Starting work in the NHS: pre-employment checks and preparation for IMGs

Pre-employment checks

Prior to starting work in the NHS, there will be various steps you will need to go through. Being organised with your paperwork can really help this experience. The whole process can take up to 8 weeks to complete. Here are the main steps of the pre-employment process and the information you will likely need to provide:

• ID documents: As per your job application. This usually includes your passport and visa documentation, but you may also need to provide alternative documents (your employing hospital will explain what these are).
• Professional registration and/or qualifications, including GMC registration: As per your job application. Ensure that you have all your certificates available.
• Overseas police check: This is a document from the police/government confirming your criminal status in your country of residence, also known as a ‘certificate of good standing’. You will need to provide a police check for every country you have resided in for 6 months or more in the last 10 years while aged 18 or over (5 years within the European Union).
  This is also a requirement for your visa application. See Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.
• Model declaration form A: A self declaration collected during recruitment for roles that are eligible for a standard or enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. A DBS check is an essential requirement if you are working in a clinical role with patients. Delays in your DBS check can result in a delay in you being able to start your post. The full process might not be able to be completed until you have a known UK address (ie when you arrive in the UK).
• Occupational health checks: Come prepared with a list of the vaccinations you have received in the past. This process can start before arriving in the UK and is completed once you are here.
• Employment history and references: As per your job application. Ensure that your employment history dates are consistent and match your application. References usually need to cover the prior 3 years of employment. Once your references have been confirmed, your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is usually issued to enable your visa application to begin.
• Right to work check: This can be confirmed via the Home Office online checking service (via your UKVI online account).

Resources  

• Employment standards and regulation – NHS Employers
• eVisas: access and use your online immigration status – GOV.UK: view your eVisa and get a share code to prove your immigration status