Working as a Doctor in the UK
"Doctors can choose to work through recruitment agencies or
apply directly to employers. Agencies will generally pay a
higher hourly rate as well as offering a wider variety of work
experiences. A number of UK employers have a proactive approach
to recruiting doctors from abroad; this is due to the general
shortage in the UK. Doctor locum positions may vary between
short and long-term contract work, occasionally permanent roles
are offered. Recruitment agencies provide online help to doctors
wanting to work in the UK. Doctors should use search engines on
the internet to locate the most suitable Company to work with.
Most sites will provide facilities such as a CV creator service,
CV forwarding and career related tips. They will also maintain
job databases covering the UK. You may also be able to access
information on medical news, courses, training, conferences and
exhibitions related to doctor's positions in the UK. Pay rates
may vary from agency to agency and can be dictated by your level
of experience, grade and speciality.
If you are considering working as a doctor in the UK you must
provide: Your medical degree from a recognized country and
institution Evidence of completion of 12 months internship in
home country (for full registration) Full registration with the
General Medical Council (GMC) Valid EU passport, Ancestry Visa
or Right of Abode Certificate Hepatitis B Immunisation Police
Clearance (dated within six months of application) Ionising
Radiation Certificate Resuscitation Qualification Resume and
References Most institutions in Australia, New Zealand, Canada
and South Africa are generally recognized in the UK. Please
check with the GMC to verify the suitability of your training
qualifications.
General Medical Council
It is very important to understand the registration process with
the General Medical Council (GMC) if you want to work as a
doctor in the UK. The registration process can take up to six
months. It is important to apply early. Applications can be
downloaded from the GMC website. Provisional registration can be
applied for if you are still in your 12-month internship.
"