Congratulations on your new job in the NHS and if you’re an international doctor, welcome to the UK! In this article, we will give you a brief overview of what your NHS occupational health appointment will entail.
What is the purpose of an occupational health check?
All NHS staff must receive a pre-appointment health check, which adheres to equal opportunities legislation and good occupational health practice. The NHS has a duty of care to their patients and staff and therefore they need to assess their doctors to ensure they are fit and healthy to work in the hospital.
Who arranges my appointment?
Once you’ve booked your flights to the UK, your Remedium consultant will advise you to speak to your NHS Trust to book your appointment. Depending on the NHS Trust, occasionally your personal Remedium onboarding executive will book your appointment for you.
Do I have to pay?
No, you won’t need to pay anything for your assessment.
What will happen before and during my appointment?
- You will need to complete a health questionnaire before your appointment
- You will need to provide a list of your previous vaccination and immunisation
- During the appointment, the nurse will take blood tests
If you’re a doctor who will be working in an A&E department you will need to complete a few extra tests.
This will include an EEP clearance. Exposure-prone procedures (EPPs) are those invasive procedures where there is a risk that injury to the worker may result in the exposure of the patient’s open tissues to the blood of the doctor.
What happens next?
If there are any concerns with your results and if considered appropriate, you will be referred to an occupational health physician.
If everything is okay, and your results come back normal you will be ready to start your new NHS job shortly after your appointment.
How can Remedium help you?
If you are already working with Remedium and have further questions about what your occupational health assessment will entail, contact your designated onboarding executive who will be happy to provide you with further guidance.
If you have come across this blog and have not yet found your future role in the NHS, we would be happy to help.
We understand that the process of relocating can be daunting, but we have supported thousands of doctors like you to make the move before. In addition to tailored interview support, our award-winning digital relocation software, Red Carpet, will help relieve the burden, by helping you with administrative tasks like securing flights and accommodation, setting up a bank account, and much, much more.
If you’re looking for a new role within the NHS, please get in touch.
You can take a look at our live vacancies here.
or you can register your CV here.
