Person specification and entry criteria for Emergency Medicine ST4 2025 recruitment

Applies to: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Important: Accuracy

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this page. The information presented is accurate at the time of publication.

Essential entry criteria

Qualifications

Applicants must have:

  • MBBS or equivalent medical qualification and
  • Either
    • Been awarded MRCEM (MRCEM Primary, Intermediate and OSCE) by offer datei

Or

  • Completed FRCEM Intermediate Certificate (Primary, Intermediate and SJP) by offer date

When is this evaluated?ii

  • Application form

 

The 'offer date’ refers to the 'initial offers released' date set in each recruitment round; Recruitment Timelines.

ii ‘When is this evaluated’ is indicative but may be carried out at any time throughout the selection process.

Eligbility

Applicants must:

  • be eligible for full registration with, and hold a current licence to practiseiii from, the GMC at the advertised post start date for the vacancyiv
  • have evidence of achievement of ST/CT1, ST/CT2 and ST/CT3 ACCS Emergency Medicine competences at core trainee level by time of appointment, acceptable evidence includes satisfactory ARCP outcome.
  • For posts not GMC approved for EM or ACCS training the alternative certificate of readiness to enter higher EM specialist training must be completed and signed by an appropriate supervisor. This must be uploaded by the time of application.
  • have evidencev of 36 months’ training at ST/CT1, ST/CT2 and ST/CT3 level in all of the ACCS specialtiesvi. This must include a minimum of:
    • 12 months in emergency medicine
    • 3 consecutive months in Acute Medicine
    • 6 consecutive months in Aanaesthesia
    • 6 consecutive months in Intensive Care Medicine
    • 3 consecutive months in Paediatric Emergency Medicine
      Please note: Experience in the above posts must be gained within a post that is specifically within the specialty, that is, not combined with another specialty. The posts must be completed within 7 years of applicationvii.
    • For posts not GMC approved for EM or ACCS training, acceptable evidence is:
      • the alternative certificate of readiness to enter higher EM specialist training should be completed and signed by an appropriate supervisor and
      • a letter on hospital headed paper confirming dates, grade and specialty for each specialty, submitted at the time of application.
  • be eligible to work in the UK

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centreviii

 

iii The GMC introduced the licence to practise in 2009. Any doctor wishing to practise in the UK after this date must be both registered with and hold a licence to practise from the GMC at time of appointment.

iv ‘Intended start date’ refers to the date at which the post commences, not (necessarily) the time an offer is accepted.

v Evidence of competences gained in posts not GMC-approved for EM or ACCS training should be at either Level 1 or Level 2 as described in the RCEM level of evidence form

vi ACCS - Emergency Medicine, Acute Medicine, Anaesthetics, Intensive Care Medicine, and CT3 –Paediatrics/Paediatric EM and CT3 Musculoskeletal or CT3 EM

vii Where statutory leave is taken in the middle of a placement, this will not cause a break in continuous months.  Months completed before and after the period of statutory leave will be combined as continuous months.

viii‘Selection centre’ refers to a process, not a place. It involves a number of selection activities which may be delivered within the unit of application.

Fitness to practice

Applicant is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs.

When is this evauated?

  • Application form
  • References
Language skills

Applicants must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues, as assessed by the General Medical Councilix.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre

 

ix Applicants are advised to visit the GMC website which gives details of evidence accepted for registration.

Health

Applicants must meet professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice).

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Pre-employment health screening
Career progression

Applicants must:

  • be able to provide complete details of their employment history.
  • have evidence that their career progression is consistent with their personal circumstances.
  • have evidence that their present level of achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of their period of training.
  • have notified the Training Programme Director of the specialty training programme they are currently training in if applying to continue training in the same specialty in another regionx.
  • not have previously relinquished or been released or removed from a training programme in this specialty or associated core training programme, except if they have received an ARCP outcome 1 (outcome 6 for associated core training) or under exceptional circumstancesxi.
  • not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a CCT/CESR in the specialty they are applying for and/or must not currently be eligible for the specialist register for the specialty to which they are applying.
  • for those wishing to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training (LAT) posts (where available): no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in the specialty by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre

 

The 'support for application to another region' form, signed by the Training Programme Director of their current specialty training programme confirming satisfactory progress must be submitted to the recruitment office at time of application.

xi Exceptional circumstances may be defined as a demonstrated change in circumstances, which can be shown on the ability to train at that time and may include severe personal illness or family caring responsibility incompatible with continuing to train. Applicants will only be considered if they provide a ‘support for reapplication to a specialty training programme’ form signed by both the Training Programme Director or Head of School and the Postgraduate Dean in the local office or Deanery that the training took place. No other evidence will be accepted.

Essential courses

Applicants must be competent to manage adult and paediatric resuscitation both medical and trauma. This must be evidenced by either confirmation of competence from their most recent appropriate consultant supervisor or in date course certificates, at the time of application.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Portfolio review at interview/selection centre
Application completion

All sections of application form completed fully according to written guidelines.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form

Selection criteria

Qualifications

Essential

Applicants must have:

  • MBBS or equivalent medical qualification and
  • Either
    • Been awarded MRCEM (MRCEM Primary, Intermediate and OSCE) by offer date

Or

  • Completed FRCEM Intermediate Certificate (Primary, Intermediate and SJP) by offer date

Desirable

  • Any relevant additional postgraduate examination

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Portfolio review
Career progression

Essential

Applicants must:

  • be able to provide complete details of their employment history.
  • have evidence that their career progression is consistent with their personal circumstances.
  • have evidence that their present level of achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of their period of training.
  • have notified the Training Programme Director of the specialty training programme they are currently training in if applying to continue training in the same specialty in another region.
  • not have previously relinquished or been released or removed from a training programme in this specialty or associated core training programme, except if they have received an ARCP outcome 1 (outcome 6 for associated core training) or under exceptional circumstances..
  • not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a CCT/CESR in the specialty they are applying for and/or must not currently be eligible for the specialist register for the specialty to which they are applying.
  • for those wishing to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training (LAT) posts (where available): no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in the specialty by intended start date.

Desirable 

  • Evidence of completion of short training courses relevant to emergency medicine such as an airway or ultrasound course.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Portfolio review at interview/selection centre
Clinical governance

Essential

  • Evidence of involvement in clinical governance, for example, handling a complaint, incident reporting.
  • Can provide evidence of leading on clinical audit.
  • Demonstrates understanding of the importance of patient safety.

Desirable

  • Can produce evidence of having led on a patient safety issue.
  • Evidence of completion of QIP.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Portfolio review at interview/selection centre
Clinical skills

Essential

Clinical knowledge and expertise 
  • Capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement. 
  • Able to prioritise clinical need.

Desirable

Clinical knowledge and expertise 
  • Evidence of completion of Royal College of Emergency Medicine e-learning modules.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
  • References
Academic skills

Essential

Research, audit and quality improvement skills
  • Evidence of academic endeavour such as a completed research project, published paper, clinical topic review, critical appraisal, evidence-based medicine guidelines or e-publication.
Teaching
  • Evidence of interest in, and experience of, teaching.
  • Feedback from teaching sessions.

Desirable

Research, audit and quality improvement skills
  • Evidence of degrees, prizes, awards, distinctions, publications, presentations, posters, contribution to e-learning modules.
  • Evidence of contribution to departmental guidelines.
  • Evidence of active participation in research publications in peer reviewed journals, verbal or poster presentations at regional or national academic meetings.
Teaching
  • Membership of faculty for a local, regional or national training event or course.
  • Evidence of completion of a teaching course.

When is this evalated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
Personal skills

Essential

Communication skills
  • Demonstrates clarity in written and spoken communication, and capacity to adapt language to the situation, as appropriate.
Empathy and sensitivity
  • Capacity to take in others’ perspectives; see patients as people.
Vigilance and situational awareness
  • Capacity to be alert to dangers or problems, particularly in relation to clinical governance.
  • Demonstrates awareness of developing situations.
Coping with pressure and managing uncertainty
  • Capacity to function under pressure.
  • Demonstrates initiative, flexibility and resilience to cope with setbacks and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.
  • Awareness of own limitations and when to ask for help.
Leadership
  • Shows ability to manage a small team.
  • Acts as a role model and mentor.
  • Shows negotiation skills as required.
Values
  • Understands, respects and demonstrates the values of the NHS (such as everyone counts; improving lives; commitment to quality of care; respect and dignity; working together for patients; compassion).

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
  • References
Probity – professional integrity

Essential

  • Demonstrates probity (as outlined by the GMC)

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
  • References
Commitment to specialty – learning and personal development

Essential

  • Demonstrates interest and realistic insight into emergency medicine.
  • Demonstrates self-awareness and ability to accept feedback.
  • Shows initiative, drive and enthusiasm (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative).
  • Commitment to personal and professional development.
  • Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programme.
  • Evidence of self-reflective practice.
  • Evidence of achievements relevant to Emergency Medicine within and outside of medicine.

Desirable

  • Extracurricular activities or achievements relevant to Emergency Medicine.
  • Demonstrates commitment to pursuing specialty training in the UoA applied for.
  • Has an understanding of the NHS.
  • Demonstrates ability to organise one’s own learning and time.
  • Demonstrates and appreciates the relationship between service and training in the NHS.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Interview/selection centre
  • References