Internship - General Information

Introduction:

There are 6 intern networks in the Republic of Ireland and each is attached to a Medical School. Trinity College Dublin is the academic partner for the Dublin South-East (DSE) Intern Network. The DSE Intern Network has Intern Tutors/Trainers on each of its 10 training sites and they are there to support and guide our interns in their new role, helping to ensure their successful completion of the Intern Programme. They may also oversee the formal teaching sessions.

The DSE ITN consists of 2 hub teaching hospitals and 8 affiliated clinical training sites in the region. The hub teaching hospitals are St. James's Hospital (SJH) and Tallaght University Hospital (TUH). The affiliated clinical teaching sites are:

Linn Dara Inpatient Unit - Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Naas General Hospital

St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny

Wexford General Hospital

Aylesbury Clinic - GP

Rialto Medical Centre - GP

Sundrive Medical Centre - GP

GPs at Tallaght Cross - PG

2017 saw the introduction of Academic Intern Track. 24 Academic Interns nationally, undertake one full rotation (3 months) in a combined clinical and academic rotation, along with completing their other 3 clinical rotations as normal. The programme provides interns with opportunities to undertake clinical research, gain experience in medical education, or enhance their leadership and management skills. In 2023, it was announced that the number of posts with Academic Track experiences would double, to 48.

The intern application process is a national program with 870+ posts available annually. In accordance with legislation, places are prioritised for EEA Irish medical school graduates. Responsibility for matching applicants to available posts is facilitated by the National Recruitment Service within the Health Service Executive. This process is open to international applicants also, with eligibility criteria and additional information found here. On successful completion of the Intern Year, Interns are supplied with a Certificate of Experience from the Medical Council.

Intern Training Programme

The purpose of intern training is to educate and train the newly qualified medical graduate to a level which will lead to being awarded a Certificate of Experience by the Medical Council of Ireland. The Intern Training Programme is a comprehensive programme including formal educational sessions and informal training which occurs as part of clinical service. The training programme encompasses the areas of Clinical Judgement, Communication Skills and Professional Development.
For more information on the National Intern Training Programme (NITP) click here.

At present, Intern teaching consists of the following:

General Application Timeline:

1. Late October - Opening of Stage 1 of the application process.
2. Mid-December – application window for Academic Intern Track opens
3. March - Academic Intern Track interviews.
4. March - Invite from the NRS to submit for Stage 2 of the application process, along with Medical Council registration.
5. June - NRS begin post allocations, candidates notified, deadline for acceptance given.
6. June/July - contract signing and intern induction.

Sample Documents from the 2023 recruitment process (this process is now closed) can be found at this link - https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs/job-search/medical-dental/nchd/interns/

Medical Practitioners Act 2007:

Medical Council Guidelines

The Medical Council have recently issued guidelines on all aspects of the intern year. Please see the relevant links below:

• Standards for Training and Experience Required for the Granting of a Certificate of Experience to an Intern
• Good Professional Practice
• Internships and Certificates of Experience - Impact upon registration opportunities in Ireland and EU (Revised 26th April 2016)
• Guidelines on Medical Education and Training for Interns
• Medical Council Rules in Respect of the Duties of Council in Relation to Medical Education and Training (Section 88 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007)
• Jobs Website