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. Clinical oncology is the branch of oncology more commonly referred to as radiation oncology outside the UK, though a clinical oncologist's duties encompass both systematic and radiotherapy treatments in the UK. Cancer waiting times are one of the most critical performance indicators an NHS trust is judged upon, and as such oncology is an area with significant demand, as despite large numbers of oncologists registered in the UK, the numbers of qualified oncologists is relatively low when compared to vacancy rates. This means there are many fantastic opportunities available both medical and clinical oncologists interested in joining the NHS, with many NHS trusts offering excellent support with CESR, specialty training applications and general career & sub-specialty development and registration support. Leadership roles with significant career development opportunities are also available to most specialists entering the UK system, and generally motivated clinicians looking to develop in any area of specialisation or leadership in the UK will be supported to do so.
Requirements for an overseas doctor in these areas:
- IELTS or OET
- Medical Oncologists must obtain MRCP
- Clinical Oncologists must obtain FRCR (Oncology)
- EEA applicants only require IELTS or OET (plus their Recognised European Qualification) for GMC registration
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 (Oncology)
- 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 acute teaching hospitals, district general hospitals or private sector clients. Radiotherapy treatments sessions, multidisciplinary team meetings, outpatient clinic, consultations and follow-ups, inpatient ward rounds, reports writing for GPs, teaching sessions for juniors and trainees and very importantly, research, will all form part of your working week. 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 provide counselling for patients and their families, whilst clinical research is an important feature of their role like clinical 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%
WHAT IS NHS TRUST LIKE?
The trust is renowned in the region for it's well run clinical services, excellent leadership structure and friendly culture, welcoming to doctors and healthcare professionals the world over. The Trust was formed in July 2018 and brings together five hospitals in the local area to provide the highest quality care to patients across the county. The trust has over 13,000 members of staff offers huge opportunity for development, training and personal growth. The trust's recent CQC report highlights these very areas and scored 'Good' in it's most recent.
WHAT IS THE ONCOLOGY & DEPARTMENT & TEAM LIKE?
The Cancer Business Unit offers high quality clinical care within flexible and sustainable job plan structures. Recently the Trust has seen the opening of a graduate entry Medical School which has greatly enhanced the teaching and research opportunities for medical staff.
The 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 siderooms, and 4 counselling/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. There are plans to move the unwell assessment area to the inpatient ward very shortly. They have 70 dedicated oncology beds across the trust and provision of side rooms for neutropenic patients and special requirements. The Oncology service is well supported by a well-established Haematology Service, Palliative Medicine Service including inpatient unit, Clinical Psychologists, interpreters and bereavement support staff.
Radiotherapy, Brachytherapy and Radiotherapy Physics are housed together in a purpose-built centre, with the following equipment:
- 4 Varian TrueBeam Linear Accelerators
- Aria Oncology management system and Eclipse treatment planning.
- HDR Brachytherapy Unit
- Xstrahl Superficial Xray therapy – 80kV & 120kV
- Toshiba wide-bore CT-simulator, with Prosoma Virtual simulation
The hospitals are located in the north east midlands with great access to the North Westerly cities, Birmingham, London and the rest of the UK with its excellent national transport connections. The local region is beautiful, not far from the world-famous Peak District National Park and home to some of the UK’s most beautiful and dramatic countryside with nature, fresh air and wildlife being the cornerstone of this stunning part of the UK. It is not just a rural area however, and the area is well developed with two cities and several towns offering a feasible location for individuals to set up home.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?
Requirements for this role include:
- 2 years+ consultant experience (NHS experience is desirable but not essential)
- MRCP UK
- SCE Medical Oncology
- GMC eligibility
- IELTS or OET either passed or in process
A new opportunity to join a high performing Oncology Department in the North East of England.
The post will be an excellent option for experienced consultants to work in a well staffed and organised team, with opportunity for teaching and management in the future.
Department overview:
The department is well staffed and the new appointee will join a team of 20 oncologists. The post is predominantly based in the trusts dedicated cancer centre. The cancer care services have benefited from recent investment of £35million, and you will have the opportunity to work within a state of the art facilities.
The post would focus on colorectal or upper GI cancer and cancer of the unknown primary (CUP) with possible work in other disease sites if needed.
The department boasts an expanded chemotherapy unit designed to meet the increasing demand for systemic treatment with established nurse-led and pharmacy-led chemotherapy clinics.
The trust also houses state of the art radiotherapy facilities.
Local area:
The hospital is set in a large town in the north East of England, with an excellent cost of living making this an attractive place to start in the NHS.
The surrounding areas and nearby coast offer opportunity to spend time in some of the most scenic areas of the North East of England.
Requirements for the post:
UK based applicants:
- CCT or within 6 months of CESR
- Consultant experience in Oncology
- Specialisation
- Consultant Experience in Oncology
- MRCP
- Within 6 months of CESR - extensive consultant experience in Oncology