International medical graduates can benefit from participating in clinical attachments by experiencing firsthand what it’s like to work as a doctor in the National Health Service (NHS). Without taking on any direct patient care duties, you can observe a consultant in your field of study.
What is a clinical attachment?
Your clinical rotation will serve as excellent practice for your future job in the NHS. It’s a great way to learn about the NHS’s procedures and infrastructure by observing a consultant in a relevant field. Attachments usually last between two and four months and cost from £400.
During the attachment, you are not given any responsibility for anything and will not have any authority to make clinical decisions or offer clinical advice.
After shadowing the consultant for a while, you may be given some clinical responsibilities of your own. Under the consultant’s direct supervision, this will take place after a risk assessment has been conducted.
In most cases, the responsibilities will be limited to:
- Observing consultations
- Participating in patient administration
- Taking patient histories
- Physical examinations
- Observing surgery.
Should I do a clinical attachment?
Neither GMC certification nor employment in the NHS necessitates clinical attachment. On the other hand, you might find that the experience helps you demonstrate that you are up to the standards expected of doctors.
IMGs might find the second part of the GMC licensing exam is more challenging, so it’s recommended that you complete a clinical rotation either right before or right after you pass the first part. As a result, you can rest assured that you will reap its full benefits.
Am I eligible to do a clinical attachment?
Once you have completed medical school and are an IMG, you must meet certain criteria prior to your application:
- Successful completion of a criminal records check
- Documents giving your proof of identity
- If you are not a native English speaker, you will need an IELTS or OET certificate at level 7.5 or an equivalent level of English that you can demonstrate
- Occupational health clearance from the NHS trust
- Attendance at the doctor’s induction day before the attachment commences, if applicable
- Satisfactory references from referees cited in the application form
International medical graduates from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will typically require a standard visitor visa to enter the UK. The part 2 exam and clinical rotation can both be accomplished within the confines of a standard visitor visa’s six-month time limit.
How can I find a clinical attachment?
As far as we’re aware, there is no centralized resource in the United Kingdom (UK) for locating clinical attachments. Clinical attachments, such as those at NHS hospitals and postgraduate deaneries, can be found through an online search.
Trusts that offer clinical attachment programmes include the ones below.
- Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
- Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital
- Moorfields Eye Hospital.
- East Sussex NHS Trust
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
- Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
- Basildon Hospital
This is by no means an exhaustive list; if you know the name of the hospital where you would like to complete your clinical rotation, you can simply Google the name of the hospital plus “clinical attachment” to find additional options.
You could also try asking anyone you know who works at National Health Service in the UK to put you in touch with a consultant in your field. Additionally, you can send an email to a consultant by visiting a hospital’s website and navigating to the relevant department.
How can I apply for a clinical attachment?
Find an NHS trust that will accept your application for a clinical attachment, and then follow their application procedures.
It’s recommended to include the following information in your letter requesting a clinical rotation:
- Your personal details
- Your reasons for wanting to complete a clinical attachment
- A brief overview of your professional and academic history in the medical field; your career goals; and the reasons you’re drawn to this field in particular.
- If you have applied for GMC registration, please specify the current status of your application.
- A current CV.
You may want to look at the Medvin Academy website for more tips on writing a good medical CV or have a professional look over your CV.
References:
BMA website: https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/international-doctors/getting-a-job-in-the-uk/clinical-attachments