Working in the UK as a radiologist
There is a shortage of radiologists in the UK, so now is a great time to consider moving. Health professionals in the UK come from a very diverse range of backgrounds and from all over the world, and have a reputation for being welcoming and supportive of each other.
• Finding a job in the UK
A number of websites list job opportunities in radiology. These include:
۔ the British Institute of Radiology jobs website
۔ NHS jobs
۔ NHS Scotland jobs
You can receive job vacancies by email from the British Institute of Radiology, along with other clinical and professional information for radiology and radiation oncology. It takes approximately five minutes to register for this free service.
• Registering with the General Medical Council
Before you can work as a doctor in the UK, you will need to register with the General Medical Council (GMC). This is the organisation that decides which doctors are qualified to work in the UK, and oversees UK medical education and training.
۔ GMC website
• Qualifications accepted by the GMC
You can check the list of medical qualifications and postgraduate qualifications that are accepted by the GMC through the links below:
۔ Acceptable overseas medical qualifications
۔ Acceptable Postgraduate Qualifications
New (from 11 June 2018): Verification of your primary medical qualification
From 11 June 2018, some people will need to have their primary medical qualification independently verified before the GMC can grant their registration.
It is a good idea to start this process before you begin the GMC registration process, as it can sometimes take a long time, and the GMC can only keep applications open for 90 days.
Do I need to have my qualification verified?
If you are applying for GMC registration with a licence to practise you will need to get your primary medical qualification independently verified if you:
• qualified at a medical school outside of the UK, EEA or Switzerland
• OR you are a national of a country outside the UK, EEA or Switzerland who graduated from a medical school outside the UK
• AND you do not already hold provisional registration with a licence to practise
You will need to have your qualification verified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) through their online system - known as the Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC). They will check directly with the institution that awarded your qualification. This process normally takes less than 90 days, but can take longer if your awarding institution is slow to respond.
- Get your qualification verified
• The Specialist Register
To work as an NHS consultant (substantive/permanent, honorary or fixed term) you must be registered on the GMC’s Specialist Register. This process can take several months to complete. Information on routes to GMC registration for radiologists can be found on the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) website.
If you have not completed an approved training programme you may be able to apply through ‘specialty equivalence’ for a Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR). If you are a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) and have certain specialist qualifications from the EEA you might be eligible for automatic recognition of your qualifications.
• Getting a work visa
If you are not a UK or European Economic Area (EEA) citizen, you might need a visa to work in the UK. If you are offered a job in the UK, your employer will normally be able to help you with this. Information about UK visas and immigration are provided on the UK Government website:
- UK visas and immigration
• Proficiency in the English language
All practising UK doctors need to have an appropriate knowledge of the English language. Information about language requirements can be found on the GMC website:
- English language requirements
Join the British Institute of Radiology, a multidisciplinary membership organisation connecting professionals within imaging and radiation oncology, and providing you with educational events, publications and online resources.
We help you meet your learning and CPD objectives, improve outcomes for patients, build your career and become a more active participant in your professional community. Our members exchange ideas, share expertise, and gain new perspectives, insight and knowledge.
