Faculty of Radiologists . Education and Training . Faculty Training Scheme





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Radiation Oncology Rules and Regulations of Specialist Training:

All training will take place in departments fully accredited by the Faculty of Radiologists RCSI and reviewed in the regular Faculty assessment and visits process.

Rotation for specific experience to another accredited training department will be required if the training department is unable to provide the full range of clinical experience

SpRs entering the specialty will have at least three years of satisfactory clinical experience, in this case normally comprising as a minimum the pre-registration year and two other full years of satisfactory General Professional Training (GPT).

The attainment of an MRCPI or other equivalent higher qualification is not required for eligibility. However additional qualifications by applicants will be viewed favourably during the SpR interview process.

The period of training is for five years of certified specialist professional training. Candidates will be appointed to the training programme for a period of 5 years, provided attendance, work ethic, and general conduct is deemed satisfactory by the Medical / Clinical Director and the Hospital Training Co-ordinators (HTC) of their accredited training departments.

Acquisition of knowledge is formally tested by examination.
SpRs will be formally examined as follows:

1. The Primary Examination for the Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists RCSI in radiation oncology, the Primary FFRRCSI (First FRCR) is held at the end of the first year.

The examination for the Primary FFRRCSI in radiation oncology is set and convened by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) but sat in Ireland. (The First FRCR examination is recognised by the Faculty of Radiologists RCSI).

The syllabus, examination regulations and structure are available on the website http://www.rcr.ac.uk/index.asp?PageID=70

Failure to obtain the Primary FFRRCSI (First FRCR) after 4 attempts will lead to the SpR leaving the training programme.

2. The Final Examination for the Fellowship of the Faculty of Radiologists RCSI, the Final FFRCSI is held after not less than 3 years of certified training in a radiation oncology post.

Only 4 attempts at the Final FFRRCSI are allowed.

3. The Fellowship Advisory Board (FAB), would review the candidate's circumstances, and in exceptional cases, could sanction a further attempt.

SpRs will maintain a record unique to their training in specifically designed "logbooks" which will be paper based for the present, but will eventually be web based. SpRs will undergo annual assessments, undertaken by their trainers and recorded in a report. This report and the "logbook" will provide a detailed record of the knowledge and experience gained during each year of training.

Training will need to evolve to allow for the statutory introduction of the 58-hour week introduced in 2004 and the change to a 48-hour working week in 2009, as per EU directive.

Flexible Post (Part Time) Training>

All periods of time specified are full time equivalent. Flexible (part time) may be undertaken by SpRs. Flexible SpRs will require more than the minimum 5 years training to be eligible for entry on to the Specialist Register. The time required will be assessed on a "pro-rata" basis and according to the acquisition of clinical skills recorded in their training "logbook". They will be subject to annual assessments similar to the fulltime SpRs.

Sponsored Specialist Training

The Faculty of Radiologists RCSI will accept SpRs for a 3 year training programme in radiation oncology from abroad, who are sponsored by their own country for the entire 3 year training period. At the end of 3 years these SpRs will be eligible to sit the Final FFRRCSI, if they have passed all modules of the Primary FFRRCSI (First FRCR). Overseas graduates come to Ireland for training with the objective of returning to their native country to practice. For them training to the level of the Final FFRRCSI is appropriate. Applicant SpRs will have to provide written documentation of their sponsorship by their own government for the entire 3 year period, and will be interviewed "in person" by the officers of the Faculty to assess their suitability. Further details are available from the Faculty secretariat.

Fixed Term Training Appointment (FTTA)

A registrar can be appointed to a Fixed Term Training Post, (for a maximum of 1 year), if an SpR already "in post" elects to apply for leave from a clinical post to undertake 1 year's research, a 1 year Out Of Programme Experience (OOPE), or family leave. This position is appointed by open competition following interview by the Faculty officers and training co-ordinators. This period, to a maximum of 1 year, will be recognised if the candidate is subsequently selected for an accredited SpR training programme.

Resignation from SpR training programme

An SpR wishing to resign from the programme will have to serve 1 month's notice in writing to the National Training Co-ordinator (NTC), their Hospital Training Co-ordinator (HTC) and their hospital's HR department.