Winning together
Moving to the UKTo do clinical practice in the UK you must hold registration with a licence to practise. By holding a licence you are allowed to prescribe medicine and treat patients. If you hold a licence then you also must show GMC (General medical council) that your clinical knowledge and skills are up to date through different parameters by regular checks on your practice, known as revalidation. All the doctors who practice in the UK need to follow the principles and standards of Good medical practice. Doctors must be clear whether they are licensed, hold registration only, or neither. It is a criminal offence in the UK for a doctor to give the impression they hold registration or a licence, if they don’t.
There are different pathways if you want to start working in the NHS and persue your medical career in the UK depending on your qualification, experience and your citizenship status.
MedicToUK will help you to find out your appropriate option and will support you throughout your journey to reach your aimed destination.
PLAB
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) examination or the PLAB test
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) examination or the PLAB test, helps GMC ( General Medical Council ) to confirm that IMG (International Medical Graduate) doctors who are qualified outside the UK, have the appropriate and comparable knowledge and skills standard to practise medicine in the UK. For more about the MedicToUK PLAB courses, click here.
For latest information and impact of the global pandemic, please visit the PLAB GMC website.
PLAB test comprises of 2 parts:
PLAB 1 : PLAB 1 is a pen and paper based test. As per the guidance of GMC this test consists of 180 MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) which the candidate has to answer within 3 hours. Usually all questions start with a short clinical scenario followed by a question and its possible answer options. The candidate needs to choose the right answer. She can appear for part 1 exam from a number of countries alongside the UK. List of available locations and dates can be found on GMC Online.
PLAB 2 : PLAB 2 is an objective structured clinical exam to assess clinical knowledge and skills by creating a near real life situation. It consists of 18 scenarios / stations, each for eight minutes with the aim to reflect real life settings including a mock consultation, doing a procedure or an acute ward. Part 2 tests run throughout the year at GMC’s clinical assessment centre
For further information about PLAB 2 visit the GMC PLAB2 Guide
NHS job preparation :
We can help with your preparation for applying to NHS jobs in many ways
| CV writing high level guidance | £75 | |
| CV Review and update guidance for NHS (non training) jobs | £100 | |
| CV review and update guidance for NHS run through training program | £150 | |
| Interview preparation and practice (one to one) non training job (45 mins) | £100 / session | |
| Interview preparation for run through training and practice (one to one) (45 mins) | £150 / session | |
| Interview preparation and practice (group booking – minimum 5 candidates) – non training jobs | £50 / session / candidate | |
| Interview preparation and practice (group booking – minimum 5 candidates) – for run through training jobs | £75 / session / candidate | |
| Audit as per NHS standards (concept building and handholding for 1 project) (min 2 sessions required) | £100 / session | |
| Quality improvement project as per NHS standard – (concept building and handholding for 1 project) (min 2 sessions required) | £100 / session |
Portfolio Pathway (previously, CESR):
It is a route to specialist registration for doctors who have not completed a GMC approved run-through training programme but who are able to demonstrate that their specialist training, qualifications, and experience are equivalent to the requirements for Certification of completion of training (CCT). Portfolio Pathway applications are assessed based on documentary evidence only. For further information please visit the official Portfolio Pathway website.
It is an extremely lengthy and laborious process which will require a lot of documentation, patience, and perseverance.
Demystifying Portfolio Pathway
Comprehensive information session on Portfolio Pathway
The Portfolio Pathway process can be daunting for those not familiar with the customs and practices of the NHS. This session provides comprehensive explanation of each step and explores in details what is critical in order to avoid undue delays and rejection. This one-day course is conducted by CESR-qualified NHS consultants from multiple disciplines. It not only covers the nooks and cranies of the new Portfolio Pathway process but also provides an opportunity for participants to directly interact with doctors who have successfully completed the process and get their questions answered.
Portfolio Pathway Support Premium
End to end complete support
Comprehensive package which will include an end to end support from registration with us to final submission of CESR application to GMC. Support will be provided during review as well if the outcome is not positive in the first attempt.
Payment will be taken in 3 instalments: a) On boarding, b) Complete checking and advice on documents collected c) Before final submission of application.
Modules include:
- Understanding of CESR in a nutshell and plans
- CV preparation and checks
- Evidence for teaching experiences
- Evidence for research experiences
- Evidence for service development or quality improvement projects
- Evidence for communication, innovation (if any) ,team working and management experiences
- Courses useful for CESR
- Audit
- Evidences for training equivalences
- Logbook and logbook summary
- Guidance on annual appraisal
- Complete check and advise on documents collected
Portfolio Pathway Support Customised
1. Understanding of Portfolio Pathway in a nutshell and plans:
Overall understanding of the equivalence process, qualification and training equivalence, components of the Portfolio Pathway (domains 1 through 4), types of essential evidences acceptable for equivalence process, validation and authentication of evidences, component wise arrangement of evidences, brief guidance about audit, teaching, research, patient’s feedback, 360 degree feedback, CPD, appraisal. 1:1 session for 1hr with one of our experts will be included in it.
2. CV preparation and checks:
GMC has a set standard and structure for CVs to be submitted during the Portfolio Pathway application. We will discuss how to match the GMC standard for writing CVs and what details and accuracy must be included to maximise the chances of getting through this domain. This advice is based on the collective experience of the team who had gone through this process. 1-1 assistance and review with CV before final Portfolio Pathway submission
3. Evidence for teaching experiences
How to show your teaching experience? How to organise your teaching evidence? What type of feedback are needed from those you taught? How to organise and collect evidence showing your participation in teaching and presentation in local, regional, national and international conferences.
4 Evidence for research experiences
How to demonstrate your research experience? What type of evidence is needed from the research project you have done so far? How to organise and to collect evidence showing your participation in research projects and their presentation.
5. Evidence for service development or quality improvement projects
How to show your experience in the quality improvement process? What type of changes are in place at your work place out of those quality improvement processes? How to organise and collect evidences showing your participation in those projects
6. Evidence for communication, innovation (if any), team working and management experience
What are the courses for this domain that will make your application strong and when to attend those courses? How are you going to demonstrate that you applied your knowledge of managing a team at your workplace to improve the quality of service? What are the evidence you need to submit for this domain?
7. Courses useful for Portfolio Pathway
A complete selection and guidance on mandatory and impressive supportive courses needed for a successful Portfolio Pathway application (e.g. ACLS, PALS, ATS or their equivalent, business, management, quality improvement, ethics, biostatistics, communication, law) and most importantly about the guidance when to do each course to save your hard earned money.
8. Audit
This domain is extremely important and new for many IMGs. How to conduct an audit (acceptable for Portfolio Pathway): what is audit, difference from clinical research, components of audit, audit cycle, how to write an audit report
This section may be useful for those planning to conduct any audit, or those who have completed an audit cycle but interested to learn the precise art of writing an audit report.
9. Evidences for training equivalences
How to plan, organise and collect evidence showing your training requirements in different subspecialties of your core specialty. What type of workplace-based assessments (WPBA) are needed? How many varieties of WPBAs are needed? How to design your WPBAs to match UK training assessments? Minimum how many WPBAs for each training module? Completion of Unit Training (CUT): what is it and how to complete? Who can sign these forms? How is this evidence validated?
10. Logbook and logbook summary
How to organise your logbook and logbook summary: guidance, organisation, and checks.
11. Guidance on annual appraisal:
What should the structure of evidence look like and when to start collecting evidence appraisal for submission with Portfolio Pathway application.
12. Follow-on* check and advise on documents collected for final submission (* Terms for this module: This is only a follow-on module and cannot be taken up in isolation. Check and advise service will be taken up only for modules which have previously been advised on)
- 12 A. Domain 1
- 12 B. Domain 2
- 12 C. Domain 3 & 4
OET / IELTS (For doctors only) :
OET (OCCUPATIONAL ENGLISH TEST):
OET is designed to test the English of healthcare professionals in various countries including the UK.
At MedicToUK, we provide the quality online training that is carefully outlined and developed by making sure the finest practice standards in online teaching and OET test preparation. All our trainers are qualified either in the UK or Australia and will provide the online training from overseas.
Regular Course
- To make aware of the exam format
- To developed a clear introspection of the exam
- To know the requirement to pass and to avoid the common pitfall
- Group practice via virtual platform with trainers based in UK and Australia
- 1 :1 mock practice before exam with trainers based in UK and Australia
Premium Course
- To make aware of the exam format
- To developed a clear introspection of the exam
- To know the requirement to pass and to avoid the common pitfall
- Custom made 1:1 training via virtual platform with trainers based in UK and Australia
- 1 :1 mock practice before exam with trainers simulating exam like situation based in UK and Australia
- Post result support
NHS Interview preparation: Here we provide candidates with a taste of NHS interviews through mock interviews, followed by a retrospective of what went well and where candidates may focus further. This is based on the team’s experience in conducting interviews in the UK.
- 1-1 Interview advice
- 2 Virtual Mock interviews over video conferencing
NHS CV Writing: NHS recruiting teams have some standard expectations from CVs. In this course, we discuss how recruiters qualify CVs and what details must be included to maximise the chances of getting through the shortlisting process. This advice is based on the collective experience of the team who have been both applicants and recruiters within the NHS.
- 1-1 Assistance and review with CV for NHS job application
Audit assistance: Clinical audit is a compulsory requirement in the CV for any clinical jobs in the UK. In this course, we demystify what it is and how it can be done. We discuss how candidates can satisfy this requirement in their current work location in their respective countries.
- 1-1 Training and support for audit – NHS standard
Immigration and career advisory: This course provides a detailed walk through of the various immigration and career options available to doctors aspiring to work and relocate to the UK. We discuss the pros and cons of each route and suitability with regards to current and future prospects, matching the aspirations and ambitions of each candidate.
- Audit requirement and information – NHS standard
- Career path options within the NHS
- Private and NHS contract/locum options
- CV requirements for NHS
- Interview preparation
Audit assistance:
Clinical audit is a compulsory requirement in the CV for any clinical jobs in the UK
In this course, we demystify what it is and how it can be done. We discuss how candidates can satisfy this requirement in their current work location in their respective countries.
- 1-1 Training and support for audit – NHS standard
Immigration and career advisory:
This course provides a detailed walk through of the various immigration and career options available to doctors aspiring to work and relocate to the UK
We discuss the pros and cons of each route and suitability with regards to current and future prospects, matching the aspirations and ambitions of each candidate.
- Audit requirement and information – NHS standard
- Career path options within the NHS
- Private and NHS contract/locum options
- CV requirements for NHS
- Interview preparation
PLAB
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) examination or the PLAB test
The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) examination or the PLAB test, helps GMC ( General Medical Council ) to confirm that IMG (International Medical Graduate) doctors who are qualified outside the UK, have the appropriate and comparable knowledge and skills standard to practise medicine in the UK.
For latest information and impact of the global pandemic, please visit the PLAB GMC website.
PLAB test comprises of 2 parts:
PLAB 1 : PLAB 1 is a pen and paper based test. As per the guidance of GMC this test consists of 180 MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) which the candidate has to answer within 3 hours. Usually all questions start with a short clinical scenario followed by a question and its possible answer options. The candidate needs to choose the right answer. She can appear for part 1 exam from a number of countries alongside the UK. List of available locations and dates can be found on GMC Online.
PLAB 2 : PLAB 2 is an objective structured clinical exam to assess clinical knowledge and skills by creating a near real life situation. It consists of 18 scenarios / stations, each for eight minutes with the aim to reflect real life settings including a mock consultation, doing a procedure or an acute ward. Part 2 tests run throughout the year at GMC’s clinical assessment centre
For further information about PLAB 2 visit the GMC PLAB2 Guide
MTI
The Medical Training Initiative (MTI)
The Medical Training Initiative (MTI) is a beneficial scheme for newly qualified post graduate doctors from all over the world with the opportunity to work and train in the UK . The scheme facilitates General Medical Council (GMC) registration and tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange) visa for those eligible.
For details, please visit official MTI page.