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Higher Specialist Training
 

Paediatrics

 

Overview

 

About HST in Paediatrics

Higher Specialist Training in Paediatrics is the final step towards becoming a paediatrician.

Higher Specialist Training (HST) in General Paediatrics is a five-year programme completed in Specialist Registrar (SpR) posts. RCPI also offers HST programmes in two further areas of paediatrics: Neonatology and Paediatric Cardiology. 

On satisfactory 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. This means you can apply for consultant posts.

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

However, you will have met the core requirement for consultant appointment, which is registration on the Specialist Division of the Register with the Medical Council.

As well as General Paediatrics, the Faculty of Paediatrics at RCPI offers two specialties: Paediatric Cardiology and Neonatology.

Read more about Paediatric Cardiology and Neonatology HST courses

 

What to Expect

Your first two years of HST will be spent in full-time clinical 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 two years in acute general paediatrics, in inpatient and outpatient settings, with general on-call not less than one-in-six
  • 12 months in general paediatrics, including three months of community paediatrics
  • 12 months continuous experience in neonatal intensive care
  • Experience in assessment and treatment of children in accident & emergency departments
  • Experience in large teaching hospitals with academic activity
  • At least one year in a subspecialty, the preferred option being training in a number of subspecialties.

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

During the annual allocation of SpR posts, we will endeavour to be as flexible as possible, within the confines of your specialty requirements, to allow you to develop a subspecialty interest.

In addition to supervised clinical training in the hospital, you will attend a number of mandatory courses and study days. The courses run by RCPI are linked below; in addition, you must complete:

  • Informing families of their child’s disability – Available on www.informingfamilies.ie under Information for Professionals
  • Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS)
  • Neonatal Resuscitation Programme (NRP)
  • STABLE programme – Run by hospitals
 

HST General Paediatrics Curriculum 2022/2023

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

 

HST General Paediatrics Curriculum 2023/2024

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

 

HST General Paediatrics 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 Courses

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, available to deal with any questions you may have.  Contact us on helpdesk@rcpi.ie.

 

Faculty of Paediatrics

We are the national professional and training body for paediatrics in Ireland, accredited by the Medical Council of Ireland to ensure the highest standards in child health.

Dean with Fellows of the Faculty of Paediatrics