Doctor Jobs in Ireland – Complete Guide for International Applicants
Ireland actively recruits doctors across hospital medicine, emergency care, community services, and specialist disciplines. If you are an international medical graduate (IMG), understanding Irish Medical Council (IMC) registration, job grades (NCHD vs Consultant), and immigration rules is essential before applying.
1. Overview of Doctor Jobs in Ireland
Doctors in Ireland commonly work in:
• Public hospitals (HSE – Health Service Executive)
• Emergency departments and urgent care
• Community and public health services
• Specialist and teaching hospitals
• Private hospitals and private practice
Typical responsibilities include patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, prescribing medications, documentation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and on-call coverage.
2. Common Doctor Job Titles (Ireland)
Hospital Doctors (NCHD – Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors)
• Intern
• Senior House Officer (SHO)
• Registrar
• Specialist Registrar (SpR)
HSE Job Search (Medical & Dental category):
https://about.hse.ie/jobs/job-search/?category=medical+and+dental
Consultant Roles
Consultant recruitment portal:
https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/medical-consultants
3. Salary Expectations for Doctors in Ireland
Doctor salaries in Ireland depend on grade, experience, contract type, and on-call allowances.
Official HSE Pay Scales:
https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/pay/pay-scales/
Latest Consolidated Pay Scales PDF (August 2025):
https://healthservice.hse.ie/documents/5925/August_2025_Pay_Scales_Version_2.pdf
4. Irish Medical Council (IMC) Registration
All doctors must register with the Irish Medical Council (IMC) in the appropriate division (General, Trainee Specialist, or Specialist Division).
IMC Registration Hub:
https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/registration/
IMC Online Portal:
https://opd.medicalcouncil.ie/
5. International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
If you qualified outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, you may need primary source verification of credentials and must follow the appropriate IMC route.
EPIC (ECFMG) – Special Instructions for Ireland:
https://www.ecfmg.org/psv/instructions-ireland.html
6. Immigration & Employment Permits (Non-EEA Doctors)
Non-EEA doctors usually require an employment permit and appropriate immigration permission.
Employment Permits for Doctors (Official):
Critical Skills Employment Permit:
Irish Immigration – Work in Ireland:
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/
7. Step-by-Step Application Checklist
1. Choose your target grade (SHO, Registrar, Consultant).
2. Start IMC registration early and gather documents.
3. Begin credential verification (if required).
4. Apply through HSE and PublicJobs portals.
5. Align employment permit and visa timelines with job start date.
6. Prepare an Ireland-focused CV with referees.