MD moving to UK

[Reg]

I hear there is a need for physicians in the UK. How does a board certified emergency medicine physician 'transfer' easily to the UK? What are the steps that one should take to put this process in motion?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

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[f_w]

http://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk/doctors/

 

[George85]

(1) First of all you have to be eligable to work there. For example, through marriage to an EU national.
(2) Then you will have to pass the PLAB, which is in 2 parts - written and OSCE.
(3) Once through these 2 you can apply to the GMC for registration.
(4) Now you can apply for jobs. But having completed a US residency will not entitle you to work as an attending (consultant). In fact, you'll have to look at SHO jobs, because registrar jobs (a bit like a resident) come with a training number, making them quite sought after.

 

[f_w]

(1) First of all you have to be eligable to work there. For example, through marriage to an EU national.

That is one way of getting eligibility to work. If the NHS hospital has not been able to fill a position with a UK or EU citizen, they can obtain permisson from the 'home office' to hire a non-EU citizen.

(2) Then you will have to pass the PLAB, which is in 2 parts - written and OSCE.

Typically yes. But if you get your US specialty certification recognized and thereby gain entry into the specialist register, you can get your medical registration and licensure without the PLAB (you have to pass the IELTS though).
http://www.pmetb.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=391
http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/how_t...on/guidance_for_specialist_registration.asp#4

(4) Now you can apply for jobs. But having completed a US residency will not entitle you to work as an attending (consultant). In fact, you'll have to look at SHO jobs, because registrar jobs (a bit like a resident) come with a training number, making them quite sought after.

Not quite. Depending on your specialty and experience, you may obtain specialty registration and a job without any UK training experience. There are plenty of overseas trained radiologists for example, other specialty colleges are more stringent and limit the influx of foreign trained specialists.
There are varying degrees of bias against overseas trained docs in different specialties. In some fields, it is quite possible to get a consultant position once the formal requirements are met. In other areas, despite a CCST and specialist registration, it might not be possible to get a consultant or locum consultant position.

 

[PathOne]

You can try to get your US training approved in the UK, but it's by no means a sure option, but very much on a case-by-case basis. Also, the UK has recently tightened immigration rules, so the employer now has to prove that it is unable to find a suitable UK/EU candidate for the job. As far as I understand, this procedure must be repeated for each job, which can become a real hassle if you're getting locum positions.

However, the safest option would be to check with the General Medical Council and the British Medical Association. They would have answers for your questions.