Post FY2 training

[schuey]

Was just wondering how post FY2 training works.

I know that its ST1 up to 5 or 7 depending on the specialty you want to become a consultant in and then you become a consultant, but at what points do you need to apply for new jobs etc?

I take it you have to apply for ST1, but do you then need to reapply for a new different ST2 post or does your ST1 post run through to ST3? And once you have an ST3 post does that guarantee you training through to ST5 or 7 or do you need to reapply for new posts at the end of every year for ST4, 5, 6 7 etc?

ST3 seems to be an important one, whereby you need to have decided what you actually want to become a consultant in?

So if you train in general medicine for ST1 and 2, can you then switch to surgery for ST3? This seems like it wouldn't be possible because of the high competition in surgery posts, but is it possible the other way round? Or say to do ST1 and 2 in renal medicine, then change to rheumatology for ST3 onwards?

Is there a list anywhere of how many years of ST training you need for each speciality to become a consultant?

And also what happens when you finish ST training, are you then a consultant or do you only become a consultant once you have applied and been accepted for a consultant post?

Finally, where does the role of an SHO fall in all this, I heard that some people just become an SHO for a while after FY2 before applying for ST posts to get some experience, is that right?

Sorry for all the questions!!

[art-of-the-table]

When MMC started it was possible to get a guaranteed run through program which took you from FY2 all the way to consultant. What would happen is that you would do a core module containing say 3 medical specialties and at the end of the 2 years you would compete for the specialty you preferred. Everyone would get a job guaranteed, but not necessarily in their preferred specialty.

Now things have changed. You do a core training module for 2 years, and then everyone competes for the speciality they want. It means you can choose at ST3 level what specialty you want, but no guarantee of a job, and no guarantee of the speciality you like.

Under the new system it is hard to switch unless you apply for undersubscribed specialties and your previous specialty is relevant to some extent.

Once you complete your training, you then need to compete for a consultant post. Some are out of work, but many get a post quickly.

[Spencer Wells]

Some specialties offer run through training. This means that you apply in your FY2 year for the job, and if you get it, you're guaranteed ST1-ST7/8 for the specialty. After this you will get a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) which allows you to apply for consultant posts.
Many specialties do not have run through however (gen med and surgery being 2 examples. For surgery, you'll do ST1 and ST2 (basic surgical training) and then apply competitively for surgical subspecialty training for ST3-ST8. In medicine again you do a few years of core medical training, and then apply competitively for specialist training. You are not guaranteed a training post (so you could find yourself having completed basic surgical training, and then unable to train as a surgeon).
As far as I am aware, you cannot do core medical training and then apply for a surgical ST3, so you have to decide on which training scheme you want at FY2 level and then stick to it.

As a general rule, a SHO = FY2, ST1, ST2.
ST3 and above = SpR.

[art-of-the-table]

You have to be really careful though about specialities which look like they offer run through but in fact do not. I.e. they effectively have their own core training and still select at ST3 or ST4 level.

[yazoo]

I think ST1&2 are viewed as SHOs for the most part.

I disagree with the notion that it is hard to swap training programmes but I agree that it is a competitive process. So if you are a good applicant and have a good reason (s) for switching, backed up by some evidence for this reasoning, you should have just as much chance as the next good applicant.