Oncology
Oncology in the NHS offers career progression, leadership, a clear pathway to specialist registration with a competitive salary....
Oncology in the NHS branches into two main sub-specialisms, medical oncology and clinical oncology, and cancer waiting times are one of the most critical performance indicators an NHS trust is judged upon. As such oncology is an area with significant demand with numbers of qualified doctors in the NHS being relatively low. This means there are many fantastic opportunities available to oncologists offering CESR, CCT and specialist registration support, whilst leadership roles with significant career development are available to most specialists entering the UK system.
Requirements for an overseas doctor in these areas:
- IELTS or OET
- Medical Oncologists’ must obtain MRCP
- Clinical Oncologists’ must obtain FRCR
- EEA applicants will only require GMC registration and IELTS or OET
Have you taken a look at our IMG Library?
Read interesting articles written by our specialist IMG teams including relevant articles on:
- IELTS or OET
- GMC Registration
- MRCP
- FRCR
- Equivalent Qualifications
- An Oncologist's Route to the UK
What can you expect to do as part of a typical working week in the NHS?
Clinical oncologists often work in specialist cancer hospitals, large teaching hospitals and district general hospitals and your week will often include multidisciplinary team meetings, outpatients’ clinic, inpatient ward round, writing reports for GPs, teaching sessions for junior colleagues and very importantly, research. Research is an integral part of clinical oncology.
Medical oncologists work to provide the best possible outcome for cancer patients, whether that is cure, or palliation and prolongation of good quality life. In addition they also provide counselling for patients and their families, whilst clinical research is an important feature of their role like clincal oncologists. Clinical care, clinical trials, laboratory and translational cancer research form an integral part of the training and they are trained to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, being able to advise on all aspects of treatment including surgery and radiotherapy as well as having the skills to administer systemic therapies. A medical oncologists work also includes diagnosing cancers, discussing treatment options with patients, arranging and supervising drug treatment and therapies including the management of any complications that may arise and supporting patients and overseeing their care, including their lives after treatment.
Medical oncologists treat patients who have localised or metastatic malignancy in need of systemic therapy. They also treat patients whose cancer has potentially been cured by surgery but for whom further therapy improves their outlook.
Medical and clinical oncologists often work in partnership together, and clinical oncology covers both the therapeutic administration of ionising radiation (radiotherapy) and cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, only clinical oncologists administer radiotherapy.
Did you know?
NHS Cancer targets work to 85% of patients to start their first cancer treatment for cancer within two months of an urgent GP referral. This timeframe is also applied to patients referred from an NHS cancer screening service however the operational threshold is set at 90%
One of the midlands finest and most well-run trusts are looking for two consultant medical oncologists to join an existing team of 14 consultants. Support with CESR and applications to specialist register for international candidates will be provided.
The department are looking for Medical Oncologists with interest in Lung and UGI however there could be some flexibility which the department would be more than happy to discuss.
The Cancer Business Unit offers high quality clinical care within flexible and sustainable job plan structures. They positively encourage part time working and are happy to recruit less than full time candidates to complement the existing medical team.
RDH Chemotherapy facility includes a state of the art Day Unit with 24 outpatient chemotherapy chairs, a 5 chair assessment bay for unwell patients, two 2 bedded side rooms, and 4 counseling/clinic rooms. Chemotherapy is prepared in a satellite pharmacy within the Unit. Treatment is provided by experienced chemotherapy nurses who are well versed in cannulation and administering chemotherapy.
The QHB Chemotherapy facility includes a state of the art Chemotherapy Unit with 18 outpatient chemotherapy chairs, two bedded side-rooms for assessing and treating unwell patients, and 7 counseling/clinic rooms integrated with Oncology.
Requirements for this position are:
- FRCR or equivalent
- CCT, CESR or within six-months of attaining OR
- Evidence that the GMC is processing a Specialist Registration application (this must be provided prior to interview)
Overseas applicants that are practicing independently as medical oncologists are welcome to apply and have a discussion with the IMG Connect Team. Support will be offered to international candidates for both Visa and Specialist Registration processes (CESR, CCT).