Emergency Medicine - finding a job in the NHS
- July 13, 2022
Here we look at finding an NHS doctor job in emergency medicine and why you should choose a career in the NHS.
We will explore the growing demand for Emergency Medicine specialists, offering guidance on how to find the right job suited to your own professional preferences, discussing how to research work in the NHS ER, criteria for GMC registration, (MRCEM, FRCEM & IELTS exemption) as well as some useful resources to get you started.
Growth in Emergency Medicine means that the NHS will rely on recruiting more overseas emergency medicine specialists in order to meet growing demand to fill jobs across the country. Emergency care departments and the doctors who work within them are the foundations of the NHS. Staff working in EDs in the UK deliver high quality patient care for all patients presenting with minor or critical life-threatening and life-changing conditions.
We hope that you too will consider working in some of the best ERs in the world across the NHS.
First steps towards your new job in the NHS:
A stable workforce within the ED departments across the UK is crucial, as such at IMG Connect we have developed a specialist approach to Emergency Medicine recruitment.
Responding to staffing challenges within EDs in the NHS, we have created a dedicated department for Emergency medicine specialists, where you will work with a dedicated consultant who makes it their responsibility to know your chosen field inside and out.
We have taken steps to ensure that IMG Connect and NHS organisations collectively work to help recruit and retain the very best specialists, ensuring a large enough workforce with the right skills, behaviours and values to deliver care in our EDs.
No matter what stage you are at in the process of relocating to the UK, you can speak with a specialist consultant in Emergency medicine, who will work with you to establish the areas that we can offer the most effective support for you.
Why choose to work in Emergency Medicine in the UK?
The Emergency Department is where the public know to come when they need help, they value the service and in return you have the privilege of helping people when they are most in need. Here are a few of the reasons to work in Emergency Medicine in the NHS:
- You work with the full range of illness and injury, in all types of patients.
- The ED department in the UK means that you will see the ‘best bits’ of all the specialties.
- There are no long ward rounds.
- Flexible working exists in all departments, giving you the chance to have a better quality of life. Don’t believe the myths!
- Flexible working as a consultant is the most flexible in the NHS.
- Flexible sessional working allows for a more family friendly environment.
- The Emergency Department is the front door of the Hospital and the ‘shopwindow’ of the NHS.
- Staff morale is high, despite working in a challenging environment.
- You will work as part of a team - with a shared team spirit and camaraderie
- You will have access to excellent opportunities to develop a special interest in almost any subspecialty or area of interest.
- Career progression and stability is always available
- Access to CESR and the specialist register is widespread, and hospitals are highly supportive to overseas doctors to make sure that this progression happens
- Recognised subspecialties and niche personal interests are encouraged
- Consultant vacancies have increased making this specialism more and more of a attractive career choice in EM
- EM is an excellent career choice for those looking for flexibility and balance.
Do some research:
Don’t just take our word for it, we advise that you do some research online to explore the various opportunities and experiences that await you in the Emergency Department in the NHS.
There are many free resources available to help you explore what it is like to work in an ED in the UK, here are a few that we think will be useful:
- The Royal College of Emergency Medicine
- Paediatric Emergency Medicine UK
- Emergency Medicine Trainees’ Association (EMTA)
- Forum for Associate Specialist and Staff Grade Doctors in Emergency Medicine (FASSGEM)
- The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (Careers)
- The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (Training)
- Health Careers
Don’t forget, we are always here to answer any questions you may have and offer our support in any way we can.
Find out what jobs are available:
There has been significant investment in the UK geared towards growing the number of ED trust doctors, SHOs, specialty doctors and consultants over recent years. There are many ways to get access to these jobs, including online via NHS jobs, through networks of doctors, and through an agency, such as IMG Connect.
You can search jobs and apply for Emergency Medicne jobs here.
Working with an IMG Connect specialist in Emergency Medicine you will receive access to the widest possible range of current and future vacancies in the UK. Better still, your consultant will spend time getting to know you personally, understanding both your personal and professional relocation needs.
A key benefit in terms of working with a specialist is that they will be able to give you an honest assessment of each job, including but not exclusive to, advice on the following: the hospital, standards and CQC reports, working in the ED, the local area, cost of living, housing, quality of life, job expectations and career progression. Advice that is designed to ensure you can settle into life in the UK and focus on your career in the NHS.
Speak to a consultant today to discuss your career options in the NHS and get the widest access to jobs and advice.
Get the right qualifications:
All Emergency Medicine doctors looking to secure a job and work in the UK, whether you are from inside or outside of Europe, will need to satisfy certain criteria to fully register with the Emergency Medical Council (GMC) before beginning their journey in the NHS.
If you qualified as a doctor outside the EEA, then you will have to demonstrate that both your medical knowledge & skills and English Language capabilities meet the level required to practice safely in the UK.
In addition, you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.
Take a look at our articles on each qualification:
- English Language Testing
- Evidence of Knowledge & Skills
- Tier 2 Visas
- Full GMC Registration
English language exemption:
Many trusts or hospitals will be able to offer English Language test exemption for overseas doctors in emergency medicine specifically. This is a process that can be used when an ER needs to meet demand for doctors quickly.
Not every hospital will accept IELTS exemption, so relying on this process means that the number of available posts could be reduced slightly. That said, a great number of our NHS partners are able to offer this exemption, to establish what this could mean for you, our best advice is to speak to an IMG Consultant to discuss further.
In summary, Emergency Medicine in the NHS has developed into one of the most exciting and rewarding careers, offering great opportunity for career progression through the specialist training programme or CESR. It attracts individuals who thrive on challenge and variety and can offer professional development in areas of personal interest.
Working with an IMG Consultant specialist in Emergency Medicine will give you access to the best advice and job opportunities. As well as helping you to make decisions about the hospitals you wish to work in, they will also ensure you and your family relocate and settle into your new life in the UK.
IMG Jobs
Search and find live emergency medicine NHS doctor jobs in the UK
IMG Resources
Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor jobs, doctor salary & relocation for emergency medicine specialists
Get in Touch
Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss emergency medicine job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding, CESR, a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable NHS job & hospital locations for you.
For the latest news and updates on all things emergency medicine, including the Royal College, GMC registration and the NHS, follow us on social media and join the conversation.
Relevant Jobs
An outstanding opportunity for experienced Consultant in Emergency Medicine to join an NHS Trust that is committed to providing the best quality care to the people of East Sussex by attracting and recruiting passionate people who share this commitment. This Trust is one of the largest employers in the region and their members and staff are dedicated professionals whose work is varied, challenging and makes a real difference to people’s health and well-being.
The post is suitable for candidates holding specialisation in the EEA, or for experienced IMGs looking to complete CESR.
WHAT IS THE NHS TRUST LIKE?
The Trust is one of the largest organisations in the country and they employ over 6,000 dedicated staff with an annual turnover of £380 million who provides service to 525,000 people that live within the area. Their services are mainly provided from two district general hospitals, both have Emergency Departments and provide care 24 hours a day. They offer a comprehensive range of surgical, medical and maternity services supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.
The role of the NHS Trust is to provide the best possible healthcare service to patients, who come first in everything the organisation does. Safe patient care is the Trust's highest priority. They will provide high quality clinical services that achieve and demonstrate optimum clinical outcomes and provide an excellent care experience for patients. The employees will be valued and respected. They will be involved in decisions about the services they provide and offered the training and development that they need to fulfill their roles.
They will operate efficiently and effectively, diagnosing and treating patients in timely fashion and expediting their return to health. They will use their resources efficiently and effectively for the benefit of their patients and their care to ensure our services are clinically, operationally, and financially sustainable.
WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT & TEAM LIKE?
The Emergency Department is a team of consultant that focuses on being on top of taking care of their patients. The department is open for hours a day, seven days a week for those seeking treatment for an urgent problem that may be caused by an accident or an illness. In the last year, there were 130,000 visits in their department.
Urgent Treatment Centres are being in developed nationally with the aim to provide same day ‘urgent treatment’ operating in a fully integrated way with the local community. The department has a vision is to provide an urgent care stream from the front door of the Emergency Department and develop innovative interoperable ways to ensure that the patients receive the right care at the right time and in the right place.
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE IN THE REGION?
The region has a natural beauty. Sussex has some fantastic natural features such as the Seven Sisters National Park, and many areas of outstanding natural beauty that include the medieval heathland and forests of the High Weald. It also has beaches and harbours where people can go to during their dayoffs.
Besides its natural beauty, there's a rich array of accommodation options, ranging from the five star Grand Hotel on Eastbourne seafront to quaint B&Bs set amid beautiful Sussex countryside. East Sussex offers a rich array of culture, with art galleries such as the Jerwood Gallery in Hastings and the Towner Gallery in Eastbourne and an array of theatre and entertainment venues such as the De La Warr Pavillion in Bexhill, Congress and Deveonshire Park Theatres in Eastbourne and the White Rock Theatre in Hastings.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU?
The combination of clinical practice and first-class academic connections means that medical professionals have a wide range of opportunities to develop their careers and achieve their aspirations. You will have access to leadership, teaching, educational and research opportunities for Continued Professional Develop (CPD).
If you are a new consultant you will receive mentoring and support from medical leads as well as access to a large peer group of enthusiastic and high-caliber Consultants.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
EEA Candidates:
- Experience of working in Emergency Medicine
- European Specialist Qualification in Emergency Medicine
Non-EEA Candidates:
- FRCEM
- Experience of working in Emergency Medicine
UK based applicants
- Experience of working in Emergency Medicine
- Within 6 - 12 months of completing CCT
An excellent opportunity for a consultant in emergency medicine to join a large integrated care provider in North East England. The trust is high performing with a strong track record of supporting new appointees with career development.
Applications are welcomed from international candidates.
Trust overview:
The Trust is based on two acute sites with most acute medical services and specialties duplicated on each site.
The new appointee could be based at either site, preferences will be accommodated.
Service overview:
The Urgent and Emergency Care team encompasses five Urgent Treatment Centres, two Acute Medical Units including Same Day Emergency Care services and two Emergency Departments (ED).
With over 129000 ED attendances every year, the Trust is one of the largest services in the North East.
Local area:
You can be in the countryside in less than ten minutes from all major towns and cities in the area, with some of the most stunning scenery and outdoor space in the country.
There is a strong sporting and cultural heritage in the north east, so no matter what your interests are, there is something here for you to explore. For families, you will have access to fantastic school and academic institutions as well as very affordable properties.
The region is also known to be friendly, relaxed and welcoming.
Requirements for the post:
UK based applicants:
- Hold CCT, or within 6 months of completing CESR
- Specialist diploma
- Experience in Emergency Medicine
- MRCEM
- Consultant experience in emergency medicine
A fantastic opportunity for specialist in geriatric or elderly care medicine to settle into their first consultant post and work towards their CESR application, if that is the intention.
The hospital will consider senior consultants with no UK experience who are not on the UK specialist register for geriatric medicine.
The Geriatrics department is a small and manageable size with a 28 bedded inpatient ward and various other outlier beds.
Currently no formal geriatric outpatient services are offered with the exception of a Parkinson's / Movement clinic. The department will be looking to develop these in conjunction with skill set of a successful applicant.
The Geriatrics department comprises 3 consultants in elderly care medicine supported by 15 specialty registrars, 9 core medical trainees and FY2's and 9 FY1's working full shifts for GIM on call.
Each consultant will be offered a budget and 30 days of study and professional leave over each 3 year period to pursue their career development activities. Furthermore there is an active Postgraduate Medical Centre which acts as a focus for contract between doctors at all levels an in all disciplines.
Consultants will be encouraged to actively participate in teaching and training of juniors throughout their tenure.
Requirements of this position are:
- MRCP
- IELTS or OET
- Experience working at consultant grade in elderly care
Senior geriatric medicine specialists looking to work towards their CESR application or secure their first consultant role in the NHS are encouraged to apply
Overseas doctors with aspirations to work as NHS Consultants in Emergency Medicine (A&E) - doctors aspiring via the CESR route and particularly urged to apply. Doctors keen to enter Specialty Training at ST4 grade or those wishing to make direct CESR applications are welcome.
Total salaries offered a much higher than other hospitals based in the UK due to a total of 13 sessions available in ED.
These are flexible Specialty Doctor & Senior Clinical Fellow posts within in a busy and supportive Emergency Department in one of the more beautiful parts of the UK, but located within 30 minutes to the second largest city in Wales, Swansea.
The hospital is a District General Hospital with roughly 350 inpatient beds with a full set of ED equipment and facilities.
The hospitals facilities and equipment in the ED consist of resuscitation bays, X-ray, plaster rooms and treatment rooms giving immediate access to primary medical and surgical assessment treatment and care.
The Health Board serves a population of 389,000 and is leading the way for established CESR support and training for international doctors.
An established and successful CESR programme offered for MRCEM qualified doctors in Emergency Medicine.
Contrary to some popular myths - understanding of the Welsh language is not required to work in Wales and everyone speaks English as a first language!
Requirements to join are:
- MRCEM
- IELTS or OET (exemptions can be given)
- At least four years experience in Emergency Medicine
The Health Board offers support for both Tier 2 visa and is particularly welcoming of international candidates.
If you ar looking to start your career in the NHS and attain Specialist Registration and a Substantive Emergency Medicine Consultant positions - these really are fantastic opportunities.