Advice for FY1 and FY2 doctors who wish to pursue a surgical career

So you've done great to get this far and congratulation on making it as a doctor. Listed below are some of the things you must do now to ensure you secure a post graduate surgical training placement. Remember you have less than 18 months before you start applying for CT/ST jobs.

• Register on www.elogbook.org and update it with any cases you have from medical school days. You cannot register as a student as you require a GMC no to register. Then keep an up-to-date logbook of all procedure assisted in, performed. Take every opportunity you can to go to theatre. Show an interest and the trainers will show an interest in you.


• Sit the MRCS part A exam ideally at the end of F1 or beginning of F2 before the CST applications/interviews. Ideal time to do it is latter half of F1 or October exam, the first half of F2. Applications will be due in Nov/Dec time and interviews Jan/Feb.


• Do BSS course


• Do the ATLS course


• Any other courses that you may think will be relevant. RCS London and Edinburgh


• Attend surgical conferences


• Audits - Do as many as you can. Try to complete at least one audit cycle


• Presentations - national posters, international posters, regional/national/international presentations. Aim for at least two presentations by CST applications.


• Publications - Try to have at least one publication before CST applications. You can however use submitted pending publications in your CV/portfolio.


• Teaching - Take part in as much teaching activities as you can. Teach students, junior colleagues. Make sure you collect feedback. Obtain formal teaching assessments (e.g. developing the clinical teacher assessments of e-portfolio)


• Do things to stand out from the rest - start a course, run your own website dedicated to educating surgeons etc!


• Start working on a CV - talk to senior colleagues, educational, clinical supervisors


• You will be asked for references from your supervisors in past/present jobs when you apply for core surgical training. Make sure you make good impression, work hard and show you are keen. Highlight your interests early. Keep their contact details safe. The references for CST applications are now a standardised form. You may wish to keep a personal letter headed reference from a supervisor in a job you believe to have done very well in to add to your portfolio.


• If you have decided that you wish to pursue a surgical career and if you wish to pursue a career in general surgery (colorectal / upper GI / vascular / breast), urology, ENT, paediatric surgery, T&O or plastics then visit the CST recruitment website and find out the key dates. Once applications open you have to register yourself and start the application. Find out more about CST applications in the next section and on our pages on CST application.


• If you wish to apply for an uncoupled run through speciality training (e.g. neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery) then please visit the following websites as these specialities do not require CST.


• You may also wish to take a year out and travel abroad for more experience, teach (anatomy demonstrate). Some do not recommend this at FY2 stage unless one fails entry to CST in first round.

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