How can I Work as a Doctor in Northern Ireland?
Whether you’re keen to grow your skills and specialise, want to travel and experience a new culture, or you are simply eager to work with teams of world-class healthcare professionals, Northern Ireland is open to you as and your career as a Doctor. Our specialist Doctors division offers extensive support to international doctors looking to practice in the UK, Northern Ireland and Ireland. When you complete the form below you will be contacted by one of our team to go through your queries and give advise and start your journey to working in Northern Ireland:
Register your interest with TTM's International team by completing the form at the bottom of this page.
A Full Range of Doctor Roles
Partnering with the HSC we recruit across all levels of Doctors, from Senior House Officers (SHO) to Registrars (Specialty Doctors) and Consultants. Roles are available in all specialities, including:
Anaesthetics, Cardiology, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Ear Nose and Throat, Emergency Medicine, Gastroenterology, General Medicine, General Surgery, Geriatrics, Maxillofacial Vascular, Neurology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Occupational Health, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Pathology/Histopathology, Psychiatry, Radiology, Respiratory Medicine and Microbiology.
How do I Register to Work as a Doctor?
To work as a Doctor in Northern Ireland you need to hold registration and a Licence to Practice with the General Medical Council (GMC). The Licence to Practice proves that you meet the professional standards set by the GMC and the specialist standards set by the medical Royal Colleges and Faculties.
To support your application for GMC registration, you’ll need to provide evidence of your medical education and experience. Full GMC registration with a licence to practice means you are allowed to work in any medical setting in the UK and Northern Ireland.
What does Revalidation Involve?
As a Doctor holding a GMC Licence to Practice, you are legally required to Re-validate - usually every five years. This is supported by a regular appraisal based on the GMC’s core guidance for Doctors’ good medical practice. TTM Healthcare Solutions (TTM) is a dedicated body recognised by the General Medical Council.
The aim of Revalidation is to reassure patients and give them confidence that all clinicians are up to date in their chosen field and continue to provide a good level of care. At the same time, the process also helps you as a Doctor maintain and develop your skills throughout your career. In this way, you are given the regular opportunity to reflect on how you can keep evolving and improving your practice as a Doctor.
As a Licensed Doctor, you are required to have an annual appraisal. You will need to collect supporting information about your practice so you can discuss this with your appraiser.
What Other Registration is Required?
As a Doctor taking up a post as a consultant in the HSC, you will need to be added to the Specialist Register. Admission to the Register is by application, and requires you to meet one of three criteria:
You have completed a period of formal specialist training in the UK.
You hold qualifications in specialised medicine by an appropriate competent authority in another Member State of the European Economic Area.
You have been found to be eligible, following an assessment of the specialist training undertaken and/or the specialist qualifications awarded in Northern Ireland.
English Language Testing
To practice as a doctor in Northern Ireland you will need to be proficient in English and demonstrate that you are competent in the language. The GMC uses the Professional and Linguistics Assessment Board (PLAB)* test to make sure that international doctors have the basic medical competence and communication skills to practice in the UK.
Before you take the PLAB test you must have first successfully completed the International Language Testing System (IELTS) and have achieved an overall score of 7.5, with minimum scores of 7 in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Or you must have passed the Occupational English Test (OET) with a minimum Grade B in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
You can take the first part of the PLAB test in any of many countries around the throughout the world. You will however need to take the second part of the test once you have arrived in Northern Ireland.
What Does Induction, Orientation and Mentoring Involve?
As a newly appointed Doctor you’ll receive a formal, structured induction – arming you with essential information about your professional and clinical responsibilities. You will also receive specific mandatory training within your particular area of work.
A named clinical supervisor will be responsible for ensuring that all induction requirements and mandatory training is completed, and that you’re therefore ready to settle into your new role.
What is Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Each HSC Trust is committed to helping you develop professionally and fulfil your career ambitions. There are many CPD opportunities available, and we will discuss these with you when you start work, as well as during appraisal meetings.
To facilitate your ongoing learning, the Trusts provide:
Mandatory training required for the safe provision of services.
Education and training necessary for service developments within your clinical area
Professional development opportunities to make sure you have every opportunity for progression.
The Trusts believe in the importance of helping Doctors and their clinical teams reach their full potential – to identify, develop and promote best practice through clinical supervision, work-based learning and reflective practice.
We’re Here to Help Make it Happen
To make it as smooth and easy as possible, you will be allocated your own dedicated consultant who will guide, advise and support you all the way:
We are here to help guide you through the whole GMC process and make it as easy as possible. You can find out how to register or check if you are eligible here (link)
TTM is a designated body for GMC revalidation, so we can help you with your revalidation process.
We can provide guidance on the processing of VISAs, sponsorship as well as Tier 2 VISA support.
We can answer all your questions about living and working in Northern Ireland. We’re here to help launch your medical career in your new country – as we have done with hundreds of international Doctors before you.
If you have completed a recognised postgraduate qualification in Northern Ireland or overseas that the GMC accepts as providing sufficient evidence of your knowledge and skill as a Doctor, eg. MRCP, MCEM and FRCPath - you may be exempt from PLAB requirement.
