Overseas doctor recruitment process
A guide for overseas doctors applying for permanent jobs in the UK
Medacs Healthcare is the leading provider of permanent jobs in the UK for international doctors. We can offer you a huge range of opportunities to match your grade and specialty.
We are always on the lookout for talented middle grade and senior doctors, mainly for roles within the NHS, although we do work with independent hospitals too.
Posts cover a range of specialties including Paediatrics, General and Acute Medicine and Emergency Medicine, to name a few.
Our clients offer fantastic opportunities to join friendly teams, working with some of the UK's top clinical professionals who will be fully supportive of your developmental needs.
If you relocate with Medacs, we support you every step of the way – from finding the perfect role to guiding you with every aspect of your interview, visa application and arrival.
Eligibility to practise in the UK
To practise in the UK, you must have, or be eligible to get, registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).
There are two options available to Doctors:
- Acquire a postgraduate qualification that is recognised by the UK GMC.
- Consider doing the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) route if you do not have an acceptable postgraduate qualification, however this is not considered as a medical qualification and we would advise you to acquire a more acceptable qualification.
In order to apply for GMC registration, you will need to have both your primary and postgraduate medical qualifications verified by Electric Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC).
Professional memberships (e.g. MRCEM/FCEM/MRCS/MRCP) are an advantage but are not essential. We can also secure opportunities on SELR and CESR programmes.
You would also need to meet English language requirements before you can work in the UK. Click here to read more about language requirements.
Our recruitment process to get a doctor job in the UK
- Step 1: Recruitment Consultant assigned
- Step 2: Help with CV writing
- Step 3: Interview preparation support
- Step 4: Position accepted
- Step 5: Onboarding officer assigned
- Step 6: GMC and pre-employment compliance checks
- Step 7: Visa and sponsorship application process
- Step 8: Pre-travel support, pending visa and confirmed arrival date
- Step 9: Airport pickup and welcome
- Step 10: Covid-safe pre-placement steps
- Step 11: Post-arrival support and assistance
- Step 12: Virtual inductions, training and occupational health
- Step 13: Aftercare and ongoing support
Our services
Understanding your preferences
On registration you will be allocated your own dedicated expert international recruitment consultant who will get to know you and understand your personal circumstances, skills and career ambitions. They will discuss the current roles we have available and will put your CV forward for all the positions you’re interested in.
Coordinating interviews
We will set up interviews over Skype or Zoom with the employers who are the best match for you and your consultant will give you all the information and guidance you need to have the best chance of getting an offer.
Getting a UK job offer
If you are successful after your interview, we will confirm your offered salary and arrange for an offer letter to be sent to you. If you wish to accept the offer, we will be in touch to discuss your timeframe of arrival to the UK, including your notice period.
Our dedicated Onboarding Manager will help collect all required compliance documents, and these will be sent to your new employer for review before we apply for your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Once your CoS is issued, we will use this document to apply for your visa.
After your visa application, you will need to attend a VFS Centre to have your biometrics taken before your passport is submitted to the UKVI to consider your application, which can take up to 15 working days.
Relocation support
We provide our VIP ‘Welcome to the UK’ service to all healthcare professionals relocating to the UK, arranging your flights and transfers and providing all the information you need to start living and working in the UK.
We will support with your search for accommodation and help you to find work for your spouse via our sister staffing brands if needed. Our pre-travel and onboarding care teams are available 24/7 and will stay in contact with you daily.
On arrival
We will meet you at the airport, give you a free UK sim and ensure you get settled in your temporary accommodation, with a complimentary delivery of food and basic essentials to get you started.
We will then support you to set up a bank account, register with a local GP and dentist and if necessary, help you to find local places of worship and schools for children. We will also introduce you to social groups of doctors who have made the journey themselves and provide links to other support networks.
Aftercare
We will stay in contact regularly to make sure you are settling in well and give you access to our ‘support portal’ which can help you to look after your own physical and mental wellbeing. We will also ask for your feedback in our efforts to continually improve our services.
Apply for a doctor job
You can find more information below about relocating to the UK, or to apply for a job with the UK NHS, click the button below to submit your details and our international recruitment team will be in touch.
