In this article we look at the specialty specific guidance on documents to be supplied in evidence for an application for entry onto the Specialist Register for Respiratory Medicine with a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration or CESR. What is CESR in Respiratory Medicine in the NHS? As a respiratory medicine or pulmonary specialist, attaining CESR will mean you are qualified to practice at consultant level in the NHS in Respiratory Medicine. Have a read through our CESR articles found in the IMG Library to understand a little more. Do I need MRCP to attain CESR in Respiratory Medicine? No, whilst it is always a benefit to attain MRCP and you may have already attained MRCP as by ways of registering with the GMC, you do not require MRCP to attain CESR in Respiratory Medicine. Any doctor wishing to attain Specialist Registration via the CCT route must attain MRCP (UK).  What is the indicative period of training for a CCT in Respiratory Medicine? The indicative period of training for CCT in Respiratory Medicine is six years full-time training and it is highly unlikely that a CESR applicant could achieve these competencies required in less time. The structure of the CCT training programme is: 2 years in Core Medical Training or Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS) How does IMT fit into this? CMT no longer exists as of Aug 2019. 4 years training in Respiratory Medicine Applicants need to demonstrate that they have achieved the competencies in both of these areas. For complete details have a read through the Respiratory Medicine Curriculum documentation. Submitting Evidence Do not submit original documents – this is very important. All your copies, other than qualifications you’re getting authenticated must be accompanied by a proformas signed by the person who is attesting to the validity and accuracy of your evidence (your verifier). It is very important that you read an explanation of how to do this in the GMC’s important notice about evidence. How much evidence should you submit? The GMC recognises that doctors will often not have all the evidence required for a complete CESR application, often many doctors will start their application and delay starting their application until they are able to gather all the evidence. The evidence must cover the knowledge, skills and qualifications to demonstrate the required competencies in all areas of the Respiratory Medicine Curriculum documentation. If evidence is missing from any one area of the curriculum, then the application will fail. If you have a piece of evidence that is relevant to more than one domain, do not include multiple copies in your bundle. Instead include one copy and list it in your evidence list under each relevant area, stating that the document is located elsewhere.  The GMC asks that only evidence that is strictly relevant is sent as it will help them to process the application quicker. The guidance on compiling your evidence will help you to decide what is relevant and what is not – make sure you are reading the latest version on the GMC website – here. It is important to note that evidence that is more than five years old will be given less weight than more recent evidence, so you may not need to include it. As a general guide, an application for CESR could expect to see around 800-1000 pages of evidence.  The types of evidence are divided into four different domains, the GMC recommends that you apportion the evidence provided as per the pie chart below: Please note, you cannot compensate for evidence lacking in one area by providing more evidence in another area. Make sure to anonymise your evidence: It is very important to anonymise your evidence before submitting it to the GMC. You must remove the following: All patient identifying details Details of patients’ relatives Details of colleagues that you have assessed, written a reference for, or who have been involved in a complaint you have submitted. This includes: names (first and last) addresses  contact details such as phone numbers or email addresses NHS numbers & other individual patient numbers GMC numbers Summary If you have any questions or uncertainties, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the IMG Connect team. However, your official point of reference for any queries should the GMC – they can answer and provide the most updated information on CESR applications for senior Respiratory doctors looking to work as NHS Consultants in Respiratory Medicine. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding CESR, a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable NHS jobs & hospital locations for you.

Are you a psychiatrist from Hong Kong looking to live and work in the UK? Do you want to know how to find the best jobs working in the NHS?  To be eligible to work in the NHS, psychiatrists from Hong Kong must have full GMC registration – this requires completion of the Royal College of Psychiatry exams (MRCPSych), as well as an English language exam.   From our experience, the majority of Hong Kongers are either aware of the Royal College of Psychiatry exams or have already completed these as part of their specialist psychiatrist training - great news you are more than halfway there! If you are unsure about the requirements for MRCPsych, you can find an overview of MRCPsych here and get in touch to discuss in more detail.   With recent experience of working with Hong Kong Psychiatrists on their journey to the UK, we thought that we’d share a few snippets of information to help get you started.   As a Hong Kong doctor, where do I fit into the NHS?    Psychiatrists from Hong Kong are a great fit for the NHS. And no matter what specialist training or specialist interest in psychiatry you have experience with, our NHS clients would consider you to be a high calibre candidate. Why? The training in Hong Kong is thorough, highly regarded here in the UK amongst NHS clients.  If you are not sure about how your experience will translate to working in the NHS, then we are here to help - IMG Connect are experienced working with all specialisms in psychiatry, including general adult, child and adolescent, old age, perinatal, forensic, liaison, substance misuse & addictions, eating disorders, learning and intellectual disabilities.   What kind of jobs can I find in the UK?   This all depends on your experience in Hong Kong. Whilst there are a lot of similarities between our two healthcare systems, there are also a lot of differences too.   MRCPsych typically qualifies candidates to take specialty doctor or middle grade posts. Think of it as like the FHKCPsych and the accompanying Fellowship of FHKAM (Psychiatry) examinations.    NHS clients will look out for your experience and training combined in order to work out what level you will start in. However, before you can work as a consultant, there are a few certifications that you will need to achieve when in the UK, namely Section 12, Approved Clinician (AC) and CESR.   For consultant psychiatrists who have already completed their specialist training in psychiatry in Hong Kong, you can enter the NHS as either a Specialty Doctor, or Specialist Grade, and in some cases as a consultant (dependent on experience & NHS Client). If starting in a specialist position, the aim here is that you will receive support to complete the aforementioned certifications in the UK, before quickly moving to a consultant post – this will be agreed before your arrival in the UK.   There is demand in all areas of psychiatry, covering all grades. So, it is important to understand where you fit into the NHS, and we would be delighted to guide you through the process. Send in your CV or register with us, and we will arrange an informal chat with you to discuss your job options in full.   Where can I find NHS jobs in psychiatry?   You can get full access to the most recent psychiatry job postings straight to your inbox through IMG Connect. The latest NHS psychiatry jobs cover clinical settings from inpatient and outpatient to community services.   With just a few clicks, you can create an account and customise job preferences to receive email alerts, whether you are a consultant, SHO, resident trainee or specialty doctor.   Sign up here to receive up-to-date information on NHS jobs which you can tailor to your job preferences and receive straight to your inbox.  Can I get access to CESR?   Our experience tells us that CESR is a fantastic option for Hong Kong Psychiatrists joining the NHS. So far, we have found that the quickest route for psychiatrists has been to secure a Specialist Grade or Specialty Doctor post, with CESR support. This route will ensure access to a broad range of UK experience helping you to build your evidence for a future CESR application.   It can be a little confusing, so the best advice here is to speak to us about your options for CESR and how best to prepare for a future application.   What if I haven’t taken MRCPsych?   There are two routes to GMC registration for overseas psychiatrists, PLAB and MRCPsych. Whilst MRCPsych can be more time-consuming and expensive, our advice is that it is well and truly worth the investment – especially for more experienced psychiatrists. Clients look out for it, and your CV will be moved to the top of the pile.   The MRCPsych exams can now be taken online. Sample questions as well as information about how the three parts are marked are available on the MRCPsych website and can be accessed here. We have also created a detailed guide to MRCPsych for international doctors which you can find on in our IMG Resources library here. For more information about the online MRCPsych exams, click here.  How do I register with the GMC?   Once both the MRCPsych and English exams have been completed, Hong Kong IMGs can then apply for full GMC registration with license to practice.   There are further checks involved in the registration process, such as verification of medical licenses, however these are steps that will be taken care of with your IMG Connect recruitment specialist. However, if you’d like to learn more about these processes, you can find information in our blog breaking down the steps to GMC registration for overseas doctors here.  What visa will I need? BN(O) or Tier 2?   Honk Kong residents with British National (overseas) status can apply to travel to the UK to live for up to five years with dependent family members, through the British National (Overseas) visa.  You also have the option of securing a Skilled Worker visa, or Health & Care visa to give the most recent term. We know that securing a visa in Hong Kong is a challenge at the moment, so if you think that the Health & Care Visa is a good option for you, don’t hesitate to connect with us to discuss your options.   What are the next steps?   We are here to help with all questions big or small, whether you are starting out on your journey or ready to look explore jobs. Get in touch with us or register below.  We hope this helps and wish you the best of luck in your search!   To receive the latest news and updates on all things psychiatry, including the Royal College, GMC registration and the NHS, follow us on social media and join the conversation.              

Are you an overseas psychiatrist looking to move to the UK? Here, you can hear first-hand the experiences of an international doctor who has been through the process, from completing GMC registration, to securing an NHS job and relocating to the UK. IMG Stories is our series introducing you to international doctors who we have helped to relocate to the UK - sharing their personal journeys from working overseas to securing a new job as a doctor in the NHS.  Today we introduce you to Linda Granqvist, a fantastic child and adolescent psychiatrist who relocated to the UK from Sweden. Linda has been living and working in the UK since earlier this year when she received full specialist registration from the GMC. She is now working in the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust in the north west of England – where she is making a huge contribution to the NHS and wider community.   Tell us a little about yourself – what should the IMG community know about Linda Granqvist?  I’m a mum of three who comes from Sweden and I work as a child and adolescent psychiatrist, which I have done for many years. I'm also a family therapist and a certified therapy dog handler. In my free time, I really enjoy hiking and diving – I'd say those are my main interests.  What motivated you to move to the UK?  So, for a couple of years, I’d been thinking about moving to an English-speaking country. Both because I want to improve my English skills and the same for my kids – I also wanted them to learn how to speak English fluently. Also of course, to experience another country, to see how they work within CAMHS, and to be able to develop professionally in a new place.  Your journey to the UK was an adventure! Why did you decide to drive rather than fly to the UK?  In the beginning, it was just practical reasons really. I wanted to have the car with me to be able to move around easily in the UK, also, I don't like to put Iris on aeroplanes. So I decided I’d rather drive. I also have a lot of friends in the countries I’d be passing through along the way, so I thought I might be able to stop and say hi. In these strange times, this was a different way to stay in touch. To be honest, I was a little bit nervous at first - it's a long journey. And initially, it was just going to be me and Iris in the car, fully packed with all of our things. But then a very sweet friend of mine offered to join me on the trip. This made the whole trip incredibly easier and so much more fun. I'd recommend traveling with a friend to anyone thinking of coming to the UK the same way.  Tell us about your journey to get here, any issues or exciting moments along the way?  The trip took us four days, which doesn’t sound very long, but then we were on the road for long periods of time, because we needed to cross the French and English borders within 72 hours of us departing Sweden because of the COVID situation. So, we had that tight schedule to work to, but it all worked out!  Alongside taking wonderful swims in the ocean and being on the beach when we were taking a break, getting to visit friends was great. I was a little curious about the COVID restrictions, to see how they would hold up in practice. There was no one checking us at any of the check points we passed at the borders between Denmark and Germany, Germany and Belgium then on to France. The only place where they actually checked all the certificates and vaccination status was on the ferry between France and England, so that was surprising to me.  What were the best places or things you saw on your journey?  The most exciting thing for me, just off the top of my head, is when we got to Dover. It was such a beautiful moment, having these white cliffs heading towards us on such a beautiful evening. I had a moment of strong emotion when I realised this would be my home for a long time and I was finally here.  You are the first psychiatrist we have worked with who has travelled with their care dog - exciting! We can’t wait to meet Iris, what was it like travelling here with her?  Iris is so relaxed. She's very used to me taking her everywhere, to all sorts of places, so she was quite happy after around 12 hours of travelling, when she realised she could just chill out. So she's no problem at all. Even now, I think she sort of misses the car!  Was it difficult to make arrangements to come to the UK with a dog?  You have to have your shots up to date and have the all the tablets that you need. But not really, it's not really been much of a fuss and was quite easy. Also, we'd travelled abroad before, so she had a passport and things like that.  What role does Iris play in your daily practice in the NHS?  Iris is a trained Care and Therapy Dog and we have worked side by side for 4 years now. There were no protocols in place for a care dog at first, so the situation needed some working out, but now that’s been sorted, we’re up and running and I'm working with her clinically every day. She helps me with patients so they feel emotionally supported. She can do most tricks in the book and loves children and adults and is so proud to be helping me with these sometimes very vulnerable children. How did you manage to navigate and juggle the different aspects of registration whilst working full time in Sweden?  Without all the support from Ruaidhri, I don’t think I would have, to be honest - all the credit goes to him. There was so much paperwork and so much to consider in doing things in the right order that it would have taken me forever. But Ruaidhri has been so supportive, holding my hand all the way, always letting me know what the next step was and what I would have to do, helping me wherever he could. He's just been amazing.  Do you have any advice for international doctors hoping to find jobs in the UK?  Find IMG Connect. Seriously, it made all the difference for me. If I’d had less support, I don't think I would have gone through with the move.  From your experience so far, tell us about a day in the life of a consultant CAMHS psychiatrist in the NHS…  I'm a locum consultant, so I work together with one other senior doctor and then another part-time consultant, as well as other doctors who are training and more junior. I take part in assessments and support the team in medical issues spend time on-call.   It's a big difference from what I’ve experienced before. I've worked both privately and in the NHS in Sweden, and I'd say it's a big difference in terms of the psychiatry role, and also how we support the team. It’s understaffed in some areas, and the socio-economic factors within the area can make things more difficult. I think I was maybe a little bit naïve coming into this role. But everybody is so supportive and really welcoming.  How are you settling into life in the North West of England?  So far, we’re enjoying it very much. It's almost like a tropical environment for us compared to Sweden. The people are extremely friendly and open, and not to say the least, they're very dog oriented. Iris really gets to socialise, so the dog life here is much easier. And then the nature, I mean, it's beautiful. Preston doesn’t have the most wonderful nature, but it's so close to the Lake District and the sea, so we're taking advantage of that as well.  What’s next for you now that you’re working in the UK?   My field of interest is in using dogs as part of the work within Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. So I’d love to do more research on this, to find out who benefits the most from having a therapy dog - I think that will be my next step. I always give everyone feedback forms to comment on how they found the appointment with a therapy dog present. I've previously done a small project in Sweden related to this, but I would like to expand on that.  Have you had any culture shocks living in the UK so far?  Probably the dog culture being so friendly. It's I think a positive culture shock. I'm really happy with how things are going. We’re vegetarians, me and my three daughters, and we’re finding that British vegetables are so much tastier than in Sweden! We talk about it at dinner all the time, wondering how they can taste so good. I'm not too keen on fish and chips and some other typical British dishes, they’re not my cup of tea, but there’s so much choice here as well.  What have you missed about Sweden the most?  I guess there's the emotional part of it - leaving your closest friends, and some family. I think that's the hardest part and what I've missed most.  Do you have any advice for international doctors who want to move to the UK?  It’s a big step, relocating with your family, so it’s good to have practical and emotional support around you. But don't be afraid to try new things. Embrace everything, be flexible and just go for it. You will have an experience you will never forget.  Moving to live and work in the UK is a big decision to make but can be massively rewarding in many ways. International doctors have the chance to find a new home and the NHS presents an incredible opportunity to secure rewarding jobs, progress within their field and explore adjacent opportunities such as CESR (for non-EEA doctors), writing publications and research. Whatever route an overseas doctor may take on their journey to the UK, IMG Connect is here to support them through every step and welcome them to the IMG Connect family.                

There are several routes a radiation oncologist can take to GMC registration and clinical (radiation) oncology in the NHS.  Clinical (or radiation) oncologists looking to secure a job in the NHS will need to satisfy certain criteria before they can apply for full GMC (General Medical Council) registration with license to practice in the NHS. As an oncologist, these criteria depend on where in the world you trained, and the qualifications you hold. In this blog, we’re giving you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, as an overseas oncologist. We’ll be covering the following:  Will my training be recognised in the UK? How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as an EEA oncologist? How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills as a non-EEA oncologist? How can I demonstrate my English language skills? What is a certificate of good standing and how do I get one? What do I need to register with the GMC? Will I need a visa to work in the UK? Recognition of knowledge and skills  For clinical oncologists who trained in an EEA country (all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland & Norway), there are a number of different options potentially available to you.  Depending on the country and year you completed your residency or basic medical training, the GMC may automatically recognise your qualifications and grant you either General Registration, or Specialist Registration in the UK. To find out if your country’s qualifications will allow you to register for either general or specialist registration, check the relevant GMC page here.  Knowledge and skills for EEA radiation oncologists  Basic Medical Training: If you have met the basic medical training requirements, this would mean that you would not need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK and would not need to complete a UK- recognised postgraduate qualification or PLAB to register with a license to practice. You would be granted full registration in this case, but not Specialist Registration.   Specialist Training / Residency: If you have met the criteria listed for your country, then once you have completed the GMC application process, you would be granted Specialist Registration in oncology and can be appointed as a substantive or permanent consultant in the NHS. So as an oncologist, if you hold a Relevant European Specialist qualification, you would be put on the specialist register for medical or clinical oncology and can be appointed as a substantive oncologist in the NHS.  Therefore, the main hurdle that you will face as an EEA doctor will be demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely and proficiently as a doctor in the NHS.  As a European oncologist, this is in most cases the easiest route to becoming GMC-registered and being able to practice oncology in the UK.  If you do not meet the GMC requirements for your training to be approved for full or specialist registration, other routes you may consider to GMC registration include PLAB or (via the postgraduate route) the Royal College exams for either clinical oncology (FRCR) or medical oncology (MRCP). You can find out more about these alternative routes here.  Knowledge and skills for non-EEA radiation oncologists  If you qualified as an oncologist outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge and skills AND English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK.   Oncologists who've trained from outside the UK and EEA and must demonstrate to the GMC they have sufficient knowledge & skills to practice safely in the UK. For oncologists this can be done through one of three main routes:  Professional & Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB) The PLAB exam is a two-part exam that assesses a doctor’s ability to work safely as an SHO in the NHS, as such it does not demonstrate ability in oncology specifically. For this reason, PLAB tends to be a route for junior doctors who have not already chosen their field of specialisation in medicine. That said, for some senior doctors PLAB can be an attractive option, offering a quicker route to the UK, whilst still securing competitive salaries. If taking this option, clinical oncologists can then take up training or a more senior post once they have established themselves in the NHS. Take a look through our comprehensive guides on PLAB. Fellowship of Royal College of Radiologists The Royal College of Radiologists is the professional body that regulates the specialism of clinical oncologists in the UK, and Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) is the full qualification attainable by examination. For overseas doctors, attaining FRCR (Oncology) will satisfy the knowledge & skill criteria for GMC registration and facilitate application for more senior roles in UK clinical oncology. Take a look at our IMG Resources library for complete guides on Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists for clinical oncology to learn more.  GMC recognised or equivalent qualifications  Some overseas qualifications and licensing exams are recognised by the GMC and accepted for registration purposes. This is to say these qualifications or licensing exams are considered as meeting the same standards as the Royal College qualifications.   To find out if your qualification is accepted by the GMC, take a look at our blog: Overseas accepted postgraduate qualifications. English Language Testing  Both EEA and non-EEA oncologists, regardless of experience, and country of origin, must demonstrate that they have a sufficient grasp and competence of the English language. This can be done by passing either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET). Detailed guides to these tests can be found below:  IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors OET – a guide for overseas doctors Experience in English-speaking countries  For doctors who have at least two years of their most current experience in an English-speaking country, you can use a reference from your current employer or employers over these two or more years to demonstrate competence of the English language. This would exempt you from sitting an English language exam.  Certificate of Good Standing  All doctors registering with the GMC must provide a certificate of good standing from each medical regulatory authority they’ve been registered or licensed with in the last five years.   The medical regulatory authority may send you a certificate of past good standing if you're not currently registered or licensed with them. You can find out which medical regulatory authority to contact via the GMC website here.  Please note that each certificate is only valid for three months from the date it's signed and must be valid when we approve your application.  If there's no medical regulatory authority in the country to issue a certificate, the GMC will give you further advice once your application has been assessed.  GMC Registration  Once you’ve completed your English language exam, you can now apply for full GMC registration with a license to practice. For registration, you must provide evidence of:  English language capabilities - either your IELTS, OET or an approved reference from your current employer (if you have been working in an English-speaking country for the last two years).  AND  Certificate of good standing – the certificate from your medical regulatory authority which demonstrates good standing.   AND  (EEA oncologists) Sufficient skill and knowledge – as an EEA oncologist, this would either be your recognised EEA qualification.  OR  (Non-EEA oncologists) Sufficient skill and knowledge – as a non-EEA oncologist, this would either be PLAB, FRCR or a GMC-approved qualification.  To understand the registration process more fully, read our blog on GMC registration for overseas doctors here.  Visas  If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.  A Tier 2 visa is the document given to a skilled worker by the UK Home Office following a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship License. The list of valid Tier 2 Sponsors can be found here.  Understand Tier 2 visas and Certificates of Sponsorship in depth by taking a look at our article: Tier 2 Visa - how do I apply and what's the process? Wondering whether you can relocate with your family? Take a look at our blog on the Tier 2 dependent visa below: Tier 2 Dependent visa - Can I bring my family with me to the UK? IMG Oncologists Join the IMG Oncologists Facebook group for access to a community of like-minded FRCR (Oncology) aspirants and dedicated oncology recruiters. In this group you will find tailored resources for oncology IMGs, including access to our FRCR (Oncology) crash courses, completely free to all doctors. You can access our IMG Oncologists community here. For clinical or radiation oncologists looking to come to the UK to work in the NHS, GMC registration and specialist registration is a crucial part of the process. Therefore, it’s important to put together a good application to present to the GMC, and IMG Connect are here to help with this.  For regular news and updates on the Royal College and all things oncology, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:              

There are several routes a European oncologist can take to GMC registration and medical or clinical (radiation) oncology in the NHS.  All European oncologists looking to secure a job in the NHS will need to satisfy certain criteria before they can register for full GMC (General Medical Council) registration to practice in the NHS. As an oncologist, these criteria depend on where in the world you trained, and the qualifications you hold. In this blog, we’re giving you a snapshot of the steps you need to take to start your journey to the UK, as a European-qualified oncologist. We will be covering the following:  Is my training recognised as an EEA doctor? How do I demonstrate my knowledge and skills? How can I demonstrate my English language skills? What is a certificate of good standing and how do I get one? What do I need to register with the GMC? EEA Doctors  Firstly, it is important to note that where we refer to EEA in this article, this refers specifically to all countries inside the EU, including Lichtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland & Norway. If you trained & qualified as an oncologist inside the EEA or Switzerland, then you will have a few different options potentially available to you.  Depending on the country and year you completed your residency or basic medical training, the GMC may automatically recognise your qualifications and grant you either General Registration, or Specialist Registration in the UK. To find out if your country’s qualifications will allow you to register for either general or specialist registration, check the relevant GMC page here.  Knowledge and Skills Basic Medical Training: If you have met the basic medical training requirements, this would mean that you would not need to demonstrate your medical knowledge and skills to work as a doctor in the UK and would not need to complete a UK- recognised postgraduate qualification or PLAB to register with a license to practice. You would be granted full registration in this case, but not Specialist Registration.   Specialist Training / Residency: If you have met the criteria listed for your country, then once you have completed the GMC application process, you would be granted Specialist Registration in oncology and can be appointed as a substantive or permanent consultant in the NHS. So as an oncologist, if you hold a Relevant European Specialist qualification, you would be put on the specialist register for medical or clinical oncology and can be appointed as a substantive oncologist in the NHS.  Therefore, the main hurdle that you will face as an EEA doctor will be demonstrating that your English skills are of a high enough standard to practice safely and proficiently as a doctor in the NHS.  As a European oncologist, this is in most cases the easiest route to becoming GMC-registered and being able to practice oncology in the UK.  If you do not meet the GMC requirements for your training to be approved for full or specialist registration, other routes you may consider to GMC registration include PLAB or (via the postgraduate route) the Royal College exams for either clinical oncology (FRCR) or medical oncology (MRCP). You can find out more about these alternative routes here.  English Language Testing All EEA oncologists, regardless of experience, and country of origin, must demonstrate that they have a sufficient grasp and competence of the English language. This can be done by passing either the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or the OET (OET – Occupational English Test). Detailed guides to these tests can be found below:  IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors OET – a guide for overseas doctors Certificate of Good Standing All doctors registering with the GMC must provide a certificate of good standing from each medical regulatory authority they have been registered or licensed with in the last five years.   The medical regulatory authority may send you a certificate of past good standing if you are not currently registered or licensed with them. You can find out which medical regulatory authority to contact vis the GMC website here.  Please note that each certificate is only valid for three months from the date it is signed and must be valid when the GMC approve your application.  If there is no medical regulatory authority in the country to issue a certificate, the GMC will give you further advice once your application has been assessed.  GMC Registration Once you have completed your English language exam, you can now apply for full GMC registration with a license to practice. For registration, you must provide evidence of:  English language capabilities - either your IELTS, OET or an approved reference from your current employer (if you have been working in an English-speaking country for the last two years) AND  Sufficient skill and knowledge – as an EEA oncologist, this would either be your recognised primary medical degree, or your recognised specialist European qualification (REQ)  AND  Certificate of good standing – the certificate from your medical regulatory authority which demonstrates good standing To understand the registration process more fully, read our on GMC registration for overseas doctors here.  So, there you have it! Hopefully any medical or radiation oncologist planning a career in the NHS should have their route to the UK clarified. If you ever have some questions or wish to know more about the oncology job market, then get in touch with our team.  Join the IMG Oncologists Facebook group for access to a community of like-minded oncologists and dedicated oncology recruiters. In this group you will find tailored resources for oncology IMGs, completely free to all doctors. You can access our IMG Oncologists community here. For regular news and updates on all things oncology, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:             

Here we take a closer look at the Medical Training Initiative (MTI), a placement scheme for more junior overseas doctors to come to the UK to receive training and development within the NHS.   To be eligible for an MTI post, certain criteria must be met. These are summarised below along with a broad look the following:  What is the Medical Training Initiative? What training will I receive through the MTI? Am I eligible for an MTI post? What does the application process for the MTI involve? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the MTI? Do I need a visa for the MTI? How can I use the MTI for GMC registration? How much will I be paid throughout the MTI? What is the full process for MTI? I’ve completed the MTI, what’s next? Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you’re looking for.   The Medical Training Initiative  The Medical Training Initiative, or MTI, is a training programme that provides junior doctors from all over the world the opportunity to gain clinical training and development in the UK for a maximum of 24 months.  The MTI as a training scheme is mutually beneficial for both junior doctors and the NHS, in that doctors from several countries and specialisms around the world can work and train in the UK, gaining knowledge and experience which they can take back to their home country, while giving NHS Trusts a high-quality, longer-term alternative for unfilled training vacancies and rota gaps.  Training  The training provided through the MTI scheme will vary between programmes; however, it will typically follow the CCT curriculum (Certificate of Completion of Training). The level of training will be highly dependent on the doctor’s interests, competence and the training available within the placement hospital.  At the beginning of each placement, doctors are allocated an Educational Supervisor who will help to set the doctor’s specific training objectives to meet over the 24 months of the placement.  Eligibility The MTI has been designed specifically with junior doctors in mind, therefore sponsorship will not be offered to consultants, specialty doctors or for locum-appointed service posts (LAS).   The criteria also differ among MTI programmes, so eligibility criteria should be checked directly with the Royal College before applying. However, the general elements of eligibility include the following:  Country requirements - priority is given to doctors from countries classified as low income or lower middle income by the World Bank. Doctors from outside of these countries may also apply, but there may be a long wait time and no guarantee of acceptance.  Evidence of skills and knowledge – the requirements for evidence of skills and knowledge vary based on the MTI programme, but the potential requirements for evidence of skills and knowledge include:  PLAB exams  Part 1 of relevant Royal College exam e.g. MRCP  Specialist qualifications from your home country  Evidence of English language skills - almost all MTI programs accept what test is approved by the GMC, meaning either of the IELTS or OET can be used for MTI.  Sufficient clinical experience - most MTI programmes will require a minimum of three years' experience, including one year of internship and one year in the relevant specialty.  Active medical practice - candidates must have been actively practicing clinically for at least three out of the last five years including the past 12 months before the application as well as throughout the application process.  The Application Process There are two ways to join the MTI programme:  Apply for an MTI-match programme – certain specialisms have programmes which match doctors to a job. For these, you apply for the relevant programme, providing the necessary documentation. If your application is successful, you will be allocated a suitable job, which can take up to 12 months.  Find an NHS job before applying for the MTI – in cases where specialties do not have an established match programme, candidates are required to apply directly for an NHS post. Once the candidate has been accepted for the role, they can then apply for the MTI scheme through the relevant Royal College. If you would like to know more about finding NHS posts for the MTI scheme, you can get in touch with us here.  Specialties may use either, or a combination of these two methods, so we suggest visiting the Royal College and searching for their information on the MTI scheme.  The availability of MTI posts will vary between each Royal College, as certain specialties are more consultant-led, meaning there are fewer training posts for junior doctors. Once again, we suggest finding out more from the relevant Royal College. Advantages and Disadvantages of the MTI Scheme  Advantages  Training – MTI doctors will receive training and development support in their clinical, communication and leadership skills, as well as supervision by a consultant. You will also have the opportunity to create a training plan with the support of an Educational Supervisor.  Reduced cost – for posts that accept specialist qualifications from the applicant’s home country, the associated costs are lower as you will not have to pay for the PLAB or Royal College exams which can be costly, especially where retakes are needed  Alternative to PLAB and the Royal College – As some posts accept a candidate’s specialist qualifications from overseas, this allows you to bypass the Royal College and PLAB exams (N.B. if you have passed both parts of PLAB or ever failed either of the exams, you are not eligible for MTI)  Diploma of UK Medical Practice - If you complete an MTI post that is at least 12 months long, with the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) or the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), you can apply for the DipUKMP, a professional diploma which can be used as part of the portfolio of evidence required for specialist registration (CESR or CESR-CP). Disadvantages  Not all posts are paid - Some MTI posts require you to secure funding for your training, for example through scholarships or funding from an organisation in your home country, such as a government agency or university (N.B. personal funds cannot be used).  Junior posts – More senior doctors wanting to take this route to the UK will receive a lower salary and more junior role than if taking the postgraduate route.  British citizenship or ILR - For doctors who wish to make a permanent move to the UK, the 12-24 months spent in the UK on the MTI scheme will not count towards the 5-year requirement for British citizenship or indefinite leave to remain (ILR).  Return to home country – at the end of the 24-month period, MTI doctors are legally required to leave the UK and return to their home country.  MTI Posts Offer Tier 5 Visas  MTI candidates require a Tier 5 visa to travel to the UK. Applications for the visa can only be made after receiving the Certificate of Sponsorship.   Applications for Tier 5 visas must be made from your home country (or the country you work in), but never from the UK.   The visa must only be used for travel to the UK at the beginning of the placement and will activate after your arrival, lasting for exactly two years from your arrival date.   Please note that Tier 5 visas cannot be extended.  GMC Registration  All doctors practicing in the UK MUST be registered with the GMC. For MTI candidates, registration is typically supported by the Royal College, but some NHS Trusts also have the right to register MTI doctors.  English Language Testing  As always with GMC registration, candidates will also need to provide evidence of English language skills. This can be done by passing either the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or the OET (OET – Occupational English Test). Detailed guides to these tests can be found below:  IELTS – a guide for overseas doctors OET – a guide for overseas doctors Pay Received for MTI Posts  MTI posts are either paid, or candidates are required to secure funding for their placement as detailed above.  Where the placements are paid, the salary received by the MTI doctor corresponds to trainees at a similar level in the UK. All trainees can expect to commence their MTI training at an equivalent salary to ST3 level.  Some hospitals may take prior international experience into account while others do not. This is at the discretion of the hospital and not the Royal College. Hospitals can also decide whether to employ MTI doctors under the 2002 or 2016 junior doctor contract, which have slightly different pay scales.  Therefore, it's best to verify as early as possible where your placement will be paid, whether your prior experience will be taken into account, and under what pay scale you will be paid.  Steps through MTI   We’ve detailed the general processes involved in MTI below, from a candidate’s initial application for a post, to their final interview with the Royal College after gaining GMC registration:     I’ve completed the MTI, what’s next?  Ordinarily, on completion of the MTI scheme, doctors return to their home country with the training and experience they gained from working in the NHS.  Some doctors may want to remain in the UK after completing the MTI for a number of reasons. This can be done if the doctor finds another NHS post, in which case, they may be able to switch from the Tier 5 visa to the Tier 2 Health and Care Worker visa. For more information on the Health and Care Worker Visa, please see here.  If you want to find another NHS post after completing the MTI, applying for your first NHS job follows the same process as any other doctor. You will need to consider what job it is you would like to obtain and what location in the UK you would prefer to relocate to. For guidance on jobs in your specialty in the UK, please see our IMG Resources library.  Once you are ready to start the application process you can get in touch with us – IMG Connect can offer you expert advice and representation throughout the recruitment and relocation process.  For regular news and updates on the Royal Colleges, GMC registration and working in the NHS, follow us on social media and join the conversation below:              

Are you an overseas Psychiatrist looking to move to the UK? Have you always wanted to hear first-hand the experiences of an international Psychiatrist who has been through the process, from completing their MRCPsych exams to GMC registration, and from securing an NHS job to relocating to the UK?    IMG Stories is our series introducing you to international doctors who we have helped to relocate to the UK - sharing their personal journeys from working overseas to securing a new job as a doctor in the NHS.  Today we introduce Kevin Li, a brilliant psychiatry specialty doctor who relocated to the UK from Hong Kong in 2021. Having passed the MRCPsych and English language exams, Kevin received full GMC registration with license to practise. He is now working in the NHS at Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust in the north of England – where he is making a fantastic impact on the service and wider community.   What motivated you to move to the UK?  Psychiatrists are in demand in the UK and Hong Kong psychiatrists who have years of experiences would be very much welcomed to work in the country. With some NHS Trusts there is also a well-established CESR program to help overseas psychiatrists with MRCPsych to attain specialist registration. Specialist registration in the UK is also well recognised in a lot of other English-speaking countries.  Tell us about your journey through the Royal College of Psychiatry exams…  I had completed my specialist training in Hong Kong quite some time ago. I only decided to sit the MRCPsych exams last year. Due to the pandemic, all exams were conducted online which actually facilitated a lot of Hong Kong doctors to sit for the exams. Having always been involved in training and supervision of junior psychiatrists, it helped me a lot to keep myself updated with the knowledge and skills required for sitting examinations.   Do you have any tips or advice for overseas doctors who are currently working towards MRCPsych?  For the MCQ based paper A and B, it is important to set aside time for some intensive studying before the exam as a lot of the knowledge asked would not come up in everyday work. It is also important to pay attention to minute details in each topic which would often come up in the exams.   For CASC exams, it would be useful to form a study group with colleagues and have practice sessions together, as well as watching demonstration videos (such as some paid online courses) to learn the skill required to pass type of different stations. Time management (7 minutes) to complete the tasks in each station is also crucial.   How did you manage to navigate and juggle the different aspects of registration whilst working full time?  For overseas doctors having attained MRCPsych, registration with the GMC is fairly straightforward after taking an English proficiency exam, which should not be too difficult if one received medical education in English.  However, as the GMC closes an application if it could not be completed within 90 days, I found it important to have all the documents ready prior to submitting the application, especially letter of good standings, further proof of qualification and training from the university faculty which took time to be prepared.  Did you have any major or unexpected issues with the GMC registration process or your visa application?  There had been no major difficulties in terms of the registration. The HR team and IMG connect have been in constant touch with me to see what my needs are and accommodate my relocation schedule.  How did you find a general adult psychiatry job within the NHS?  For Hong Kong doctors coming to the UK, it is better to look for job openings that specifically states that IMG applicants are welcome. It would usually take IMGs quite a while to adapt to the system in the NHS and it is important that the Trust would give time for induction and support for IMGs during the initial phrase when they start their job.   It is also good to keep one’s mindset open to offers in locations that might not be the most popular at first look. Posts in popular locations such as Greater London or Greater Manchester are usually a lot more competitive and the support provided to IMGs could be less sometimes. It would also be a good opportunity to experience life in the UK out of the usual few big cities. There are always opportunities to move to another place after gaining experiences working in the UK.  Tell us about a day in the life of an international General Adult Psychiatrist, newly started in the NHS…  As a specialty doctor with the MRCPsych qualification, one is expected to take an active role in the MDT team with the support of the Consultant, for example on deciding on medications, deriving a care package with other stakeholders.   There is a strong focus on mental health legal and human rights compliance in the field of psychiatry, as well as adherence to treatment guidelines in the UK. Some doctors may need certain time to adjust to such differences in practice from their home countries. There are junior doctors who can readily assist with physical problems of patients, which might make it easier for a Hong Kong psychiatry specialist to adapt after years of working in psychiatric setting only.   What was your journey like to the UK during a period of COVID-19 restrictions?  I arrived at a time when restrictions were gradually easing. It was very easy to arrange mandatory COVID tests according to the government requirements. Most hotels or Airbnbs would welcome arrivals into the UK to be used as self-isolation.   What has been your experience working with IMG Connect?  I had received excellent support from IMG connect in terms of securing a job offer that suits my level and experiences, as well as advising on the career prospect and negotiating an attractive numeration package. The IMG connect team also gave me a lot of useful suggestions about finding accommodation in a suitable area close to work.   Most importantly they have excellent communication with the HR team in the Trust, which makes formalizing the offer and completing the necessary paper works much easier.  Moving to live and work in the UK is a big decision to make but can be massively rewarding in many ways. International doctors have the chance to find a new home and the NHS presents an incredible opportunity to secure rewarding jobs, progress within their field and explore adjacent opportunities such as CESR (for non-EEA doctors), writing publications and research. Whatever route an overseas doctor may take on their journey to the UK, IMG Connect is here to support them through every step and welcome them to the IMG Connect family.   

The first exam in the FRCPath Histopathology series...  International histopathologists (or cellular or anatomical pathologists as commonly known) looking to secure a job in the NHS via the postgraduate qualification route will need to attain Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists. This can also be commonly referred to as FRCPath Histopathology.  The completion of Part 1 and Part 2 of the Royal College of Pathology qualification for Histopathology results in eligibility for GMC registration (with the addition of the English language component). The FRCPath qualification is recommended for overseas pathologists looking to securing senior jobs in the NHS.  The exams can be taken by IMGs from all over the world, provided certain eligibility criteria have been met. Here we’ll take a closer look into these and other important questions through the following topics:  An overview of FRCPath Histopathology What is FRCPath Part 1 and how is it structured? Changes to FRCPath Part 1 delivery Am I eligible to sit this exam? How much will the exam cost and how do I apply? What is the best way to prepare for the exam? #IMG Tips I’ve passed the FRCPath Part 1 exam, what’s next? Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you’re looking for.  An overview of FRCPath Histopathology  The FRCPath Histopathology exams are administered by the Royal College of Pathologists to test a doctor's knowledge and ability to apply this in the practice of histopathology within the scope of the Specialty Training Curriculum for Histopathology.  The exams are as follows:  FRCPath Part 1  FRCPath Part 2  To read more about the full FRCPath examination suite via our IMG resources, please click here.  Please note that only full FRCPath satisfies the requirements for GMC registration for overseas doctors taking the postgraduate route.   Alternative routes to GMC registration include PLAB and other licensing exams such as USMLE. You can find out more about alternative routes here.  For doctors who are interested in more senior roles in the NHS that are reflective of their current practice, we advise that FRCPath is the best route to take to GMC registration. Histopathology in the UK is consultant-led specialism; and many NHS job postings will have FRCPath as a requirement for doctors who are not on the Specialist Register.  FRCPath Part 1 breakdown  FRCPath Part 1 is the first exam in the Royal College of Pathologists qualification. It is broken down into three sections as follows:  The three-hour exam is designed to assess candidates’ overall knowledge and understanding of histopathology or cytopathology, including the full range of autopsy practices undertaken in a district general hospital in the UK and the basic science underpinning pathology, including molecular biology.  FRCPath Part 1 delivery  In response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Royal College of Pathologists has migrated the FRCPath Part 1 exam online.  This means FRCPath Part 1 may be taken from the comfort of your own home. This development allows the College to continue to offer the FRCPath Part 1 exam to both UK trainees and overseas pathologists.   For full details about the online FRCPath Part 1 exam, please see our blog here.  Eligibility  Candidates for FRCPath Part 1 will generally require experience of Histopathology specialty training to reach the standard required to pass the exam. The Royal College advise that candidates take this exam after one year of specialty training.  Exam dates, applications and cost  The cost of the exam is £673 and the exam are usually held twice a year, in spring and in autumn/winter.  Applications for each sitting open a few months prior and close after around 6 weeks. While waiting for exam dates to be finalised the College advise that candidates should apply early and will be able to withdraw their application for a full refund should the date be unsuitable.  For up-to-date information on exam and application dates, keep an eye on the College website here.  Preparation  There are many resources available to help you prepare for your FRCPath Part 1 exam. As always, we recommend that the best starting point for your study is the Royal College website, particularly the Curriculum for Specialty Training in Histopathology. Your exam is based on this curriculum so familiarising yourself with it as soon as possible will give you the best chance of success.  Other helpful resources for your study include:  Regulations and guidelines – before applying for FRCPath exams, the College recommends you read both the general and specialty-specific regulations and guidelines, found below:  General Regulations and Guidelines  Histopathology Regulations and Guidelines  Social media study groups – there are multiple study groups available across different platforms such as Telegram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. IMG Connect hosts study groups for FRCPath Part 1 – these forums bring together overseas histopathologists in one communicative, constructive, and moderated space for learning, sharing, and support.  If you are interested in joining the IMG Connect FRCPath Part 1 study group, please email info@imgconnect.co.uk to speak to request your admission.  Online courses, videos and other resources - there are some great online courses and resources available to prepare for the FRCPath Part 1 exam. These include everything from full mock exams to flashcards and YouTube videos. We’ve compiled all these which you can access here, through our IMG Resources library.  FAQs - There is also a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document which the Royal College has compiled to help applicants who have questions about online examinations. You can read this here.  #IMG Tips  Prepare early – getting your revision going as soon as possible will help you avoid those last-minute cramming sessions and increase your chances of passing first time.  Speak to your colleagues and peers – there are so many study materials to choose from - who better to ask for recommendations than histopathologists who have been through the process or are going through it with you?  Familiarise yourself with the online format – there’s no bigger headache than a bad connection – go through your IT checks well in advance to avoid (most) hiccups on the day  Join the online histopathology community – connect with like-minded histopathologists and dedicated pathology recruiters in the IMG Histopathologists Facebook group.  I’ve passed the FRCPath Part 1 exam, what’s next?  Congratulations – this is a massive achievement! After a well-deserved break, it’s time to look forward to FRCPath Part 2. For more information on the final exam in the examination suite, take a look at our blog where we explore FRCPath Part 2 and everything you need to know about how to sit the exam, including syllabus, dates, results, fees and preparation.  For more useful blogs & articles on the FRCPath exams, registrations & qualifications to help you find your dream job in the NHS - take a look at our IMG library.  Follow us on social media for news and updates on GMC registration, the Royal College and NHS through the links below:             

Are you an oncology IMG looking to sit your FRCR (Oncology) Part 1 (CO1) exam?  International doctors often wonder about the best ways to prepare for the first FRCR (Oncology) exam. There are many resources available online, but with so much geared towards UK applicants and trainees, it can be difficult to decide what is best suited to you as an overseas candidate.  Here we have compiled some of the best resources and guidance for overseas FRCR CO1 applicants preparing for the exam. We will also touch on some of the recent changes to the format, delivery, and availability of the exam in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.   The topics we’ll be discussing include the following – skip ahead to one of these sections if you know what you’re looking for:  What is FRCR (Oncology) Part 1 (CO1)? How do I get started with my preparation? What resources are available online? How has COVID-19 affected the exam? #IMG Tips I’ve passed FRCR (Oncology) Part 1, what’s next? FRCR (Oncology) Part 1 As a reminder, FRCR (Oncology) Part 1 or CO1 is the first exam in the FRCR (Oncology) examination suite. The full set of exams, Part 1, and Part 2A and 2B, or CO1, CO2A and CO2B are the exams required by international doctors to satisfy the requirements for GMC registration through the postgraduate route.   The assessment expects that candidates have a broad knowledge of subjects that relate to the investigation and management of patients with cancer.  The exam consists of five modules which are taken through four exam papers over two days. On each day, candidates may attempt any number of modules. Altogether the FRCR CO1 exam has 180 SBA (single best answer or multiple choice) questions.  The exam structure is as follows:  For an in-depth breakdown of each of the FRCR (Oncology) Part 1 modules, see our detailed blog, FRCR (Oncology) Part 1, through the IMG resources library, where you can also read an overview of the full FRCR (Oncology) examination suite.  Please note that only full FRCR satisfies the GMC’s postgraduate requirements for overseas doctors.  Preparation We have discussed with IMGs the best way to prepare for the first FRCR (Oncology) exam and most recommended beginning with the Royal College website and resources, which they have compiled to aid in your preparation.  Curriculum: The FRCR (Oncology) exam is based on the Specialty Training Curriculum for Clinical Oncology, and as a rule of thumb, your revision should start here to ensure you are focusing on the exact material that will be in your exam. Knowing the curriculum is key and you can find these on the Royal College website here.  Royal College resources include:  Learning hub: the learning hub is available to members and contains many useful learning resources. This can be found here.  Purpose of assessment: this will help candidates understand the examination's purpose, the required level of candidate training and the application of results, available here. Implementation tools: this is a range of tools which have been compiled by the College to support the new curricular which all students should have transferred to by August 2022 at the latest and can be accessed here.  Guidance notes – a document with detailed guidance on exam structure, content, requirements and marking which you can find here.  Sample questions: sample SBA questions with answers which can be found here.  Speedwell instructional video: a walkthrough video of the FRCR Part 1 exam format with guidance and instructions which can be found on the College YouTube channel.  Suggested reading list: a suggested list of core texts and additional reading put together by the College which is available here.  Examiners’ reports: this is a collection of generic reports written by examiners on the overall performance of candidates and individual questions as a guide for applicants for future sittings. These are available here.  Other helpful resources There are several other resources available online, from flashcard-style revision materials to tips and advice from former candidates who have passed the exam: The Clinical Oncology Registrar This former candidate has compiled tips, guidance, and notes (including revision notes) on the First FRCR exam. These include revision advice, downloadable materials on key topics and links to good books and core materials to use. You can find the full blog here.  FRCR Oncology A compilation of recommended books and notes shared by a former FRCR oncology candidate. There are general tips, as well as more detailed notes on the exam modules. These can be accessed here.  British Medical Journal The BMJ has created an app-based physics revision resource with core questions on elements of the physics module, in the same multiple-choice format as will be seen in the exam. They are available at several price points depending on the duration of access, which ranges from £24.99 for one month to £139.99 for one year. This can be accessed here.  Brainscape A set of flashcards with over 1300 questions across all modules. This free resource can be used as either revision or practice material and is located here.  FRCR Exam Prep This website is home to exam tips, an online revision course for the physics module (including timed mock exams), sample cases and articles. The price of the physics course ranges from £25 for one month to £115 for one year. This can be found here.  How the exam has been affected by COVID-19 First FRCR (Oncology) is still taking place in person, but the number of exam centres has been reduced. For now, these are Belfast, Birmingham, Bridgend Wales, Crewe, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, and London. Overseas centres for now are in Hong Kong, India, and Malta.  For advice on preparation before applying for the exams, see the Royal College website here.  #IMG Tips  Start preparing early, but not too early – you want to avoid the misery of last-minute cramming, but not to burn out. Former candidates recommend starting about 6 months beforehand.  Get familiar with the curriculum – this is the home of the exam’s content – get to know this as well as possible to jumpstart your preparation for the exam. Go through as many exam questions as possible – we know these are scattered all over the internet, but from those we’ve compiled in this handy guide you should have enough to keep you busy!  Join the conversation – join the IMG Oncologists Facebook group for access to a community of like-minded FRCR (Oncology) aspirants and dedicated oncology recruiters. In this group you will find tailored resources for oncology IMGs, including access to our FRCR (Oncology) crash courses, completely free to all doctors. You can access our IMG Oncologists community here. I’ve passed the First FRCR oncology exam, what’s next?  Firstly, congratulations! This is an incredible achievement, and you deserve to treat yourself after all that hard work! With a pass in the First FRCR Oncology in hand, you can look ahead to the Final FRCR Oncology (CO2A and CO2B) exams. Once you have completed all parts of FRCR Oncology, you can apply for full GMC registration with a license to practice. Nice one.  We hope this is helpful for any overseas doctors preparing to sit their Final FRCR exam and the team here at IMG Connect wish you the best of luck!  Don’t forget to share your progress and successes with us using the hashtag #imgstories on social media, we love to hear from you.             

Are you an overseas psychiatrist looking to move to the UK? Have you always wanted to hear first-hand the experiences of an international psychiatrist who has been through the process, from receiving full GMC registration to securing an NHS job and relocating to the UK?    IMG Stories is our series introducing you to international doctors who we have helped to relocate to the UK - sharing their personal journeys from working overseas to securing a new job as a doctor in the NHS.  Today we introduce Francesco Spadaro, a brilliant consultant psychiatrist who relocated to the UK from Italy. Francesco has been living and working in the UK after receiving full GMC with specialist registration. He is now working in the NHS at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, where he is making a positive impact on the service and the wider community.   Tell us about yourself - what should the IMG community know about Francesco Spadaro? My work is my passion. I really love the clinical aspect of it, especially talking with patients. I enjoy trying to help my patients as much as I can and giving them a hope in trying to improve their clinical condition. No matter who they are, where they come from, or how serious is their disorder may be. At the same time, studying and looking at how the mind works has always been such an important part of my life. What motivated you to move to the UK?  I was very keen to move to the UK. London is such a special place and completely unique in my opinion. The city is so open and inclusive and really encourages you to get involved in so many ways. This was a really big motivating factor for me. Was Brexit an issue for you at all? It was definitely something to consider, but I was lucky enough to be able to anticipate my leave at my previous job in order to avoid any potential Brexit complications. How did you find a general adult psychiatry job within the NHS?  I personally found IMG Connect to be a great help on this. The team really encouraged me with lots of advice and suggestions on how I could tailor my CV to specific roles I was applying to. Most importantly, they really listened and took into consideration all of my needs and difficulties. They go far beyond any of the simple questions you may have for them and cover all angles, including things you may not have considered yourself! Tell us about a day in the life of an international General Adult Psychiatrist. I work in a secondary care, Community Services facility. We work in teams which cover several boroughs and are led by a senior practitioner, ans supported by health professionals with a range of expertise: nurses, social workers, support workers, psychologists and NGO volunteers. We start each day with an MDT (multi-disciplinary team meeting) where we discuss our first assessments, feedback and cases with cause for concern. The great thing about these meetings is that we're all equally involved - everyone participates, sharing knowledge specific to their experience and role. Consultants are involved in the most severe cases. They will also have slots where they will supervise trainee GPs and junior doctors. We also have lots of meetings throughout the week: scientific meetings, journal clubs and meetings concerning the organisation. Sometimes it feels like there are too many meetings, but I'm still getting used to the differences between the UK and Italian healthcare systems.  Tell us about your journey to the UK... It was really quick! Once I'd passed had my interview and been offered the job, I just organised my affairs and hopped on the plane. Of course COVID-19 complicated things, but that was the case for everyone in almost every country at the time. What has been your experience working with IMG Connect?  My experience with IMG Connect has been excellent. They carefully listened to my needs and requests and were always able to offer me appropriate jobs along my requests. They also prepared me in coping with any type of difficulties I would face in regard to relocation to London and my new role in the NHS. They were such a solid presence throughout this process for me and were always there to offer support, both before I had the job and afterwards. Within the IMG Connect team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ruaihdri MacKay in particular, who is an excellent professional recruitment consultant. He was a wealth of guidance, advice and support for me during, and also after, my entire recruitment and relocation. He showed what I consider a unique commitment, dedication and foresight and completely kept me at ease with his justified optimism and knowlegde of the steps in my journey. I was really lucky to have him on my side. How are you settling into life in the UK? Things were a little difficult to begin with due to the COVID-19 restrictions, but things have really eased and I'm enjoying living here. What’s next for you now that you’re working in the UK? At the moment I'm still settling in, learning a lot about the UK's system and procedures. Once things have settled a little more for me, I'd like to see whether I can incorporate some teaching or lecturing work into my career path in the UK. What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in moving to the UK? One of the challenges I've faced has been finding really affordable housing, but this was expected in moving to such a large and popular city as London. Have you experienced any culture shocks living in the UK? I wouldn't consider it so much of a cultural shock, instead I'm pleasantly surprised by the opportunity to work with such a diverse range of people. It really is a special experience that connects you to cultures and people all over the world. What have you missed about Italy the most? Most of all, I miss the lifelong friends I've made in Italy. Do you have any tips or advice for international doctors who want to move to the UK? I would just say, do it. Take a chance and live the experience! Moving to live and work in the UK is a big decision to make but can be massively rewarding in many ways. International doctors have the chance to find a new home and the NHS presents an incredible opportunity to secure rewarding jobs, progress within their field and explore adjacent opportunities such as CESR (for non-EEA doctors), writing publications and research. Whatever route an overseas doctor may take on their journey to the UK, IMG Connect is here to support them through every step and welcome them to the IMG Connect family.   

Arranging your own UK visa and immigration as an overseas doctor can be challenging. In this series of articles we offer a helping hand with Tier 2 visas, navigating UK visa requirements, guidance on certificates of sponsorship and point scoring systems. In this article we focus on the Tier 2 Health & Care Worker visa application process and the documents you will need, looking specifically at the following: What is a Tier 2 Health & Care Worker Visa? What is the application process? Online application form – the process Online application form - documents & information needed Certificate of Sponsorship Cover letter for your application Evidence of your knowledge of English  Criminal records certificate Tuberculosis Test Clearance Certificate  Letter of maintenance & other documents Appointment at your local visa application centre How much will this cost me? Tracking your visa application Your visa application was successful, what next? What is a Tier 2 Health & Care Worker Visa? First of all, congratulations! If you’re looking to apply for a Tier 2 H&C visa, then the chances are you have interviewed successfully and accepted a job offer from an NHS Trust. A Tier 2 visa is the document given to a skilled worker by the UK Home Office following a job offer from a UK employer with a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship License.  The list of valid Tier 2 Sponsors can be found here.  It is safe to assume that the NHS trust you are applying to has a valid Tier 2 Sponsorship license and that your IMG Consultant will have already checked this for you. A Tier 2 H&C visa will allow an overseas doctor to enter and work in the UK for an initial period of 5 years and 14 days. Alternatively, you can stay for the time given on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 1 month. What is the application process? Once you have accepted a job offer the hospital will immediately apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the UK Home Office.  Once the trust assigns the CoS to your name, you will then need to carry out the visa application process with two stages to consider: the online application form attending an appointment at your local visa application centre It is worth noting that if you have applied for a visitor visa prior to this (possibly for the PLAB 2 exam) the process is very similar. The online application form – the process: Before beginning your application, we always advise compiling your details and scanning your documents (as outlined below). This will help avoid delays once you have started the application. Applications are complete online and the process is as follows: As above, compile your details and documents. Scan all documents from the list below before starting. Start and complete the application - Once you have entered all of your details, the application service will offer an appointment at a local visa appointment centre near you. Pay the visa fee Further actions will be prompted: Download document check list - A helpful checklist to ensure you submit everything that is needed. We strongly recommend you use this to ensure nothing is missed. Provide documents and biometric details - At this stage, you can upload electronic copies of your documents. Making an appointment with your local visa application centre - Once you have made an appointment you will receive an email with your appointment confirmation letter. Make note of the details and print this confirmation to take with you to the appointment. Selecting location for Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) pick up in UK - Think carefully about where you will be able to pick this up in the UK. You will have 30 days from your date of arrival in the UK to retrieve this from the post office you have selected. Once you have chosen, you will be sent a BRP collection letter. Print this and bring it with you to the post office to retrieve your biometric residence permit. A good idea is to choose a Post Office close to the hospital so you can easily collect it once relocated to the UK. Submit your complete application Once all of the steps above have been completed your online visa application will be processed for review. Please remember, if you are inactive for 25 minutes you will be automatically logged out. The online application form - documents & information needed: The application process will require you to provide both a large amount of information and submit a number of documents: Information that you will be expected to provide includes: Personal details and family information Travel and national identity details Employment details Expected spend for your initial months in the UK Accommodation details Previous visa refusals Criminal convictions Documents that you need to upload electronically: Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) - As of June 2018, all doctors and nurses can be automatically allocated an Unrestricted CoS. You can find more information regarding the CoS here. Cover letter for your application Evidence of your knowledge of English  IELTS for UKVI, OET or UK NARIC are valid. See our blog series on English Language Testing (including OET and IELTS) here. Criminal Records Certificate See our article on the process of applying for your Criminal Records Certificate here. Tuberculosis Test Clearance Certificate (if from any of the listed countries) See our article on how to obtain your Tuberculosis Test Clearance Certificate here. Confirmation of maintenance (if available) Usually this is provided by the Trust as your sponsor, however in some circumstances this is not provided. See here for more information on a confirmation of maintenance. Other documents Certificate of full registration with the GMC Certificate of full registration as a medical practitioner in your home country Primary Medical Qualification Diploma Tenancy agreement or accommodation details of any previous stays in the UK (if applicable)  Any previous/expired passports from the last 10 years Current passport details Evidence you can travel and travel history over the last five years  Appointment at your local visa application centre: As part of your online application you will have made an appointment with a local visa application centre.  You can make sure there is an appointment centre accessible to you by using this link. Please note, there is also an ‘On Demand Mobile Visa’ service available that can come directly to you and avoid the necessity of attending an appointment at an application centre. Check using the link above.  At this appointment you will need to:  bring your passport confirm your ID  have your fingertips and photograph taken for a biometric residence permit It is important to check if the Visa Application Centre requires you to provide photocopies or originals of all your documents.  Make sure you bring all documents outlined in your confirmation email to your appointment with the visa application centre. If you do not bring all the requested documents your application will not be finalised and you will need to re-book. How much will this cost me? Up to 3 years More than 3 years Who’s applying Who's applying Yourself £247 Yourself £479 All dependents £247 per person All dependents £479 per person   Tracking your visa application: Once your visa application is being processed you can track its progress online. Once my visa application is successful, what happens next? First things first, congratulations! You are just a few steps away from completing your journey to the UK and can now firm up your relocation plans, putting into action your relocation checklist.  Once your application is underway you should begin discussing with your IMG Consultant UK relocation plans including accommodation and travel, bank accounts, schooling and any other questions you might have. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. For regular news and updates, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:              

Are you an overseas psychiatrist taking the postgraduate route to GMC registration through the MRCPsych exams? Are you interested in sitting the exams in the future? As part of IMG Stories, we introduce to you Dr Praveen Kumar, a psychiatrist who has recently sat and passed the MRCPsych Paper B exam. Praveen will be sharing with you his experiences of the second of the Royal College of Psychiatrists exams, taking you through his preparation, experience of sitting the exam and sharing some hot tips for international MRCPsych aspirants. 1. Tell us about yourself... what should the IMG Community know about Praveen Kumar? I'm a Malaysian psychiatrist and I completed most of my training as an Ob-Gyn in Borneo. I originally came to the UK for the PLAB 2 exam, with my ultimate aim being to relocate to Australia. I had planned on spending a few weeks in the UK as a vacation, as it was my first time flying to the west. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was stuck in the UK for some time. I decided to enter the psychiatry training programme in Inverness, Scotland (CT1) just out of curiosity, because mental health was hardly spoken about in rural Malaysia, so I knew little about it. This was my main plan while I waited for restrictions to ease in Malaysia so I could return home, however plans changed, and I've been here ever since. 2. What motivated you to sit the MRCPsych exams? I had no experience in psychiatry before starting my training in February 2021, but I felt I owed it to my patients to have at least some basic knowledge. I felt studying for MRCPsych would prepare me for the role, so I took Part A and B early on. 3. At what point in your career and training did you sit the MRCPsych Paper B exam? I sat Paper A in December 2020 and Paper A in October 2021, so this was quite early on in my training.  4. How far in advance did you start preparing for the MRCPsych Paper B and how much time did you spend on revision? I began preparing around 6 months before the exam. I'd have 8-20 hours of zoom study sessions weekly for the 6 months, studying around 4-6 days a week. 5. Did you benefit from speaking to senior colleagues or peers about the exam? Did you study with other candidates? I relied on study groups via a WhatsApp group for discussions and attended weekly zoom study sessions. I formed a study group by seeking out other candidates after posting a message on MRCPsych groups on Facebook. 6. Have you already completed MRCPsych Paper A and how do you feel it prepared you for the Paper B exam? I completed MRCPsych A on Dec 2020. By then I had already conducted many group studies and had 117 group study mates that continued with me into part B. We did the same format of group study that I hosted before. 7. How did you manage to juggle other commitments whilst studying for the exam (without panicking)? Since I am on my own here in the UK, I was able to invest a lot of time and energy in hosting daily study sessions because at the start, it kept me grounded while I was stuck in a foreign country. It gave me the opportunity to communicate with so many people in a setting other than my workplace. It was fairly challenging initially while I moved between Airbnbs (7 in total!) while waiting for flights back home. It was only when I was accepted into a psychiatry training programme in Inverness and acquired stable accommodation that things became a lot easier. 8. What resources did you use to prepare and practice for the MRCPsych Paper B exam? The hardest part was actually statistics which took up 1/3rd of the exam questions, so the goal was to complete the statistics syllabus, then move on to cover clinicals, repeat statistics again, then finally start mocks before the exam. This was the process that was recommended to me by some friends who passed the exam before me. The SPMM mocks and high yield questions were most helpful for clinical and stats, but the Psychmentor notes were also really good with the questions and mocks helping to fortify our knowledge. The Statistics and Research Methods (Cambridge Crash Course) by Dr Paul Wilkinson helped loads with statistics near the end. I didn’t use any notes or SPMM videos, but I’ve heard they helped others quite a lot. 9. Let's face it, exams are not everyone's favourite day out... so on the day of the exam, what did you do to relax? I prepped by reassuring myself that I did practice and study as best I could. I was ultimately looking to gather knowledge that would allow me to better help my patients. Whatever else came out of the process was secondary. 10. What was your experience like on the day? I felt like I could hear the voices of my study mates as I did the exam. It didn't feel particularly difficult to be honest, because I'd had lots of practice sessions. 11. What was the most challenging part of the exam? There were some tricky bits, for example being asked the percentage of patients who have a particular illness! 12. Now that the MRCPsych exam is provided online, how (if at all) was the test different to exams sat in person? I didn't see it as much different to be honest. 13. In hindsight, would you have done anything differently? Nothing really. I genuinely enjoyed the study sessions and I hope others did too. 14. What nugget of advice would you give to any MRCPsych Paper B aspirants? Form or join a study group with people from various backgrounds. Mine had folks from around the globe with psychiatry experience ranging from none at all to 12 years. Their input was gold - more so since the exam is very relevant to our day-to-day practice. 15. What are your plans going forward? I’m actually doing a couple of diplomas at the moment. I plan to collaborate with some people on some research/publication opportunities. This is mostly to bide time during CT2 as I am only allowed to sit the CASC exam during CT3 after 2 years psychiatry experience. The postgraduate route to GMC registration, whilst not the fastest, can be the most rewarding in the long run. The MRCPsych exams are the central components of psychiatry training in the UK, and as an international psychiatrist, this is the route that allows you to most closely align your qualifications with the requirements of more senior roles in the NHS. Join the IMG Psychiatrists Facebook group for access to a community of like-minded overseas MRCPsych aspirants and dedicated psychiatry recruiters. For news and updates on all things psychiatry, including GMC registration, the Royal College and the NHS, follow us on social media and join the conversation.