Person specification and entry criteria for Clinical Genetics ST3 2027 recruitment

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.

Eligibility to apply

Please make sure you meet all below eligibility criteria before applying.

Qualifications

You must hold a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS, MBBS) degree or other equivalent medical qualification.

Registration and Right to Work

You must:

  • Be eligible to work in the UK
  • Hold full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) at the time of application, and hold a current licence to practise on the date your post commences
  • Meet the standards set out in Good Medical Practice, and not be subject to fitness to practise conditions which would prevent you taking up the post or performing fully within it

You must not

  • Hold, nor be eligible to hold, a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), nor
  • Already be eligible for the specialist register for this specialty, including through the Portfolio Pathway.
Career history

You must be able to provide complete details of your employment history, including any gaps.

Disclosure
  • You must complete all sections of the application form fully and truthfully, in accordance with written guidelines
  • You must disclose in your application if you are subject to any ongoing fitness to practise proceedings or are subject to any fitness to practise conditions
  • If you are currently in specialty training and applying to continue training in the same specialty in another region, you must obtain a Support for Application to another region form signed by the Training Programme Director/Head of School of your current Specialty Training Programme. This must confirm satisfactory progress and be submitted with your application
  • If you have previously resigned, or been removed from a training programme in any specialty, you must obtain a Support for Reapplication to Specialty Training form signed by the Training Programme Director/Head of School and Postgraduate Dean from the region you previously undertook training in. This must be submitted with your application

Capability/Competences, Experience and Professional Examinations

Applicants from an Internal Medicine background

Capability/Competences

You must have evidence of achievement of the capabilities required by completion of year 2 of the Internal Medicine Stage 1 curriculum. This can be evidenced using one of the following methods:

Experience

You must have sufficient whole time equivalent experience working in medical specialties (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date for the vacancy. This can be via by:

  • Completing training in one of the following programmes:
    • The first two years of UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
    • The first three years UK ACCS (Internal Medicine)
    • UK Core Medical Training or UK ACCS (Acute Medicine)
    • The first three years of UK Broad Based Training (medicine route) 
    •  JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme or
  • Having at least 24 months’ whole time equivalent experience in medical specialties (of which at least 12 months must include the care of acute medical in-patients). Experience in certain acute care common stem specialties can be counted towards the 24 months in some circumstances.

If you wish to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where available): you must have no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in this specialty by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

Professional examinations

You must have any of the following:

  • MRCP(UK) Part 1 at time of application and MRCP(UK) full diploma by offer date.
  • Eligibility for the specialist register in general internal medicine, approved by the GMC, at the time of application.
  • Completion of Irish Basic Specialty Training in medicine and Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) full diploma by offer date.
Applicants from an Anaesthetics background

Capability/Competences

You must have evidence of achievement of Stage 1 Domains of Learning in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine (including Initial Assessment of Competency) or equivalent. This can be evidenced via one of the following methods:

  • Employment in a UK Core Anaesthetics / ACCS Anaesthetics Training Programme at the time of application which leads to achievement of all required Stage 1 Domains of Learning by the advertised posts start date for the vacancy evidenced by a Stage 1 Certificate / Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate, or
  • Completion of a UK Anaesthetics/ACCS Anaesthetics Core Training Programme at the time of application, evidenced by Stage 1 Certificate / Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate; or 
  • Current employment in a UK anaesthetics post (a non-training grade post) at the time of application and achievement of all required Stage 1 Domains of Learning evidenced by a Stage 1 Certificate / Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate by the time of application; or 
  • The Confirmation of Stage 1 Equivalence Certificate is to be used if you have not completed a UK core training programme but have all the required competencies by the ‘time of application.

Experience

You must have sufficient whole time equivalent experience working in anaesthetics and/or intensive care medicine (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date. This can be via by: 

  • Completion of a UK Anaesthetics/ACCS Anaesthetics Core Training Programme and achievement of all required Stage 1 Domains of Learning.
  • Having at least 36 months’ experience in Anaesthetics and/or Intensive Care Medicine, of which at least 30 months is in Anaesthetics.

If you wish to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where available): you must have no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in this specialty by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

Professional examinations

You must have Primary Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FRCA) by offer date.

Applicants from a General Practice (GP) background

Capability/Competences

You must have evidence of achievement of ST3 general practice competencies by the advertised post start date for the vacancy. This can be evidenced using one of the following methods:

  • Current employment in a UK General Practice training programme at ST3 level and on track to successfully complete ST3 by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.
  • Being on the GMC GP register at the time of application.
  • Providing documentation from the GMC confirming eligibility to enter the GMC GP register.

Experience

You must have at least 36 months’ whole time equivalent experience in general practice (not including Foundation modules) by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

If you wish to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where available): you must have no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in this specialty by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

Professional examinations

You must either:

  • Hold full Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) by the advertised post start date for the vacancy or;
  • Be eligible for the GP register at the time of application.
Applicants from an Obstetrics and Gynaecology background

Capability/Competences

You must have evidence of achievement of ST1 and ST2 competences in Obstetrics and Gynaecology via one of the following methods:

  • Current employment in a UK Obstetrics and Gynaecology training programme which leads to successful achievement of ST2 competences by the advertised post start date for the vacancy; or
  • Successful achievement of ST1 and ST2 Obstetrics and Gynaecology competences at the time of application, evidenced by ARCP certificates submitted at the time of application; or
  • A completed Alternative Certificate of ST1 and ST2 Obstetrics & Gynaecology competences. This must be submitted with your application.

Experience

You must have at least 24 months’ experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (not including Foundation modules) by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.  

If you wish to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where available): you must have no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in this specialty by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

Professional examinations

You must have Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG) Part 1 by offer date.

Applicants from an Ophthalmology background

Capability/Competences

You must have:

  • Evidence of achievement of ST1 competences in Ophthalmology at time of application and ST2 competences in Ophthalmology by time of appointment, evidenced by ARCP outcome 1; or
  • Evidence of achievement of ST1 and ST2 competences at time of application. Acceptable evidence is only permitted via the standard Alternative Certificate of Competences.

Experience

You must have at least 24 months’ experience in Ophthalmology including Medical Ophthalmology (not including Foundation modules) by time of appointment. 

If you wish to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where available): you must have no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in this specialty by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

Professional examinations

You must have Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth) Part 1 by offer date

Applicants from a Paediatrics background

Capability/Competences

You must have evidence of achievement of paediatric capabilities commensurate with a trainee who has completed ST3 as defined by the Paediatric RCPCH Progress+ curriculum. This can be evidenced using one of the following methods:

  • Current employment in a UK paediatric training programme which leads to achievement of ST3 capabilities by the advertised start date for the vacancy.
  • Successful completion of ST3 capabilities in a UK paediatric training programme, evidenced by satisfactory ARCP. This must be submitted with your application.
  • A completed Certificate of Completion of Progress+ Paediatric ST3 Capabilities. This must be submitted with your application.

Experience

You must have at least 24 months’ whole time equivalent experience including at least 6 months in Neonatology and 6 months whole time equivalent in General Paediatrics (not including Foundation modules) by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

If you wish to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where available): you must have no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in this specialty by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

Professional examinations

You must hold full Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) by offer date.

Applicants from a Psychiatry background

Capability/Competences

You must have evidence of achievement of:

  • CT/ST1 and CT/ST2 psychiatry curriculum requirements at the time of application; and
  • CT/ST3 psychiatry curriculum requirements at the time of application or confirmation that these will be achieved by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

All competences must be as defined by the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Core Psychiatry Training curriculum.
 
This can be evidenced using one of the following methods:

  • Current employment in a UK Core Psychiatry Training programme which leads to successful completion of the programme by the advertised post state date for the vacancy; or
  • Successful completion of a UK Core Psychiatry Training programme, evidenced by satisfactory CT3 ARCP outcome. This must be submitted with your application; or
  • A completed Alternative Certificate of Eligibility to Enter Higher Psychiatry Training. This must be submitted with your application.

Experience

By the advertised post start date, you must have sufficient experience demonstrated by one of the following:

  • Completion of a UK Core Psychiatry Training programme.
  • At least 36 months’ whole-time experience in psychiatry (not including foundation modules)
  • Training completed in a UK Broad Based Training programme with a further two years in CT2 and CT3 core psychiatry training

If you wish to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where available): you must have no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in this specialty by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

Professional examinations

You must hold full Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatry (MRCPsych) by offer date.

Applicants from a Surgery background

Capability/Competences

You must have evidence of achievement of core surgical competences by the advertised post start date for the vacancy, via one of the following three methods:

  • Current employment in a UK Core Surgical Training programme which leads to successful completion of the programme by the advertised post start date for the vacancy; or
  • Successful completion of a UK Core Surgical Training programme, evidenced by a satisfactory ARCP outcome. This must be submitted with your application; or
  • A completed Alternative Certificate of Eligibility to Enter Higher Surgical Training. This must be submitted with your application.

Experience

You must have satisfactorily completed an approved Core Surgical Training programme or equivalent by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

If you wish to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where available): you must have no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in this specialty by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.

Professional examinations

You must hold full Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) by offer date.

Selection criteria

In addition to the following selection criteria, the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Act 2026 will apply to all recruitment using this person specification.

Selection criteria for all ST3 training programmes

Essential selection criteria

Eligibility

  • You meet all criteria specified in the Eligibility to Apply section above

Clinical knowledge

  • Interest in, and understanding of, the training programme

Workplace skills

  • Ability to work in multi-professional teams and supervise colleagues
  • Ability to lead, make decisions, organise and motivate other team members
  • Ability to manage/prioritise own and others’ time effectively, including administrative tasks.
  • Ability to work safely under pressure and deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty
  • Ability to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
  • Good basic IT skills, including Microsoft 365, email, and ability to learn new systems

Academic knowledge

  • Understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
  • Understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence-based practice, patient safety, and clinical quality improvement initiatives
  • Knowledge of evidence-informed practice

Personal skills

  • Commitment to personal and professional development
  • Ability to work on own initiative, demonstrating professional curiosity
  • Strong attention to detail, preparation and planning
  • Ability to communicate messages effectively to a range of audiences
  • Ability to negotiate and build positive professional relationships
  • Strong problem-solving skills, with a scientific approach to problem solving
  • Ability to reflect on personal and professional skills and behaviours

Values

  • Understands, respects, and demonstrates the values of the NHS

Knowledge and Experience

  • Understanding of NHS management and resources
  • Experience of management and leadership
  • Experience of research
  • Experience of audit and quality improvement
  • Experience of teaching

Additional selection criteria for Clinical Genetics ST3

Essential selection criteria

Clinical experience and skills

  • Demonstrates capability of managing acute medical conditions (including emergencies) in patients and outpatients during core training or equivalent, in a range of acute medical specialties or, for non‑physician applicants, corresponding experience from core/early years training in the relevant specialty.
  • Demonstrates ability to manage conditions and working practices related to this specialty.
  • Able to work without direct supervision where appropriate. 
  • Able to maximise safety and minimise risk.
  • Demonstrates ability to manage the efficient use of NHS resources

Personal skills

  • Evidence of thoroughness (is well prepared, shows self-discipline/commitment, is punctual and meets deadlines).
  • Demonstrates initiative and resilience to cope with changing circumstances.

Generic professional capabilities

  • Awareness of the professional, legal, ethical and governance framework of NHS practice.

Learning and personal development

  • Demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the specialty beyond the mandatory curriculum.
Desirable selection criteria

Qualifications

  • Completion of the relevant membership examination by time of application.

Clinical experience

  • Experience of managing patients with severe acute medical disease or, for non‑physician applicants, corresponding experience from core/early years training in the relevant specialty.
  • Evidence of capability in managing patients at core level in this specialty.

Research, academic and teaching

  • Evidence of postgraduate study (not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA).
  • Evidence of research achievements, e.g. publications, presentations and posters.
  • Evidence of teaching feedback.
  • Evidence of training in teaching.

Learning and personal development

  • Evidence of exceptional achievement in medicine
  • Evidence of experience and skills relating to leadership and management commensurate with experience
  • Evidence of achievement outside medicine