Doctors in the theatres department can be anaesthetists, intensivists, or surgeons. These theatre specialists are essential in all manner of clinical pathways. From routine keyhole surgeries through to life-or-death accident & emergency operations, anaesthetists, intensivists and surgeons are irreplaceable.
The proficiency and availability of world-leading surgery is a key reason the NHS is considered one of the world’s leading healthcare providers. From transplants to advanced neurosurgery, even the smallest NHS hospitals can offer life-changing or saving procedures unavailable in some regions of the globe. Of course, surgeons never work alone, and the work of anaesthetics and ICU specialists is vitally important for patients sitting across all specialties in the NHS. That’s what makes theatre jobs in the NHS such an enticing prospect for international doctors and surgeons.
Are you ready to build your career as an anaesthetist, intensivist or surgeon in the NHS? Here’s everything you need to know!
What is the role of anaesthetists, intensivists, and surgeons in the NHS?
Whether a surgeon, anaesthetist, or intenstivist, theatre doctors in the NHS all work as part of a multidisciplinary team
Doctors working surgery can be found attached to all departments in the NHS, from Paediatrics through to Oncology. Some subspecialties within surgery that Remedium commonly work with include ENT specialists, Urologists, Vascular Surgeons, and Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeons . There are also, of course, surgeons we work with whose roles sit across two specialties, such as Paediatric Surgeons who focus exclusively on children’s health.
You won’t only find surgeons wielding the scalpel in an NHS theatre though. Anaesthetists are the largest doctor specialism within the NHS workforce. For obvious reasons, they’re an absolutely critical member of any theatre team, and without them, even the least invasive surgical procedures simply wouldn’t be possible. Closely related to anaesthetists are intensivists, whose management of the critically ill is especially important for patients across all NHS specialties, medical and surgical. NHS roles within anaesthetics and ICU tend to cover all, if not most of the subspecialties you would expect, although some hospitals will make allowances if you prefer not to work in a particular subspecialty (e.g. maternity and labour ward).
How do I get a job as an international surgeon, intensivist or anaesthetist in the UK?
Working as an international doctor of any kind in the UK requires the right postgraduate qualifications, so that you can become eligible for GMC registration. Remedium has helped thousands of doctors get everything they need ready to become GMC registered, and every doctor’s journey is different. For more general information about requirements for international doctors who wish to work in the UK, you can read our recent blogs about postgraduate qualifications or GMC registration.
-Anaesthetists seeking an NHS doctor job will need to complete their Fellowship of The Royal College of Anaesthetics examination (FRCA) or the European Diploma of Anaesthetics & Intensive Care (EDAIC).
-International intensivists will require the European Diploma of Anaesthetics & Intensive Care (EDAIC) or The European Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine (EDIC)
-Surgeons require Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons, referred to as the MRCS. FRCS, or Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, is also accepted.
-Alternatively, there are routes like PLAB, USMLE, or similar. However, these are considered less advanced than the FRCA, EDAIC, or MRCS so typically candidates with these postgraduate qualifications would only be considered for SHO grade roles.
-A recognised English language qualification such as OET or IELTS.
-Once the above are in place, the next stage is registration with the General Medical Council (GMC), which is required to practice medicine in the UK.
GMC Registration and Obtaining A Visa
You can start applying for NHS jobs and attending NHS interviews once eligible for GMC registration, but full registration is required to practice. Remedium help thousands of doctors find NHS positions, and our candidates have started their search from all stages of the GMC registration process. Whether you’ve yet to start, or have nearly completed your GMC registration, we can help.
Once you accept your NHS doctor job offer, you’ll be introduced to our onboarding team who will then help you with your move to the UK, including obtaining a Visa and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Doctors are eligible for a UK Health and Care Worker Visa, which is a fast-tracked process compared to standard work Visas. For more info check out our Visa guide.
Why choose the NHS as an international surgeon, intensivist or anaesthetist?
The NHS is the world’s oldest national health service and has a reputation globally both as a prestigious employer and a provider of cutting-edge healthcare. Even if your long-term goals don’t include living in the UK for more than a few years, solid experience as an NHS theatre doctor opens doors around the world. However, settling into the NHS for a life-long career is one of the best available options for international doctors.
The available routes for personal and professional development are unparalleled, and the resources NHS doctors can access have no rival among global healthcare providers. The NHS is at the heart of British culture, considered by many UK citizens to be the crowning jewel of our public infrastructure, and this means almost no expense is spared ensuring NHS doctors, whether in theatres or on the ward, have every available opportunity to polish their skills and provide the world-leading service the NHS is known for.
How can you procure an NHS job as an anaesthetist, intensivist or surgeon?
Finding a theatre job in the NHS, whether it’s as an anaesthetist, intensivist or surgeon, is easy with Remedium. We’ve helped thousands of international doctors and IMGs procure permanent NHS positions. There are many reasons international surgeons, intensivists and anaesthetists choose Remedium when relocating to the UK – from the 24/7 support offered by our expert onboarding team to our commitment to candidate care. The NHS highly values its doctors, and this is a value we share at Remedium.
Alongside a tailored package of available vacancies, we’ll assist with everything from Visa advice through to relocating to the UK (made even easier via our award-winning Red Carpet Platform). Register your details with us today and one of our NHS Theatre Recruitment Specialists will get in touch to help you start building your career as an NHS international surgeon, intensivist or anaesthetist.
