The mission of The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) is to develop and maintain high professional standards in specialist medical practice in order to achieve optimum patient care and to promote health nationally and internationally. Through its Faculties/Institutes and Committees, RCPI has responsibility for the postgraduate education and training of doctors in Ireland in twenty-five medical specialties.
Position Title: Co-National Specialty Director, Higher Specialist Training Neonatology
Affiliation: Faculty of Paediatrics
Department/Function: Neonatology
Tenure of office: 3 years (Time commitment – varies depending on specialty / number of trainees)1
Closing date: 10 June 2026 at 16:00
Role Overview
The role of the National Specialty Director (NSD) is to actively lead the development and delivery of postgraduate specialist training in the defined specialty, under the governance of the Specialist Committee of the Faculty of Paediatrics. The NSD shall attend the Specialty Training Committee (STC), with a minimum of three minuted meetings per year. The STC is co chaired by the Lead NSD and the Director of Education and training for the Faculty. This role will ideally be filled by a paediatrician.
1 As vacancies arise, the spec would be updated to the appropriate specialty and associated time commitment.
Where required, the NSD will be assisted by co-NSDs. It is preferable that NSDs are from a mix of specialty and geographic location.
Responsibilities
Governance
- The NSD will report to the Specialty Training Committee of the Faculty of Paediatrics through the NSD Committee, chaired by the Director of Education & Training
- The NSD will attend the Specialty Training Committee meetings which are co-chaired by the lead NSD (longest in post) and the Director of Education and Training of the Faculty.
- Attendance at committees/events – NSDs are expected to attend:
o NSD Committee Meetings (only one NSD/specialty)
o Specialty Training Committee Meetings
o CSCST Ceremonies
o Other RCPI meetings as required
Postgraduate Education & Training
Content of Training Programme
- Liaise with the Training and Examinations function to understand, implement, and feedback on the rules and guidelines for the training programme
- Update the specialty curriculum and logbook/ePortfolio, in consultation with the Specialty Training Committee and Training and Examinations function
- Work with the Professional Affairs function to oversee/lead on the development of courses for specialist training
- Develop and organise Study Days across the duration of the training programme
- Implement formative knowledge based assessments in line with RCPI policies
Support and Guidelines
- Provide advice, career guidance and support to trainees on issues relating to training, examination and general queries relating to the specialty
- Be familiar with and follow delineated process for dealing with trainee/training issues as per the RCPI Grievance, Disciplinary and other related policies. All grievance and related meetings have to be minuted and a written report submitted to the Director of Education and Training
- Review requests for advice on career intentions e.g. this may include taking time out from the training programme, requesting transfer to another training centre or spending time abroad
- Act as liaison between trainers and trainees
Recruitment
- Play an active role in the recruitment and selection of candidates to the specialist training programme including reviewing training intentions and identifying available posts prior to recruitment advertising
- Liaise with NDTP regarding workforce planning and number of available posts in the specialty
- Define criteria for short listing that is agreed by the Specialty Training Committee
- Conduct short-listing of candidates against agreed criteria with panel members
- Participate in all interviews for entry onto the specialist training programmes
- Participate, where requested, in interviews for entry onto specialist training programmes of another discipline as an independent assessor
- After consulting with the Specialty Training Committee, allocate current trainees to various centres for the training year. In this regard, NSDs must confirm to the Specialty Training Committee the number and location of clinical training posts available prior to the allocation process
Hospital Inspections/Accreditation
- Participate in hospital inspections and accreditation visits in the specialty (throughout the year) - where the NSD cannot attend an inspection they must nominate an appropriate alternate with relevant experience from their STC
Note: Alternative arrangements for hospital inspections are subject to the oversight of the Director of Education and Training
- Oversee approval of posts for training and complete associated reports for review and approval by the Specialty Training committee
Assessments
- Participate in annual assessments of the specialty and also in the assessments of other disciplines as requested. An extern is required for specific assessments usually in the penultimate year assessments and it is the responsibility of the NSD to identify an extern who is willing to participate in the annual assessments
Specialist Division of the Register
- Act as a panel member of assessors for applications for entry onto the Medical Council Specialist Division of the Register in the defined specialty, in accordance with standards specified by the Medical Council
International Programmes
- Participate in the recruitment of International trainees
Note: Interviews and recruitment may require overseas travel. Where possible and desirable this role will be fulfilled by an NSD. This role can be devolved to an STC member if necessary
- Implement an integrated programme for international trainees according to the structure and curriculum as agreed between the NSD/STC, the Faculty of Paediatrics Dean and Director of Education and Training, and the International Programme Manager
- After consulting with the Specialty Training Committee, allocate international trainees to various training centres
- Participate in the assessment of international trainees
Examinations
- Where applicable, lead and guide the development of knowledge based examinations for the given specialty, in line with RCPI policy
Professional Affairs
- As required, link and engage with Professional Bodies/Societies (where applicable), on issues relating to the specialty
NOTE: NSDs should be familiar with Faculty of Paediatrics framework documents which outline the process for dealing with Health and Wellbeing issues; Trainees Registered on International Programmes; and Training Site Accreditation.
Joint NSD roles
NB: Where there are two or more NSDs in a given specialty, the division of responsibilities will require clarification and discussion with the Director of Education and Training.
Mandatory
- Must be a registered and active trainer on the specialty training programme in Ireland
- Must be entered on the Medical Council’s Specialist Division of the Register in the relevant specialty
- Must be registered on an RCPI Professional Competence Scheme
- Normally a Fellow of the College at the time of appointment
- It is expected that the successful candidate will have significant prior experience of specialist training
- NSD performance and engagement will be reviewed annually by the Director of Education and training
Nomination and Recruitment of a National Specialty Director
- The Training Body is the appointing authority for NSDs
- Applications will be invited through the Specialty Training CommitteeWhere there is competition, applicants will be interviewed by a panel including the Director of Education and Training (or their nominee) , and RCPI management
- If there is no competition, appointment will be confirmed following a structured meeting including representation from the Education and Training Committee
- NSDs wishing to complete a second term must make an application to the Specialty Training Committee for approval. If competition is invited then applicants (including existing NSDs) must interview. Final approval will be by the Director of Education and Training
Appendices:
Appendix 1: Tenure of Office
The Tenure of Office for the successful candidate is 3 years, which is renewable for one term but this must be approved by the STC. Where there is a second NSD, it is expected that in order to ensure succession planning, the two NSDs will be appointed at different times, and the second NSD will remain in office when NSD 1 steps down.
Where there is no second NSD or in exceptional circumstances, NSDs can serve consecutive terms as approved by the STC and the Director of Education and Training. All applications for subsequent tenure will be dealt with in the same manner as detailed above.
Notification of stepping down from NSD role at the end of tenure should be presented in writing to the Training Body at least 3 months prior to stepping down.
Appendix 2: Remuneration
Payment of NSDs takes place on a monthly basis and in accordance with the number of trainees within their given specialty. Payment will not commence until the NSD is in post. Where there is a second NSD, it is recommended that the remuneration be split equally.
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland is a postgraduate medical training college dedicated to ensuring that doctors have the skills to provide patients with the best possible care. Founded in 1654, the college supports doctors to enhance their skills, competencies, and professionalism throughout their working lives.
Through its Faculties and Institutes, The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, offers medical training programmes, examinations, diplomas, and educational courses to equip doctors with the skills and knowledge they need to care for patients and run safe and efficient healthcare systems. It also offers a range of educational diplomas and courses for learners in the wider healthcare sector.
