Nuclear Medicine ST3

Nuclear Medicine is the specialty responsible for the administration of unsealed radioactive substances for the purposes of diagnosis, therapy and research. Nuclear Medicine trainees combine their skills as a physician with that of a physiological imager to solve diagnostic problems and where appropriate offer radionuclide therapy options for treatment. Specialists in Nuclear Medicine have ultimate responsibility for Nuclear Medicine services and must hold the appropriate certificate from Health Ministers to administer radioactive substances.

Over the past decade there have been significant developments in the technology of scanners to allow hybrid imaging which combines functional imaging using radionuclides and radiological anatomic imaging using CT or MRI.  In response to this, the Nuclear Medicine specialty training curriculum underwent major revision in 2014 in order to provide specialty trainees with the skills required to confidently report hybrid imaging studies, review diagnostic imaging studies including plain films, ultrasound and CT in patients undergoing radionuclide imaging, and present and discuss a broad range of imaging data at multidisciplinary meetings. Trainees entering Nuclear Medicine therefore undertake Clinical Radiology training during the first 3 years of training and aim to clear FRCR1 and 2A. In the latter 3 years, trainees undertake higher training in Nuclear Medicine and complete FRCR2B and the Diploma in Nuclear Medicine.  In 2021 the curriculum was changed to fully recognise the clinical radiology training, so this 6-year training programme will enable trainees to apply for entry to the specialist register with CCT in both Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Radiology. During the first 3 years trainees will spend 80% of their time in Radiology and 20% in Nuclear Medicine reverting to 20% Radiology and 80% Nuclear Medicine thereafter. Full details of the specialty training curriculum are available on www.jrcptb.org.uk

Summary of change for recruitment process 2024-2025

There are changes to the 2024-2025 process. Please ensure you check the specialty applicant website for 2024/2025 carefully. You must also read the general medical recruitment website guidance before applying to ensure you have understood the application process, and all relevant documentation that you will need to submit especially relating to foundation competences. 

Process

NHS England (NHS E) London Recruitment Office are the National Recruitment Office for Nuclear Medicine, coordinating the national process for recruiting trainees into Nuclear Medicine ST3 posts across England, Scotland and Wales. Please note that applicants who wish to apply to both specialties will need to complete separate application forms for Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Radiology. The eligibility criteria for Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Radiology differ in that Nuclear Medicine requires previous medical, surgical or paediatric clinical training and success in post graduate exams in those fields.

The national Nuclear Medicine ST3 person specification can be downloaded via the national Medical Specialty Training Website.

Two specialties, Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Radiology will be using the same selection process but will require separate applications.

As part of the selection process, all applicants to Nuclear Medicine ST3 will be required to sit the Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA). This will be used for shortlisting.

There will be a cut off score below which applicants will not be shortlisted. Applicants will also be ranked based on their score. If the available interview appointments are oversubscribed, they will be offered based on ranking order in the first instance.

Applicants who have been invited to interview and applied to both specialties will have a single interview, with the score being used for selection to both clinical specialties.

Please note that applicants who wish to apply to both specialties will need to complete separate application forms for Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Radiology. The eligibility criteria for Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Radiology differ in that Nuclear Medicine requires previous medical, surgical or paediatric clinical training and success in post graduate exams in those fields. The final rank and score for candidates will be comprised of Interview score (60%)and self-assessment verified score (40%).

The portfolio self-assessment will take place online. Applicants will be required to assign themselves a score as part of their Oriel application form. Applicants who are shortlisted will be invited to upload their evidence and then have their self-assessments verified by a panel.

Reasonable adjustments and Disability Confident Scheme

For information regarding reasonable adjustments and Disability Confident Scheme please refer to the Medical Specialty Recruitment website.

Eligibility Criteria for recruitment to Specialty Training – Competences

All applicants applying to medical specialties are required to have essential competences or equivalent depending on the level they are applying for. For more information on competences please refer to the Person Specification.

Please upload all required evidence of competences to your online application form when completing the application form online. For those experiencing difficulties when uploading evidence, please ensure you contact the team via the PGMDE Support Portal.

Eligibility Criteria to work in the UK

All medical practitioners are on the shortage occupation list, so all specialty recruitment applicants will be exempt from the resident labour market test.

The Medical Specialty Recruitment website has guidance for applicants requiring a visa.

Fitness to Practice

If you have made a positive declaration in the FTP section, you must follow this up by completing our form on the support portal, you must contact London recruitment office via support portal by the close of the application window. Failure to provide the outlined information by the close of application may result in your application being withdrawn.

Key Dates & Information

A full timeline can be found on the Medical Specialty Recruitment website

MSRA Window: 2nd January – 13th January 2025

Evidence verification upload dates: 13th February – 19^th February 2025 (dates subject to change)

Verified self-assessment score appeals:  27th February 2025 (by 5pm) – 4^th March 2025 (subject to change)

Interview Date: 14^th March 2025

Interview venue: Remote Interview via a virtual interview system called Qpercom Recruit (access to a microphone, camera and good Wi-Fi connection is essential). Instructions on using the system will be sent out no later than a week before interviews.

Posts commence from: between August 2025 and October 2025 (see individual preferences for more details)

The anticipated rotation frequency for this programme will vary from post to post according to local arrangements made for delivery of nuclear medicine and core level radiology training but is not anticipated to be shorter than between 3 and 4 months.

Successful completion of this placement will lead will lead to a Certificate of Completion of Training in Nuclear Medicine and Clinical Radiology.

The expected duration of this programme is 6 years, however, the actual duration may depend on the circumstances of the individual.

There is a strict application policy and will not accept applications submitted after the submission deadline. All applications must be made via Oriel.

The Nuclear Medicine Recruitment Guidance also contains detailed information about how to complete your application form, the shortlisting process, evidence verification process, interview process and preferences. We therefore recommend that all applicants read the guidance thoroughly before starting to complete an application form. You must also read the Medical Specialty Applicant Guidance.

Shortlisting Process

As part of the selection process all applicants to Nuclear Medicine will be required to take a Multi-Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA).

Attendance at the test is mandatory and can be taken between 2nd and 13th January 2025.

The MSRA is a computer-based assessment which forms our short-listing process. The assessment has been fully researched and evaluated and has been shown to have high predictive validity.

All eligible applicants (i.e. those that meet the eligibility criteria set out in the person specification) will be invited to attend the MSRA exam, further information will be sent after the application closing date.

Verification Process

The portfolio self-assessment will take place online this year. Applicants will be required to assign themselves a score in their Oriel application form. These scores will be verified by a panel.

Interview Process

Length of interview: Two stations, up to 10 minutes each.

Interview structure: The interview station will cover different criteria from the person specification. The final score will be comprised of the combined validated Self-Assessment score and Interview score.

Preferencing Posts

Preferencing will be made available via Oriel at a later stage, information will be sent to your registered email account with instructions on how to complete preferencing.  You should only preference training placements that you are prepared to train and work in for the duration of your training, which will be at least six years.

Contacts/Enquiries

Please visit the PGMDE Support Portal where you will find a series of FAQs, and you will be able to submit an enquiry to the Recruitment Team.

Indicative number of posts available

Please see the Medical Specialty Recruitment website for updated post information.

Please note that post numbers and post information are subject to change.