1.0 Introduction

This article provides an overview of the recruitment and selection process for medical officers wishing to join the Irish Defence Forces (IDF).

2.0 What is the Role of a Medical Officer?

A medical officer is a specialist Officer who practices medicine within the IDF, both at home and overseas, focusing on:

  • Health protection;
  • Health education;
  • Primary care; and
  • Environmental medicine.

In addition to their medical role as an officer, medical officers are expected to lead and manage the personnel of the Defence Forces Medical Corps.

3.0 Eligibility Criteria and Professional Qualifications

Criteria include:

  • Possess the minimum qualifications of M.B., B.Ch, B.A.O., or L.R.C.P. and S.I.
  • Hold current, full registration with the Medical Council of Ireland (A successful candidate will be required to maintain registration).
  • Have 3 year’s post graduate experience.
  • In addition it is desirable, but not essential, that candidates be entered on one of the following Specialist Registers’ of the Medical Council of Ireland:
    • Emergency Medicine;
    • Anaesthetist;
    • General Practice Medicine;
    • Occupational Medicine;
    • Psychiatric specialties; or
    • Public Health Medicine.

4.0 Medical Officer Competition

The recruitment and selection process for medical officer is held as required, and is known as the Medical Officer Competition. Dates for competitions are advertised in national newspapers and the IDF website.

The process includes:

  • Online Application.
  • Interview:
    • Candidates who are deemed eligible will be asked to attend for Interview.
  • Medical Exam:
    • The top scoring candidates at the Interview will be called to attend a full medical examination in St. Bricin’s Military Hospital, Dublin.
  • Security Clearance:
    • In conjunction with the medical exam all candidates will be security vetted by An Garda SÁochána.
  • Candidates will be required to pass both the medical examination and security vetting to be considered for induction.

Candidates are placed in a competition’s order of merit, with only the top scoring candidates being offered a commission in the IDF with the rank of Captain (OF-2).

5.0 Medical Officer Training

All newly commissioned Direct Entry Medical Officers will undertake a Military Induction course.

6.0 Assignment to First Unit

Medical officers are assigned to medical units according to the needs of the IDF within the following locations:

  • Naval Base, Haulbowline, County Cork.
  • Collins Barracks, Cork.
  • Custume Barracks, Athlone.
  • Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp, County Kildare.
  • St. Bricin’s Hospital, Dublin.
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