FAQs About Doctor Jobs in the UK | EU Health Staff Ltd

Which countries do you recruit from?

We recruit for the UK from around the world but with some restrictions, based on the list of developing countries that the NHS has decided not to recruit from. This is the list: NHS list of developing countries

For Australia, our clients will only consider GPs who’ve trained in the UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore or Australia (of course!)

For Scandinavia and Germany our clients will only consider doctors who are both EU nationals and trained in the EU

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
When do I need to provide references?

Usually, clients ask for references once they’ve said they would like to offer you a job. Offers are not normally confirmed until the client has at least 2 x clinical references. Referees should be from both a current clinical supervisor and a second clinician who knows your clinical work.

We will always ask your permission before taking up references

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
What are the language requirements?

For the UK GP training jobs, you will need to be able to speak very good English before clients interview you. This is likely to be Academic IELTS at 6.5 or 7.0. Please note though that once you have completed your training and you are preparing work as a fully qualified GP in the UK, you will need to pass IELTS at 7.5, with no section below 7.0.

For jobs in Scandinavia, no, you do not need to speak Swedish or Danish. As part of the recruitment and induction process, our client will teach you the language.

For jobs in Germany, you will need to be able to speak very good German in advance of the interview. The usual standard is B2 / C1 level.

For Australia, you will need either to have been educated in English from Secondary school onwards or to have IELTS at 7.0

Please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102 for more information on this
Can I get a GP job in the UK if I'm from outside of the EU?

The rules for this are still being worked out. Our understanding as of early January 2018 is that, if you have trained as a GP in your own country, then yes, you should be able to get onto the UK training scheme for overseas GPs.

Please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102 for more information on this
Is there training available for GP jobs in the UK?

Yes, there will be training available. We expect to have more details on this in the next few weeks

In the meantime, please feel free to email us about the expected training process; info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
How long are the contracts for GP jobs in the UK?

Contracts are likely to be for 2 to 3 years but this will depend on your circumstances and the amount of training needed

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
Does the EU Working Time Directive Apply?

The EU Working Time Directive does apply to jobs in the UK (until we leave), Scandinavia and Germany.

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
Do I have to come to the UK for an interview?

The initial interviews and assessment will be telephone or Skype. After that, you will need to come to the UK to complete your registration and / or have a final interview

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
Do I have to go to Australia for an interview?

Usually, you do not need to go to Australia for an interview. The practices are happy to interview and make an offer based on a telephone or Skype conversation (plus a review of your CV etc).

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
What formal qualifications do I need to be a GP in Australia?

The RACGP (Royal Australian College of GPs) has recently tightened their rules on who they will accept.

The following is a brief summary. Full details can be found here:

http://www.racgp.org.au/assessment/pathways/specialistpathway

Our full time vacancies in Private or Corporate practice near to the main cities are for “Category 1 doctors”, as determined by the RACGP. The following is our understanding of the current system. Please note that each application is assessed individually, so our advice is just a guide:

If you have MRCGP and you’ve trained in the UK with either a CCT or hold the old JCPTGP certificate or were assessed by PMETB, then you should be a category 1 doctor. If you’ve trained in Ireland and you’re a graduate of the ICGP and hold MICGP membership, then you should also be classed as Category 1. If you’ve trained in New Zealand and you hold Fellowship with The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP), then you should also be classed as Category 1. (N.B. If you trained in the UK and have either a CEE (Certificate of Equivalent Experience) or you gained MRCGP via IMAP, then you may be classified as Category 2. See the RACGP website for more details or contact us to discuss).

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
5 Steps to Registration to Work as a GP in Australia

There are 5 steps – AMC / RACGP / AHPRA /Visas / Medicare number

1) First step is registering with the AMC. The main hurdle in this section is getting all your (original) documents together and getting two sets of notarised copies.

2) Once you’ve sent one set of all your documents to the AMC, they carry out a paperwork check. If everything is in order, they send them on to the RACGP, who in turn, check that you meet their requirements to be a category 1 GP. As well as the documents that were needed by the AMC, the RACGP will ask for: Letter of good standing from the RCGP and a formal offer from your employer. (N.B. the websites say that these documents should be part of the application process to the AMC. However, you only need to send a covering letter saying “documents sent with application to AMC”). See this link:

http://www.racgp.org.au/assessment/pathways/specialistpathway

If all is OK, then they will give you category 1 status as “FELLOWSHIP ad eundum gradum”.

3) This then allows you to apply to the AHPRA (the national health board – a bit like a national version of our PCTs) who will give you actual registration to work as a GP. (N.B. You can start the AHPRA part while the RACGP are signing off the fellowship but they won’t finalise it until the RACGP gives their approval). The AHPRA require you to send them the second set of notarised copies of all your documents. You then get a letter “in principle” from the AHPRA confirming registration, which you use to get your work visa.

4) The work visa you’ll need is a 457, which is sponsored by your employer. Assuming the employer is a registered sponsor, this part takes between two to four weeks. The 457 visa covers your partner / family

5) Once you get to Australia, go to the local AHPRA office to pick up your actual registration document using the “in principle” letter you received earlier. You then need to arrange for a Medicare number, so you can bill Medicare for your work. To do this, you’ll need to visit the practice you’re going to work for to sign the forms and then have them sent off for approval. This stage takes a further 2 weeks.

6) Then you can start work!

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
What does “Bulk billing” and “Mixed billing” mean in Australia?

GP practices usually bill for each GP appointment. Bulk billing. In practices which accept “bulk bill patients” (the majority now), there is an agreement between the practice and Medicare (the Australian NHS) to allow the practice to bill Medicare for the consultation and / or treatment. In doing this, the practice foregoes some money (bulk bill rates are lower than mixed bill rates) but gains higher patient numbers, a secure cash flow, reduced admin time & debt collection. Mixed billing: the practice will bill (& receive payment from) the patient for 100% of the invoice. The patient then claims a rebate from Medicare.

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
What does DWS mean in Australia? 

DWS stands for District of Workforce Shortage. It is the mechanism by which the Australian Government directs GPs to areas where there are fewer GPs per head of population than other areas. With the exception of Out of Hours and purely private medical services, all vacancies in Australia for doctors newly arriving in Australia are in a DWS area.

The areas covered by DWS change over time. They are listed on this website:

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/otd/publishing.nsf/Content/Locator

It is important to note that DWS status can be taken away from a practice – even if they haven’t found a suitable doctor. However, if that practice has found a doctor and agreed contracts, it is usually possible to get a DWS extension to allow the doctor time to get AMC registration and visas etc. Also, once you’ve started work in a practice in an area which subsequently loses its DWS status, this will not affect you.

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
What type of visa do I need for Australia? 

Usually, you’ll need a 457 visa. This is a temporary long stay visa for skilled employees. This will cover you for up to four years, after which you can apply for another one. If you are coming with family, then the 457 visa covers family members as well. The employer will sponsor you for the visa and we will assist. However, you may need to employ a visa agent if you don’t have time or the inclination for all the form filling. This can cost $2,000 to $3,000. The 457 Visa will allow you to work part time if you want to (and have agreed it with the practice) – there is no requirement to be full time.

Once you’ve started work in Australia, you can apply for Permanent Residency (PR). This is quite quick (6 to 9 months). We strongly recommend you use a registered migration agent to help with this.

Note on applying for PR via the Skilled Occupations list before moving to Australia vs applying for a 457 business visa: Our clients won’t ordinarily consider GPs who are looking to arrange PR via the Skilled Occupations list prior to going to Australia due to the uncertainty and length of time this takes.

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
How long are the contracts in Australia?

Typically, GP clinics are looking for GPs to come for at least 2 years. We do have some clinics who can offer 12 month contracts though.

For more information on this, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
Can I get a job in Scandinavia or Germany if I’m from outside of the EU?

Unfortunately, no. Our clients will only accept candidates who are EU nationals and who trained in the EU.

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
How long are the contracts in Scandinavia and Germany?

At the moment, our clients are looking for doctors who can make a long term commitment. Typically, this means 2 years or more.

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.
Do I have to go to Scandinavia / Germany for an interview?

Yes. However, our client will arrange travel and accommodation for the visit. It will take 4 days – 1 day to get there, 2 days on site and 1 day to get home.

For any queries, please email info@overseasdoctorjobs.com or call +44(0)1483 763102.

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