Making the smooth and simple transition from Bulgaria and Romania to the UK

Editorial supplied for MedPharm Careers Magazine

Every year thousands of people move to the UK from Bulgaria and Romania to work in the healthcare sector, bringing professional skills and expertise with them; skills and expertise that the NHS has a continual need for.

The United Kingdom is the window to many opportunities, providing a steady career for healthcare professionals who possess the relevant qualifications, experience and communication skills. Many doctors and nurses look to the UK for a better way of life, greater job security, to provide for their families or even just a new taste of adventure.

With European countries (such as Bulgaria and Romania) ranking low in terms of remuneration and offering relatively few rewards for doctors and nurses, healthcare professionals are driven to building their careers away from their homeland and where they can develop further within their specialty. But - with so many options to choose from, doctors and nurses can find it difficult to know where to start, and how to find the best jobs that are not only professionally and financially fulfilling, but jobs that suit their requirements and lifestyle perfectly.

ID Medical’s experienced International division understands that Bulgarian and Romanian nationals make a truly positive contribution to the UK and the NHS, working with many candidates to help them realise their UK dream and make it happen. The team ensures every doctor and every nurse is fully prepared with the essential items they’ll need for working in the UK, whilst providing them with on-going support to practice safely within a NHS clinical setting.

ID Medical works with over 90% hospitals across the UK, and with more and more Trusts actively seeking skilled doctors and nurses, the award-winning healthcare recruiter is seeing increased demand and further opportunities for its International candidates. These opportunities give peace of mind and stability whilst providing International candidates with the opportunity to join experienced teams and work with some of the UK’s top healthcare professionals.

From 1 January 2014, nationals from Bulgaria and Romania are no longer be required to hold accession worker authorisation (or demonstrate exemption from authorisation to work in the UK). However, all official documentation, including right to work checks, must be completed before employment - further information on the NHS Employers website.

ID Medical International asked some of its current candidates what they think about working in the UK…

“The first thing I noticed was how welcoming everyone was. When you are a new member of staff, you are looked after and this makes adapting to working life in the UK very pleasant.”

“I decided to move to the UK to work to gain new experiences and further my career. It is an added bonus that the pay is improved but the UK offers more opportunities for career development within my specialty.”

ID Medical’s International Division has built a solid reputation of excellence in sourcing highly skilled and competent doctors, nurses and AHP/HSS professionals, yet ID Medical’s ability goes beyond that; orientation programmes, English proficiency training and on-going guidance are provided to non UK native candidates to ensure the transition to working in a UK NHS setting is as stress-free and is as beneficial as possible to both the incoming candidate and the expectant hospital.