ST4 Cardiology National Recruitment (UK)
Comprehensive Candidate Interview Guide - 2026
Introduction
The ST4 Cardiology interview is a nationally coordinated online assessment designed to determine a candidate’s readiness to enter higher specialty training in cardiology. The interview is delivered in a single recruitment round and consists of two stations, each lasting 22 minutes and assessed by two trained interviewers. Candidates are assessed across five core domains covering commitment to cardiology, medical registrar capability, professionalism, clinical decision-making, and communication skills. Communication is evaluated continuously throughout the interview rather than as a standalone station. A clear understanding of the structure, timing, and assessment focus of each station allows candidates to perform more consistently and maximise their interview score. (GMC Good Medical Practice (2024)) (NICE / ESC guidelines) (PHST Recruitment – Cardiology)
Key facts at a glance
Aspect | Details |
Recruitment round | Single national recruitment round (published under Round 1 on PHST) |
Interview format | Online interview |
Number of stations | Two stations |
Station duration | 22 minutes per station |
Total interview time | Approximately 50–55 minutes including changeover |
Interviewers | Two scoring interviewers per station |
Scored domains | Five questions plus a communication score assessed throughout |
What happens on the day of the interview
Stage | What to expect |
Login and checks | Log in at your allocated time; ID and environment checks may be completed |
Station 1 | 22-minute interview covering commitment, medical registrar capability, and professionalism |
Changeover | Short transition between stations |
Station 2 | 22-minute interview covering two clinical cardiology scenarios |
End of interview | You are informed the interview has finished and asked to leave the call |
Overall interview structure
The interview is divided into two separate stations. Candidates remain with the same interviewers throughout each station. Across both stations, assessment focuses on readiness for higher specialty training, safe clinical reasoning, professional behaviour, and effective communication. (NICE / ESC guidelines)
Station 1: Commitment, Medical Registrar Capability, and Professionalism (22 minutes) (GMC Good Medical Practice (2024))
Station 1 assesses the candidate as a trainee and future medical registrar. Interviewers explore motivation for cardiology, understanding of the training pathway, and how the candidate’s experience aligns with the person specification. Medical registrar capability is assessed through discussion of leading the acute unselected take, prioritisation of competing demands, multidisciplinary team working, escalation to senior support, and safe discharge planning. (PHST Recruitment – Cardiology)
Professionalism and governance are also assessed, often through an ethical or professional scenario. Candidates may be asked to reflect on challenging situations, errors, or conflicts, demonstrating insight, honesty, learning, and adherence to GMC Good Medical Practice. Answers are expected to be structured, reflective, and patient-safety focused. (GMC Good Medical Practice (2024))
Assessment area | What interviewers are looking for |
Commitment to cardiology | Clear motivation, realistic understanding of the specialty, and supporting portfolio evidence |
Medical registrar capability | Safe leadership, prioritisation, escalation, MDT coordination |
Professionalism and governance | Insight, accountability, reflection, and ethical judgement |
Communication | Clear, calm, structured responses |
Station 2: Clinical Scenarios (22 minutes) (NICE / ESC guidelines)
Station 2 assesses clinical reasoning and decision-making using two cardiology-related scenarios. One scenario is typically acute or emergency-focused and may include an investigation such as an ECG, while the second scenario is often non-acute, such as a clinic-based or ward-based problem. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a safe, structured approach rather than subspecialist-level knowledge. (NICE / ESC guidelines)
Interviewers assess prioritisation, identification of red flags, appropriate initial investigations and management, escalation to senior support, and effective communication with patients and colleagues.
Assessment area | What interviewers are looking for |
Clinical assessment | Structured approach and recognition of urgency |
Management planning | Safe initial management and guideline awareness |
Escalation and safety | Early senior involvement and safety-netting |
Communication | Clear explanations and professional interaction |
Scoring and appointability (PHST Recruitment – Interview scoring)
Component | Explanation |
Scoring scale | Each domain scored from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) by two interviewers |
Expected standard | 3/5 represents the expected standard for entry into higher specialty training |
Communication | Assessed throughout all questions |
Final ranking | Weighted interview score combined with verified application score |
Practical tips for candidates
- Know your application and portfolio thoroughly; anything written can be explored.
- Use clear structure in all answers and prioritise patient safety.
- Explicitly mention escalation, senior input, and MDT involvement.
- Avoid overcomplicating early management in clinical scenarios. (NICE / ESC guidelines)
- Communicate clearly, calmly, and professionally throughout.
References and Further Reading
- PHST Recruitment – Cardiology Specialty Page
https://phstrecruitment.org.uk/specialties/cardiology - Medical Specialty Training – Cardiology ST4 Person Specification
https://medical.hee.nhs.uk/medical-training-recruitment/medical-specialty-training/person-specifications (PHST Recruitment – Cardiology) - GMC – Good Medical Practice (2024)
https://www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance/ethical-guidance-for-doctors/good-medical-practice - British Cardiovascular Society
https://britishcardiovascularsociety.org - NICE Clinical Guidelines
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance (NICE / ESC guidelines) - European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines
https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines (NICE / ESC guidelines)