Core Surgical Training: Interview Skills Prep Course Ireland 20th February

A concise, hands on interview prep workshop designed for junior doctors and those applying to core surgical training in Ireland. Attendees will gain insights into the CST interview structure, practise essential stations, and receive immediate personalised feedback from an experienced faculty of current CST candidates, registrars, fellows, and consultants. The aim is to boost confidence, refine interview skills, and enhance each candidate’s readiness for national selection. 

Disclaimer: Please note this course is not affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland

Location: RCSI Tutorial Room 1/2/3, Ground Floor 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, D02 YN77

Date: 20th February
Time: 6-8pm 

Course Programme

18:00 – 18:20 | Registration & Welcome
Introduction to the course structure
ASIT Membership
Overview of the Core Surgical Training (CST) selection process

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18:20 – 18:30 | Understanding the Core Domains of Assessment
Clinical Judgement – Decision-making in real-time patient scenarios
Interpersonal Skills – Communication, teamwork, and leadership
Professional Development – Research, teaching, audits, and CPD
Suitability for Specialty Training – Motivation, career aspirations, and work ethic

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18:30 – 18:40 | Clinical Scenario & Ethical Discussion
Structured Approach to Clinical Cases
Emergency management (ABCDE)
Prioritisation & decision-making
Justifying treatment choices
Ethics & Communication Skills
Breaking bad news
Dealing with difficult colleagues/patients
Consent, capacity, and confidentiality

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18:40 – 18:50 | Suitability for Surgery
Personal Achievements & Career Development
Surgical experience & training courses
Research, audits, and presentations
Teaching & mentoring experience
Suitability for Specialty Training
Motivation for surgery
Work ethic & professionalism
Time & stress management strategies

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18:50 – 19:10 | Break

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19:10 – 19:50 | Mock Interview Stations with Feedback
Candidates rotate through 4 structured stations: 4 X 10min. 7min interview, 3min feedback
Interpersonal Skills: Communication, Team work/leadership, Crisis management, negotiation/conflict resolution
Professional Development: Clinical research projects, attendance at meetings/course, audit projects, teaching activities
Clinical Judgement: Structured sequential clinical scenarios
Suitability for specialty training: References, motivation/drive, knowledge of specialty, time/stress management, work ethic/professionalism
Each candidate receives structured panel feedback on performance and improvement areas.

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19:50 PM – 20:00 PM | Final Review & Q&A
Key takeaways & high-yield strategies
Common mistakes to avoid
Final Q&A session

Fee:  Free to ASIT members.  A £60 deposit will be taken and refunded to ASIT members upon confirmation of attendance.