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NHS TRUST INTERVIEW

  June 14, 2022    

Most of the time, candidates are passably intimidated by the interview process, and to be honest, it's fair if it's happening for the very first time. However, once you have appeared in a maximum of two interviews, you will know the drill and can take the rest lightly. 

NHS has covered a detailed and phased explanation for the preparation of the interviews, a skim read of which might help.
Besides this, there are some sources and notes popularized for the interview preparation and I was also aware of those, but they appeared a whole lot to me and I didn't use those, rather I just watched a couple of youtube videos to coach myself with the format and I reckon that could be enough. But there are a few things to jot down before sitting for the interview:

⋅ Do read a few points about the Trust's values
⋅ Do go through the job description to justify your reason for applying
⋅ Make a good 2-minute paragraph for your introduction in a CAMP manner (it is a format to divide your answer in a structured way and includes clinical, academic, management and personal aspects to be covered). 
My interviews lasted for 15-20 minutes and the questions that I came across were very general and precise. 

1st interview for the post of clinical fellow in General Medicine:
After a brief intro, the consultant directly started to discuss the procedures and interventions that I can do which I mentioned in my application. Then he asked about any experience in audit and research. Following this, I had a medical scenario of a COPD patient coming to the ER with exacerbation and they wanted to hear my approach in an ABCDE manner. And that's all, the interview ended from their side and they gave me the space for any questions. The next day, I got an offer.
Lasted for 20 minutes.

2nd interview for the post of SHO in the ER:
The interview began with an introduction and greetings by two ER consultants. one of them asked me to take them through my CV, I spoke for 2 minutes and then they asked a few general questions from my CV like previous experiences and about the MRCP exams, etc. Followed by this, I got a clinical scenario on acute exacerbation of asthma in which I again followed the ABCDE approach and told them the whole asthma management in a step-wise manner. Just to tell, the consultants love to give ABGs and expect a correct interpretation from us so do go through that topic at least. After that, both the consultants were very happy and appreciated my responses. Then they asked me how soon can I join and where I live currently. Further to that, both of them had a private chat for a second and gave me an offer for the job on the spot. 
Lasted for 15 minutes.

3rd interview for the post of SHO in the ER:
So after the introduction and discussion of the CV, the consultant asked me about my visa, living near the hospital, and getting any clinical attachments. Then the other consultant gave me a very bizarre clinical scenario. the patient came to the ER who had an episode of ACS a few hours ago and was awaiting PCI but now the patient wanted to go home. He had a low mental capacity. So I was asked what would my approach be in that case (counseling) and how would I access his mental capacity (I said I am not sure but maybe MMSE or I will ask for help from my seniors).  
Lasted for 08 minutes.


Nevertheless, one thing which I can vouch for from this whole process is that the recruiters have already done macro and micro filtration from the applications and the interview process is just a bit of the left-over essence of that profile. They just want to make sure of the confidence, the way of communication, and of course the medical ethics, and for a consultant with an experience of over 5-10 years, it only takes 15-20 minutes to access a candidate and show certainty towards their decision. 
Hence, there is no need to be worried about the interview rather, be honest, spontaneous, and confident in whatever you say but be within professional limitations.

QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED BY THE CANDIDATE IN THE END:

This part is quite crucial and I think the candidate must use it to the utmost. Please do ask some questions to show your interest and dedication to the post and to also portray that you are very vivid with your plans and your needs.

1) How long would be the shadow period?
2) Would the Trust help me to get the FY2 competencies signed?
3) Would I be able to get any chosen rotations?
4) Would I be able to get any audits or QIPs?

Just an example on using the CAMP structure in your answer:

My name is XYZ and I am from ABC country where I graduated in 2017. After that, I worked as a licensed doctor there for almost a year and a half in which I served in the emergency medicine and palliative care centre. At the moment, I am working at Luton and Dunstable hospital (east of England Deanery) as a clinical fellow in general medicine. Within my job, I’ve worked in wards, take lists and managed night on-calls shifts. I have got a good hands on experience in performing basic procedures like catheterisation, venepuncture, ascetic tap.
Over the past few years, I’ve got experience in research and publications where I got two of my research projects published in a PubMed recognised journal, both being done in medicine. A couple of months ago, I conducted a QIP in the trust where I targeted the improvement on 48-hour documentation and de-escalation of antimicrobials in patients along with probiotics prescription. Hence, the sector of audit and QIP interests me and I am looking forward to conduct more of such projects in future.
Apart from clinical skills, I am keen in conducting teaching sessions. Recently I conducted two formal teaching sessions in the Trust. Besides that, I do conduct some informal teachings on my daily basis with the medical students or nurses having case based discussions or discussing blood reports.
In terms of commitment to medicine, I have taken theoretical MRCP exams and am planning to take PACES by the end of this year. 
Form personal perspective, I am very organised person and know to balance my personal and professional life. I like to make coffees for which I did a barista course and learnt to make coffee arts. In my spare time, I love to travel different areas to de stress my self and hang out with friends.

  

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SECURING A POST IN THE NHS

  June 06, 2022    

The process of securing a job in the NHS is well-known by every IMG but many of us still adore discussing and writing about it, and so do I. 

Directly, coming on to the point, after GMC registration, despite being in seventh heaven, every candidate has to gather themselves in a composite way and get back to work ASAP. 

Beginning with the NHS account, it has to be made on trac jobs where all the jobs can be applied for. This has a very taxing file of 10-12 pages with lots and lots of details and formalities, however, it is indeed the only medium of getting an interview call so never take it lightly. As I have been on the same track recently, I am well aware of the sensitive areas and the points where IMGs struggle. For most of us, the section of "Supporting Information" remains back-breaking.

Some of the tips for compiling and finishing that section are:

1) To blow your own horn but in a decent and solemn English.
2)  Don't try to bamboozle the readers by writing those things which you cannot prove in the interview, for example: be honest if you don't have a log book weaving your competencies, times you performed some procedures, the things you need the exposure of or improvement in. 
3) Before commencing the SI, try to spend a good time reading the job description and person specification. 
3) When you are writing the SI, try to divide it into a few paragraphs with the first concisely describing your graduation, internship, and current employment/unemployment status.
4) Following this, mention the role and the reason you are applying for the post. This could be the high time to show your interest in the department or the post offered by illustrating some of your previous work done in that field or your future commitments to any sub-specialty. The reasons should sound legitimate and vivid. 
5) Next, you can mention the reason for applying for that particular Trust. This can be done by reading the values of the Trust, it's ranking with CQC, or giving a reference from a friend/ senior already connected with the Trust. This leaves a positive impact on the recruiters.
6) Now you can use a significant space in annotating your qualities, achievements, and strengths that are coinciding with the job description and person specification. Support your information with some examples like any story about teamwork, any example in which you led a quality improvement program or a campaign, and so on. 
7)  Give quality time to each and every of your application without rushing and copy-pasting. Of course, it could be draining but in the end, every sweat is of worth.  

I followed that approach and improved my reading and writing with every application. By doing so, I applied for 50 jobs (which was not less) for 1 month and got 5 offers just in a 1-month period. 

  

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GMC REGISTRATION PROCESS

  June 05, 2022    

Start with this process as soon as you get the result and it would be wise to keep the documents equipped to save your time while registering.


So first, you have to go to GMC online > My registration > My Applications > Apply


1. Enter your EPIC ID(ECFMG)

2. Enter the internship details of all the postings you attended as per your internship certificate 

3. Confirm your name details 

4. Following this is the professional experience section (the most important and annoying one). You have to enter the details of your life 5 years from the date you are filling the form, i.e. 10th April 2017 to 10th April 2022. It has to include everything you did like study leaves, marriage break, traveling, pregnancy waiting for jobs, etc. For instance, from 10/04/2017 to 29/01/2019  -> studying at the college, 30/01/2019 to 31/03/2019 -> during this period, I was awaiting my internship start date. 01/04/2019 to 31/03/2020 -> internship at the hospital and continue likewise till date. But please DON’T LEAVE ANY GAPS otherwise you would get questioned on that
TIP: whatever you put, should be authentic and not bogus as the information is bound to validate

5. Enter about your medical regulatory body in your home country like PMC etc

6. Fill on other formalities asking about your health and fitness to practice

7. Once sure of the application, make a payment of £161


Immediately after this, you will receive an email from GMC asking for the documents to be sent [Passport, MBBS degree certificate, Certificate of Good Standing, OET/IELTS, internship completion certificate, translations (only if you have your documents in a language other than English) and employer reference (GEN1 form)].


GEN1 form: A lot of us get stuck with this draft. Actually, it is not a mandatory indenture for everyone, it is just to be filled ONLY if you have practiced medicine without any licensing/ registration in your country. 


Lastly, GMC takes about 2-3 (4-5) working days to sort out the documents and award a full registration with a license to practice in the UK. The license has to get renewed every year on the date you would be accoladed with it.

  

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