Application process at ST3

Entry into O&G training is also possible at ST3-level, albeit still highly competitive.

Specialty-specific recruitment to ST3 posts in O&G is coordinated by the National Obstetrics and Gynaecology Recruitment Office in England, Scotland and Wales. Successful completion of the ST3 training grants eligibility for a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). All information on recruitment to ST3 posts in O&G can be found on the NHS Medical Hub pages. Different guidance applies to Northern Ireland as they manage their own recruitment process, and information can be accessed here.

Summary of the key recruitment stages:

1. Ensure the eligibility requirements are met as detailed in the person specification guide
2. Register on the Oriel system
3. Submit application form on Oriel, including the self-scoring self-assessment questions. These are used for shortlisting and the verified score is also used for ranking purposes at the offers stage.
4. Longlisting - applications checked by a central longlisting team to ensure eligibility as per the criteria on the person specification
5. Shortlisting - upon completion of the longlisting stage, applicants are requested to upload supporting evidence for the self-assessment questions. Self-scores are then verified and revised as needed.
6. Preferencing – applicant provides a ranking for all programmes that they would be willing to accept.
7. Interview – subject to a verified self-assessment score and interview capacity, eligible applicants are invited for an interview. There is a reserve interview list for those who rank below the interview capacity. Candidates on the reserve list will be invited for an interview, in rank order, as applications are withdrawn.
8. Offers – final scores from a combination of the self-assessment verified score and interview performance allow for candidates to be ranked and offers are subsequently made until all posts are filled.
9. If you are successful in gaining a post via the ST3 recruitment round, all prior experience will be considered at your first annual review of competency progression (ARCP). Following this, training years can potentially be adjusted accordingly as the training programme is competency rather than time based.