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Higher Specialist Training
 

Occupational Medicine

 

Overview

 

About HST in Occupational Medicine

Completing Higher Specialist Training in Occupational Medicine is the final step towards becoming a specialist in this area of medicine.

Higher Specialist Training (HST) in Occupational Medicine is a four-year programme completed in Specialist Registrar (SpR) posts.

On completion of HST, you will receive a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST) which allows you to enter the Specialist Division of the Register with the Medical Council. 

Many doctors spend some time working abroad and building up their portfolio of research, audits and publications before becoming a specialist.

 

What to Expect

Your first two years of HST will be spent in full-time SpR posts in Ireland. After that, you can continue to train in full-time posts in Ireland, or you can start a period of full-time research or develop a subspecialty interest.

Your HST programme will incorporate the following core elements:

  • At least 18 months in an industrial sector (for example, heavy and light industry, engineering, electronics, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, chemical, transport)
  • A minimum of one year in the service sector (for example, healthcare, financial services, insurance, office environment)
  • Work experience in units that offer a broad exposure to essential elements of occupational medicine

Over the four years of your HST programme, you will also:

  • Attend at least 800 occupational health clinics, including at least 100 sessions in a health service occupational health department
  • Carry out 20 industrial/worksite visits, covering a wide range of working environments. You will need to identify hazards and their assessment and control, and interact with safety officers, hygienists and environmental safety officers
  • See at least 400 occupational clinical cases each year. Cases should involve audiology, psychosocial, respiratory, dermatological, toxicological, rehabilitation, disability assessment and musculoskeletal conditions
  • Obtain knowledge and experience in other relevant specialties. This experience may be gained through personal reading, attendance at meetings or clinical attachment at outpatient clinics. Your trainer will help you identify which specialties would benefit you

You can apply for up to 12 months’ credit towards your Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training (CSCST) for research undertaken during HST.

In addition to supervised onsite training, you will attend a number of mandatory courses and study days designed to help you develop professionally and acquire the non-clinical skills and knowledge needed to provide excellent patient care.

You are also required to pass two exams during HST: Licentiate of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (LFOM) and Membership of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (MFOM). You should aim to sit the LFOM at the end of your second year of HST and you are expected to obtain the MFOM by the end of your third year.

 

HST Occupational Medicine Curriculum 2022/2023

Use this curriculum if you started Year 1 of HST in 2022/2023

 

HST Occupational Medicine Curriculum 2023/2024

Use this curriculum if you started Year 1 of HST in 2023/2024

 

HST Occupational Medicine OBE Curriculum 2024/2025

Use this curriculum if you started Year 1 of HST in 2024/2025

 

Access Guidance on Using the OBE Curriculum

Learn more about the OBE Curriculum

 

HST Taught Programme

Trainees in HST Year 1 in 2024/2025 can access the HST Taught Programme anytime by logging into the RCPI Website and clicking the link to Brightspace in your Digital Hub. More information on the Taught Programme is available in the HST Curriculum.

 

Mandatory Exams and Courses

As part of your HST in Occupational Medicine, you must pass the Licentiateship of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine examination and the Membership of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine examination. Trainees in HST Year 2 and above in 2024/2025 will attend mandatory courses. These courses are outline in the HST Curriculum.

 

Contact Us

We have a dedicated team to help you through your Higher Specialist Training, that is available to deal with any questions you may have. Contact us on helpdesk@rcpi.ie

 

Faculty of Occupational Medicine

Established in 1976, the Faculty of Occupational Medicine at RCPI is accredited by the Medical Council of Ireland. We are proud to meet the strict standards required to deliver postgraduate specialist training in occupational medicine.

Longest standing fellows of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine