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ST3 general surgery application and interview process explained
ST3 general surgery application and interview process explained 
Applying for an ST3 general surgery training number is a pivotal part of your surgical career. This is where you begin to work your way through speciality training on the road to becoming a consultant. 
Within this article, we have summarised the ST3 general surgery application process and provided useful resources for your ST3 general surgery interview. 
In our first section, we’ve outlined the application process for ST3 general surgery. How many ST3 general surgery national training vacancies are there per year?
Based on the HEE competition ratios for 2022, there were 153 general surgery vacancies across all deaneries in the UK. There were 532 applicants in 2022, making the competition ratio for general surgery training 3.That means there are roughly 3-4 doctors for every ST3 general surgery post. Of the 66 specialties listed, general surgery applications are more competitive than 47% of other training specialties in the UK. 
We know it can be disappointing if you’re unsuccessful when applying to specialty training. You may want to look for a locum or fixed-term surgery job to gain experience or improve your portfolio. Whether you want a full-time post or part-time shifts, we can support you in finding a placement.
When do ST3 general surgery applications open and close?
The ST3 general surgery person specification is a comprehensive guide of the entry criteria, eligibility, and selection criteria that you would need to meet to be considered for ST3 general surgery training. You can view the latest version of the HEE general surgery ST3 person specification for 2024.
A top tip for aspiring surgeons is to start looking at the annual person specification as soon as you decide you want to pursue a career in general surgery. This will give you an idea of the essential and desirable selection criteria so that you can start building your portfolio and experience around it. 
How do I apply for general surgery ST3?
Apply for your ST3 general surgery training number by completing an application form on the NHS Oriel system. General surgery recruitment to programmes in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland is managed via a nationally coordinated process hosted by London and Kent, Surrey, and Sussex (HEE London and KSS) Recruitment Office. What evidence will I need in my ST3 general surgery portfolio? 
A key difference with the ST3 surgery portfolio this year is that a template will be provided during the application process clearly outlining the evidence required for each domain. You will no longer need to upload large volumes of unstructured evidence and the emphasis of scoring the portfolio will be on quality over quantity.
By the end of July 2024, or by the completion of Core Training if this is later, how many months will you have spent in total in General Surgery in any post-Foundation job in any country? 
By the end of July 2024, or the completion of Core Training, will you have spent at least 4 months in T&O, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, ENT Surgery, Cardiac/Thoracic surgery, A&E, ITU, Paediatric Surgery, Urology, Vascular or OMFS posts since completing your Foundation Programme?
At the time of application, have you completed and been awarded a stand-alone UK higher degree or equivalent (see evidence below) examined by thesis/dissertation? (What is the ST3 general surgery self-assessment?
Your ST3 general surgery interview guide 
In this next section, we’ve outlined the interview process for general surgery specialty training. This includes useful resources for your ST3 general surgery interview. 
What is the format of the NHS ST3 general surgery interview?
The general surgery ST3 interview consists of three core stations that last 40 minutes and involve reading time, a clinical scenario, a management scenario, and a career discussion. 
Your performance is usually assessed and scored by at least two consultants. Is the ST3 general surgery interview in person or online?
In recent years the ST3 general surgery interview has been held online, usually on Microsoft Teams. The same format is adhered to whether the interview is online or in person. 
How to prepare for the ST3 general surgery interview
The ST3 interview is knowledge-intensive, you will need to focus on knowing the content and allocating time during your preparation to practice your delivery. A good strategy is to identify the issues at the beginning and then follow a clear structure for your management plan.
This scenario could be a list of clinical tasks that need to be completed with a staffing shortage, delay in a clinic or hospital bed shortage. Your answer should identify the issues, risks, priorities, and actions needed to manage the clinical scenario effectively.
ST3 general surgery interview resources 
We have researched online blogs, testimonials, and online courses to collate a list of general surgery interview resources for you, as recommended by ST3+ general surgery doctors. 
Medset’ s complete ST3 general surgery online interview course is split into four modules which cover everything you would need to know in your interview. The course was created by a General Surgical Registrar who scored 100% in his ST3 interview. Medibuddy has created an online course and question bank. The team have scoured the internet and spoken to registrars who have had successful interviews to create this general surgery interview course. ST3 general surgery application and interview process summarised
Applying for a national training number is a pivotal part of your general surgery career. These steps can give you extra confidence and increase your chances of acing your ST3 general surgery interview. 
We offer a huge variety of temporary and permanent jobs to choose from.
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