The aim of the programme is to ensure the highest standards of emergency medicine practice in Ireland by delivering high-quality accredited training across the spectrum of the specialty.
Overview
CSTEM Overview:
Core Specialist Training in Emergency Medicine (CSTEM) is a three year programme consisting of a series of relevant posts at non-consultant hospital doctor (NCHD) level that lay the professional groundwork for subsequent specialisation.
CSTEM rotations are pre-defined and, where possible, are based in a single hospital or region.
Doctors are eligible to apply for entry to CSTEM during, or after, satisfactory completion of their intern year.
The training you receive in CSTEM is based on the Royal College of Emergency Medicine curriculum and is delivered via:
- 'Shop floor' training supervised by consultant trainers
- Local education programmes in each emergency department
- CSTEM workshops in RCSI
- Human factors training in RCSI
- Life support courses (mandatory for progression to ASTEM)
- Regular educational meetings of the trainee section of the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM).
- These meetings include educationally focused lectures and also provide you with an opportunity to present research or audit projects
- Attendance at the IAEM Annual Scientific Meeting is also encouraged
Training Pathway:
During CSTEM, you will obtain a wide range of experience in a variety of specialities, structured as six-month posts.
Year 1
- Emergency medicine
- Acute medicine, trauma and orthopaedic surgery, or plastic surgery
Year 2
- Paediatric emergency medicine or acute general paediatrics emergency medicine
- Emergency medicine
Year 3
- Anaesthesia/critical care
- Emergency medicine
Throughout your training, you will work towards successfully completing the Intermediate Fellowship Exam of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (FRCEM) of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine/MRCEM.
ASTEM Overview:
Advanced Specialist Training in Emergency Medicine (ASTEM) is a four-year programme for trainees wishing to advance their careers in the field of emergency medicine.
You must have three years of post-internship clinical experience, with the following to be eligible for the programme:
- A minimum of 18 months in emergency medicine in Ireland, the UK, South Africa or Australasia
- A minimum of six months in anaesthesia/intensive care medicine or evidence that you have achieved the CSTEM competencies in this area by submission of the relevant workplace assessments (airway management, rapid sequence intubation, organ support, central venous cannulation, arterial cannulation).
- A minimum of six months in paediatric emergency medicine or acute paediatrics
- 12 to 18 months in emergency medicine or specialities relevant to emergency medicine (e.g. medicine, surgery, orthopaedics).
All experience must be within five years of your application for ASTEM.
Training body
Core Specialist Training in Emergency Medicine (CSTEM)
Requirements
- Have completed a Medical Degree.
- Be eligible for inclusion on the Trainee Specialist Division/General Division of the Medical Council Register at the time of application.
- Have successfully completed your Internship before the start of the training programme in July.
For non-Ireland, -UK, -Australia, -Canada, -New Zealand or -US: An IELTS certificate OR the Occupational English Test (OET).
FAQs
No, but there is an application fee of 50 Euro (non-refundable), payable via credit card at point of submission of online application.
Yes, it is 50 Euro (non-refundable), payable via credit card at point of submission of online application.
There are no scholarships or fellowships available for this programme. Each trainee is employed by the HSE and receives a contract in advance of commencement on the programme and their employment date (Second Monday of July annually) from the allocated Hospital.
No, there is currently no limit to number of times you can apply to the CSTEM Programme.
No, however, you must have passed all elements of MRCEM by Year 3 of CSTEM to be eligible to progress to advanced training in Emergency Medicine (ASTEM).
No applications can be submitted after the deadline. If you have missed the deadline you must wait to apply the following year. We advise all applicants to ensure you have all your documentation prepared well in advance of the published deadline including structured reference forms as part of the online application.
Please see eligibility criteria documentation on the webpage HERE.
No, you must hold a full Medical Degree to apply for CSTEM.
Yes, please see more details with regard to Registration on the Irish Medical Council website at www.medicalcouncil.ie.
Please see documentation in relation to this HERE.
Please see eligibility criteria documentation on the webpage HERE.
Advanced Specialist Training in Emergency Medicine (ASTEM)
Requirements
All applicants for the ASTEM programme at RCSI must:
- Submit evidence to prove eligibility and commencement of registration on either the general or the trainee division of the Irish Medical Council at the time of application.
- Hold the Membership of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (MRCEM/Primary and Intermediate FRCEM) diploma by the application close date.
- Be able to communicate clearly with patients and colleagues details of which are outlined in the HSE's English language requirements document below.
- Familiarise themselves with the Guidance on Allocation of Training Places to EM document and ASTEM Score Guide.