In a landmark decision, the government agreed to an increase to the pay of NHS junior and senior doctors in England, based on the recommendation of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB). This pay rise will equate to an increase of 6% for senior doctors i.e., consultants and SAS doctors, and for junior doctors, an agreed average pay increase of 6% with a one-off uplift of £1,250.  This pay increase is not only a testament to the power of the industrial action by NHS doctors over the past several months. Whilst an acknowledgement of the efforts and hard work of NHS doctors, this pay increase fails to fully consider the rationale behind these strikes and the BMA’s calls for the UK government to fully restore pay to 2008-09 levels. In contrast, strike action was suspended in Scotland, following a 12.4% pay offer from the Scottish government. Whilst the Scottish pay offer is a move in the right direction, IMG Connect remains fully in support of doctors taking part in industrial action. The decision to go on strike is not taken lightly, but is a fundamental right of doctors who want to protect the NHS and its ability to provide quality care to patients and our communities, whilst also ensuring their work and wellbeing are properly valued and compensated. Sources https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nhs-staff-receive-pay-rise https://www.bmj.com/content/382/bmj.p1624 For more information on working in the NHS or how this pay increase will affect you as an NHS doctor or IMG, contact us at info@imgconnect.co.uk.                

Getting to grips with the different titles given to doctors in the UK can be difficult, not least because they may differ from those used in other countries and there may be several titles to describe a certain role.  It is important for overseas doctors to have a working knowledge of the different doctor titles in the UK in order to understand how their experience may translate to the UK in terms of seniority of roles as well as the pay they may be entitled to.  In this blog we will be breaking down all the different names given to UK doctors (both in and out of training), clarifying the meaning of these terms to paint a clearer picture of designations in the NHS.  We will cover these titles within the following groups:  Doctors in Training Doctors in non-Training Jobs Broad Terms for UK Doctors Doctors in Training Doctors in GMC-approved training programmes have designations according to the period and specific year of their training – generally the abbreviation of the training, followed by a number.  Foundation Training Other Titles / Designations: F1, F2, FY1, FY2, F3+, SHO, Junior Doctor, Trainee  These are doctors in a Foundation Programme, having graduated from medical school. In the UK, this is a 2-year programme equivalent to an internship.   During Year 1 of Foundation Training, doctors are referred to as F1/ FY1 and during Year 2, they are F2/ FY2.  Although Foundation Training lasts two years, doctors who may be unsure of which specialty to pursue may work in non-training jobs before applying to a training post. The naming structure for these roles is the same, depending on the years in their role.  Core Training Other Titles / Designations: CT1, CT2, CT3, ST1, ST2, ST3, SHO, Junior Doctor, Trainee  These are doctors in Core Training who are at the initial stage of an ‘uncoupled’ training programme. An uncoupled training programme is one in which there is a break in training where doctors are required to apply to higher specialty training upon completion of core training. Core training usually lasts from two to three years.  For ‘run-through’ training programmes, doctors at ST1 would have come from Foundation Training and have automatic entry into higher specialty training through their initial application to ST1.  Specialty Training Other Titles / Designations: ST3+, StR, SHO, Junior Doctor, Trainee  Higher specialty training generally begins at ST3/ ST4 and can go up to ST9 depending on the specialty.  The curriculum for each specialty will provide the typical training period, however this is indicative (doctors may take longer than this to complete their specialty training for any number of reasons).  SHO The term SHO stands for Senior House Officer, less commonly known as a House Officer. This is an older term for a very junior doctor, typically equivalent to an F1/ F2, although the term can be used to describe doctors up to CT2 (up to higher specialty training).  Trainee The term trainee can refer to any doctor in a training programme (generally from CT1 to ST9). These doctors may be referred to as residents in other countries. This can but does not generally include doctors in Foundation Training.  Doctors in non-Training Jobs Doctors in non-training positions are often given titles which align with their training counterparts, so it’s easier to understand at what level they are practising, but there are no hard and fast rules.  SHO Other Titles / Designations: Junior Clinical Fellow, Junior Doctor, Middle Grade  As with doctors in training, a non-training SHO would typically be equivalent to an F1/ F2, but it may be more common for a doctor not in training to have this title since an equivalent doctor in training would most likely be referred to as an F1/ F2.  Senior Clinical Fellow Other Titles / Designations: Junior Doctor This is a slightly confusing term which is usually for doctors at ST3+ level and generally have not completed a UK training programme. The role of these doctors often includes a combination of research and specialist clinical work.  SAS Doctor Other Titles / Designations: Senior Doctor, Specialist  SAS stands for Staff grade, Associate Specialist, and Specialty Doctor. These doctors will have at least four years of full-time postgraduate training, two of which have been in their relevant specialty.  They are experienced and senior doctors in fixed term or permanent posts (outside a UK training programme) and can work across primary, community and inpatient care.  Many SAS doctors have made a positive choice to step into a SAS position from a traditional consultant training pathway. This could be for reasons such as geographical stability or wanting to familiarise themselves with the NHS system before working up to a consultant position. Broader Terms There are also several terms which may more broadly be used to describe a doctor's level.  Junior Doctor This term can be used to describe anyone from F1 up to ST9These are qualified doctors in clinical training.  Registrar Other Titles / Designations: SpR, Junior Doctor, Middle Grade  This is another slightly older term. Registrar or SpR (Specialty Registrars) refers to the main training grade where doctors are undertaking higher specialty training (this is the earliest you can specialise).   It can refer to both trainees and non-trainees and is generally equivalent to ST3 and above (doctors who have completed their foundation training but are still in training in a specialty area of medicine). This term is therefore commonly used to describe more senior trainees and generally aligns with its use overseas.  Senior Doctor Other Titles / Designations: Specialist Grade, Specialty Doctor, Associate Specialist, GP, Consultant  As ‘junior doctor’ and ‘senior doctor’ are indicative of whether or not a doctor is in training, senior doctors are those able to practise independently – those working as a consultant, SAS doctor or GP.  Consultant Other Titles / Designations: Senior Doctor  Consultants are senior doctors that have completed full medical training in a specialised area of medicine. They usually work in hospitals or community settings. They have clinical responsibilities and administrative responsibilities in managing SAS and junior doctors.  There are two types of consultants:  Substantive - These are consultant who have been appointed to the Specialist Register for their area of medicine by the GMC. These doctors will either have completed a GMC-approved training programme (CCT) or completed an application for CESR or CESR-CP. You can learn more about Specialist Registration for overseas doctors here.  Locum - These are consultants who are appointed into an equivalent consultant post but are not required to be on the Specialist Register. Locum consultants are unable to take up a permanent position (only fixed term). A locum consultant’s work tends to be more clinical, however there may also be teaching and management responsibilities involved. It is also important to distinguish between two types of locums here: Trust Locums and Agency Locums. As the name suggests, agency locums work with a private agency and will generally receive an hourly wage. Trust locums on the other hand are appointed by the NHS Trust themselves and will be on a fixed-term contract which can be renewed.  GP GP stands for General Practitioner, and these are doctors who are responsible for the primary care of patients, covering illnesses and ailments across many specialist areas.  GPs are fully trained and are allowed to practice independently without supervision and all qualified GPs are listed on the GMC’s GP Register.  Unlike is often the case in overseas healthcare systems, general practitioners are not synonymous with doctors specialising in general medicine, so a general practitioner overseas may not necessarily have the same title in the UK.  Locum Doctor These are doctors who are covering a role within a healthcare setting.  All doctors (aside from F1 doctors) can work as locums. Like all practising physicians, locum doctors are fully registered with, and regulated by, the GMC.  Sources https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/international-doctors/life-and-work-in-the-uk/toolkit-for-doctors-new-to-the-uk/doctors-titles-explained    Hopefully, this article goes some way to demystify these terms and titles for international doctors interested in working in the UK. For more information including working in the NHS, doctors' benefits and salaries and how to register with the GMC, take a look through our IMG Resources library.              

For international doctors looking to work in the UK, it is important to understand the salary you will be offered with your NHS job and how this can be different depending on the country you are working in within the UK.   The NHS follow pay guidelines that are used to fairly and uniformly determine consultant pay, however these do differ across countries in the UK.   What is an SAS doctor? SAS stands for Staff grade, Associate Specialist, and Specialty Doctor. They will have at least four years of full-time postgraduate training, two of which have been in their relevant specialty.  They are experienced and senior doctors in fixed term or permanent posts (outside a training pathway).  Many SAS doctors have made a positive choice to step into a SAS position from a traditional consultant training pathway. This could be for reasons such as geographical stability or wanting to familiarise themselves with the NHS system before working up to a consultant position.  SAS doctors maintain their skills through the CPD system and there are routes, through gaining CESR (Specialist Registration) or applying for a training post, for SAS doctors to become consultants if they wish to.  Basic Pay Specialist Grades and Specialty Doctors in England and the other home countries have their own contracts in place for senior doctors. These contracts are based on a full-time work commitment of 10 programmed activities (PAs) per week, each having a time-tabled value of four hours.   The basic pay thresholds in the UK are shown below:  England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland England SAS doctors currently earn a basic rate of between £52,530 and £82,400 as Specialty Doctors and from £83,945 to £95,275 as Specialist Grade doctors in England.  Specialty Doctor  Years of experience  Basic Salary  0 (min)  £52,530 1  2  3  £60,519 4  5  6  £67,465 7  8  9  £74,675 10  11  12  £82,400 13  14  15  16  17    Associate Specialist / Specialist Grade  Years of experience  Basic Salary  0 (min)  £83,945 1  2  3  £87,000 4  5  6  £95,275 The most recent full pay circular for England can be found here.  Scotland SAS doctors currently earn a basic rate of between £45,193 and £84,272 as Specialty Doctors and from £63,361 to £103,074 as Associate Specialists in Scotland. Specialty Doctor  Years of experience  Basic Salary  0 (min)  £45,193  1  £49,057  2  £54,080  3  £56,772  4  £60,651  Threshold 1  5  £64,516  6  7  £68,466  8  9  £72,418  10  Threshold 2  11  £76,370  12  13  14  £80,321  15  16  17  £84,272    Associate Specialist  Years of experience  Basic Salary  0 (min)  £63,361  1  £68,454  2  £73,546  3  £80,271  4  £86,099  Threshold 1  5  £88,517  6  7  £91,673  8  9  £93,880  10  Threshold 2  11  £96,945  12  13  14  £100,008  15  16  17  £103,074  The most recent full pay circular for Scotland can be found here.  Wales SAS doctors currently earn a basic rate of between £51,765 and £81,200 as Specialty Doctors and from £82,722 to £93,887 as Specialists in Wales. Specialty Doctor  Years of experience  Basic Salary  1  £51,765 2  3  4  £59,637 5  6  7  £66,482 8  9  10  £73,587  11  12  13  £81,200 14  15  16  17  18    Specialist  Years of experience  Basic Salary  1  £82,722 2  3  4  £88,305 5  6  7  £93,887 The most recent full pay circular for Wales can be found here.  Northern Ireland SAS doctors currently earn a basic rate of between £51,000 and £80,000 as Specialty Doctors and from £81,500 to £92,500 as Associate Specialists in Northern Ireland. Specialty Doctor Years of experience  Basic Salary  Pay Point 0   £51,000   1   1 2 3   £58,756   2 4 5 6   £65,500  3 7 8 9   £72,500 4 10 11 12   £80,000 5 - top 13 14 15 16 17   Specialty Doctor Years of experience  Basic Salary  Pay Point 1   £81,500   1   2 3 4   £87,000   2 5 6 7 £92,500  3 (top)   The most recent full pay circular for Northern Ireland can be found here.  Job Planning and Programmed Activities As part of your contract, your job plan will be created in partnership with your new NHS employer. This is an annual agreement that sets out your duties, responsibilities and objectives for the length of your contract.  There are four basic categories of contractual work which will be included in your job plan: direct clinical care (DCC), supporting professional activities (SPAs), additional responsibilities and external duties.  There are ways that consultants will be able to earn more than the basic rates above and these can include additional rotas and PAs. This will also be discussed in the creation of your job plan.  Sources https://www.nhsemployers.org/system/files/2023-02/Pay%20and%20Conditions%20Circular%20%28MD%29%202-2023.pdf  https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pcs/PCS2022(DD)01.pdf  https://www.nhs.wales/files/pc-resources/042023-md-circular/  https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-hsc-tc8-03-2022.PDF  Getting started NHS Trusts can interpret the NHS consultant pay scales above and an international doctor’s experience in different ways, so use this blog as a guideline for understanding what you may be eligible for when coming to work in the NHS.  Your IMG Consultant is happy to assist with any negotiations related to your job plan to ensure your experience is taken into account.  For more information on NHS doctor benefits and pay arrangements in the UK, take a look at our IMG Resources library.              

As an overseas doctor looking to work in the UK, it is essential to understand the salary that comes along with your NHS job and how this can be different from one country in the UK to another.   Whilst the NHS has guides that are used to fairly and uniformly determine consultant pay, these do differ across the UK.   Basic Pay  Consultants in England and the other home countries each have their own consultant contracts in place. These are based on a full-time work commitment of 10 programmed activities (PAs) per week, each having a time-tabled value of four hours.   The basic pay thresholds in England and their equivalents in the rest of the home countries are shown below:  England  Scotland Wales Northern Ireland England  Consultants currently earn a basic rate of between £93,666 and £126,281 in England.  Threshold  Years completed as a consultant  Basic Salary  1  0  £93,666 2  1  £96,599 3  2  £99,532 4  3  £102,465        5  4        £105,390 5  6  7  8        6  9        £112,356 10  11  12  13        7  14        £119,323 15  16  17  18  8  19+  £126,281 The most recent full pay circular for England can be found here.  The National Clinical Impact Award (NCIA) scheme aims to reward consultants who contribute most to the delivery of safe and high-quality care and the improvement of NHS services. You can apply for a new award after you have completed a full year in an eligible role.  Scotland  Consultants currently earn a basic rate of between £96,963 and £128,841 in Scotland.  Threshold  Years completed as a consultant  Basic Salary  1  1 (starting salary)  £96,963  2  2  £99,011  3  3  £101,957  4  4  £104,906        5  5        £107,846  6  7  8  9        6  10        £114,846  11  12  13  14        7  15        £121,846  16  17  18  19  8  20+  £128,841  The most recent full pay circular for Scotland can be found here.  All consultants who have reached point five of the pay scale are eligible for consideration for discretionary points, except for distinction award holders. Consultants granted discretionary points are not normally considered again for two years, although this may vary.  Wales  Consultants currently earn a basic rate of between £87,354 and £113,408 in Wales.  Threshold  Years completed as a consultant  Basic Salary  1  0 (starting salary)  £87,354 2  1  £90,137 3  2  £94,789 4  3  £100,191  5  4  £106,363 6  5  £109,882 7  6  £113,408 The most recent full pay circular for Wales can be found here.  Please note that the pay scale above is for substantive or permanent doctors in Wales.  For locum consultants, there is a fixed pay point of £100,381 which will apply regardless of years of consultant experience.  Commitment awards are available to all consultants after three years’ service at the top of the consultant pay scale, who demonstrate their commitment through satisfactory job plan reviews. They are then eligible at three-yearly intervals, until they have achieved eight award levels.  Northern Ireland  Consultants currently earn a basic rate of between £88,799 and £119,723 in Northern Ireland.  Threshold  Years completed as a consultant  Basic Salary  1  1 (starting salary)  £88,799  2  2  £91,581  3  3  £94,362  4  4  £97,141        5  5        £99,913  6  7  8  9        6  10        £106,520  11  12  13  14  7  15  £113,124  8  16+  £119,723  The most recent full pay circular for Northern Ireland can be found here.  Job Planning and Programmed Activities  As part of your contract, your job plan will be created in partnership with your new NHS employer. This is an annual agreement that sets out your duties, responsibilities and objectives for the length of your contract.  There are four basic categories of contractual work which will be included in your job plan: direct clinical care (DCC), supporting professional activities (SPAs), additional responsibilities and external duties.  There are ways that consultants will be able to earn more than the basic rates above and these can include additional rotas and PAs. This will also be discussed in the creation of your job plan.  Getting started  NHS Trusts can interpret the NHS consultant pay scales above and an international doctor’s experience in different ways, so use this blog as a guideline for understanding what you may be eligible for when coming to work in the NHS.  Your IMG Consultant is happy to assist with any negotiations related to your job plan to ensure your experience is taken into account.  For more information on NHS doctor benefits and pay arrangements in the UK, take a look at our IMG Resources library.               Sources  https://www.nhsemployers.org/sites/default/files/2021-08/Pay-and-Conditions-Circular-MD-3-2021.pdf   https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pcs/PCS2022(DD)01.pdf  https://www.nhs.wales/files/pc-resources/042023-md-circular/  https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-tc8-2-2020.pdf 

As an NHS employee, you will pay Income Tax and National Insurance on your wages through the PAYE system.  Overseas doctors will have tax and national insurance automatically deducted from their monthly salary. How much deducted depends on how much you earn.  PAYE stands for Pay As You Earn.  Some income is tax-free. You can earn a certain amount of income each year, called your Personal Allowance, before you need to pay any Income Tax.  The personal allowance is a fixed amount set against your gross income.  In all four UK countries, the Personal Allowance is set at £12,500 (tax-free income). It is worth noting that if you earn more than £125,000 you will not receive a personal allowance.  The Personal Allowance will also be set at £12,500 for 2020/21.  Any pay above the personal allowance is then taxed according to your salary and pension.  Tax bands in England, Wales & Northern Ireland Band Taxable income Tax rate Personal Allowance Up to £12,500 0% Basic rate £12,501 to £50,000 20% Higher rate £50,001 to £150,000 40% Additional rate over £150,000 45% How much you pay is fixed as a percentage according to a band system. In Scotland the tax bands vary from those set in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see below:  Tax bands in Scotland Band Taxable income Scottish tax rate Personal Allowance Up to £12,500 0% Starter rate £12,501 to £14,549 19% Basic rate £14,550 to £24,944 20% Intermediate rate £24,945 to £43,430 21% Higher rate £43,431 to £150,000 41% Top rate over £150,000 46% You can check that you are paying the right amounts using this online government tool. This will allow you to check the following your Personal Allowance and tax code are accurate. As well as helping you to understand how much tax you’ve paid in the current tax year and how much you’re likely to pay for the rest of the year. Your NHS employer will set your salary, and you will be automatically set up to pay your pension, tax and national insurance. However, at IMG Connect we think that it’s important to check you have the right tax code and are paying the right amount.  Can I make any more savings?  You will get tax relief on your pension payments. The NHS pension scheme is an attractive one, with very few schemes in the UK even coming close to this benefit. Find out more about your NHS benefits here. Getting started For more information on NHS doctor benefits and pay arrangements in the UK, take a look at our IMG Resources library.              

One of the main reasons that overseas doctors want to work in the Emergency Medicine departments across the UK, is the excellent opportunity for access to training such as the Specialist Training Programme, career progression, including CESR, and sub-specialty development.  This short article provides useful information on the training and development available, how to access the training, the best route to becoming a consultant in the UK with entry to the specialist register, no matter what stage of your training. Emergency Medicine Training, leading to CCT We start with an overview of the Emergency Medicine Training in the NHS. Trainees may enter the emergency medicine training programme via: The EM (Emergency Medicine) core training programme at ST1. This is a three-year core training programme (starting from ST1 and ending at ST3).  For the first two years, trainees will spend 6 months in EM, Intensive Care Medicine, Anaesthetics and Acute Medicine. This is followed by a further year in trauma and paediatric EM.  The start of specialty training (ST4-6) subject to having achieved the necessary competences required for completion of ST3.  Once ST6 is completed, then a doctor will be added to the specialist register for medicine and hold the title of CCT. This means that they can apply for and practice at a consultant level in the NHS.  CESR For senior Emergency Medicine doctors (experienced specialty doctors, consultants and heads of departments) there is also the option of CESR. You can apply directly for CESR from overseas, or secure a post in the NHS with CESR support and complete your application in the UK. This is a good option for those wanting to take up their first role in the NHS as a specialty doctor (leading to consultant) or as a locum consultant. Applying from abroad can be lengthy, and it is certainly not the quickest route towards specialist registration. Most IMGs prefer to secure a post with CESR support, so speak to your IMG Consultant to learn more about the best route to the UK for senior doctors seeking consultant jobs in Emergency Medicine. Most senior Emergency Medicine job vacancies advertised will offer support with CESR, access to training and career progression, and senior managers will encourage you to develop your own professional interests. Emergency medicine departments in the NHS are particularly supportive of doctors seeking to develop both personally and professionally. To find out what jobs are on offer take a look here.  If you think that a Specialty Doctor post with CESR support is suited to you, or if you are a consultant or head of department, then you can find out more information here.  For further advice on how to secure the right job for you in the NHS, take a look at our the following article. 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 Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to see what Emergency Medicine job opportunities there are for you, including access to CESR support, Core and Specialty training.  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.              

IMGs will want to know what an NHS consultant salary could mean as monthly take-home pay in Northern Ireland. To help overseas doctors plan for life in the UK we put together some examples to give a better idea of what you'll actually keep each month. We hope they are of use! How much will I take home? Firstly, take home pay in the UK is the amount that you will receive in your bank account after all deductions have been made from your annual salary. Deductions include Income Tax, National Insurance and NHS pensions.  It is important to state that this is just a guideline. We have based our figures on the gross salary for each pay threshold and have assumed that you do not have other sources of income.  The figures can be higher or lower depending on any additional responsibilities or hours worked, other sources of income you have, your final tax bracket, whether you opt out of pension, and whether you claim for your tax-deductible expenses. Take-Home Pay Expectations in Northern Ireland Threshold Annual gross salary* Estimated annual take-home pay** Estimated monthly take-home pay** 1 £88,799 £60,533 £5,046 2 £91,581 £62,166 £5,181 3 £94,362 £63,779 £5,315 4 £97,141 £65,391 £5,449 5 £99,913 £66,999 £5,583 6 £106,520 £69,527 £5,794 7 £113,124 £72,037 £6,003 8 £119,723 £74,544 £6,212   *before tax and pension **based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions To explore the pay and salary conditions across all grades in the UK take a look at our series of blogs on career structure and pay for NHS doctors in our IMG Resources library. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources In our IMG Resources library you can 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 Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. Follow us on social media through the links below for regular news and updates on NHS Jobs, relocating to the UK and working in the NHS:             

IMGs will want to know what an NHS consultant salary could mean as monthly take-home pay in Wales. To help overseas doctors plan for life in the UK we put together some examples to give a better idea of what you'll actually keep each month. We hope they are of use! How much will I take home? Firstly, take home pay in the UK is the amount that you will receive in your bank account after all deductions have been made from your annual salary. Deductions include Income Tax, National Insurance and NHS pensions.  It is important to state that this is just a guideline. We have based our figures on the gross salary for each pay threshold and have assumed that you do not have other sources of income.  The figures can be higher or lower depending on any additional responsibilities or hours worked, other sources of income you have, your final tax bracket, whether you opt out of pension, and whether you claim for your tax-deductible expenses. Take-Home Pay Expectations in Wales Threshold Annual gross salary* Estimated annual take-home pay** Estimated monthly take-home pay** 1 £87,354 £59,715 £4,967 2 £90,137 £61,329 £5,111 3 £94,789 £64,027 £5,336 4 £100,191 £67,122 £5,594 5 £106,363 £69,468 £5,789 6 £109,882 £70,805 £5,900 7 £113,408 £72,145 £6,012   *before tax and pension **based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions To explore the pay and salary conditions across all grades in the UK take a look at our series of blogs on career structure and pay for NHS doctors in our IMG Resources library. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources In our IMG Resources library you can 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 Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. Follow us on social media through the links below for regular news and updates on NHS Jobs, relocating to the UK and working in the NHS:             

IMGs will want to know what an NHS consultant salary could mean as monthly take-home pay in England. To help overseas doctors plan for life in the UK we put together some examples to give a better idea of what you'll actually keep each month. We hope they are of use! How much will I take home? Firstly, take home pay in the UK is the amount that you will receive in your bank account after all deductions have been made from your annual salary. Deductions include Income Tax, National Insurance and NHS pensions.  It is important to state that this is just a guideline. We have based our figures on the gross salary for each pay threshold and have assumed that you do not have other sources of income.  The figures can be higher or lower depending on any additional responsibilities or hours worked, other sources of income you have, your final tax bracket, whether you opt out of pension, and whether you claim for your tax-deductible expenses. Take-Home Pay Expectations in England Threshold Annual gross salary* Estimated annual take-home pay** Estimated monthly take-home pay** 1 £93,666 £63,376 £5,281 2 £96,599 £65,077 £5,423 3 £99,532 £66,778 £5,565 4 £102,465 £67,986 £5,666 5 £105,390 £69,098 £5,758 6 £112,356 £71,745 £5,979 7 £119,323 £74,392 £6,199 8 £126,281 £77,207 £6,434   *before tax and pension **based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions To explore the pay and salary conditions across all grades in the UK take a look at our series of blogs on career structure and pay for NHS doctors in our IMG Resources library. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources In our IMG Resources library you can 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 Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. Follow us on social media through the links below for regular news and updates on NHS Jobs, relocating to the UK and working in the NHS:               

Understanding your NHS job's salary is essential for overseas doctors new to the UK and Northern Ireland in particular. Doctors are a fundamental part of delivering high quality patient care within HSC Northern Ireland and as such, they are rewarded with competitive pay rates and benefits.  NHS pay scales can be confusing, particularly for overseas doctors. Here we hope to provide some clarity to help you understand the NHS grades and how they fit on the various NHS pay scales in Northern Ireland. In this article we will take a look at the following topics:   Typical NHS doctor’s salary in Northern Ireland FY1 & FY2 Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8) Specialty Doctor Associate Specialist Consultants Where do I fit on the pay scale? Doctors in training pay scale Specialty Doctor Pay Scale Specialist Grade Pay Scale Consultant Pay Pcale Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms & conditions Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for. Trust doctor jobs and IMGs' pay It is important to note that the majority of overseas doctors will start their career in the UK in a fixed-term Trust doctor role (also known as a service post), before taking up a training position. Doctors across all grades can enter a service post, which is to say that they are not in training or entering specialty training.  As such, most of our adverts for fixed term or permanent posts will be service jobs, these are usually SAS doctor, consultant, SHO or Trust doctor posts at the equivalent of FY2, ST1/2, ST3+. These can be attractive due to the improved salaries that can be negotiated for fixed term contracts, based on experience and demand.  The pay scales that we have included in this article are to be used as a guide or starting point for negotiating your Trust doctor role (or service post).  Typical NHS doctor’s salary in Northern Ireland FY1 & FY2 In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1) your basic salary is £26,713. In year two this increases to £33,133.  As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.  Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8)  If you are a doctor starting your specialist training, your basic salary starts at £35,405 and can progress to £46,842. As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.  Specialty Doctor Specialty doctors currently earn from £51,000 to £80,000 basic pay.  The basic contract is for 40 hours. As a specialty doctor you can be paid for additional duties, extra hours worked, weekend work and on calls.  Specialist Grade A key element of recent SAS contract reform is the introduction of a new grade, called the Specialist grade oo Associate Specialist, which will provide an opportunity for career progression for highly experienced specialty doctors. Associate Specialists doctors can earn a basic of between £81,500 to £92,500. Consultant Consultants currently earn from £88,799 to £119,723 basic pay. As a consultant you can be paid for additional duties and may be eligible for Clinical Excellence Awards, which reward outstanding performance. The basic contract is for 40 hours per week. If you take on extra responsibilities (i.e. management or education) you can also expect to be paid additional supplements.  So where do I fit on the pay scale? There are a few key points when considering where you fit on the pay scale:  Job title Experience Hours worked Trusts can be different Job title The first thing to consider is your job title.  At the Consultant level, it is straight forward, you will be a consultant. However, at the Specialty Doctor level, you could be working as an SAS doctor, a Specialty Doctor or a Trust Grade doctor. As an ST or SHO you could also work across several levels.  Each could command a different pay scale depending on the level of work and experience required.  Take some time to check the job title that you are applying and interviewing for, and subsequently the pay scale that you can expect.  Experience within your chosen field Next, consider the number of years of experience you have in your specialty, this is crucial to identifying your position on the pay scale.  This is important as an NHS Trust will calculate your pay for a Specialty Doctor in Medicine by deducting two of your years of experience to compensate for the Core Training years in the UK. Please note, for some specialties this does not apply, check with an IMG Consultant for more information.  Hours you will work The second thing to consider is how many hours you will be working. For both SAS Doctors and Consultants, the hours are usually established using PAs (programmed activities). Each PA is worth 4 hrs of your week, and a standard week is 40 hrs. A standard salary is based on a full working week of 10 PAs (40 hours). If you work above 10 PAs, then you will gain additional salary on top of your basic pay.  NHS trusts can be different The last thing to consider before we look at the pay scales, is that some NHS Trusts can interpret the pay scales and a doctor’s experience in different ways. All NHS Trusts should be following the same pay scale structures when recruiting and offering salaries to doctors, but this is not always the case!   This blog is a guideline, and if you are not sure of how to approach this discussion with an HR department, it can be very useful for an IMG Connect consultant to assist with the negotiations to ensure that your experience is always taken into account. NHS Pay Scales in Northern Ireland Doctors in Training Service level jobs are in high demand at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay. It is also important to remember that once in the UK, you will have the option to apply for training, depending on your entry level.  The below pay scale reflects the pay at each level depending on the entry points to training, which are FY1/ F1, ST1/ CT1 and ST3/ 4.  The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Foundation Doctors & Specialty Registrars Scale   Foundation Doctor 1 M220 Foundation Doctor 2 M230 Specialty Registrar (fixed term) M240 Specialty Registrar (core training) MN39 Specialty Registrar (full) MN37 Min £26,713 £33,133 £35,405 £35,405 £35,405 1 £28,381 £35,298 £37,573 £37,573 £37,573 2 £30,046 £37,466 £40,597 £40,597 £40,597 3     £42,428 £42,428 £42,428 4     £44,634 £44,634 £44,634 5     £46,842 £46,842 £46,842 6         £49,050 7         £51,256 8         £53,463 9         £55,670 SAS Doctor Pay Scale SAS stands for Staff Grade, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctor. They will have at least four years of full-time postgraduate training, two of which have been in the relevant specialty. Specialist Grades and Specialty Doctors in Scotland have their own contracts in place for senior doctors these contracts are based in full-time work commitment of 10 programmed activities per week it has been timetabled value of four hours. The new pay structure will enable SAS doctors to access the top of the pay scale more quickly than the current system, increasing the career average earnings. It is important to note that your pay will reflect your experience within your chosen field.  The pay code on the left-hand side of the table below correlates to the number of years’ experience that you qualify for in your chosen specialty, and the number of years that the HR department are going to attribute to you.  Remember to discount any years that you have worked in an internship. And if you are working in a medicine specialty, deduct any core training years.  In the first threshold, for every year of experience you gain, this entitles you to a pay rise. In the second threshold, you will receive an increase every two years, and in the third, every three years.  The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Specialty Doctor Years' Experience Basic Salary Pay Point 0 £51,000 1 1 2 3 £58,756 2 4 5 6 £65,500 3 7 8 9 £72,500 4 10 11 12 £80,000 5 - top 13 14 15 16 17   Specialist Grade Years' Experience Basic Salary Pay Point 1 £81,500 1 2 3 4 £87,000 2 5 6 7 £92,500 3 (top) Consultant Pay Scale Service level consultant doctor jobs are in high demand in Scotland at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay.  At the consultant grade, HR departments will look at your years of experience within your specialty, as a consultant.  On the table below, you can see that all you need to do is count up the total number of complete years of experience (12 months each) as a consultant, and then count down the rows to establish your salary position.  Like the above, the salary is based on a standard working week of 10 PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  Remember, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Threshold  Years completed as a consultant  Basic Salary  1  1 (starting salary)  £88,799 2  2  £91,581 3  3  £94,362 4  4  £97,141       5  5        £99,913 6  7  8  9        6  10        £106,520 11  12  13  14        7 15        £113,124 16 17 18 19 8 20+ £119,723 The most recent full pay circular for Northern Ireland can be found here.  Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms & conditions Current national salary scales for medical and dental staff are published in pay and conditions circulars on the NHS Employers website.  You may be eligible for additional pay on top of your basic salary if you work above the standard 10 PAs, work on call & weekends, or take on extra responsibilities. All doctors are eligible for NHS pensions and benefits.  Sources https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/doh-hsc-tc8-03-2022.PDF  Getting started  NHS Trusts can interpret the NHS consultant pay scales above and an international doctor’s experience in different ways, so use this blog as a guideline for understanding what you may be eligible for when coming to work in the NHS.  Your IMG Consultant is happy to assist with any negotiations related to your job plan to ensure your experience is taken into account.  For more information on NHS doctor benefits and pay arrangements in the UK, take a look at our IMG Resources library.              

Understanding your NHS job's salary is essential for overseas doctors new to the UK. Doctors play an integral part in delivering high quality patient care in the NHS and as such, they are rewarded with competitive pay rates and benefits.  NHS pay scales can be confusing, particularly for overseas doctors. Here we hope to provide some clarity to help you understand the NHS grades in Scotland and how they fit on the various NHS pay scales. In this article we will take a look at the following topics:   Trust doctor jobs and pay for IMGs Typical NHS doctor’s salary in Scotland FY1 & FY2 Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8) Specialty Doctor Specialist Grade / Associate Specialist Consultant Where do I fit on the pay scale? Doctors in training pay scale SAS Doctor pay scale Consultant pay scale Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms and conditions Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for. Trust Doctor Jobs & IMGs' Pay It is important to note that the majority of overseas doctors will start their career in the UK in a fixed term trust doctor role (also known as a service post), before taking up a training position. Doctors across all grades can enter a service post which means to say that they are not in training or entering specialty training.  As such, most of our adverts for fixed term or permanent posts will be service level jobs, these are usually SAS doctor, consultant, SHO or Trust doctor posts at the equivalent of FY2, ST1/2, ST3+. These can be attractive due to the improved doctor’s salaries that can be negotiated for fixed term contracts, based on experience and demand.  The salary pay scales that we have included in this article are to be used as a guide or starting point for negotiating your trust doctor role (or service post).  Typical NHS Doctor’s Salary in Scotland FY1 & FY2 In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1) your basic salary is £27,653, increasing to a maximum of £31,106. As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.  Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8) If you are a doctor starting your specialist training in 2019, your basic salary starts at £36,472 and can progress to £48,251. As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.  Specialty Doctor Specialty doctors currently earn from £45,193 to £84,272 basic pay.  The basic contract is for 40 hours. As a specialty doctor you can be paid for additional duties, extra hours worked, weekend work and on calls.  Specialist Grade / Associate Specialist A key element of recent SAS contract reform is the introduction of a new grade, called the Specialist Grade (or Associate Specialist), which will provide an opportunity for career progression for highly experienced specialty doctors. Associate Specialists can earn a basic of between £63,361 to £103,074. Consultant Consultants currently earn from £91,474 to £121,548 basic pay. As a consultant you can be paid for additional duties and may be eligible for Clinical Excellence Awards, which reward outstanding performance. The basic contract is for 40 hours per week. If you take on extra responsibilities (i.e. management or education) you can also expect to be paid additional supplements.  Placement onto Pay Scale There are a few key points when considering where you fit on the pay scale:  Job title Experience Hours worked Trusts can be different Job Title The first thing to consider is your job title.  At the Consultant level, it is straight forward, you will be a consultant. However, at the Specialty Doctor level, you could be working as an SAS doctor, a Specialty Doctor or a Trust Grade doctor. As an ST or SHO you could also work across several levels.  Each could command a different pay scale depending on the level of work and experience required.  Take some time to check the job title that you are applying and interviewing for, and subsequently the pay scale that you can expect.  Experience within your chosen field Next, consider the number of years of experience you have in your specialty, this is crucial to identifying your position on the pay scale.  This is important as an NHS Trust will calculate your pay for a Specialty Doctor in Medicine by deducting two of your years of experience to compensate for the Core Training years in the UK. Please note, for some specialties this does not apply, check with an IMG Consultant for more information.  Hours you will work The second thing to consider is how many hours you will be working. For more senior doctors, including Specialty Doctors, Associate Specialists/ Specialist Grades and Consultants, the hours are usually established using PAs (programmed activities). Each PA is worth 4 hrs of your week, and a standard week is 40 hrs. A standard salary is based on a full working week of 10 PAs (40 hours). If you work above 10 PAs, then you will gain additional salary on top of your basic pay.  NHS trusts can be different The last thing to consider before we look at the pay scales, is that some NHS Trusts can interpret the pay scales and a doctor’s experience in different ways. All NHS Trusts should be following the same pay scale structures when recruiting and offering salaries to doctors, but this is not always the case!   This blog is a guideline, and if you are not sure of how to approach this discussion with an HR department, it can be very useful for an IMG Connect consultant to assist with the negotiations to ensure that your experience is always taken into account. NHS Pay Scales in Scotland Doctors in Training Service level jobs are in high demand at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay. It is also important to remember that once in the UK, you will have the option to apply for training, depending on your entry level.  The below pay scale reflects the pay at each level depending on the entry points to training, which are FY1/ F1, ST1/ CT1 and ST3/ 4.  The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Foundation Doctors & Specialty Registrars Scale   Foundation Doctor 1 MN13 Foundation Doctor 2 MN13 Specialty Registrar (fixed term) MN35  Specialty Registrar (core training) MN39 Specialty Registrar (full) MN37 Min £27,653 £34,299 £36,472 £36,472 £36,472 1 £29,380 £36,543 £38,704 £38,704 £38,704 2 £31,106 £38,787 £41,821 £41,821 £41,821 3     £43,706 £43,706 £43,706 4     £45,978 £45,978 £45,978 5     £48,251 £48,251 £48,251 6         £50,527 7         £52,800 8         £55,073 9         £57,349 SAS Doctor Pay Scale SAS stands for Staff Grade, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctor. They will have at least four years of full-time postgraduate training, two of which have been in the relevant specialty. Specialist Grades and Specialty Doctors in Scotland have their own contracts in place for senior doctors these contracts are based in full-time work commitment of 10 programmed activities per week it has been timetabled value of four hours. The new pay structure will enable SAS doctors to access the top of the pay scale more quickly than the current system, increasing the career average earnings. It is important to note that your pay will reflect your experience within your chosen field.  The pay code on the left-hand side of the table below correlates to the number of years’ experience that you qualify for in your chosen specialty, and the number of years that the HR department are going to attribute to you.  Remember to discount any years that you have worked in an internship. And if you are working in a medicine specialty, deduct any core training years.  In the first threshold, for every year of experience you gain, this entitles you to a pay rise. In the second threshold, you will receive an increase every two years, and in the third, every three years.  The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Pay Point Specialty Doctor Associate Specialist Pay Point Progression 0 £45,193 £63,361 1 year 1 £49,057 £68,454 1 year 2 £54,080 £73,546 1 year 3 £56,772 £80,271 1 year 4 £60,651 £86,099 1 year Threshold 1 5 £64,516 £88,517 2 years 6 £68,466 £91,673 2 years 7 £72,418 £93,880 2 years Threshold 2 8 £76,370 £96,945 3 years 9 £80,321 £100,008 3 years 10 £84,272 £103,074 N/A Consultant Pay Scale Service level consultant doctor jobs are in high demand in Scotland at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay.  At the consultant grade, HR departments will look at your years of experience within your specialty, as a consultant.  On the table below, you can see that all you need to do is count up the total number of complete years of experience (12 months each) as a consultant, and then count down the rows to establish your salary position.  Like the above, the salary is based on a standard working week of 10 PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  Remember, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Years consultant experience Basic salary Pay point 1 £91,474 1 year 2 £93,406 1 year 3 £96,185 1 year 4 £98,967 1 year 5 £101,741 5 years 6 £101,741 4 years 7 £101,741 3 years 8 £101,741 2 years 9 £101,741 1 year 10 £108,345 5 years 11 £108,345 4 years 12 £108,345 3 years 13 £108,345 2 years 14 £108,345 1 year 15 £114,949 5 years 16 £114,949 4 years 17 £114,949 3 years 18 £114,949 2 years 19 £114,949 1 year 20 £121,548 N/A Additional Pay, Benefits, Pensions and Terms & Conditions Current national salary scales for medical and dental staff are published in the pay and conditions circulars here. You may be eligible for additional pay on top of your basic salary if you work above the standard 10 PAs, work on call & weekends, or take on extra responsibilities. All doctors are eligible for NHS pensions and benefits.  Sources https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pcs/PCS2022(DD)01.pdf Getting started  NHS Trusts can interpret the NHS consultant pay scales above and an international doctor’s experience in different ways, so use this blog as a guideline for understanding what you may be eligible for when coming to work in the NHS.  Your IMG Consultant is happy to assist with any negotiations related to your job plan to ensure your experience is taken into account.  For more information on NHS doctor benefits and pay arrangements in the UK, take a look at our IMG Resources library.              

Understanding your NHS job's salary is essential for overseas doctors new to the UK. Doctors play an integral part in delivering high quality patient care in the NHS and as such, they are rewarded with competitive pay rates and benefits.  NHS pay scales can be confusing, particularly for overseas doctors. Here we hope to provide some clarity to help you understand the NHS grades in Wales and how they fit on the various NHS pay scales. In this article we will take a look at the following topics:   Trust doctor jobs and pay for IMGs Typical NHS doctor’s salary in Wales FY1 & FY2 Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8) Specialty Doctor Specialist Grade / Associate Specialist Consultant Where do I fit on the pay scale? Doctors in training pay scale Specialty Doctor pay scale Associate Specialist pay scale Consultant pay scale Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms and conditions Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for. Trust Doctor Jobs & IMGs' Pay It is important to note that the majority of overseas doctors will start their career in the UK in a fixed term trust doctor role (also known as a service post), before taking up a training position. Doctors across all grades can enter a service post which means to say that they are not in training or entering specialty training.  As such, most of our adverts for fixed term or permanent posts will be service level jobs, these are usually SAS doctor, consultant, SHO or Trust doctor posts at the equivalent of FY2, ST1/2, ST3+. These can be attractive due to the improved doctor’s salaries that can be negotiated for fixed term contracts, based on experience and demand.  The salary pay scales that we have included in this article are to be used as a guide or starting point for negotiating your trust doctor role (or service post).  Typical NHS Doctor’s Salary in Wales FY1 & FY2 In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1) your basic salary is £27,115, increasing to a maximum of £30,502. As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.  Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8) If you are a doctor starting your specialist training in 2019, your basic salary starts at £35,940 and can progress to £47,547. As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.  Specialty Doctor Specialty doctors currently earn from £51,379 to £80,331 basic pay.  The basic contract is for 40 hours. As a specialty doctor you can be paid for additional duties, extra hours worked, weekend work and on calls.  Specialist Grade / Associate Specialist A key element of recent SAS contract reform is the introduction of a new grade, called the Specialist Grade (or Associate Specialist), which will provide an opportunity for career progression for highly experienced specialty doctors. Associate Specialists can earn a basic of between £81,903 to £92,958. Consultant Consultants currently earn from £87,354 to £113,408 basic pay. As a consultant you can be paid for additional duties and may be eligible for Clinical Excellence Awards, which reward outstanding performance. The basic contract is for 40 hours per week. If you take on extra responsibilities (i.e. management or education) you can also expect to be paid additional supplements.  Placement onto Pay Scale There are a few key points when considering where you fit on the pay scale:  Job title Experience Hours worked Trusts can be different Job Title The first thing to consider is your job title.  At the Consultant level, it is straight forward, you will be a consultant. However, at the Specialty Doctor level, you could be working as an SAS doctor, a Specialty Doctor or a Trust Grade doctor. As an ST or SHO you could also work across several levels.  Each could command a different pay scale depending on the level of work and experience required.  Take some time to check the job title that you are applying and interviewing for, and subsequently the pay scale that you can expect.  Experience within your chosen field Next, consider the number of years of experience you have in your specialty, this is crucial to identifying your position on the pay scale.  This is important as an NHS Trust will calculate your pay for a Specialty Doctor in Medicine by deducting two of your years of experience to compensate for the Core Training years in the UK. Please note, for some specialties this does not apply, check with an IMG Consultant for more information.  Hours you will work The second thing to consider is how many hours you will be working. For more senior doctors, including Specialty Doctors, Associate Specialists/ Specialist Grades and Consultants, the hours are usually established using PAs (programmed activities). Each PA is worth 4 hrs of your week, and a standard week is 40 hrs. A standard salary is based on a full working week of 10 PAs (40 hours). If you work above 10 PAs, then you will gain additional salary on top of your basic pay.  NHS trusts can be different The last thing to consider before we look at the pay scales, is that some NHS Trusts can interpret the pay scales and a doctor’s experience in different ways. All NHS Trusts should be following the same pay scale structures when recruiting and offering salaries to doctors, but this is not always the case!   This blog is a guideline, and if you are not sure of how to approach this discussion with an HR department, it can be very useful for an IMG Connect consultant to assist with the negotiations to ensure that your experience is always taken into account. NHS Pay Scales in Wales Doctors in Training Service level jobs are in high demand at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay. It is also important to remember that once in the UK, you will have the option to apply for training, depending on your entry level.  The below pay scale reflects the pay at each level depending on the entry points to training, which are FY1/ F1, ST1/ CT1 and ST3/ 4.  The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Foundation Doctors & Specialty Registrars Scale   Foundation Doctor 1 MN13 Foundation Doctor 2 MN13 Specialty Registrar (fixed term) MN35  Specialty Registrar (core training) MN39 Specialty Registrar (full) MN37 Min £27,115 £33,633 £35,940 £35,940 £35,940 1 £28,808 £35,833 £38,137 £38,137 £38,137 2 £30,502 £38,031 £41,209 £41,209 £41,209 3     £43,068 £43,068 £43,068 4     £45,305 £45,305 £45,305 5     £47,547 £47,547 £47,547 6         £49,787 7         £52,028 8         £54,267 9         £56,510 Specialty Doctor Pay Scale Service level specialty doctor jobs are in high demand in England at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay.  It is important to note that your pay will reflect your experience within your chosen field.  The pay code on the left-hand side of the table below correlates to the number of years’ experience that you qualify for in your chosen specialty, and the number of years that the HR department are going to attribute to you.  Remember to discount any years that you have worked in an internship. And if you are working in a medicine specialty, deduct any core training years.  In the first threshold, for every year of experience you gain, this entitles you to a pay rise. In the second threshold, you will receive an increase every two years, and in the third, every three years.  The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Specialty Doctor Pay Scale Code Scale Value Basic Salary MC75-01 1 £51,765 MC75-02   £51,765 MC75-03   £51,765 MC75-04 2 £59,637 MC75-05   £59,637 MC75-06   £59,637 MC75-07 3 £66,482 MC75-08   £66,482 MC75-09   £66,482 MC75-10 4 £73,587 MC75-11   £73,587 MC75-12   £73,587 MC75-13 5 £81,200 MC75-14   £81,200 MC75-15   £81,200 MC75-16   £81,200 MC75-17   £81,200 MC75-18   £81,200 Specialist Grade / Associate Specialist SAS stands for Staff Grade, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctor. They will have at least four years of full-time postgraduate training, two of which have been in the relevant specialty. Specialist Grades and Specialty Doctors in Wales have their own contracts in place for senior doctors these contracts are based in full-time work commitment of 10 programmed activities per week it has been timetabled value of four hours. The new pay structure will enable SAS doctors to access the top of the pay scale more quickly than the current system, increasing the career average earnings. Associate Specialist Pay Scale Code Scale Value Basic Salary MC70–01 1 £82,722 MC70-02   £82,722 MC70-03   £82,722 MC70-04 2 £88,305 MC70-05 MC70-06     £88,305 £88,305 MC70-07 3 £93,887 Consultant Pay Scale Service level consultant doctor jobs are in high demand in Wales at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay.  At the consultant grade, HR departments will look at your years of experience within your specialty, as a consultant.  On the table below, you can see that all you need to do is count up the total number of complete years of experience (12 months each) as a consultant, and then count down the rows to establish your salary position.  It is important to note that for locum consultants, there is a fixed pay point of £100,381 which will apply regardless of your years of consultant experience. Therefore, the consultant pay scale below only applies to substantive or permanent contracts. Like the above, the salary is based on a standard working week of 10 PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  Remember, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Consultant Pay Scale Code Years completed as a consultant Basic Salary ZM81 / ZK81 / ZL81 / ZC81 Min £87,354 1 £90,137 2 £94,789 3 £100,191 4 £106,363 5 £109,882 6 £113,408 Additional Pay, Benefits, Pensions and Terms & Conditions Current national salary scales for medical and dental staff are published in the pay and conditions circulars here. You may be eligible for additional pay on top of your basic salary if you work above the standard 10 PAs, work on call & weekends, or take on extra responsibilities. All doctors are eligible for NHS pensions and benefits.  Sources https://www.nhs.wales/files/pc-resources/042023-md-circular/  Getting started  NHS Trusts can interpret the NHS consultant pay scales above and an international doctor’s experience in different ways, so use this blog as a guideline for understanding what you may be eligible for when coming to work in the NHS.  Your IMG Consultant is happy to assist with any negotiations related to your job plan to ensure your experience is taken into account.  For more information on NHS doctor benefits and pay arrangements in the UK, take a look at our IMG Resources library.              

NHS trust doctor jobs are paid well with numerous posts available across the UK. Trust doctors are employed by the NHS in service posts, and therefore for training purposes only are not regulated by Royal College or Deanery. They are an attractive way for both the NHS and IMGs to ensure doctors are secured into posts quickly. The work of a trust doctor is often indistinguishable from that of a training post, and can therefore be an attractive option for trusts, paving way for the recruitment of overseas doctors.  In this article will explore the both, with particular focus on service jobs. We will include the following topics: What is a trust doctor?  Could I take a training post instead?   What are the benefits of a trust doctor job?  How do I secure a trust doctor job in the NHS?  What is a trust doctor? Trust doctor jobs in the NHS cover a range of grades and apply to all specialties. It is a term applied to a doctor who is working in the NHS in a non-training post.  Typically, the title trust doctor is applied to a doctor working at Senior House Level (FY1 & 2), however the term has now become synonymous with all grades.  It is now a term most commonly applied to doctors from FY1 to ST3, but can be applied to specialty doctors by some trusts.  Trust doctors work in career posts without specialist recognition, but often doctors doing service level jobs secure an ‘approved post’ and complete specialist training, others continue to progress using their experience as the platform. Many of the doctors accepting service posts are from overseas, this can be a quick way to enter the NHS system and start your career in the UK.  Could I take a training post instead?   Yes, training posts in the NHS are very attractive. However, competition for places on training posts within the NHS is highly competitive.  As such for IMGs interested in securing a place on a training post in the NHS, we advise that IMGs obtain a trust doctor or SAS doctor post, depending on experience, for 1 – 2 years. Following which you will be able to apply for a training post, for which you will be given priority.  Not only will this approach give you the best chance of securing excellent training and career progression opportunities in the NHS, it will also give you the chance to settle in to the UK, get to know your trust better, and help you understand the training post that will suit you the most.  Trust doctor posts also offer very competitive rates, so whilst you are getting to know the NHS and settling into life in the UK, you can also ensure that you are financially rewarded What are the benefits of a trust doctor job?  No matter what grade you are working at, there are benefits to a trust doctor role.  Less competition and route to more training The majority of IMGs are keen to enter training pathways at some point, but competition for these positions is very high. Places are offered to UK based applicants first, then EEA followed by Non-EEA applicants. As such, it can be difficult to get a training post when applying for your first NHS role.  However, competition for trust doctor roles are not nearly so competitive and can lead to successful applications for training programmes.  Quicker route to securing your first post For overseas doctors applying for trust doctor posts, as opposed to a training post, the process can be quicker. Less competition and a high demand for doctors will ensure that IMG Connect can secure you interviews quickly.  Financial reward Trust doctor jobs typically offer competitive salaries, with some harder to fill locations able to offer additional incentives. Speak with your IMG Consultant for more information.  Allowing you time to settle into the UK and NHS Taking a trust doctor role can be a great way to allow yourself time to settle into your new job and enjoy living in the UK. By taking on a new culture, employer and healthcare system all at once, you may feel more comfortable taking on a service post avoiding all the extra commitment and learning associated with a training role.  More patient focused roles and less responsibility Trust doctor posts are usually more focused on meeting NHS service requirements compared to trainee roles. Many doctors simply prefer a role where they can spend more time with patients, without the pressured commitment to training, admin and competition associated with training roles. This gives you more time to do the job you love. Balance between work and personal life When taking a service post such as a Trust doctor post, additional working hours and on call commitments can be optional. You will also be given the option to increase your overall hours through weekend and shift work, which will increase your overall take home pay. In most circumstances it is up to you how you want to approach balancing a life at home with work commitments & financial rewards.  Freedom to consider all parts of the UK Entering a training post is not only a commitment to the programme over a number of years, but also the geographical location that the deanery covers. By taking a trust doctor service role instead, you could complete a one-year contract and relocate to a different part of the UK altogether after completing the contract. REGISTER TODAY TO DISCUSS TRUST DOCTOR VACANCIES IN YOUR SPECIALISM How do I secure a trust doctor job in the NHS?  There are many reasons why a trust doctor job can be a great option for IMGs when considering their first NHS post and it is clear that service doctors are vital to the day to day running of the NHS. Of course, many doctors will be keen to get straight onto the specialty training programme, with a clear vision of achieving consultant status. The NHS training programme is recognised the world over for its quality and innovation and as such places are at a premium. Regardless of the route you wish to take, IMG Connect will support any doctor pursing either path and can offer guidance and advice throughout either process. 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 Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. Follow us on social media for news and updates on GMC registration, the Royal College and NHS through the links below:             

There are many different grades of doctors with respective pay scales in the NHS. The following is a brief overview of the different types of doctor, their pay and roles they fulfill within the UK's National Health Service and in this article we will look at the following: Designations of UK doctors Medical students Junior doctors SAS doctors Consultants Trust doctors General Practitioners Locum doctors Academic doctors  Pay and conditions circulars Designations of UK doctors Other than for medical students, all doctors we list below are medically qualified and can use the title Dr before their name.  For historical reasons in the UK, surgeons may use the title ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’, ‘Miss’ or ‘Ms’. A doctor that is a university professor may also use the title ‘Professor’ instead of ‘Dr’. Medical students Medical students usually undertake a five-year course of study for undergraduate or a four-year postgraduate course to become a doctor.  Two years studying basic medical sciences is followed by three years more clinically focused training, during which they will work in hospital wards under the supervision of consultants.  Following completion of their medical degree, newly qualified doctors gain provisional registration with the GMC. They will receive their primary medical qualification which is typically denoted in the UK by either: MBBS, MBChB, BM, MBBCh. Junior doctors Medical graduates enter the medical workforce as junior doctors. They are employed on a national negotiated contract on a two-year work-based training programme known as the Foundation Programme. The Foundation Programme is the first level of clinical training for a qualified doctor, bridging the gap between medical school and Specialty Training. The Foundation Programme is carried out in hospitals over two years which are referred to as FY1 and FY2. Upon completion of FY1, a doctor will gain full registration with the GMC. Completion of FY2 allows doctors to apply for further study and training in a specialised area of medicine, known as Specialty Training. Doctors enter Specialty Training at ST1 and the length and type of training will depend on the specialty chosen – specialist training can take up to eight years.  In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1) your basic salary is £29,384. In year two this increases to £34,012.  If you are a doctor starting your Specialty Training, your basic salary starts at £40,257 and can progress to £58,398. Staff Grade, Associate Specialist and Specialty Doctors (SAS Doctors): SAS doctors are in non-training roles where the doctor has at least four years of postgraduate training, two of which being in a relevant specialty (FY1, FY2 and two years specialist training). This means doctors can move into these posts at various levels of experience and seniority whilst also gaining experience and promotion within the grade itself. SAS doctors are typically more focused on meeting service requirements when compared to trainee or consultant roles. Often, they have considerably fewer administrative duties when compared to consultants and can have very ‘hands on’ roles with lots of patient contact. Specialty doctors currently earn from £50,373 to £78,759 basic pay. As an overseas doctor, there are many factors that will determine where on this pay scale an HR department places you, so it is hard to provide one general rule to help you estimate what salary you might be eligible for. Whilst the titles staff grade, specialty doctor and associate specialist are all commonly used, recent changes to terminology means that all SAS doctors are now on Specialty Doctor contracts.  WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU WOULD BE PLACED ONTO THE NHS PAY SCALES? REGISTER HERE FOR CONSULTATION AND ADVICE. Consultants Consultants are senior doctors that have completed full specialist medical training in a specialised area of medicine and are listed on the GMC’s specialist register, gaining the accreditation CCT. Doctors can also meet the criteria for specialist registration via the CESR route, consider your eligibility for CESR here. Consultants have clinical and administrative responsibilities in managing SAS and junior doctors. Consultants currently earn from £84,559 to £114,003 basic pay and as an international doctor, your years' completed as a consultant will place you on this scale. Trust doctors: Trust doctors in the NHS are employed for service posts, and trust doctor is a term applied to a doctor who is working in the NHS in a non-training post. Trust doctor jobs in the NHS cover a range of grades and apply to all specialties.  Typically, the title trust doctor is applied to a doctor working at Senior House Level (FY1 & 2), however the term has now become synonymous with all grades. It is now a term most commonly applied to doctors from FY1 to ST3 but can be applied to specialty doctors by some trusts.  Many of the doctors accepting service posts are from overseas as this can be a quick way to enter the NHS system and start your career in the UK. Trust doctor posts also offer very competitive rates, so whilst you are getting to know the NHS and settling into life in the UK, you can also ensure that you are financially rewarded. Locum Doctors Locums doctors are fully qualified doctors who temporarily cover a position, often covering things like sick leave or maternity. All doctors can work as a locum aside from FY1 doctors and it can be done via an agency or NHS locum post. Overseas consultants not yet on the specialist register can apply for locum consultant positions, not substantive. Academic Doctors Academic doctors often combine clinical care with teaching and research, doing so to develop the science of medicine. They can be any grade of doctor from an FY2 to a consultant, GP or SAS doctor. Common academic job titles, in order of seniority are: Prof Professor CSL Senior Clinical Lecturer / Associate Professor CRF Clinical Research Fellow CL Clinical Lecturer  ACF Academic Clinical Fellow Pay and Conditions Circulars: Current national salary scales for all medical and dental staff are published in pay and conditions circulars on the NHS Employers website.  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 Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. To receive the latest news and updates on the Royal Colleges, GMC registration and the NHS, follow us on social media and join the conversation.               

What take-home pay can an NHS doctor in training expect from their monthly salary? Many overseas doctors ask us this question. So to help IMGs plan for life in the UK we put together some examples to give clarity on how much of your salary you'll actually keep each month. It is important to note that the majority of overseas doctors will start their career in the UK in a fixed term trust doctor role (also known as a service post), before taking up a training position. These can be attractive due to the improved doctor’s salaries that can be negotiated for fixed term contracts, based on experience and demand.  The NHS doctor salary pay scales that we have included in this article can be used as a guide or starting point for negotiating your trust doctor role (or service post). Take home pay for UK doctors in training Firstly, take home pay in the UK is the amount that you will receive in your bank account after all deductions have been made from your annual salary. Deductions include Income Tax, National Insurance and NHS pensions.  It is important to state that this is just a guideline. We have based our figures on the average annual gross salary for each grade, i.e. you have worked additional hours under a typical working pattern where additional pay has been provided.  The figures can be higher or lower depending on any other sources of income you have, your final tax bracket, whether you opt out of pension, and whether you claim for your tax-deductible expenses. Take home pay expectations Grade Average annual gross salary* Estimated annual take-home pay** Estimated monthly take-home pay** FY1 £32,398 £26,053 £2,171 FY2 £37,303 £29,389 £2,449 ST1-2 / CT1-2 £43,923 £33,890 £2,824 ST3-5 / CT3 £55,329 £41,140 £3,428 ST6-8 £63,152 £45,678 £3,806 *before tax and pension **tax and pension deducted, tax rebates for tax-deductible expenses not included To explore the pay & salary conditions across all doctor grades in the UK take a look at our IMG Resources library. 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 Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. Follow us on social media through the links below for regular news and updates on NHS Jobs, relocating to the UK and working in the NHS:             

What does an NHS specialty doctor take home as their monthly salary? Overseas doctors frequently ask us what their monthly take-home pay would be when working as an NHS specialty doctor. So, to help IMGs plan for life in the UK we put together some examples to give a better idea of what you'll actually keep each month. We hope they are of use! How much will I take home? Firstly, take home pay in the UK is the amount that you will receive in your bank account after all deductions have been made from your annual salary. Deductions include Income Tax, National Insurance and NHS pensions.  It is important to state that this is just a guideline. We have based our figures on the gross salary for each pay threshold and have assumed that you do not have other sources of income.  The figures can be higher or lower depending on any additional responsibilities or hours worked, other sources of income you have, your final tax bracket, whether you opt out of pension, and whether you claim for your tax-deductible expenses.  Specialty Doctor Take-home Pay Expectations Pay threshold Annual gross salary* Estimated annual take-home pay** Estimated monthly take-home pay**  Min £52,530 £39,517 £3,293 1 £60,519 £44,150 £3,679 2 £67,465 £48,179 £4,015 3 £74,675 £52,361 £4,363 4 £80,400 £55,681 £4,640 *before tax and pension **based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions   Specialist Grade Take-home Pay Expectations Pay threshold Annual gross salary* Estimated annual take-home pay** Estimated monthly take-home pay**  Min £81,500 £57,738 £4,811 1 £89,610 £61,023 £5,085 2 £95,275 £64,309 £5,359 *before tax and pension **based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions To explore the pay & salary conditions across all doctor grades in the UK take a closer look here. 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 Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. Follow us on social media through the links below for regular news and updates on the Royal Colleges, relocating to the UK and working in the NHS:             

IMGs will want to know what an NHS consultant salary could mean as monthly take-home pay in Scotland To help overseas doctors plan for life in the UK we put together some examples to give a better idea of what you'll actually keep each month. We hope they are of use! How much will I take home? Firstly, take home pay in the UK is the amount that you will receive in your bank account after all deductions have been made from your annual salary. Deductions include Income Tax, National Insurance and NHS pensions.  It is important to state that this is just a guideline. We have based our figures on the gross salary for each pay threshold and have assumed that you do not have other sources of income.  The figures can be higher or lower depending on any additional responsibilities or hours worked, other sources of income you have, your final tax bracket, whether you opt out of pension, and whether you claim for your tax-deductible expenses. Take-Home Pay Expectations in Scotland Threshold Annual gross salary* Estimated annual take-home pay** Estimated monthly take-home pay** 1 £91,474 £59,724 £4,930 2 £93,406 £60,817 £5,019 3 £96,185 £62,389 £5,149 4 £98,967 £63,963 £5,278 5 £101,741 £65,176 £5,377 6 £108,345 £67,559 £5,571 7 £114,949 £69,942 £5,765 8 £121,548 £72,323 £5,959   *before tax and pension **based on standard salary and not inclusive of additional payments for extra hours worked or pension deductions To explore the pay and salary conditions across all grades in the UK take a look at our series of blogs on career structure and pay for NHS doctors in our IMG Resources library. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources In our IMG Resources library you can 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 Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. Follow us on social media through the links below for regular news and updates on NHS Jobs, relocating to the UK and working in the NHS:             

Salary & employee benefits are important considerations when applying for jobs in the NHS. The NHS is one of the most developed health systems in the world and doctors form an integral part of delivering high quality patient care. As such doctors are rewarded with competitive pay rates and benefits, some of which will not be afforded to you in other countries across the world. In this article we will discuss the NHS employee benefits, covering the following topics:  Annual leave Pay enhancements Personal development & career progression Sick leave Maternity leave Paternity leave Parental leave NHS pension NHS discounts Doctors in training Study leave Study budget Study sessions Part-time training The doctor salary package in the UK, including benefits, can as a whole, make working for the NHS an attraction for many overseas doctors. Whatever grade or specialty you join, you will become an integral part of the NHS and as such enjoy one of the most competitive packages offered by a UK employer.  Everyone who works in the NHS is guaranteed an annual salary matched to their role, and even better are afforded the opportunity to increase this year-on-year through additional responsibilities and training & development.  All staff will receive an attractive annual leave package in addition to a range of benefits.  Annual leave: You are entitled to be paid annual leave every year, the amount of annual leave you receive will increase depending on your level of service within the NHS.  You will also receive an additional 8 days of bank holidays.  The longer you work in the NHS, the more annual leave you get.  The table below summarises the current entitlement: Length of service Annual leave entitlement 0-5 years 27 days + 8 days bank holidays After 5 years 29 days + 8 days bank holidays After 10 years 33 days + 8 days bank holidays Pay enhancements:  Pay enhancements reward out of hours working, shifts, overtime and on calls. This means that you can enhance your take home pay each month.  Personal development & career progression:  Each member of staff is given an annual review focused on their own progress and development designed to support their career aspirations.  Sick leave: Sick days will not be deducted from your annual leave days. If you are unfortunate enough to get sick during annual leave, you may also be able to claim it back so you can use the annual leave another time. Maternity leave: Regardless of how long you’ve been working in the NHS, all pregnant employees are entitled to 1-year maternity leave. It is illegal for your employer to fire you during this time. Depending on how long you’ve been working in the NHS during pregnancy, you may also be entitled to maternity pay. Paternity leave: Fathers are entitled to 2 weeks paternity leave. This applies to same-sex partners as well as nominated carers for single mothers.  Shared parental leave:  The 1-year maternity leave can in some cases be shared between the parents. Parental leave:  You are also entitled to 18 weeks parental leave for each child until your child reaches 18 years of age.  Some weeks may be paid, but most of this leave is unpaid.  This is particularly useful for IMGs as it can be used for various things to ensure that your family is cared for and settled into life in the UK. For example, you can take agreed parental leave for things such as helping your child settle into school, if sick, staying with them in hospital, or just to spend more time with your children when you feel it is necessary. NHS pension:  The NHS Pension is a good scheme when compared with other private pensions available both in the UK and worldwide. In the current financial market, we have found it hard to find a better one, it is generous and an excellent package overall.  All new permanent employees are automatically enrolled in the NHS Pension scheme.  NHS discounts:  A useful range of discounts for NHS employees are available with many shops and services. Don’t forget to ask any shop, restaurant, hotel or any service whether they offer discounts to NHS employees. You will be pleasantly surprised how many do, and can save a lot of money when taking holiday breaks in the UK, or shopping trips.  Doctors in training: Doctors in training will receive the following additional benefits: Study leave: Trainees from FY2 and above will have an entitlement to receive paid study leave. For trainees this is usually 30 days per year with the majority allocated to compulsory teaching sessions provided by the training programme, and 10 days for the trainee to decide what to do with. Study budget: Trainees will have access to a small amount of money to attend courses and conferences. It usually does not cover all the expenses, but it undoubtedly helps.  Study sessions: It is important to note that this is not the same as study leave, instead trainees will have a half day or 2 half days a week for study which can be used to work on audits, presentations, publications and research. Most IMGs typically use study leave to attend courses, conferences, and study for exams. Part-time training: If you need to reduce your hours in order to balance work and other commitments like caring for children or an elderly family member, you can request to complete your training part-time. This is known as “less than full time training” or LTFT training.   The least you can work is 50%, remember this will mean you will take twice as long to complete your training.  Your annual pay with LTFT training will be considerably less than a full-time job. For IMGs it is important to note that this may have implications whilst working on a Tier 2 visa where you generally need to earn more than £30,000 per year. For the full terms and conditions of working in the NHS, please read through the employee handbook. IMG Jobs Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK IMG Resources In our IMG Resources library you can 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 Get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.             

Understanding your NHS job's salary or pay is essential for overseas doctors new to the UK. Doctors play an integral part in delivering high quality patient care in the NHS and as such, they are rewarded with competitive pay rates and benefits.  NHS pay scales can be confusing, particularly for overseas doctors. Here we hope to provide some clarity to help you understand the NHS grades and how they fit on the various NHS pay scales. In this article we will take a look at the following topics:   Typical NHS doctor’s salary in the UK FY1 & FY2 Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8) Specialty doctors Specialist Grade Consultants Where do I fit on the pay scale? Doctors in training pay scale Specialty Doctor pay scale Specialist Grade pay scale Consultant pay scale Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms and conditions Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for. Trust doctor jobs and IMGs' pay It is important to note that the majority of overseas doctors will start their career in the UK in a fixed term trust doctor role (also known as a service post), before taking up a training position. Doctors across all grades can enter a service post which means to say that they are not in training or entering specialty training.  As such, most of our adverts for fixed term or permanent posts will be service level jobs, these are usually SAS doctor, consultant, SHO or Trust doctor posts at the equivalent of FY2, ST1/2, ST3+.These can be attractive due to the improved doctor’s salaries that can be negotiated for fixed term contracts, based on experience and demand.  The salary pay scales that we have included in this article are to be used as a guide or starting point for negotiating your trust doctor role (or service post).  Typical NHS doctor’s salary in the UK FY1 & FY2 In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1) your basic salary is £29,384. In year two this increases to £34,012.  As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.  Specialist Training (ST1 – ST8)  If you are a doctor starting your specialist training in 2019, your basic salary starts at £40,257 and can progress to £58,398. As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premiums.  Specialty doctors Specialty doctors currently earn from £51,000 to £80,000 basic pay.  The basic contract is for 40 hours. As a specialty doctor you can be paid for additional duties, extra hours worked, weekend work and on calls.  Specialist Grade A key element of recent SAS contract reform is the introduction of a new grade, called the Specialist grade, which will provide an opportunity for career progression for highly experienced specialty doctors. Specialist Grade doctors can earn a basic of between £81,500 to £92,500. Consultants Consultants currently earn from £93,666 to £126,281 basic pay. As a consultant you can be paid for additional duties and may be eligible for Clinical Excellence Awards, which reward outstanding performance. The basic contract is for 40 hours per week. If you take on extra responsibilities (i.e. management or education) you can also expect to be paid additional supplements.  So where do I fit on the pay scale? There are a few key points when considering where you fit on the pay scale:  Job title Experience Hours worked Trusts can be different Job title: The first thing to consider is your job title.  At the Consultant level, it is straight forward, you will be a consultant. However, at the Specialty Doctor level, you could be working as an SAS doctor, a Specialty Doctor or a Trust Grade doctor. As an ST or SHO you could also work across several levels.  Each could command a different pay scale depending on the level of work and experience required.  Take some time to check the job title that you are applying and interviewing for, and subsequently the pay scale that you can expect.  Experience within your chosen field:  Next, consider the number of years of experience you have in your specialty, this is crucial to identifying your position on the pay scale.  This is important as an NHS Trust will calculate your pay for a Specialty Doctor in Medicine by deducting two of your years of experience to compensate for the Core Training years in the UK. Please note, for some specialties this does not apply, check with an IMG Consultant for more information.  Hours you will work:  The second thing to consider is how many hours you will be working. For both Specialty Doctors and Consultants, the hours are usually established using PAs (programmed activities). Each PA is worth 4 hrs of your week, and a standard week is 40 hrs. A standard salary is based on a full working week of 10 PAs (40 hours). If you work above 10 PAs, then you will gain additional salary on top of your basic pay.  NHS trusts can be different:  The last thing to consider before we look at the pay scales, is that some NHS Trusts can interpret the pay scales and a doctor’s experience in different ways. All NHS Trusts should be following the same pay scale structures when recruiting and offering salaries to doctors, but this is not always the case!   This blog is a guideline, and if you are not sure of how to approach this discussion with an HR department, it can be very useful for an IMG Connect consultant to assist with the negotiations to ensure that your experience is always taken into account. Pay scales: Doctors in training pay scale Service level jobs are in high demand at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay. It is also important to remember that once in the UK, you will have the option to apply for training, depending on your entry level.  The below pay scale reflects the pay at each level depending on the entry points to training, which are FY1, ST1/CT1 and ST3/4.  The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Specialty Registrar (StR) (Core Training) Grade Stage of training  Grade Code  Nodal Point  Value (£)  Foundation Doctor Year 1 FY1 MF01 1 29,384 Foundation Doctor Year 2 FY2 MF01 2 34,012 Specialty Registrar (StR) (Core Training) CT1 MC51 3 40,257 CT2 MC52 40,257 CT3 MC53 4 51,017 Specialty Registrar (StR) (Core Training) ST1 / SpR1 MS01 3 40,257 ST2 / SpR2 MS02 ST3 / SpR3 MS03   4       5   51,017       58,398 ST4 / SpR4 MS04 ST5 / SpR5 MS05 ST6 / SpR6 MS06 ST7 / SpR7 MS07 ST8 / SpR8 MS08 Full details of total salaries for doctors in full-time training is available to download in the pay circular below including: banding supplements total salaries for trainees working less than 40 hours a week less than full-time trainees pay arrangements. The BMA has also produced pay tables which estimate pay for full-time doctors in training, based on your own working patterns, which you can find here. Specialty Doctor pay scale:  Service level specialty doctor jobs are in high demand in England at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay.  It is important to note that your pay will reflect your experience within your chosen field.  The pay code on the left-hand side of the table below correlates to the number of years’ experience that you qualify for in your chosen specialty, and the number of years that the HR department are going to attribute to you.  Remember to discount any years that you have worked in an internship. And if you are working in a medicine specialty, deduct any core training years.  In the first threshold, for every year of experience you gain, this entitles you to a pay rise. In the second threshold, you will receive an increase every two years, and in the third, every three years.  The salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  As above, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Pay Scale Code Years' Experience Basic Salary (£) Period before eligibility for next pay point MC75-01 0 52,530 3 years MC75-02 1 52,530 2 years MC75-03 2 52,530 1 year MC75-04 3 60,519 2 years MC75-05 4 60,519 1 year MC75-06 5 60,519 1 year MC75-07 6 67,465 3 years MC75-08 7 67,465 2 years MC75-09 8 67,465 1 year Threshold MC75-10 9 74,675 3 years MC75-11 10 74,675 2 years MC75-12 11 74,675 1 year MC75-13 12 82,400 5 years MC75-14 13 82,400 4 years MC75-15 14 82,400 3 years MC75-16 15 82,400 2 years MC75-17 16 82,400 1 year MC75-18 17 82,400 - Specialist Grade:  The introduction of a new Specialist grade will provide an opportunity for progression for highly experienced specialty doctors. The introduction of the role will help to recruit, motivate and retain senior doctors and contribute to SAS grades being a positive and fulfilling career choice. The new pay structure will enable SAS doctors to access the top of the pay scale more quickly than the current system, increasing the career average earnings. Pay Scale Code Years' Experience Basic Salary (£) Period before eligibility for next pay point MC70–01 0 83,945 3 years MC70-02 1 83,945 2 years MC70-03 2 83,945 1 year MC70-04 3 89,610 3 years MC70-05 MC70-06 4 5 89,610 89,610 2 years 1 year MC70-07 6 95,275 - Consultant pay scale:  Service level consultant doctor jobs are in high demand in England at all levels of experience, each offering competitive rates of pay.  At the consultant grade, HR departments will look at your years of experience within your specialty, as a consultant.  On the table below, you can see that all you need to do is count up the total number of complete years of experience (12 months each) as a consultant, and then count down the rows to establish your salary position.  Like the above, the salary is based on a standard working week of 10PAs (40 hours), if you work additional hours, on calls or weekend work, then your take home pay will increase as a result.  Remember, use the below as a salary guide for service level posts in England. It is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the best pay opportunities for you, it is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on experience and demand.  Years completed as a consultant: Threshold Years complete as a consultant Basic Salary (£) Period of eligibility for next threshold Pay scale code 1 0 93,666 1 year YC72 Point 00 2 1 96,599 1 year YC72 Point 01 3 2 99,532 1 year YC72 Point 02 4 3 102,465 1 year YC72 Point 03 5 4 105,390 5 years YC72 Point 04   5 105,390 4 years YC72 Point 05   6 105,390 3 years YC72 Point 06   7 105,390 2 years YC72 Point 07   8 105,390 1 year YC72 Point 08 6 9 112,356 5 years YC72 Point 09   10 112,356 4 years YC72 Point 10   11 112,356 3 years YC72 Point 11   12 112,356 2 years YC72 Point 12   13 112,356 1 year YC72 Point 13 7 14 119,323 5 years YC72 Point 14   15 119,323 4 years YC72 Point 15   16 119,323 3 years YC72 Point 16   17 119,323 2 years YC72 Point 17   18 119,323 1 year YC72 Point 18 8 19 126,281 - YC72 Point 19 Additional pay, benefits, pensions and terms & conditions Current national salary scales for medical and dental staff are published in pay and conditions circulars on the NHS Employers website.  You may be eligible for additional pay on top of your basic salary if you work above the standard 10 PAs, work on call & weekends, or take on extra responsibilities. All doctors are eligible for NHS pensions and benefits.  Sources https://www.nhsemployers.org/system/files/2023-02/Pay%20and%20Conditions%20Circular%20%28MD%29%202-2023.pdf  Getting started  NHS Trusts can interpret the NHS consultant pay scales above and an international doctor’s experience in different ways, so use this blog as a guideline for understanding what you may be eligible for when coming to work in the NHS.  Your IMG Consultant is happy to assist with any negotiations related to your job plan to ensure your experience is taken into account.  For more information on NHS doctor benefits and pay arrangements in the UK, take a look at our IMG Resources library.                

Hospitals across the UK are offering specialty doctor job plans with opportunity for CESR programmed support, giving doctors the chance to quickly work towards specialist registration.  For experienced IMGs this is a new and quick route to your first Consultant post. By taking up a service level job as a Specialty Doctor with CESR support as part of the job plan many IMGs are securing a great start to their future career in the NHS that is suited to their senior level experience.  If you are an overseas doctor looking for a Specialty Doctor job with the chance to work towards your Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR), speak to the IMG Connect team to discuss if this is a suitable route for you. We have opportunities across the UK for doctors to take advantage of the CESR programme. You can also send your CV to info@imgconnect.co.uk or register here. It takes 30 seconds to register!  By taking such posts in NHS trusts and hospitals you can join diverse, dynamic and inspiring groups of specialty doctors and acting Consultants all on the way to achieving their CESR as part of a tailored programme. In offering such job opportunities, hospitals will provide a supportive environment with protected time to fulfill all the requirements of the CESR application, gaining career-enhancing experiences as you do. Acting up, dedicated peer groups, coaching & mentoring, scheduled learning and study time are some of the benefits that you could receive.  In such roles you will typically receive hands on support from consultant colleague and exposure to a wide range of experience to specifically aid competency achievement for your CESR application.  In some specialty doctor jobs with CESR programme you will rotate through various departments, dependent on your required experience. Some hospitals will also provide the following as part of the CESR programme:   Supported Professional Activity (SPAs) sessions per week  Tailored experience to your CESR portfolio Regular clinical supervision  A CESR mentor  Involvement in academic programme and medical student teaching  Support in gaining research competencies  SAS Tutor support CESR / SAS support forums and meetings IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS doctor jobs in the UK with CESR 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) and chat with an IMG consultant to discuss the CESR job vacancies in the NHS and start your journey towards specialist registration and your first consultant post in the NHS.  To receive the latest news and updates, including the Royal College, GMC registration and the NHS, follow us on social media and join the conversation.              

Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors are employed in the NHS in a non-training post. An SAS doctor will have at least four years of postgraduate training, at least two of which will be in a relevant specialty.  SAS doctor jobs in the UK are paid well and the number of posts available in the UK have risen steadily over the past decade. They are an attractive way for both the NHS and IMGs to ensure doctors are secured into posts quickly.  In this article we will consider the following topics:  What is a SAS doctor? Could I take a training post instead?   What are the benefits to a SAS role? How do I secure a SAS doctor job in the NHS?  What is a SAS doctor?  Specialty and Associate Specialist (SAS) doctors fill NHS service roles which sit outside of Specialty Training pathways. These roles are non-training ‘service’ roles where the doctor has at least four years of postgraduate training, at least two of those being in a relevant specialty. A variety of terms can be applied to SAS doctors, including specialty doctor, associate specialist and staff grade.  It is worth noting however that not all non-training medical roles (service posts) are SAS doctors. Service roles are available across all grades and can be commonly referred to as Trust doctors.  Could I take a training post instead?   Yes of course. Training posts in the NHS are very attractive however competition for places on these posts is highly competitive.  As such for IMGs interested in securing a place on a training post in the NHS, we advise that they should obtain a trust doctor or SAS doctor post, depending on experience, for 1 – 2 years. Following which you will be able to apply for a training post, for which you will be given priority.  Not only will this approach give you the best chance of securing excellent training and career progression opportunities in the NHS, it will also give you the chance to settle in to the UK, get to know your trust better, and help you understand the training post that will suit you the most.  SAS doctor jobs also offer very competitive rates, so whilst you are getting to know the NHS and settling into life in the UK, you can also ensure that you are financially rewarded. What are the benefits to a SAS role? Less competition and a route to Specialty Training The majority of IMGs are keen to enter the specialty training pathway at some point, but competition for these positions is very high. Places are offered to UK based applicants first, then EEA applicants, finally followed by Non-EEA applicants. As such, it can be difficult to get a training post when applying for your first NHS role.  However, competition for service roles is not nearly so competitive and following completion of one year as a Specialty doctor you can enter into the first group of applicants for specialty training. Allowing you time to settle into the UK and NHS Taking a service role can be a great way to allow yourself time to bed into NHS and UK culture in the first months following your move. By taking on a new culture, employer and healthcare system all at once, you may feel more comfortable taking on a SAS post, avoiding all the extra commitment and learning associated with a training role. Quicker route to securing your first post For overseas doctors applying for SAS posts, the process can be quicker. Less competition and a high demand for doctors will ensure that IMG Connect can secure you interviews quickly.  Financial reward SAS posts typically offer competitive salaries, with some harder to fill locations able to offer additional incentives. Speak with your IMG Consultant for more information.  More patient focused roles and less responsibility SAS roles are usually more focused on meeting NHS service requirements compared to trainee roles. Many doctors simply prefer a role where they can spend more time with patients and doing the job they love, without the pressured commitment to training, admin and competition that a training role brings. Balance between work and personal life When taking a SAS post, additional working hours and on call commitments can be optional.  You will also be given the option to increase your overall hours through weekend and shift work, which will increase your overall take home pay.  In most circumstances it is up to you how you want to approach balancing a life at home with work commitments & financial rewards.  Freedom to consider all parts of the UK Entering a training post is not only a commitment to the programme over a number of years, but also the geographical location that the deanery covers. By taking a service role instead, you could complete a one-two year contract, but realise the area is not for you. At this point you could take a new contract and not have to worry about giving up your hard-earned place on the training programme.  Remember, it is vital that all contracts are honoured and not only will breaking contract have a negative impact on your CV but may also damage your chances of securing your next post.  Specialist Registration is still possible Specialist registration is still possible via the CESR route as some hospitals or Trusts will offer SAS doctors the support required with their CESR applications. However, it is likely to be a much longer process when not taking the training pathway. In summary: There are many reasons why a SAS post can be a great option for experienced IMGs when considering their first job in the UK, and it is clear that trust doctors are vital to the day to day running of the NHS. Regardless of the route you wish to take, IMG Connect will support any doctor pursing either path and can offer guidance and advice throughout either process. So how do I secure a SAS doctor job in the NHS?  You can apply for SAS doctor roles online via the NHS Jobs websites for England & Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. However, working with IMG Connect can offer more jobs than are available online with the added benefit of an IMG Consultant speaking directly with services on your behalf to expedite the process and negotiate the best doctor salary for you. For the most comprehensive selection of roles and fastest routes to the UK for Trust Doctors, register an interest or apply for trust doctor roles via our Job Search page on our website. 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.

The NHS offers extensive training schemes and career development for all of its doctors, and such programmes are recognised as a gold standard across the medical world.  Training in the NHS is always in keeping with advances in medical sciences and the progressive landscape of the medical profession, including the more complex ailments of a growing and ageing population. The NHS frequently updates and develops its training programmes, making them attractive to UK graduates and doctors, as well as overseas doctors seeking the very best training.  In this article we will cover the following topics:  The NHS Training Pathway Graduation to Foundation Training Specialty Training Programmes Different types of Specialty Training programmes Completion of Specialty Training Programme Should I apply for a training or service post? As an IMG, can I get onto the specialist register? How do I secure a service post? Skip ahead to the relevant section if you know what you're looking for. The NHS Training Pathway Many IMGs looking to move to the UK (particularly more junior doctors) will be keen to enter into UK Specialty Training at some point, and as such it is important to understand the UK training pathway from start to finish in order to map your NHS career effectively. Furthermore, greater understanding of the NHS structure and training offered to doctors in the UK will help an IMG to understand at what grade they can likely enter the system and the salary most appropriate for them.  The NHS Training Pathway describes the journey from medical school to completion of specialist training and is the path most commonly followed by UK trainees. Graduation to Foundation Training After graduating from a medical school, doctors gain provisional registration with the GMC allowing them to enter the Foundation Programme - a two-year work-based training programme. Upon completion of the first year (FY1 or F1) doctors will gain full registration with the GMC and can apply for further study and training in a specialised area – known as Core or Specialty Training, depending on the specialty. Specialty Training Programmes Completion of the Foundation Programme allows doctors to apply for Specialty Training in an area of medicine or general practice. There are 60 different specialties to choose from.  A doctor entering year one of Specialty Training is known as an ST1 or CT1 doctor. Specialty Training programmes can take between three and eight years depending on the specialism chosen. Doctors can pass through the training quicker depending on how fast they achieve their competencies.  Sometimes doctors do not complete the training pathways in the indicated time for a variety of reasons and it can take between 1 - 4 years longer than indicated in the curricula.  Types of Specialty Training Programmes There are two different structures for Specialty Training programmes, and these vary between specialties. Run-through Training Programmes For these training programmes, you only have to apply once at the beginning of the programme. This is because you are recruited for the full duration of Specialty Training. These training programme can last from approximately three years for general practice, to five or seven for other specialties such as histopathology. Uncoupled Specialty Training Programmes These programmes are split into Core Training and Higher Specialty Training. Core Training lasts for either two or three years and once complete, allows you to apply for Higher Specialty Training, which can take from three to five years.  Overall, Specialty Training programmes can take anywhere from 5 – 8 years in their entirety, depending on your medical specialty, for example 6 years for psychiatry. Doctors are known as ST1-3 or CT1-3 during their Core Training and ST4+ level during Higher Specialty Training programmes. Higher Specialty Training programmes are very competitive, and completion of a UK Core Training programme does not guarantee a Higher Specialty Training post.   Completion of Specialty Training Programme Upon successful completion of either a run-through or coupled training programme, doctors are awarded a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT). At this point doctors are able to make an application for Specialist Registration (or GP Registration) and are able to take up permanent consultant posts. Training Positions vs Service Posts As above, competition for places on training programmes within the NHS is very high. As such, we advise that IMGs who are interested in entering core or specialty training in the NHS first obtain a service post for 1 – 2 years. Following this contract, you can apply for a training post, for which you will be given priority. Not only will this approach give you the best chance of securing excellent training and career progression opportunities in the NHS, it will also give you the chance to settle in to the UK and the NHS system, and help you understand the training post that will suit you the most.  Service posts also offer very competitive rates, so whilst you are getting to know the NHS and settling into life in the UK, you can also ensure that you are financially rewarded.  Specialist Registration for IMGs IMGs that enter the UK training programmes later on and have not completed the full programme can still get on the specialist register via the CESR-CP route (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration via a Combined Programme) Check to see if you're eligible for CESR-CP via the GMC website or read through our detailed blog through our IMG Resources library. Secure a Trust Doctor Post (with the view to securing a training post at a later date) You can apply for Trust Doctor or Service Role online via the NHS Jobs website.  However, working with IMG Connect can offer more jobs than are available online with the added benefit of an IMG Consultant speaking directly with services on your behalf to expedite the process and negotiate the best doctor salary for you. Getting started Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, training pathways, doctor salaries in the UK, relocation and much more!   Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team to learn more about the opportunities available to you once as an IMG new to the UK. For the latest news and updates, including the Royal College, GMC registration and the NHS, follow us on social media and join the conversation:             

One of the most important questions to consider when searching for an NHS job as a doctor is, 'What salaries do doctors receive in the UK? The NHS is one of the most developed health systems in the world and international doctors form an integral part of delivering high quality patient care, as such they are rewarded with competitive pay rates and benefits.  In this short article we provide an overview of doctors pay in the UK by grade, salary estimates are based on the NHS Doctor Salary pay scale.  It is important to note that the below rates of pay are a guide based on current NHS pay scales, and it is worthwhile checking with your IMG Consultant the pay opportunities before your start applying for posts in the UK. It is highly conceivable that you can earn more than the pay scales below depending on your experience and demand.  For overseas doctors, posts will include competitive rates of pay, additional pay for extra hours worked, benefits and pensions.  FY1 & FY2 In the most junior hospital trainee post of Foundation Year 1 (FY1), your basic salary is £29,384.  In year two this increases to £34,012.  As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premia.  Specialty Training (ST1 – ST8)  If you are a doctor starting your specialist training, your basic salary starts at £40,257 and can progress to £58,398. As a doctor in training you will earn a basic salary for 40 hours per week, plus pay for additional hours worked, 37% enhancement for nights, weekend allowance for weekend work, on call allowance and other possible pay premia.  Specialty doctors Specialty doctors currently earn from £50,373 to £78,759 basic pay.  The basic contract is for 40 hours. Consultants Consultants currently earn from £84,559 to £114,003 basic pay. As a consultant you can be paid for additional duties and may be eligible for Clinical Excellence Awards, which reward outstanding performance. The basic contract is for 40 hours per week. If you take on extra responsibilities (i.e. management or education) you can also expect to be paid additional supplements.  Pay and terms and conditions Current national salary scales for medical and dental staff are published in pay and conditions circulars on the NHS Employers website. Why not browse our live doctor jobs and check your doctor salary in the UK.  You can find more overviews on doctor salary and pay conditions here.  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 NHS opportunities for overseas, including a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you. To receive the latest news and updates on the Royal Colleges, GMC registration and the NHS, follow us on social media and join the conversation.