Paediatric Cardiology ST4 — 2026 Application Guide
Complete guide to applying for Paediatric Cardiology ST4 in the 2026 recruitment cycle. This page covers eligibility requirements, self-assessment scoring criteria, portfolio sections, key dates, required forms, and evidence guidance — building on Internal Medicine Training.
Oriel route name: Paediatric Cardiology ST4 · Route family: phst
Interview preparation guide for Paediatric Cardiology ST4 →Medically reviewed by MedNext Clinical Team. Last reviewed 27 April 2026. See our editorial policy and correction policy.
About Paediatric Cardiology ST4
Paediatric Cardiology ST4 is a paediatrics programme entering at higher specialty training at ST4 level, following Internal Medicine Training. Selection uses the shared physician specialty recruitment process. The full training pathway typically takes 9-11 years total.
Entry Level
ST4
Training Duration
9-11 years total (2yr foundation + 3yr IMT + 3-5yr higher specialty)
Selection Method
Shared Family
Training Pathway
Official Source Documents
The scoring criteria, eligibility requirements, and self-assessment guidance on this page are derived from the following official documents. Always refer to the latest published version before your application.
Published by: NHS England Medical Hub
View original documentKey Dates & Deadlines
Important dates for the Paediatric Cardiology ST4 2026 recruitment cycle. Check the official recruitment timeline for the most up-to-date information, as dates may change.
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet all essential eligibility criteria to be considered for Paediatric Cardiology ST4. These are assessed at the application stage. Failure to meet any essential requirement will result in your application being rejected.
Track the core published eligibility requirements for Paediatric Cardiology ST4.
Entry Criteria — Person Specification
The following entry criteria are extracted from the official 2026 person specification for Paediatric Cardiology ST4. You must meet all essential criteria at the point specified. Failure to meet any essential criterion will result in your application being rejected.
Qualifications
3 Application form Interview/selection centre 4 , pre-employment check- Applicants must have:
- Paediatric training
- Physician training
- MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
- MRCPCH full diploma, examination passed by offer date 1 or on GMC specialist register for paediatrics at time of application
- Either of the following:
- MRCP(UK) Part 1 at time of application and MRCP(UK) full diploma by offer date
- Eligibility for entry to the specialist register in general internal medicine by time of application 2
- Completion of Irish Basic Specialty Training in medicine and the MRCPI full diploma by offer date
Eligibility
Application form, interview/selection centre, pre-employment check- Paediatrics training
- Physician training
- Hold full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) at the time of application, and hold a current licence to practise on the date your post commences.
- Have evidence of achievement of competences, for the round of application, via one of the following methods:
- Evidence of achievement of Level 1 paediatric capabilities according to Progress, or Core Training according to Progress+, by the advertised post start date for the vacancy as detailed in the Paediatric RCPCH Curriculum
- Candidates who apply through a physician training pathway must be able to demonstrate ST1 competences in paediatrics by time of commencement of the ST4 paediatric cardiology training programme, in addition to the medicine capability requirements detailed below.
- Have evidence of achievement of core medical capabilities, for the round of application, via one of the following methods:
- Current employment in a programme which leads to successful completion of year 2 of Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training by the advertised post start date for the vacancy, via one of these approved routes: UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training UK ACCS (Internal Medicine) UK Broad Based Training (medicine route) JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme 5 UK core medical training or ACCS (acute medicine)
- - UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
- - UK ACCS (Internal Medicine)
- - UK Broad Based Training (medicine route)
- - JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme 5
- - UK core medical training or ACCS (acute medicine)
- Successful completion of one of the programmes listed above, evidenced by ARCP 6
- Evidence of achievement of the capabilities required by completion of year 2 of the Internal Medicine Stage 1 curriculum at time of application. Acceptable evidence is only permitted via the Alternative Certificate to Enter Group 2 Higher Physician Specialty Training 7
- Be eligible to work in the UK
- Demonstrably up to date competences in advanced life support and safeguarding
Fitness to practise
Application form References- Is up to date and fit to practise safely and is aware of own training needs.
Language skills
Application form, pre-employment health screening- Applicants must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues as assessed by the General Medical Council 8
Health
Application form, pre-employment health screening- Applicants must meet professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards / Good Medical Practice).
Career progression
Application form Interview/selection centre- Paediatrics applicants
- Physician applicants
- Be able to provide complete details of their employment history
- Have evidence that their career progression is consistent with their personal circumstances
- Have evidence that their present level of achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of their period of training
- Have sufficient experience (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date for the vacancy. This can be via one of the following :
- Applicants must have at least 24 months’ experience in paediatrics by time of commencement of ST4 training
- Will need to complete additional core paediatric and neonatal capabilities (nominal 1 year) prior to commencing the ST4-8 Paediatric Cardiology curriculum. This paediatric training will be organised by the employing deanery following appointment to the post, rather than being expected of the trainee at the time of appointment
- Have sufficient experience 9 working in medical specialties (not including foundation level experience) by the advertised post start date for the vacancy. This can be via either:
- Training completed in: UK Core Medical Training or UK ACCS (Acute Medicine) The first two years of UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training The first three years of UK ACCS (Internal Medicine) The first three years of UK Broad Based Training (medicine route) A JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent CMT programme or the first two years of an Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme or
- - UK Core Medical Training or UK ACCS (Acute Medicine)
- - The first two years of UK Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training
- - The first three years of UK ACCS (Internal Medicine)
- - The first three years of UK Broad Based Training (medicine route)
- - A JRCPTB internationally level 3 accredited equivalent CMT programme or the first two years of an Internal Medicine Stage 1 Training programme or
- Have at least 24 months’ experience in medical specialties (of which at least 12 months must include the care of acute medical in-patients). Experience in certain acute care common stem specialties can be counted towards the 24 months in some circumstances 10
- Applicants must have notified the Training Programme Director of the specialty training programme they are currently training in if applying to continue training in the same specialty in another region. 11
- Not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a CCT/CESR in the specialty they are applying for and/or must not currently be eligible for the specialist register for the specialty to which they are applying
- If you have previously resigned, or been removed from, a training programme in any specialty, you must obtain a Support for Reapplication to Specialty Training form signed by the Training Programme Director/Head of School and Postgraduate Dean from the region you previously undertook training in. This must be submitted with your application. 12 .
- For those wishing to be considered for Locum Appointment for Training posts (where available): no more than 24 months experience in LAT posts in the specialty by the advertised post start date for the vacancy.
Application completion
Application form- ALL sections of application form completed FULLY according to written guidelines.
Selection Criteria — Person Specification
Shortlisted candidates are assessed against these selection criteria. Essential criteria are requirements; desirable criteria can strengthen your application. Understanding both columns helps you target your evidence and interview preparation.
Career Progression
Application form, interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- As Above
Desirable
- Higher degrees including MSc, PhD or MD (not including intercalated BSc or ‘Honorary’ MA)
Clinical Skills - Experience
Application form, interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- Evidence of experience in paediatrics including managing patients on unselected take or equivalent
- For applicants from adult medicine, experience in general paediatrics and neonatal medicine
Desirable
- Experience at ST1, ST2 or ST3 level of managing patients (adult and/or paediatric) with cardiac disease, including emergencies, by time of commencement of ST4 training
Clinical Skills – Clinical Knowledge & Expertise
Application form Interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
- Awareness of the basics of managing patients with cardiovascular disease
- Able to demonstrate proficiency in a range of medical procedures as an indication of manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination
- Evidence of competence in management of medical emergencies and in-patients through continuous work-based assessments, portfolio evidence, including log book documentation, if applicable
- Evidence of competence to work without direct supervision, where appropriate
Desirable
- Demonstrates awareness of the basics of managing paediatric cardiac disease and managing emergencies
- Evidence 1 of some competences in the specialty as defined by the relevant curricula
- Evidence of skills in the management of acute medical referrals
Academic Skills
Application form Interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- Research, Audit and Quality Improvement:
- Teaching
- Demonstrates understanding of research, including awareness of ethical issues
- Demonstrates understanding of the basic principles of audit, clinical risk management, evidence based practice, patient safety and clinical quality improvement initiatives
- Demonstrates knowledge of evidence informed practice
- Demonstrates an understanding of clinical governance
- Evidence of teaching experience and/or training in teaching
Desirable
- Research, Audit and Quality Improvement:
- Demonstrates an understanding of research methodology
- Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements and involvement in a formal research project
- Evidence of relevant academic publications
- Evidence of involvement in an audit project, a quality improvement project, formal research project or other activity
- Focusing on patient safety and clinical improvement
- In addition to the mandatory curriculum, demonstrates an interest in and commitment to the specialty
- Evidence of a portfolio of audit projects including where the audit loop has been closed and there is evidence of learning the principles of change management
- Evidence of exceptional achievement in medicine
- Evidence of involvement in teaching students, postgraduates and other professionals, with feedback
- Able to provide evidence of significant experience of teaching and training colleagues
Personal Skills
Application form Interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- Communication skills:
- Values:
- Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication and capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation
- Able to build rapport, listen, persuade and negotiate
- Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems/make decisions, indicating an analytical/scientific approach
- Capacity to take in others’ perspectives and treat others with understanding
- Sees patients as people
- Demonstrates respect for all
- Able to work in multi-professional teams and supervise junior medical staff
- Ability to show leadership, make decisions, organise and motivate other team members for the benefit of patients through, for example, audit and quality improvement projects
- Capacity to work effectively with others
- Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively
- Capacity to prioritise own workload and organise ward rounds
- Evidence of thoroughness (is well prepared, shows self-discipline/commitment, is punctual and meets deadlines)
- Capacity to monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
- Capacity to operate under pressure
- Demonstrates initiative and resilience to cope with changing circumstances
- Is able to deliver good clinical care in the face of uncertainty
- Understands, respects and demonstrates the values of the NHS (e.g. everyone counts; improving lives; commitment to quality of care; respect and dignity; working together for patients; compassion)
Desirable
- Management and leadership skills:
- IT skills:
- Other:
- Evidence of involvement in management, commensurate with experience
- Demonstrates an understanding of NHS management and resources
- Evidence of effective multidisciplinary team working and leadership supported by multi source feedback or other workplace based assessments
- Evidence of effective leadership in and outside of medicine
- Demonstrates information technology skills
- Evidence of achievement outside medicine
- Evidence of altruistic behaviour e.g. voluntary work
Probity - Professional Integrity
Application form Interview/selection centre References- Demonstrates probity (as outlined by the GMC)
Probity - Professional Integrity
- Commitment to Specialty – Learning & Personal Development
Probity - Professional Integrity
Application form Interview/selection centre ReferencesEssential
- Shows initiative/drive/enthusiasm (self-starter, motivated, shows curiosity, initiative)
- Demonstrable interest in and understanding of the specialty
- Commitment to personal and professional development
- Evidence of self-reflective practice
Desirable
- Extracurricular activities / achievements relevant to the specialty
- Evidence of participation at meetings and activities relevant to the specialty
- Evidence of attendance at organised teaching and training programme
Self-Assessment & Scoring
Paediatric Cardiology ST4 is assessed via shared family. Review the official guidance documents below for the exact scoring breakdown.
Scoring Sections
The self-assessment is structured across 4 sections with 0 scored questions. Each question has variable points — refer to the official self-assessment guidance for exact marking tiers.
Eligibility and certificates
Track uploads and mapping evidence for eligibility and certificates.
Presentation / communication
Track uploads and mapping evidence for presentation / communication.
Clinical scenario preparation
Track uploads and mapping evidence for clinical scenario preparation.
Commitment and suitability
Track uploads and mapping evidence for commitment and suitability.
Interview Format
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. Below is the expected interview structure for Paediatric Cardiology ST4. Prepare for each station by reviewing the relevant areas of your portfolio and clinical experience.
Presentation
Format: Panel station
Structured communication and route-specific presentation tasks.
Clinical
Format: Panel station
Clinical judgement and scenario handling.
Ethics / professionalism
Format: Panel station
Professional reasoning and judgement.
Suitability / commitment
Format: Panel station
Commitment, trajectory, and specialty fit.
Required or Recommended Courses
Certain courses may be required or strongly recommended for Paediatric Cardiology ST4 applicants. Check the validity period — expired certificates may not be accepted.
Evidence Packaging & Export
Understanding how to package and present your evidence is just as important as having the evidence itself. Poorly organised submissions can result in lost marks even when the underlying evidence is strong.
Export Mode
bundle
Each scored readiness bundle requires its own file
File Size Limit
MB per file
Compress images and merge PDFs to stay under the limit
Title Page
Not required
Index Page
Not required
Ordering guidance: Track shared readiness evidence and interview material in one bundle.
Evidence Validation Checklist
Before submitting your application, check your evidence against these validation rules. Items marked as errors will block your submission; warnings indicate areas that may cost marks.
Map evidence to a route target
Evidence should be assigned to a section or question before export so the pack builder can assemble the right output.
Check route-specific forms
The route requires supporting forms or certificates in addition to the core evidence uploads.
Evidence Guidelines
General guidance for evidence preparation and organisation for your Paediatric Cardiology ST4 application.
- Keep uploads mapped to the route targets shown on this dashboard rather than storing undifferentiated files.
- Covered by PHST shared application scoring and specialty overview pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need for Paediatric Cardiology ST4?
How competitive is Paediatric Cardiology ST4?
What is the training pathway for Paediatric Cardiology ST4?
When does Paediatric Cardiology ST4 2026 recruitment open?
Related Specialties
Compare adjacent specialties that share a recruitment family, training pathway, or portfolio structure.
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