Consultants are doctors who lead teams in a particular area of medicine. Like all doctors, consultants are concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, diseases, disorders and injuries. Consultants also train and supervise the other doctors in their team. They may be involved in teaching and carrying out research.
Most consultants work in hospitals. They have overall responsibility for managing the care of patients in their department, assisted by other doctors in their team. Caring for patients can involve ward rounds, outpatient clinics, emergency duties, diagnostic work and operations. Consultants also attend meetings, keep patient records up-to-date and write reports and letters.
Consultants specialise in one of over 60 areas in medicine. Most specialisms are hospital-based and can be placed into five main groups. These are:
- medical – treating medical conditions and emergencies. Examples include cardiology, oncology and neurology
- surgical – carrying out surgery and looking after patients before, during and after operations
- pathology – working in a laboratory investigating the causes and effects of disease. They also advise on treatment, such as which antibiotics to use in infections
- psychiatry – working with patients with mental health problems, assessing and treating them
- other – such as anaesthetics, radiology and ophthalmology.
Most consultants work long hours. Evening and weekend work may be necessary. They work in consulting rooms, wards, and, in some cases, operating theatres and laboratories.
Newly-appointed consultants earn at least €123,000 a year. With additional payments, such as clinical excellence awards, they can earn over €190,000.
A consultant should:
- have scientific ability
- be an excellent communicator
- be able to make clinical decisions quickly and accurately
- have the ability to inspire trust and confidence
- be capable of leading a team.
To become a consultant, it is first necessary to study for a degree in medicine and become a doctor. Medical degrees normally take five years, although there are some four-year and six-year courses. For more general information about becoming a doctor, see Doctor/General Practitioner.
When doctors have completed their medical degree they undertake a two-year foundation programme of general training. Towards the end of this programme they decide whether they wish to train as a general practitioner or in one of the hospital-based specialties leading to consultant posts.
Hospital-based specialty training takes five to seven years and leads to entry to the General Medical Council specialist register. Doctors are then able to apply for a post as a consultant. It can be necessary to move between hospitals to progress, as competition for consultant posts is very high.
Consultants are expected to keep their skills and knowledge up to date throughout their career.
Useful Links:
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
College of Psychiatrists of Ireland
Irish Hospital Consultants Association