Here we take a close look at the MRCS exam for overseas surgeons looking to register with the GMC and find a job in the NHS.  International Medical Graduates (IMGs) from any country in the world can sit the MRCS examinations, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. These are summarised below along with a broad look at the following topics: The UK Royal Colleges of Surgery What is MRCS?  What is the structure and content? Am I eligible? MRCS Part A - Written Examination MRCS Part B - OSCE How much will the exams cost me? As an overseas doctor where can I take the exams? How can I prepare and what resources are available? Passed? What next? The UK Royal Colleges of Surgery: There are four Royal Colleges of Surgeons in the UK (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland). All four of these colleges are professional bodies responsible for the specialty of surgery throughout the UK. Amongst many other duties, it is their role to set and monitor the educational curriculum for those training to enter the profession. What is MRCS? The Intercollegiate Membership exam of the Royal College of Surgeons tests the knowledge, experience and clinical competence expected of a doctor at the end of their core surgical training (ST2 level) and can be taken through any of the Royal Colleges mentioned above. The MRCS examination syllabus and the format & content of this examination are common to all four colleges (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland). Candidates can enter any part of the examination through any college, but may enter with only one college at each sitting. Completion of MRCS will allow you to work in the UK from ST3 level upward (ST3+), with seniority beyond ST3 level dependent on experience. Upon successful completion of all parts of the examination, candidates will be elected as members of the college for which they have passed Part B of the exam.  MRCS is one of two routes an overseas doctor can take full GMC registration (postgraduate qualification or PLAB route).  For doctors who wish to take more senior roles reflective of their current practice, IMG Connect advise that MRCS would be the best route to take and full MRCS is a pre-requisite for anyone looking to go onto a specialist training post as a surgeon in the UK. What is the structure and content? The MRCS exam is split into two parts: MRCS Part A – written examination  MRCS Part B – Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) Am I eligible?  Part A: To be eligible you must hold a Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) that is recognised by the GMC for registration purposes. Part B OSCE: You must pass Part A before applying for Part B.  You can attempt Part A of the exam six times, and Part B four times.   MRCS Part A - Written Examination: The content is designed to test your knowledge of both applied basic science and the principles of surgery in general to a level of a UK trainee with two to three years of postgraduate experience. Part A of the Intercollegiate MRCS is a five-hour multiple choice question exam with two papers sat in one day.  The questions are in single best answer format. The morning paper is 3 hours long and the afternoon paper is 2 hours long. MRCS Part B – OSCE: The OSCE is set in a practical setting and tests your ability to integrate knowledge and experience in the following two areas: Knowledge - Your understanding of anatomy, surgical pathology, applied surgical science & critical care Skills – your application of clinical, procedural and communication skills in a practical setting. The OSCE consists of 18 examined stations, each 9 minutes in duration, broadly divided into the two components above – knowledge and skills.  Each station reflects elements of day-to-day clinical practice. The knowledge component makes up eight of the stations. The skills component makes up ten of the stations. Candidates must pass both the knowledge and skills components to pass Part B. How much will the exams cost me? Part A of the Intercollegiate MRCS is £539 in the UK Overseas centres will cost upwards of £539 and can include a local administration fee. Part B of the Intercollegiate MRCS is £977. Please note, fees can vary dependent on location.  As an overseas doctor, where can I take the exams? Part A & B of the exams can be taken in several countries across the world, with locations in the UK, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Central Asia and Europe.  Should you require a visa in order to sit your examinations, the College will provide support letters after the closing date and when an application has been checked and the candidate is eligible. Requests for a Visa support letter must be made in writing.   The full list of countries is below:  Exam UK Country – Asia Country – Middle East, Europe & Central Asia Africa MRCS Part 1 & 2 (OSCE) Belfast Bangladesh Philippines Afghanistan Kuwait Botswana Nigeria   Cardiff Burma Singapore Azerbaijan Lebanon Cameroon Senegal   Coventry Hong Kong South Korea Bahrain Oman Egypt Sierra Leone   Dublin India Sri Lanka Cyprus Palestine Ghana Sudan   Edinburgh Malaysia Thailand Iraq Qatar Kenya Tunisia   London Nepal Vietnam Jordan Saudi Arabia Morocco Zambia   Manchester Pakistan   Israel United Arab Emirates Namibia     Newcastle     Kazakhstan Uzbekistan       Nottingham               Stirling             How can I prepare and what resources are available?  With lots of resources available online, we have discussed with IMGs the best place to start looking for materials relating to the exams. Most IMGs recommended starting with the Royal College, who have created useful resources to help you to prepare for the exams. See below:  Syllabus: The complete MRCS syllabus is contained within the General Medical Council approved curriculum for the Early Years of Surgical Training in the United Kingdom. It reflects the Core Surgical Training Syllabus of the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme.  At IMG Connect we recommend getting to know the curriculum as early as possible and using it as a road map for your study plan.  Module Guidance: Parts A&B both examine 10 modules and the specification for each module is detailed in the Guide to the Intercollegiate MRCS examination - published by the Royal College of Surgeons. Royal College of England recommended courses: Royal College of Surgeons of England Part A guidance notes: Candidate guidance notes that cover all four colleges, including information on examination procedure, admittance. Content Guide: The Intercollegiate Committee for Basic Surgical Examinations (ICBSE) produced this guide to the Intercollegiate MRCS examination which contains: List of recommended textbooks and resources Topics and skills that may be examined Information and sample questions for both Part A & B Intercollegiate MRCS Regulations: Make sure to read through and familiarise yourself with the regulations for Membership Examinations. They are unilateral across all four colleges, you can find them here. RCS Library resources: The RCS Library contains excellent resources particularly useful for the MRCS examinations – they are available to affiliate members. Resources include Atlases, EBooks & Online Journals.  The Funky Professor: These anatomy video lectures are available from the RCS. Each video is accompanied with a detailed slideshow, plus a test on content.  As ever at IMG Connect, we stronlgy believe in the right preparation. In order to succeed in the clinical exam, IMGs have told us that it is vital that you practice your clinical examinations as frequently as possible, preferably under the supervision of a senior colleague. This will give you confidence in approaching and examining with examiners present. Passed? What next? Once you have passed both parts of your MRCS examinations you can apply for a full registration with a license to practice. Once the GMC have approved your application, you can work as a doctor in the UK.  IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS surgery jobs in the UK IMG Resources Read more useful articles on finding an NHS trust doctor job, pay scales & doctor’s salary in the UK, relocation and much more!   Get in Touch Don’t hesitate to get in touch using the buttons above (and below) to discuss doctor job options in the NHS, including discussions regarding CESR, a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable NHS jobs & hospital locations for you.             

English Language Tests are hard, it is common for overseas doctors to fail on the first or second attempt. You have just got the results and sadly, you didn’t get the target score of 7.5 average for IELTS or four B’s for OET. What do you do? First things first, we would recommend a short outburst, a quintessentially polite British rant about how things are not fair, and then pick yourself up, and plan! Unlike other tests in education where you only get one chance to pass, the same is not true for English Language Tests like IELTS and OET. That said, this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to worry about preparing, this could waste your time, and more importantly, your money! Another re-sit will cost you. Don’t forget, learning a new language is challenging, complex and takes time. Just because you didn’t get the results the first time, if you are organised, patient and increase your practical work you will get there!  Learn from your mistakes Initially, it is only natural to be disappointed because you didn’t pass. This is normal, so take your time to process the results and give yourself an opportunity to clear your head ready to determine what went wrong, and do something about it.  A lot of IMGs don’t get the required marks on the first go, some take a long time to get there, so don’t worry, you are not alone. The main thing to remember, is that it is very important to know where you went wrong, and how to improve.  Here are a few steps to help you if you don’t get the results you wanted:  1. Review your score in each area.  Identify the area where you struggled the most. Did you pass all areas except one? Or did you get the desired results in two areas, and fail the others? This tells you which area to focus on, where you may need further training or practice.  2. Count the marks How far off was your score from passing? This is vital for you to establish which parts of the test to focus on so you can gain points in these areas for your resit. Think about the areas you struggled in, or left blank. Take your time to review and then practice these areas of the test and watch your score go up!  3. Expand your horizons Using each English language skill in practice is essential to helping you get the desired outcome in each test. If you failed in one or two areas, then turn your focus on these and get practical!  Simply put, speak, listen, read & write more! Don’t forget to keep it interesting. See our top tips for learning at home to help you be more engaged in applying your learning on a daily basis.  4. Consider working with an accredited tutor As an International Brand dedicated to helping international doctors to register with the GMC and find work in the NHS - we have lots of partnerships in place with trusted companies in many areas. One of these key areas is English Language Testing and IMG Connect works closely with a company called Specialist Language Courses. You can take a look at their website here. Specialist Language courses work very professionally and are the UK's leading provider of online courses and tutoring. They are also one of the few accredited providers of OET and have provided consultation and guidance to the GMC on English language testing.  Success rates are 70% + for those who sign for their tutoring and you can receive a discount if introduced by IMG Connect. Register with IMG Connect to request your discount on English Language Courses or get in touch with one of our IMG Consultants to discuss. 4. Get rid of the nerves Most international doctors will have found speaking with the examiner daunting and nerve wracking. This is natural, called test anxiety. Which probably means that you will not have spoken as fluently as you could. What can you do? Try speaking English with someone you don’t usually speak with, or even better somebody you don’t know, in a situation you don’t usually find yourself. Being able to speak fluently, under pressure, whilst sounding natural, is one of the most important criteria of the test. This will ease your anxiety.  5. Plan for the next test Some IMGs might wonder why they should make a plan, it takes time and some think that it might not be necessary. In fact, a good study plan will save you time, help you pace out your learning, cover more topics and keep you organised. As you will know what areas you need to focus on, it will help you to check you are covering all the areas of weakness, and keep track of improvements. Try to include daily and weekly targets.  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.

Attaining your national insurance (NI) number once in the UK is essential once in the UK. Overseas doctors new to the UK will not have an NI number, and wll need to appy to ensure they are taxed and paid correctly. In this article we’ll help you to arrange your NI by addressing the following questions:  What is a National Insurance number? Why do I need one? When do I apply? How do I apply? I’ve got my National Insurance number, what next? What is National Insurance?  National Insurance (NI) is a tax system in the United Kingdom paid by workers and employers for funding state benefits. It is a contributory form of insurance against illness and unemployment, and provides retirement pensions amongst other benefits. Citizens of the United Kingdom pay National Insurance contributions to become eligible for State Pension and other benefits. Why do I need a National Insurance number? A National Insurance number is a unique number assigned to an individual looking to work in the UK. You will keep the same number all of your life. Your NI number helps to make sure that the National Insurance contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded against your name.  It also acts as a reference number when communicating with the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). When can I apply? You can only apply once you are living in the UK. Once in the UK you can work for up to 12 weeks without an NI number. However, we strongly recommend applying within your first few days of moving to the UK. How do I apply? Call the National Insurance number application line on 0800 141 2075 between the hours: 8.30am - 5pm Monday - Friday The phone call will be a 5-10 minute process.  You’ll be asked some questions about why you need a National Insurance number, your background and circumstances. Following this call, you will be asked to attend an evidence of identity interview at your local job center which is followed by an email confirming the appointment. They will ask you bring as many identity original documents as you can to the interview. Examples of documents which are acceptable are: valid passport  National Identity card  residence permit or residence card including biometric immigration residency documents full birth or adoption certificate full marriage or civil partnership certificate driving licence In addition, you should provide: evidence you are in work or looking for work proof of address  *If relocating from outside the EU, you will also be asked for your residence permit. I’ve got my National Insurance number, what next? If you were asked to provide additional information you will need to do this by the agreed date.  If not, Jobcentre Plus will write to you and let you know whether your application was successful and what your National Insurance number is. Provide your HR or Payroll department with your National Insurance number as soon as you have it. Remember to keep the letter safe – you may need it in the future. 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.             

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.             

We just love the UK, and so do our IMGs!  It has been great to hear first-hand from overseas doctors the main reasons why they have enjoyed their move and quickly settled into life in the UK. We enjoyed them so much that we have put together some of the best reasons why we think that Great Britain is great! 12. Cities There are currently a total of 69 cities in the UK, 51 in England, 7 in Scotland, 6 in Wales and 5 in Northern Ireland. Each one has its own diverse history and culture to explore. Cities in the UK are bursting with cultural diversity. They are truly multicultural places to live, work and visit, welcoming people from all over the world and embracing diversity. There are over 300 languages spoken in London alone, it can be said that the capital city of London is the most culturally diverse city in the world. It isn’t just London, cities have their roots in its people who live across its four countries, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Each one has its own traditions and customs to explore and get involved in, everyone is welcome to join the fun!  11. National Parks The UK’s 15 National parks span the length and breadth of the country and are open to the Public at all times. From deep waters to high peaks, discover the unspoiled landscapes that are open to everyone. Both beautiful and rugged in equal measure, these breath-taking landscapes are truly special places for the whole family to enjoy.  An adventure awaits you in the wilds of the mountains, or the ancient woodlands full of intrigue.  10. Weather Not the most reliable, but the British weather gets everyone obsessed. Everyone loves to talk about it, and why not! Hot sunny days at the beach, rainy days in the city, or rainbows across the landscape, the UK has it all – so join the fun and start talking about it! Just remember to pack an umbrella.  9. Music For decades British music has taken the world by storm. Blues, rock, folk, metal, ska, punk, rock’n’roll, jazz, classical, electronic, hip hop, pop… there is something for everyone with bustling music scenes up and down the country. Not only can you find British music to follow, but the UK is a hub for diverse musical tastes and cultural difference, with world music accessible with ease.  8. Wildlife Get closer to nature and get outdoors. With plenty of outdoor attractions, parks and countryside to explore, you are never far away from spotting some of the British countryside’s finest, rarest and most magnificent species. From spotting Golden Eagles soaring high in the mountains, to falcons in the city. Or whale sharks to whales! The UK has a myriad of amazing wildlife to spot! And the good news… nothing is so poisonous it will kill you!  7. History From ice ages to invasions, British History is diverse with traces left everywhere you look. Centuries of conquerors and migrants have shaped the United Kingdom, and there is plenty to explore. Historical sites, museums, castles and cathedrals will fascinate! Britain wasn’t always called Britain, in fact that was a name made up by the Romans!  6. Festivals From the annual International Festival and Fringe in Edinburgh, to Glastonbury or the Manchester International Festival, these events come in all shapes and sizes, helping make the UK a hub of creativity and cultural events that attract the biggest names from all over the world. Great fun for the whole family to enjoy, whatever your tastes.  5. Sports The British sporting calendar is vast. Major events in 2019 will include the Cricket World Cup, Rugby World Cup and the Women’s World Cup in football. But the month by month sporting calendar is packed full of unmissable events. Don’t just watch from the TV, you have to see these in real life!  4. Landmarks Everywhere you turn, you will see familiar sights, iconic buildings, bridges and streets. Architectural masterpieces like the Tower of London, the palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge, the Angel of the North, Tower Bridge, Blackpool Tower… the list is endless and are all amazing landmarks that everyone should visit.  3. Gardens The Brits take their gardening seriously, and thank goodness, because there are hundreds of wonderful gardens bursting with colour to enjoy. From grand estates like Abney House, to perfected wonders at Kew Gardens, or even the humble village garden, take a stroll and breathe in the intoxicating smell of honeysuckle.  2. Beaches Yes, that’s right, the beaches! Britain might not be famous for warm weather, but it has miles of unspoiled coastline and many beautiful beaches to explore. In Britain you are never that far away from a beach, even in London!  1. The People In such a small country, it might surprise some to know that Britain is one of the most diverse, rich and multicultural countries in the world. And we celebrate it at every chance we can get! Our strength lies in our diversity. We look forward to welcoming you with a warm smile! 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. For regular news and updates, follow IMG Connect on social media using the links below:              

A fitness to practice is required for overseas doctors who want to register with the GMC. This blog will break down what the rules are, and what evidence you will need to prepare and provide by looking at the following: What is evidence of your fitness to practice? Declaration of your fitness to practice Supporting evidence Certificate of good standing How do I request a certificate of good standing? Remember, at IMG Connect we always advise IMGs to prepare all documents before starting applications, it will save you time, and stress!  What is evidence of your fitness to practice?  As part of your GMC application, the GMC require you to provide evidence of your fitness to practice. This is broken down into two areas from your online application:  A declaration of your fitness to practice Your supporting evidence Declaration of fitness to practice:  As part of your online GMC application to join the register you must complete a declaration of fitness to practice. This declaration is only valid for 3 months, so ensure you get the timing right with your application, otherwise the GMC will ask you to complete a new one.  When completing your application online, you will be asked 12 questions in the fitness to practice character declaration section. You should complete the declaration by choosing YES or NO for each question.  These cover a range of fitness to practice topics, including previous convictions, disciplinary actions, conduct and so on.  It is important to say that you should always be honest in your answers.   Supporting evidence:  The GMC will ask you to provide supporting evidence of your fitness to practice, these are broken down into the following:  details of all postgraduate medical experience for the last five years or since you graduated details of all postgraduate non-medical experience for the last five years or since you graduated* details of all certain other activities for the last five years or since you graduated  a certificate of good standing from each medical regulatory authority you've been registered or licensed with *If you have worked in a non-medical capacity it is also likely that you will be asked for employer references to cover this non-medical work. Certificate of good standing  As above, you will require a certificate from your regulatory body to be sent to the GMC to confirm your good standing with them. The GMC will need a certificate of good standing from all of the countries you've been registered with in that time, even if you haven't been practising there.  You can register for a certificate of good standing from your regulatory body in your home country, which they will send directly to the GMC.  Certificates of good standing and employer references are only valid for three months from the date that they are issued and must be valid on the date your application to the GMC is approved. What is a certificate of good standing?  A certificate of good standing will show any restrictions on your practice, your registration history, including current license status, identity information and any current proceedings. It should be issued in English. In the European Union these documents are known as certificates of current professional status. How do I request a certificate?  You will need to contact your regulatory body and request this from them directly. You can find out which medical regulatory authority to contact using the Certificate of good standing database. References: When writing this article we have taken our information from the following sources: https://www.gmc-uk.org 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.         

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

Most overseas radiologists coming to the UK want to attain their CESR in Radiology. In this article we look at the specialty specific guidance on evidence required for entry onto the Specialist Register for Clinical Radiology. This is entry to the specialist registration with a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration or CESR. What is CESR in Clinical Radiology in the NHS? As a Clinical Radiology specialist, attaining CESR will mean you are qualified to practice at consultant level in the NHS in Clinical Radiology. Have a read through our CESR articles found in the IMG Library to understand a little more. Do I need FRCR to attain CESR in Clinical Radiology? Not necessarily. Whilst it is a benefit to attain FRCR, and you may have already attained MRCP or FRCR as your route to GMC registration, you do not necessarily require FRCR to attain CESR in Clinical Radiology. Any doctor wishing to attain Specialist Registration via the CCT route must attain FRCR. What is the indicative period of training for a CCT in Clinical Radiology? The indicative period of training for a CCT in Clinical Radiology is five years it is highly unlikely that you would achieve the competencies required for a CCT in a shorter period of time. This training consists of the following: 3 years in Core Training AND  2 years in Higher Training During Higher Training, competence is expected to be achieved at Level 1 or Level 2 which indicates the greater degree of expertise to be achieved by those intending to practice in one or more special interest areas. CESR applicants must demonstrate that they have achieved the competencies in each of these areas. You should refer to the Clinical Radiology Curriculum documentation before you make your application to ensure that you can demonstrate the required competencies. Submitting Evidence: Do not submit original documents – this is very important. All your copies, other than qualifications you’re getting authenticated must be accompanied by a proformas signed by the person who is attesting to the validity and accuracy of your evidence (your verifier). It is very important that you read an explanation of how to do this in the GMC’s important notice about evidence. Please note you will also need to submit translations of any documents that are not in English and you must ensure the translations you submit meet the GMC translation requirements. How much evidence should you submit? The GMC recognises that doctors will often not have all the evidence required for a complete CESR application, often many doctors will start their application and delay starting their application until they are able to gather all the evidence. The evidence must cover the knowledge, skills and qualifications to demonstrate the required competencies in all areas of the Clinical Radiology Curriculum. If evidence is missing from any one area of the curriculum, then the application will fail. If you have a piece of evidence that is relevant to more than one domain, do not include multiple copies in your bundle. Instead include one copy and list it in your evidence list under each relevant area, stating that the document is located elsewhere.  The GMC asks that only evidence that is strictly relevant is sent as it will help them to process the application quicker. The guidance on compiling your evidence will help you to decide what is relevant and what is not – make sure you are reading the latest version on the GMC website – here. It is important to note that evidence that is more than five years old will be given less weight than more recent evidence, so you may not need to include it. As a general guide, an application for CESR could expect to see around 800-1000 pages of evidence.  Types of Evidence: The types of evidence are divided into four different domains, the GMC recommends that you apportion the evidence provided as per the pie chart below: Please note, you cannot compensate for evidence lacking in one area by providing more evidence in another area. Key Evidence Requirements – advice from the FRCR’s Equivalence Committee: Evidence must demonstrate that you have achieved ALL the requirements and competencies as set down in the relevant CCT curriculum.  Where you have worked in a specialised area for a substantial period of time, evidence will be required to the following effect: That at one stage in your career you achieved the requirements and competencies of the relevant specialty curriculum These skills have been maintained within the last five years Your current specialised practice allows you to meet all of the domains above  You must submit evidence to demonstrate that you can practise competently and independently across the breadth of the CCT curriculum Key Evidence Requirements – Summarised: In summary you are expected to demonstrate competence across the core requirements of the radiology specific content of the curriculum:  breast, cardiac, emergency radiology, gastro-intestinal, general and non-vascular intervention, head and neck, moledcular imaging, musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, oncological, paediatric imaging, radionuclide radiology, thoracic, uro-gynaecological and vascular radiology, in the relevant technique-based areas (plain film including mammography, CT, US, MRI, nonvascular interventional procedures, fluoroscopy) You are also expected to demonstrate the equivalent Level 1 and/or Level 2 competencies required for Higher training, in one or more areas of special interests. Key Documents to submit with your application: Take a look at the GMC’s SGPC – SSG document to affirm the information above and to understand the key documents recommended by the Royal College of Radiology’s Equivalence Committee. Make sure to anonymise your evidence: It is very important to anonymise your evidence before submitting it to the GMC. You must remove the following: All patient identifying details Details of patients’ relatives Details of colleagues that you have assessed, written a reference for, or who have been involved in a complaint you have submitted. This includes: names (first and last) addresses  contact details such as phone numbers or email addresses NHS numbers & other individual patient numbers GMC numbers In Summary: If you have any questions or uncertainties, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the IMG Connect team. However, your official point of reference for any queries should the GMC – they can answer and provide the most updated information on CESR applications for overseas Radiologists looking to work as NHS Consultants in Clinical Radiology. IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS radiology 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 radiology job opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.

At IMG Connect we take our social & professional responsibility seriously. From the service we provide to our doctors, the recruitment services we provide to our hospitals and importantly the impact we have on the environment around us - our core values are the foundation for everything we do. Our Recruitment Practices: Honesty, clarity and diligence are the three values with which we conduct our business. We will always speak to our candidates before submitting their CV, be clear about their qualifications and motivations to our clients, whilst communicating clearly & promptly to both parties throughout the recruitment process. We believe this is the only way to conduct our business and should be the basis for any customer service relationship. Furthermore, we are officially recognised by NHS Employers as an Ethical International Recruitment Agency and are on their Code of Practice recruitment agencies list found here. Our Service to Doctors: IMG Connect offers a free and comprehensive service for any international doctor wanting to work in the NHS. We provide expert & clear guidance on every stage a doctor must go through when attempting to secure a permanent role in the NHS, with a relationship and system in place that works way beyond a doctor’s placement to ensure their happiness and retention. Our Carbon Footprint: Our carbon impact is minimal, and we work hard to maintain this. By composting our food waste, economising our travel, using less electricity and only using green energy companies we ensure our carbon footprint is as low as we can practically keep it.  Ethical Banking: We only use banks that invest ethically and in line with the values with which we run our business.  This includes avoiding banks that that invest in fossil fuels and banking with those that invest towards a sustainable future for our planet. Plastic-free and paper-free office As much as possible, we do not use single use plastic in our office and day to day operations. Our office is stocked with fruit and vegetables from the shops and markets in our community whilst we cook in-house & eat as a team every day using the crockery and cutlery in our kitchen. Buying, cooking and eating local food also helps to minimise our carbon footprint. 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.

As an overseas radiologist, how do you find NHS job opportunities in Radiology? Vacancies for radiologists practicing outside the UK can be found in a variety of ways. Some radiologists find it challenging to find the right job, that fits their training and relocation preferences whilst they will also find it hard to know about the local area. Working with IMG Connect will give you easy access to vacancies for consultants, junior and senior middle grades whilst always offering clear training opportunities, CESR pathways and balanced job plans. IMG Connect Job Search Page The IMG Connect job search is a dedicated online recruitment service for overseas doctors looking to secure a job in the NHS. View out latest NHS jobs radiology here.  Save time and get expert advice based on your preferences  Performing a job search online can take up a lot of your time, so at IMG Connect we are here to do the time-consuming work for you. Upon registering, you will have a dedicated consultant whose role is to find jobs that match your skills, and apply for NHS jobs on your behalf.  You can receive jobs updates by E-mail to view new posts to suit your job search every day. Create a profile – it takes 30 seconds It really is that easy, so why not take advantage of our resources, time and energy to find you the right job in the NHS suited to your preferences. By providing us with some key details we can quickly assess which jobs are best suited to your preferences, and even email you job alerts for new exciting roles which we think will interest you! We understand you, and our clients When looking for a radiology job in the NHS, it can be hard to try to find out key information before applying, such as: What specialty specific training there will be?  Am I likely to get a training post after taking this role? Can the trust support CESR applicants and is their CESR programme established enough for my needs?  What career progression is available for me within the radiology specialty?  What is the job plan and how much time will I spend on the ward?  What is it like to work and live there?  What salary will I get paid, and can I get extra pay for additional shifts?  It can be tricky to get all the answers you want before applying online, so we spend our time getting to know both our clients and you, finding out as much key information as possible to help you to make the right decisions. Including details on the radiology department, hospital & trust, as well as an overview of what it is like to live in the area, including housing and the cost of living, as well as access to schools for your children, childcare and finding work for spouses.  Making an impact We will also provide you with top tips on CV writing, job applications and interviews, ensuring that your application and interview makes the most impact with our NHS clients.  Making it personal  Once registered, you can quickly search and apply for NHS jobs using our job search, and take advantage of many useful articles written to support you through your journey to the UK. In addition, when you sign up to 'job alerts' we will automatically email you each time a relevant  Radiology   vacancy comes available that you may be interested in. Once logged in, you can also save job details and make applications.  By registering with IMG Connect, you will: Have a dedicated consultant who understands your preferences and will do the time-consuming job searches and applications for you. Find your ideal NHS position among thousands of unadvertised vacancies - from consultant to registrar, or specialty doctor to SHO.  Be the first to hear about new vacancies – registering with IMG Connect means that your CV will gain priority with our NHS clients, and will professionally represented by international recruitment experts. To help you find a job in the NHS simply follow these easy steps: Register with IMG Connect Fill in the 'Personal details' section. Arrange a chat with your dedicated IMG Consultant  Sign up to receive 'job alerts’  Search our live radiology jobs Searching for radiology jobs in the NHS could not be easier If you want to find out more about the many different radiology roles available within the NHS - it only takes a minute to register with IMG Connect and receive expert advice and representation. We have helped many overseas radiologists into consultant, specialty doctor, registrar, clinical fellow and staff grade NHS roles, whilst offering expert guidance to many more IMGs on NHS doctor pay, royal college qualifications and English language testing. We’d be happy to help you! IMG Jobs  Search and find live NHS radiology 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 radiology opportunities in the NHS, including discussions regarding a typical doctor salary in the UK and the most suitable hospital locations for you.