Medical titles in order of seniority
Here are some medical titles in order of seniority (most senior first).
- Consultant or general practitioner (GP): These are senior doctor titles – and permanent posts
- Staff grade, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors: This is a group of senior doctor titles. They are like a permanent registrar grade – also permanent posts
- Specialty trainee (ST): An ST is a doctor training in a specific hospital specialty. Also called a ‘registrar’. Doctors usually spend 6 years at his level (ST3-8). They are training (temporary) posts. When completed, they can apply for a consultant post
- Resident doctors:
- 3rd and 4th year: e.g. Core trainees (CT1 and CT2). Other names include ‘IMT1-2s’ and ‘ST1-2s’
- 1st and 2nd year: F1/FY1 (foundation year one) and F2/FY2 (foundation year two)
- All are training (temporary) posts.
The names of roles below consultant/GP keep changing. Yes it is confusing.
Notes
- Head of department: This is a senior leadership position for a consultant, such as head of paediatrics or head of surgery. They are the lead (most senior) consultant in that group. They can also be called a ‘clinical director (CD)’ or ‘clinical lead (CL)’
- Doctors who perform surgery: may use the titles ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’, ‘Miss’, or ‘Ms’
- Academic titles: A university professor doctor may use the title ‘Professor’ instead of ‘Dr’.
