Co-National Specialty Director – Clinical Microbiology– Faculty of Pathology X2

About the Company

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.

The Faculty of Pathology RCPI is the national professional and training body for pathology, accredited by the Medical Council of Ireland to deliver postgraduate specialist training in all the Pathology specialties.

About the Role

Role: Co-National Specialty Director – Clinical Microbiology – Faculty of Pathology (x2)

Specialty: Clinical Microbiology

Term of Office: 3 years (renewable once, stipend related to number of trainees)

Responsibilities

• Governance: Chair the Specialty Training Committee, set and lead the agenda, and ensure a minimum of three meetings per year.
• Attendance at committees/events: attend Specialty Training Committee meetings, CSCST ceremonies, Education and Training Committee meetings, the Faculty Annual General Meeting, and other RCPI meetings as required.
• Postgraduate education & training: liaise with Postgraduate Training and Education to implement rules and guidelines, update the specialty curriculum and logbook/ePortfolio, work with Professional Affairs on course development, develop and organise Study Days, and implement formative knowledge-based assessments in line with RCPI policies.
• Support and guidelines: provide advice, career guidance and support to trainees on training, examinations and general queries; follow RCPI grievance and disciplinary processes and submit written reports as required; review requests regarding time out, transfers or overseas training; act as liaison between trainers and trainees.
• Recruitment: play an active role in recruitment and selection for the specialist training programme, review training intentions and available posts, liaise with HSE NDTP on workforce planning, define shortlisting criteria, conduct shortlisting and interviews, and allocate trainees to training centres after confirming available posts.
• Hospital inspections and accreditation: participate in training site inspections and accreditation visits, nominate an appropriate alternate if unable to attend, oversee approval of posts for training and complete associated reports for Faculty Board review.
• Assessments: participate in annual specialty assessments and requested assessments of other disciplines, and identify an extern for Penultimate Year Assessments (PYA).
• International programmes: participate in the recruitment of international trainees.

Reporting relationships

The NSD reports through the Specialty Training Committee of the Faculty to the Director of Education and Training and the Chair/Dean of the Faculty, and works with trainers and trainees to oversee all matters relating to education and training in the specialty.

Additional Information

Closing date: 3 June 2026 at 16:00