As there is no hard and fast rule for what position you will have after gaining a UK qualification, it is important for IMGs to understand the posts that are available to you after completing FRCR (Oncology).
FRCR (Oncology) is a highly beneficial qualification to achieve, but it does not guarantee you a consultant position in the NHS.
This can be a confusing area for overseas clinical and radiation oncologists, but this blog aims to de-mystify the subject. This article will explain the following topics:
Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you’re looking for.
Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (Oncology) or FRCR (Oncology) is the postgraduate qualification awarded by the Royal College of Radiologists, the body responsible for the specialties of clinical oncology and clinical radiology throughout the UK.
FRCR (Oncology) is a three-part exam which is a necessary part of the training programme of clinical oncologists in the UK.
For trainees who have chosen to pursue clinical oncology, FRCR (Oncology) Part 1 or CO1 must be passed by the end of ST4.
Clinical oncology trainees will then sit Final FRCR (Oncology), also known as Part 2A and 2B or CO2A and CO2B, usually from ST6 to ST7.
These final exams are important in that they assess a trainee’s knowledge and skills related to the investigation of malignant disease and the care and management of patients with cancer.
Any UK-trained clinical oncologist applying for a CCT in order to work as a substantive consultant must have completed full FRCR (Oncology).
As shown above, UK trainees will also have completed MRCP (UK), although this is not required for overseas clinical oncologists.
As an IMG with full FRCR (Oncology), you will be eligible for consultant grade positions in the UK.
You are not guaranteed a consultant position, particularly if you do not have previous consultant position in your home country, but you will certainly be able to attain more senior positions in the NHS, such as a specialty doctor (SAS) or specialist grade.
Consultant positions are the most senior in the UK, and thus the highest paid position for doctors within the NHS pay system.
For further information on how NHS pay scales work for consultants, please see our detailed article here.
Of course, this is assuming that you have also completed the other necessary components to make you eligible for GMC registration.
Alongside your postgraduate qualification, you will need to have passed an English Language Test (either IELTS or OET).
Additionally, you must obtain a Certificate of Good Standing, and submit this to the GMC. Upon the receipt of these three components, you will receive full GMC registration.
To take up a permanent consultant position in the NHS, you would need to have Specialist Registration. Specialist Registration (more specifically CESR for most overseas doctors) allows you to take up permanent or substantive consultant roles in the NHS.
The type of consultant position you would be eligible for with FRCR (Oncology) is a locum consultant post.
Firstly, we should clarify the meaning of the term ‘locum consultant’ in the UK. The NHS has two types of locums - Trust locums and Agency locums.
If you are an IMG with full registration, but you are not on the Specialist Register, you are only able to take on consultant positions as a trust locum, but no permanent positions.
Trust locums are hired on a fixed-term contract and are able to better acclimatize themselves to the NHS system, whilst receiving the support and guidance to work towards consultant positions and CESR.
Please note, you can only work as an agency locum if you have a British passport.
CESR or the Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration is a route of entry to the Specialist Register for those doctors who have not followed a GMC-approved training programme.
You can read more about CESR in Clinical Oncology through our IMG Resources library here.
IMG Connect are able to help you to secure senior roles such as specialty doctor (SAS), specialist grade or locum consultant in Trusts that offer CESR support.
In these roles, you will have better pay and responsibilities that are more appropriate to your level of experience compared to a trainee. These Trusts have a lot of experience in supporting overseas doctors to progress their careers through CESR.
You can collect evidence of your competences, particularly those specific to the UK Clinical Oncology curriculum and those you may not be able to achieve outside the UK.
These positions also facilitate a faster route to the UK than applying directly through the CESR route, which can take a substantial amount of time.
Get in touch with us to find out more about senior positions in the NHS with CESR support.
We hope this blog has been helpful in clarifying your questions about securing senior posts in the NHS with FRCR (Oncology). If you have any further questions regarding the postgraduate exams, CESR or Oncology in the NHS - feel free to contact us directly.
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An exciting NHS job opportunity is open for a Consultant Clinical Oncologist specializing in Lung & Breast Cancer at an NHS Trust that has been rated \"good\" over all by the CQC. This NHS Trust has undergone significant development, emphasizing patient and community care excellence. With £58 million in national funding, the Trust boasts a University Hospital status, prioritizing research, education, and training. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) lauds the Trust\'s outstanding performance, with 992 beds and 92% patient recommendation, serving a population of 675,000.
This position aims to strengthen the Oncology team, focusing on lung cancer care and Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR). Situated at the dynamic centre within the \"good\"-rated trust, the role contributes to systemic treatment advancements and ongoing research. The Oncology Department at the Combined Haematology Oncology Centre caters to 1-1.5 million residents. Designated as a Cancer Centre since 1996, the Centre collaborates with neighboring hospitals, fostering a multidisciplinary approach. The purpose-built Cancer Centre, equipped with advanced imaging, provides nurse-led services, chemotherapy units, and home-delivered immunotherapy.
The post holder is expected to:
Career development at the Trust includes access to CESR support, specialty training, and opportunities for external duties. The forward-thinking Oncology department initiated SABR practices in 2021 and maintains a dynamic research team supporting various clinical trials.
Life in the area, a historic home of the Royal Navy, offers cultural richness and proximity to scenic countryside. A thriving artistic community, excellent schools, and various development projects contribute to the vibrant atmosphere. The area combines city conveniences with picturesque villages, making it an excellent place to raise a family!
This comprehensive opportunity integrates the Consultant role, SABR RT specialisation, CESR support, and coastal life in the UK, creating a fulfilling and enriching professional and personal experience.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
EEA Candidates:
Non-EEA Candidates:
UK Based Candidates:
This is a great opportunity for any experienced consultant clinical oncologist working towards CESR in Clinical oncology specialist registration in the UK.
Non-EEA candidates:
EEA candidates:
UK candidates:
Are you a Clinical Oncologist looking for a rewarding opportunity in the UK? An excellent NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a talented professional to join their oncology team. With a commitment to collaborative working, this NHS Foundation Trust provides excellent oncology services and ample opportunities for training, research, and career development. The trust is supportive of CESR applications.
The Oncology Department takes a collaborative approach to cancer care, with teams in two sites working together to provide comprehensive and sustainable services. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the Cancer Centres offer a multidisciplinary approach, supported by Acute Oncology Teams and a skilled team of healthcare professionals. The post holder will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in an NHS Role as part of a well-equipped, modern oncology department.
The department sits within an NHS Trust that is known to be the leading healthcare provider in East Anglia, serves a population of nearly 800,000 residents across two main hospitals, six community hospitals, and various clinics. With a budget exceeding £650 million, the NHS Foundation Trust invests in enhancing their hospitals and creating an ideal working environment. They prioritise the well-being of their staff and patients, offering exciting prospects for development, innovation, research, education, and training.
Additional to the opportunity of working for a great NHS Foundation Trust, living in the area offers a diverse and vibrant lifestyle. Essex, with its stunning coastline, beaches, and countryside, provides a great environment for families. The county offers a range of housing options, urban or rural, at affordable prices. With excellent transport links to London, you can enjoy the benefits of both city and countryside living. Furthermore, Essex boasts good schools and a high quality of life, making it an ideal place to settle and explore nature\'s playground.
Join them to make a significant impact in the field of oncology while enjoying a fulfilling career and a balanced lifestyle in a beautiful region of the UK.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
To be eligible for this vacancy you will need the following:
EEA Candidates:
Non-EEA Candidates:
UK-Based Candidates:
This is a great opportunity for any experienced Oncologist working towards CESR in the UK and Specialist Registration in Oncology. There will be opportunity to develop and lead on sub-specialist areas of cancer care.
This specialist cancer centre are looking for full-time, permanent or fixed-term Medical Oncology Consultants specialising in Sarcoma Cancers primarily, though they will be flexible across a wide range of cancer sites. The trust is considering either UK or Overseas trained doctors for these posts and will support with CESR for those that need it. A full induction programme is provided and is well set-up for any doctors new to the NHS. This is a high-performing and supportive department for cancer specialists to develop and grow in a highly specialised NHS setting.
THE HEALTH BOARD
It is a highly-respected specialist treatment, teaching, research and development centre for non-surgical tertiary and secondary oncology services. It is proud of its reputation for providing a first-class patient experience where the patient are at the centre of everything it does. It has created an environment of compassion and care, where staff go the ‘extra mile’ to meet the needs of patients, families and carers. The first Cancer Patient Experience Survey produced by the Welsh Government and Macmillan Cancer Support highlighted it as one of the best in the UK.
THE ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT AND TEAM:
The department is responsible for SACT services for adults with solid tumours in the region of Wales. The majority (60%) of day-case services are delivered on site, while there is a long-established network of outreach sites in LHB acute and community hospitals, and based with 3rd-sector providers.
Based on its professional and public reputation for delivering excellence in terms of patient and staff experience, the Trust has has been selected to lead the ‘Transforming Cancer Services’ programme and to build a new hospital. The new site will be a £200million pound development and will open in the coming years. It will be nearly twice the size of the current hospital and will be equipped with brand new, state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities
The new site will have 10 new linear accelerators, 2 CT and 2 MRI scanners to support precision image-guided and adaptive radiotherapy. There will be a dedicated clinical trials treatment unit including a 10-bedded early phase trials unit, and 2 isotope cubicles for molecular radiotherapy treatments.
LIFE IN WALES:
Wales has a lot to offer, and the local area has recently beaten off popular regions of the North West and South West to be awarded the city with the “Best Quality of Life”. The City is easily accessible via motorway, and London is a comfortable drive away. It has rail links to the rest of the UK and has good international access.
There is also spectacular countryside, a National Park and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a beautiful coastline.
The people of Wales are immensely proud of our rich history and culture, which can been seen throughout our many castles and museums, and of our ancient language which you can try out for yourself. Above all else, they are proud of their friendliness and welcome (and singing ability!). The area has been assessed as one of the top cities in the UK and compares very favourably with many larger cities for house price growth, the cost of renting, average salaries and quality of life. There is a wide choice of schooling including English- and Welsh-medium schools at all levels. The local University offers a wide variety of highly rated courses and ensure that the city is is a thriving city for young people.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
To be eligible for this vacancy you will need the following:
EEA Candidates:
Non-EEA Candidates:
UK-Based Candidates:
This is a great opportunity for any experienced Medical Oncologist working towards CESR in the UK and Specialist Registration in Oncology in the UK. There will be opportunity to develop and lead on sub-specialist areas of cancer care.