SAS careers

This area of Launchpad is designed to support SAS doctors.

Discover the breadth of opportunities and leadership roles available during an SAS career; and explore top tips for completing the portfolio pathway.

Usually exclusive to RCP fellows and members only, we are making these SAS resources available to you for free for a limited time only to celebrate #SASWeek2025.

Join the RCP to gain unrestricted access to other unique career resources available on RCP Launchpad.

My SAS journey

Specialty doctor, Dr Tulika Porwal shares insights into her career thus far to demonstrate the breadth of opportunities and leadership positions available as an SAS doctor, including her roles as an RCP college tutor, PACES examiner, and clinical supervisor.

Navigating the portfolio pathway

Hear how Dr Jaideep Kitson has progressed the portfolio pathway in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and built an applicant network to better support SAS doctors who wish to follow this route. And receive 5 top tips for your application from portfolio pathway evaluator, Dr Ryan Hobbs.

Explore more

Discover more SAS news stories, blogs and resources here.

Blog

08/10/25

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How fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians elevated my SAS career

In a special blog to celebrate SAS Week 2025, Dr Priscilla Smith, RCP SAS representative for London (South), discusses how becoming a fellow of the RCP has enhanced her credibility and helped her career.

News

07/10/25

RCP president hosts open forum for SAS doctors to celebrate SAS Week 2025

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has kicked off #SASWeek2025 with a special networking forum for specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors hosted by RCP president Professor Mumtaz Patel.

Blog

06/10/25

Finding my niche: a career in diabetes as an SAS doctor

In a blog to celebrate SAS Week 2025, Dr Heather Sullivan, a specialty doctor working in Merseyside, and a finalist in the 2025 RCP Excellence in Patient Care Awards, writes about her career journey and why becoming an SAS doctor is her career of choice.

Article

05/10/25

Alternative training pathways: a radical shift in mindset

When Dr Simon Patten, deputy director of medical education at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, reflects on the future of medical training, one theme stands out: flexibility. For him, alternative pathways into medicine, like portfolio pathway submission, are not a fringe experiment, but a necessary response to the shifting priorities of today’s doctors and the workforce challenges facing the NHS.

Blog

18/10/24

Stepping off the training treadmill | SAS wellbeing

Dr Nicola Allen, SAS tutor at Hywel Dda University Health Board discusses her decision to leave formal medical training and how becoming an SAS doctor has allowed her to pursue a range of opportunities and focus on her own wellbeing.

Blog

17/10/24

Using data to tackle inequalities in medicine | Equalities and the Medical Workforce Equality Standard (MWRES)

Professor Anton Emmanuel discusses the importance of MWRES data in providing a monitoring framework for improvement. Anton led NHS England’s Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) programme and joined the NHS Wales Shared Service Partnership in 2023 to lead on the implementation of the WRES in Wales. Anton is also the medical director of publishing at the RCP.

More resources to develop your career

RCP SAS regional representative network

The RCP SAS regional representative network has been created to ensure that SAS doctors’ needs, views and interests are represented within the RCP.

SAS leadership programme

This one-year programme is designed to empower and elevate SAS doctors in healthcare leadership.

RCP guidance for SAS doctors

Read the RCP's educational and career guidance for specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors.

Discover more on RCP Launchpad

We hope you've enjoyed these videos which have been made available to celebrate SAS week 2025.

Join the RCP to gain unrestricted access to other unique career resources available on RCP Launchpad.

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