Presentation by Dr. Nicola Strickland for Indian Radiologists

1. Working in the UK
Advice from the RCR
Dr Nicola Strickland
President

2.  This advice is aimed at radiologists who have completed their training
and are looking for a non-training post in the UK
 It is correct at the time of writing (March 2018) but subject to change
 Your personal circumstances may make a difference to what is
outlined here
Introduction

3.  General Medical Council (GMC) www.gmc-uk.org
Responsible for setting the standards and the application processes for entry to
the registers
 UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) UK visas and immigration
Part of the Home Office and responsible for setting processes and approving
applications for visas
 The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) www.rcr.ac.uk
Educates and supports radiologists (and clinical oncologists) in the UK
We can offer advice on applying for registration and on working in the UK
generally. We cannot change the processes for registration and visas which
are set by others
What do we all do?

4.  Have a look at the resources available on our website Working in the UK
 The NHS Employers’ guide for international medical graduates
Working and Training in the NHS discusses practicalities
 You can hear radiologists talking about their experiences in our videos
Working in the UK and Adapting to clinical practice in the UK
What is it like to be an NHS radiologist?

5.  Three main areas:
 Registration with the GMC (General Medical Council)
 Visa and immigration requirements
 Adapting to NHS practice
What should I consider?

6.  You must be GMC registered to practise as a doctor in the UK
 This can be a lengthy application process
 It is best to start a GMC application at the earliest opportunity
 This minimises delays in starting a job which can be frustrating for you and
for an employer
GMC registration

7. There are two relevant types of GMC registration -
 Full registration and specialist registration
 Full registration generally applicable to Indian radiologists working in India
 You need to choose which type of registration is best for you, and which
application route suits you best
 We have advice on our website Routes to GMC registration
 If you have previously held registration with the GMC you should be able to
restore it by applying to the GMC directly
GMC registration

8. You can take up any post except as a permanent NHS consultant (so,
specialty doctor posts, locum consultant posts, etc).
You can apply by:
1. The PLAB test
The most common route for overseas doctors to obtain medical registration. It
is a test of Foundation Year medical knowledge.
Information on the GMC website GMC PLAB test
OR
GMC full registration

9. 2. The FRCR (and some other radiology qualifications) are an alternative
to the PLAB test
Usually the FRCR qualification will need to have been awarded within the last
three years
But contact the GMC if it was longer ago – in that case you will need to show
evidence that since the FRCR you have:
• engaged in continuous clinical practice and have been in practice for at
least the last three years
• progressed on a career path in your specialty
• evidence of CPD activity
Information on the GMC website GMC acceptable postgraduate qualifications
GMC full registration

10. Anything except as a permanent NHS consultant – for example -
 Specialty doctor – also known as a “non-consultant career grade” or “SAS”
doctors
 Locum consultant
 Training posts such as Fellowships can also be taken up with this type of
registration
What can I do with full registration?

11. You need to apply for a CESR (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist
Registration)
You will have completed your training and be able to work at consultant level
You must demonstrate that your training, qualifications and experience are
equivalent to the UK training curriculum
You do not need to take PLAB
Once on the specialist register, you can take up any post including as a
permanent NHS consultant
GMC specialist registration

12.  The CESR process takes at least six months and usually longer
 You should start your application at the earliest opportunity
 You will need to submit evidence about your training and experience which
will include your training curriculum, qualifications, workload statistics,
radiology reports, clinical audit and QI activity, appraisal, CPD, research,
teaching, management and other things
 Remember you need to demonstrate equivalence to our training curriculum
through your training, qualifications and experience
 We have lots of advice on our website about this
Specialist registration (CESR)
GMC specialist registration

13. The GMC sets English language requirements and states that passing the
OET (Occupational English Test) or the IELTS (International English Language
Testing System) is the most straightforward way to meet them
The GMC sets the pass requirements for the OET and IELTS
You must pass the medicine version of OET or the academic version of IELTS.
OET is more medically focussed in its questions.
Make sure you prepare for and take the correct test!
The OET website has a preparation portal including sample tests
The IELTS website has information about the test including sample tests
English language OET/IELTS

14. There may be other ways to demonstrate the standard
 for example, if you have worked for the last two years in a country where
English is the first and native language
 A UK employer may give a reference to the GMC confirming that you have
the level of English needed to work in the UK – this will only be possible
once you have been offered a job and you will need to talk to the employer
about this
 BUT - alternatives to IELTS or OET are not always acceptable to the
GMC – you need to check your individual circumstances
English language requirements

15.  It’s a good idea to reflect on your experience and how it compares to the UK,
and organise your CV accordingly
 The GMC has advice on a CV for a CESR application CESR CV guidance
 Even if you’re not applying for a CESR, the CV guidance covers areas
common in NHS practice
 If you can’t demonstrate evidence in these areas you could think about
developing or improving those elements of your practice
Adapting to NHS practice

16. For example, UK trained doctors will participate in:
Audit and Quality Improvement – our webpage explains what these terms
mean, how they work in practice and gives examples of good practice through
our AuditLive examples - RCR Audit and Quality Improvement
Reflection and review of practice – not only audit and quality improvement
but other activity, such as participating in multidisciplinary team meetings
(MDTMs); Morbidity and Mortality meetings (M&M); discrepancy meetings;
reflection on CPD and learning events.
Our Revalidation resources and templates page links to guidance and forms to
help you
Adapting to NHS practice

17.  You will need a Tier 2 (skilled worker) visa to work in the UK (but check
your individual requirements Check which visa you need)
 When you are offered a job, your UK employer will help you with the visa
and will need to give you a certificate of sponsorship for you to apply for
your visa
 You must apply online from outside the UK (your home country) and visit a
local visa application centre there
 There are fees for the process
 Information about Tier 2 visas can be found on the government’s visas and
immigration website UK visas and immigration Tier 2 visa
Visas and immigration

18.  Watch our videos
Working in the UK and Adapting to clinical practice in the UK
 Look at our tools and resources for Working in the UK
 Look into GMC registration and start that process
 Look into what visa you might need and what you need to do to get it
Summary

19. Videos
Working in the UK
Adapting to clinical practice in the UK
Website resources
Working in the UK
Routes to GMC registration and GMC English language requirements
NHS Employers guide Working and Training in the NHS
Check if you need a UK visa
Job vacancy sites (there are others)
www.radjobs.co.uk and BMJ Careers
Websites
RCR www.rcr.ac.uk
GMC www.gmc-uk.org
Visas UK visas and immigration
Useful links