Obstetrics and Gynaecologist Jobs
Obstetricians and gynaecologists play a key role in keeping women and babies safe and healthy. You’ll play a crucial role in helping women through pregnancies as well as addressing other common female conditions. This vital area of medicine is varied and exciting, and you’ll be able to build a career that aligns with your goals and lifestyle.
Medacs has a wide range of permanent and temporary obstetrics and gynaecology doctor jobs. You can also find roles that focus on particular specialisms, such as fertility care.
Being a doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology
The field of obstetrics and gynaecology is vast and varied, but many specialists will cover both areas in their work. Most doctors will have an area of specialist interest, which could include:
- High-risk obstetrics
- Fertility care
- Minimal access surgery
- Female urology
- Endocrinology
An obstetrics and gynaecology job description may seem to cover a lot, but one of the biggest draws of this area is that you’ll cover both medicine and surgery tasks in your role. A typical day can be incredibly varied, and could see you carrying out ward rounds, holding outpatient clinics, carrying out procedures in theatres or engaging with the wider community in areas such as sexual and reproductive health.
Obstetricians and gynaecologists can work for the NHS or choose to operate in the private sector. They may run clinics for specific female health conditions, such as endometriosis, help to investigate infertility, provide support to midwives in labour wards or work in the community to offer advice and treatment around sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy and other female health concerns. It’s typical for trainees to work on a shift pattern that’s determined by their hospital’s need, while consultants generally work during the daytime and take turns to be on call for out-of-hours emergencies.
Qualifications for obstetrics and gynaecology doctor roles
To secure an obstetrics and gynaecology doctor role, you’ll need to obtain a degree in medicine and an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) or equivalent qualification from medical school. Following this, you’ll be required to complete a two-year foundation programme, which will include rotations in specialty fields like obstetrics and gynaecology. You can register as a doctor with the General Medical Council (GMC) after your first year.
Once you’ve decided you’d like your specialism to be in obstetrics and gynaecology, you’ll need to complete ST1-9 specialty training. You will also need to complete Part 1 of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (MCROG) exam at the end of ST2 and Part 2 by the end of ST5. This will allow you to achieve a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), which opens up consultant roles to you. Alternatively, you could choose to become a SAS (Specialist and Associate Specialist) doctor.
Key skills for an obstetrics and gynaecology doctor job
There are a number of key skills you’ll need to succeed in the world of obstetrics and gynaecology, including:
- Sensitivity and great listening skills
- Emotional resilience through difficult situations, such as pregnancy loss
- Dextrous hands
- Strong communication skills
- Good problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Ability to work with other medical professionals across multiple disciplines
- A sense of humour and bedside manner
- Strong leadership skills
Selection panels for the most competitive jobs will also look at things such as:
- Evidence of academic and research achievements
- Additional academic achievements like prizes, awards, distinctions, publications and presentations
- Experience in other specialties that complement obstetrics and gynaecology
Where obstetrics and gynaecology can take you
As this field is so wide and varied, there are lots of opportunities for career progression and movement. Obstetricians and gynaecologists can choose to have further sub-specialisms, which include areas like:
- Reproductive medicine
- Sexual and reproductive healthcare
- Urogynaecology
- Maternal and foetal medicine
- Child and adolescent gynaecology
You may also choose to move your experience into the academic field, either by moving into teaching or helping fellow medical professionals advance their knowledge. As there are many different obstetrics and gynaecology jobs, you’re sure to find a future career that suits you.
What’s next for your career?
Explore obstetrics and gynaecology jobs and apply for roles that suit your career goals through Medacs. We’re a supplier across all NHS frameworks and receive over 1,000 new jobs every day, so you’ll be able to choose roles that meet your exact requirements.
Working with an agency will put you in complete control, meaning you decide when, where and how frequently you want to work. You’ll also have a dedicated contact who can offer you advice about placements, rates and general support throughout your journey.
Additionally, you can access free courses that aid your continued professional development. And if you’d like to broaden your horizons, Medacs makes it easier to access opportunities in new Trusts that help you develop new skills or make important career moves.
Moving to the UK
Relocating to a new country can be overwhelming, but Medacs supports medical professionals from across the world find obstetrics and gynaecology doctor jobs in the UK. If you’d like more guidance to make your move as easy as possible, head to our Moving to the UK page.
