Dr Momina Agha, Senior House Officer, lists their top things to consider when choosing to work in Ireland.
Ireland is a country on the northwest tip of Europe with breathtaking scenery, ancient myths to uncover, and friendly locals who are happy to help you discover the hidden gems of their country. Doctors from all over the world want to work in Ireland. It takes time to adjust, and your current level might not match up in Ireland.
The difference between a Senior House Officer (SHO) and a Registrar is not huge, but you need confidence in your area of expertise. Doctors who have specialist training must apply for specialist registration with the Irish Medical Council. When a doctor's skills are in high demand a hospital will support them to gain experience.
All non-consultant hospital doctor positions are contracted in July each year. The recruitment process starts in February and March for the July rotation, but July is far and away the busiest time of the year.
If you are a non-Irish or EEA national, or a postgraduate student with temporary registration, you will require a work permit. A work permit can be applied for by either the employer or the employee. The applicant must supply the following documentation: a fully completed employment permit application form, certified qualifications, and the appropriate processing fee.
Before you arrive in Ireland, you will need a registration certificate with the Irish Medical Council, a letter of employment, and permission to work as a doctor.
Once you arrive, you need to:
1. Apply for a Personal Public Service (PPS) number to access local services.
2. Open a bank account with an Irish bank as soon as you arrive and provide proof of your address.
3. Look for and arrange accommodation, there are a number of useful sites, here are two examples www.daft.ie or www.rent.ie
Ireland is a nice destination for doctors and other health practitioners, with its welcoming environment and mouthwatering offers. The International Medical Graduate Training Initiative (IMGTI) provides one possible route for overseas doctors wishing to undergo structured postgraduate medical training within the public health service in Ireland.
The Scholarship IMG Training Initiative is aimed at doctors from countries with less developed health sectors and does not lead to settlement in Ireland.
Pakistan and Sudan are participating countries in the Scholarship IMG Training Initiative. Successful candidates will be supported in the ongoing development of their knowledge base and medical skills and competencies within their chosen specialty.
Specialties Training is available in Anaesthesia, Emergency Medicine, General Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery. This training will be recognized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) and Sudan Medical Specialization Board (SMSB).
The IMGTI Fellowship Programme provides training opportunities for doctors who will be fully funded by their home country for the duration of their training. These doctors are recruited directly through the relevant training body and are supernumerary to the staff complement of the sites they are assigned.
IMGTI is supporting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to fill its requirements under the World Health Organization (WHO) Code of Practice on the international recruitment of health personnel by strengthening links with less developed countries whose health professionals have contributed significantly to health care here in Ireland.
If you are a trainee in Pakistan or Sudan and would like to participate in the IMGTI Scholarship, contact your home country's training body.
Consultants and Training Leads can propose non-training posts to National Doctors and Training Planning (NDTP) to be filled with trainees from the programme.