Resident doctors can start applying for HST in the final year of the programme required for entry to that specialty; for Group 1 this is the third year of IMT and Group 2 is the second year. This website has been set up to guide trainees through the process of applying and competing for HST programmes.
Further training
Upon selection to an HST programme, a resident doctors will progress through several further years of training (typically between four and five) in the chosen specialty.
This will continue until training is completed and they becomes a fully-qualified consultant in that specialty.
Completing training
Completion of higher specialty training in a GMC approved programme within the UK, will result for most doctors in the award of a CCT (certificate of completion of training).
Those who seek to reduce the length of their HST by gaining recognition for experience outside of UK training, will need to apply for the Portfolio Pathway (Formerly CESR)
More information about certification can be found on the JRCPTB website.
Types of post
NTN posts
Most posts within the HST recruitment process are those described above, i.e. higher specialty training posts of several years in duration. Each trainee in one of these posts will be awarded a unique 'national training number'; hence these posts are often referred to as 'NTNs'.
LAT posts
The other type of post included in the process is the 'locum appointment for training', or LAT post. These are short-term training posts in a specialty, typically between six and 12 months in duration.
LAT posts are only available in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Doctors in LAT posts will be assigned educational supervisors and given appropriate clinical supervision; and as noted in the Gold Guide, documented competences gained in LAT posts can be taken into account by training programme directors on future specialty training programmes.
