In the United Kingdom, an associate specialist doctor is one who is appointed to a permanent position in the 'middle ranks'. The rank is the highest that a doctor not seeking to be made a consultant may achieve, and is usually conferred upon staff grade doctors after several years experience (although it is possible to go from specialist registrar to associate specialist if one chooses at that stage to leave the consultant career path).
This grade was closed to new entrants from 1 April 2008 after contract negotiations between the BMA and NHS Employers.
Read more about Associate Specialist: Rank and Speciality, Difference From Consultants, General Practitioners
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