MD/PhD) then please evidence that this was attained via a competitive process
'For distinction or honours for the original medical degree to score points it should have been awarded to no more than 18% of the cohort, certificate says 'degree with distinction' or equivalent. A summary of study modules where some are marked 'merit' or 'distinction' would not qualify for 2 points
Domain 3: Publications (excluding audit, and publication of posters)
Descriptor
Score
I have no publications or abstracts
0
I have been co-author on 1 or more publications that are NOT PubMed-cited. This includes letters, epublications, elearning modules, case reports
1
I have been first author on 1 or more publications that are NOT PubMed-cited. This includes letters, epublications, elearning modules, case reports
2
I have been co-author on a commissioned chapter in a published medical book or, I have been co-author on a PubMed-cited publication
3
I have been first author on a commissioned chapter in a published medical book or, I have been first author on a PubMed-cited publication
4
Evidence
Evidence should be a digital copy of the title page of paper/chapter including the reference, or reference separately (including your name) if title page of paper/chapter does not contain the reference
If e-publication, upload a copy of the publication including reference (demonstrating it has already been published and where)
If accepted for publication but not yet published, upload the letter/email of acceptance from journal
Please explain which author is you if it is not clear (for example, subsequent name change)
Publication of a poster abstract (if the same poster has gained credit in another domain) doesn’t score here, nor does publication of an audit credited in domain 5
If not already published then work should already be "in press", this means that your piece has been fully accepted for publication; no further alterations are required; and it is just waiting to be published
I have not made any presentations or shown any posters
0
I was first or second author on a poster presented at a local or regional medical meeting
1
I was first or second author on a poster displayed at a national or international medical meeting
2
I was first or second author on a poster presented orally at a national or international medical meeting – this includes side sessions, poster presentation sessions or, an oral presentation at a regional medical meeting
3
I have presented orally in the main auditorium at a national or international medical meeting
4
Evidence
Examples of evidence:
Copy of the conference programme with listing of your name and title of presentation
An email or letter of acceptance from the conference organiser, ("PowerPoint" slides alone are not sufficient)
Conference programme showing title of poster and your name or a letter/email of acceptance from organiser, plus text of poster (poster alone is not sufficient)
Please explain any abbreviations of organisation names
Teaching presentations (for example, at regional trainee teaching or for medical students) are not credited in 'presentations' but can be credited in the 'teaching' section (domain 6)
National means that participation is routinely extended to, and accepted by, anyone in the country (this includes any of the UK home nations meetings for example, a meeting run by the Scottish Intensive Care Society or Welsh Intensive Care Society). International means participation extends beyond this
Regional means that participation is confined to, for example, a county, medical training region, health authority, or a recognised cluster of hospitals, extending beyond a city
Local presentations require evidence from organiser like an invitation or letter of thanks (electronic sufficient)
Domain 5: Clinical audit and quality improvement projects
Descriptor
Score
I have not participated in any audit or quality improvement projects
0
I have participated in a completed audit or quality improvement project (for example, local data collection)
1
I have designed or led a completed audit or quality improvement project
2
I have designed or led an audit or quality improvement project which has resulted in a demonstrable improvement or, I have led a regional collaborative multi-centre project
3
I have led a national or international collaborative multi-centre project
4
Evidence
Please clearly document your role in any projects
Provide a project summary which should include presentation slides (where relevant) and a letter from the department confirming the project completion and feedback from presentation where available (this should include your name or the name of the project)
Where relevant please provide clear documentation demonstrating improvements directly resulting from the project to gain credit for this for example, results of a re-audit following change
Department leads for large national audits for example, NAP or NELA will be credited 3 points rather than 4
Domain 6: Teaching skills
Descriptor
Score
I have no experience of delivering teaching and I have no training in teaching methods
0
I have taught healthcare professionals or medical students with evidence of formal, positive feedback or, I have attended a basic teaching methodology course
1
I have provided regular teaching as part of a course for healthcare professionals or medical students with evidence of formal/positive feedback or, I have been certified as an instructor for a postgraduate medical course
2
I have designed or led a regional teaching programme consisting of multiple sessions with evidence of formal, positive feedback or, I have completed over half of a formal teaching qualification (for example, PGCertEd)
3
I have designed or led a national or international teaching programme consisting of multiple sessions with evidence of formal, positive feedback or, I have completed a formal higher teaching qualification (for example, PGCertEd)
4
Evidence
Examples of evidence are:
A certificate of attendance or completion of teaching methodology course
An email or letter from the organiser or a programme of events demonstrating multiple sessions containing your name and where delivered (as well as presentation slides if relevant) PowerPoint slides alone are not acceptable
Whole programme including dates and presenter names or official letter confirming your role in designing teaching programme (as well as presentation slides if relevant) PowerPoint slides alone are not acceptable
Teaching qualifications for example PGCert Ed are counted in this domain, not in domain 1 (if not fully completed then a letter is required from course organiser to confirm progress)
Feedback should include candidate name or name of teaching programme with evidence of their involvement
The designed sessions must have been actually delivered (not planned for the future)
Electronic teaching packages can be counted with evidence of both role performed and positive feedback
Domain 7: Progress through training and excellence
Descriptor
Score
I do not have any educational supervisor reports which contain reference to performance that is excellent / at a high level / above the usual expected
0
I have 1 or more educational supervisor reports which contain reference to performance that is excellent / at a high level / above the usual expected
2
My educational supervisor reports cover every year of my training (UK and/or overseas) and every report contains a reference to performance that is excellent / at a high level / above the usual expected
4
Evidence
This domain was introduced as a way of recognising trainees who were performing at a very high level clinically, but may not have achieved much yet in terms of their teaching experience, publications and so on
Time spent training abroad or in locally employed doctor posts (clinical fellow or similar) or in full time research posts may be associated with formal reports. If any such posts have associated reports that include evidence of excellence, they could be included and scored here. This should be some form of report similar to an Educational Supervisor's report, rather than a simple letter saying they were excellent with no other details
If the applicant has done extra training in another specialty (for example, core surgery prior to core anaesthesia), these can be included here
Educational Supervisor Reports should have clear reference to performance at a level above expected for level of training (or similar terminology)
Educational supervisor reports for UK training should be easily identifiable
We are aware that in some cases historical supervisor reports may become inaccessible to applicants due to time elapsed – we cannot apply points without evidence that an attempt has been made to access these reports
Domain 8: Achievements specific to ICM training
Descriptor
Score
I have no additional achievements specific to ICM training
0
I have evidence of CPD of benefit to working in ICM for example, regional or national ICM meetings
1
I have 2 or more ICM related courses (for example, critical care transfer course) or, I have completed a qualification in Point of Care Ultrasound
2
I have completed more than one qualification in Point of Care Ultrasound or, I have completed an ICM specific postgraduate qualification for example, EDIC, ICM PgDip or PgCert
3
I have an ICM specific Masters level degree or above e.g. MSc, MPhil or PhD, in addition to time spent and qualifications gained as part of my original medical degree or, I have completed accreditation with The British Society of Echocardiography or equivalent
4
Evidence
Certificates of attendance or completion should have applicant’s name documented
POCUS course attendance without evidence of qualifications will not be awarded as completion, but can be used as CPD
For BSE accreditation either Level 1 or Level 2 can be used
ICM specific qualifications (for example, EDIC) counted here, in domain 9 should not also be submitted in domain 1 (additional qualifications)
Domain 9: Leadership and management
Descriptor
Score
I do not have any leadership or management experience
0
I have held a local or regional leadership or management role for 6 months or more and I can demonstrate I made a positive impact
2
I have held a national or international leadership or management role for 6 months or more and I can demonstrate I made a positive impact
4
Evidence
National means that participation is routinely extended to, and accepted by, anyone in the country (this includes any of the UK home nations meetings for example, the Scottish Intensive Care Society or Welsh Intensive Care Society). International means participation extends beyond this
Both medical and non-medical roles can be used to score points in this domain
Regional in the medical setting means that participation is confined to, for example, a county, medical training region, health authority, or a recognised cluster of hospitals, extending beyond a city
An example of evidence of positive impact could be a letter from the department or non-medical organisation for which the role was undertaken confirming responsibilities and changes implemented
Applicants will not be required to upload any documents to support their self assessment scores with their application form. They will be contacted after applications close with further instructions on where to upload their evidence.
It is imperative applicants answer the self assessment questions accurately and honestly. Self assessment scores cannot be amended once an application is submitted on Oriel.
Applicants are expected to score themselves using the scores provided on the Oriel form and using supporting documents which can be downloaded on this page.
Applicants should ensure they are using the 2027 guidance. Using previous and out-of-date guidance could result in applicants scoring themselves incorrectly and having their scores subsequently impacted during verification.
Clinical assessors will also use this guidance when completing verification. It is important applicants refer to this when scoring themselves initially.
Applicants are advised to award themselves a score which they are able to provide evidence to support. Where the evidence submitted is found not to support the score awarded, a clinical assessor will adjust the score accordingly during verification.
Document upload
After applications close, applicants will be contacted by ICMNRO and asked to upload evidence to support the scores they have awarded themselves in self assessment.
The applicant document upload window runs from Thursday 7 January to Thursday 14 January2027. All evidence to support unverified self assessment should be uploaded by applicants during this period. We will not be accepting evidence outside this window/process.
Applicants will need to upload their self assessment evidence onto Qpercom. Full guidance surrounding this will be made available closer to the date of the document upload window.
We reserve the right to use anti-plagiarism software.
Lack of evidence or unclear evidence will affect your score and may lead to your application being rejected entirely. It is the responsibility of the candidate to provide clear and unambiguous evidence.
The recruitment office cannot advise you on your responses. You must select the response you feel you will be able to justify to the panel, using the evidence you provide.
No evidence can be submitted retrospectively.
Evidence should not contain patient identifiable data.
Please do not password protect any of your evidence.
Failure to submit all evidence by the stated deadline will result in your application form being withdrawn by the recruitment team. It is recommended that you prepare your evidence alongside your application form.
Recruitment administrators will not be able to upload evidence on your behalf and once the deadline for submission has passed, your access will be withdrawn.
Verified self assessment
Once the document upload window has concluded, all applicants who meet the required longlisting criteria will have their scores and evidence verified by a Clinical Assessor.
Clinical Assessors will use the same guidance and criteria which applicants should have used when completing their unverified self assessment. These documents will be available here on the Downloads section throughout the recruitment process.
Verified self assessment has a maximum of 44 marks available, inclusive of the 8 marks available in the 2027 ICM ST3 Self assessment Global Rating score (see downloads section).
ICMNRO strongly advises applicants to ensure they have electronic copies of evidence in an appropriate format (PDF/JPG) in advance of the need to upload.
Verified self assessment scores will be released on Tuesday 2 February 2027.
Applicants will also receive their verified self assessment scoresheets. These will include feedback and comments from the clinical assessor who verified their scores and evidence.
Applicants are advised to add [email protected] to their safe senders list to prevent scoresheets being sent to the email junk/spam folder.
Verified Self assessment Global Rating Score
The Global Rating Score is out of 8 points.
Applicants do not award themselves a Global Rating Score, this score is awarded by the clinical assessor who verifies their self assessment during verification.
The verified self assessment Global Rating Scoring Framework and self assessment Applicant Guide can be found in the Downloads section.
Verified self assessment review process
On completion of self assessment verification, applicants will be sent their verified scoresheet, together with feedback explaining any changes to their unverified score.
Applicants may have their score reviewed in any self assessment scoring criteria domains where they feel there has been an error made.
Applicants may request a review of the score awarded to them in verification for any of the self assessment domains where they feel an error has been made, or the score awarded during verification does not reflect the evidence they have provided, in line with the guidance and criteria.
Important: Applicants cannot request a review of the global rating score given.
Applicants must submit their request for a review through the Qpercom system.
Reviews against scoring must be lodged within the Self assessment verification review window. Please refer to the Recruitment timelines page. No additional evidence can be submitted. The review should highlight why the applicant feels that the score should be adjusted, based on the evidence that was initially submitted and verified.
Reviews received after the deadline will not be considered.
The outcome of the review is final and there is no further recourse for dissatisfied applicants.
The review window in which applicants can request a review is Tuesday 2 February to 12pm on Friday 5 February 2027.
Next Steps in the process
Once applications are submitted on Oriel, applicants will be longlisted against the ICM ST3 Person specification and invited to upload evidence to the self assessment portal should they be eligible.
Page last reviewed: 5 November 2026
Next review due: 5 November 2028