Candidates - Useful Links

UK VISA’s and Work Permits

In order to work in the UK you must have a valid entry clearance before arriving in the UK. This can be done by means of organising a valid work visa. If you are a British citizen, a Swiss national or a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) you do not need permission to work in the UK.

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

Professional Registration UK

In order to work in the UK you will need to register with the professional body relevant to your area of specialisation. The registration for each profession is highlighted below.

Nurse

To work as a registered nurse in the UK you will need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Non-EU nurses will be required to undertake an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test and complete 20 days ‘protected learning’ on the Overseas Nursing Programme. Nurses can take employment as a Health Care Assistant (HCA) should they not hold NMC registration.

NMC: www.nmc-uk.org

Allies Health Professional and Healthcare Scientist

Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech & Language Therapists, Dieticians, Podiatrists and Radiographers (Diagnostic and Mammography) must be registered with the Health Professionals Council (HPC) before you can work in the UK.

Sonographers and Nuclear Medicine Technicians do not have to be registered with the HPC, however we highly recommend that you do so as not having registration may severely restrict your job opportunities.

Biomedical Scientists (MLSO’s) are required to hold HPC registration, however if you do not wish to undertake this registration it is possible for you to work as a Non State Registered Technician. Please be aware though that these non-registered roles are much fewer in number and you would not be allowed to work unsupervised or authorise results. Therefore we recommend you register with the HPC.

Pharmacists require registration with the RPSGB (Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain) however Pharmacy Technicians can join the voluntary registration as this is not a mandatory at present. Please be aware that a period of supervised practise is required for those who have qualified overseas.

Cardiac Technicians and Echo cardiographers are required to hold a relevant degree but no specific registration. There is currently a voluntary register.

Audiologists are not required to hold HPC registration at this current time. You are only required to hold BAAT 1 and 2 or an equivalent Audiology degree from your home country.

Phlebotomists require certificates proving your competence in taking blood samples; however no professional registration is required.

HPC:      www.hpc-uk.org
RPSGB: www.rpsgb.org.uk
RCCP:   www.rccp.co.uk
SCST:    www.scst.org.uk
               www.uksonographers.org

Doctors

You must register with the General Medical Council (GMC) in order to practise medicine.
You can register at different levels depending on the stage of medical training you have reached and where you qualified. Should you wish to work in the UK as a Specialist of General Practitioner (GP), you will be required to obtain certification from the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) initially. International Medical Graduates who are found eligible by PMETB for entry to the specialist register on the basis of overseas training are eligible to apply for full GMC registration straight away.

PMETB: www.pmetb.org.uk

All other grades will be required to apply directly to the GMC and, depending on the country in which you trained, you will receive Full or Limited registration.

GMC: www.gmc-uk.org

Social Worker

Before you can work in the UK as a qualified social worker you must register with the General Social Care Council (GSCC).

GSCC: www.gscc.org.uk

Operating Department Practitioner

To work in the UK as an ODP you must be registered with the HPC. However, please be aware that if you have not had Anaesthetics, Scrub and Recovery components in your training whilst overseas you may have to register with the commitment that you will only practise in the areas stated by the HPC. You will be allowed to up skill into the other components once you have undertaken the relevant training.

HPC: www.hpc-uk.org