The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam is a licensing exam for international medicalgraduates who wish to work as doctors in the UK. However, not all medical jobs in the UK require PLAB/UKMLA. There are some alternative routes and options for
international medical graduates who want to pursue a career in the UK withouttaking PLAB. In this article, we will explore some of these jobs and how to apply for them.
Clinical Fellowships
Clinical fellowships are training posts that offer exposure and experience in a specific specialty or subspecialty. They are usually offered by hospitals or universities and last for 6 to 12 months. Clinical fellowships are not part of the formal training pathway and do not lead to a certificate of completion of training (CCT).
However, they can provide valuable skills and knowledge that can enhance your CV and help you prepare for further exams or applications.
Clinical fellowships donot require PLAB, but they do require GMC registration. There are different ways to obtain GMC registration without PLAB, such as:
- Passing a postgraduate qualification that is accepted
by the GMC, such as MRCP, MRCS, MRCOG, etc. - Applying through the medical training initiative
(MTI) scheme, which is a sponsored route for international medical graduates who want to gain experience and training in the UK for up to two
years. - Applying through the sponsorship route, which is
similar to MTI but requires a sponsor who is a consultant or a senior colleague in the UK who can vouch for your competence and suitability.
To apply for clinical fellowships, you need to check the NHS jobs website or the websites of individual hospitals or universities that offer them. You also need to prepare your CV, personal statement, references, and evidence of your qualifications and GMC registration.
Medical Research Jobs
Medical research jobs involve conducting scientific studies or experiments to investigate various aspects of
medicine, such as diseases, treatments, prevention, diagnosis, etc. Medical research jobs can be academic or non-academic, depending on whether they are affiliated with a university or an independent organization. Medical research jobs can be clinical or non-clinical, depending on whether they involve direct contact with patients or not.
Medical research jobs do notrequire PLAB, but they do require GMC registration if they are clinical. The same routes mentioned above for clinical fellowships apply for GMC registrationwithout PLAB.
However, some medical research jobs may not require GMC registration
if they are non-clinical or if they involve working under supervision.
To apply for medical research jobs, you need to have a relevant degree or qualification in medicine or a related field, such as biomedical sciences, pharmacology, epidemiology, etc.
You also need to have some experience or interest in research and demonstrateyour skills in data analysis, statistics, writing, presentation, etc. You can find medical research jobs on websites such as:
- Jobs.ac.uk
- Nature Careers
- New Scientist Jobs
- BMJ Careers
Non-Clinical Jobs
Non-clinical jobs are jobs that do not involve direct patient care or diagnosis but still require medical
knowledge or skills. Non-clinical jobs can be found in various sectors and industries, such as:
- Education
- Health policy
- Public health
- Health informatics
- Pharmaceutical
- Biotechnology
- Medical device
- Healthcare consulting
- Medical writing
- Medical journalism
- Medical law
- Medical ethics
- Medical education
Non-clinical jobs do not require PLAB or GMC registration, but they do require a medical degree or qualification and some relevant experience or training in the field of interest. Some non-clinical jobs may also require additional qualifications or certifications,
such as:
- Master’s degree or PhD in a related field
- Diploma or certificate in public health, health
informatics, health economics, etc. - Membership or fellowship of a professional body or
association - Accreditation or recognition by a regulatory body or
agency
To apply for non-clinical jobs, you need to tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your transferable skills and achievements that are relevant to the job role and sector. You also need to network with potential employers and colleagues and use online platforms such as LinkedIn to showcase your profile and portfolio.
Some examples of non-clinical jobs are:
Clinical Coding Jobs
Clinical coding is the process of
translating medical information from patient records into standardized codes that can be used for billing, reimbursement, quality improvement, research, etc. Clinical coders work in hospitals or other healthcare settings and use software tools and databases
to access and use various coding systems and standards, such as ICD-10, OPCS-4, SNOMED CT, etc. Clinical coders work closely with clinicians and other healthcare professionals to ensure the accuracy and quality of the coded data.
Clinical coding jobs do not require PLAB or GMC registration, but they do require a medical degree or qualification and some training or experience in clinical coding. Some clinical coding jobs may also require accreditation by the National Clinical Coding
Qualification (NCCQ) board or the Association of Clinical Coders (ACC).
To apply for clinical coding jobs,you need to have a good knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology,
pathology, pharmacology, etc. You also need to have good computer skills,attention to detail, analytical thinking, and communication skills. You can find clinical coding jobs on websites such as:
- NHS Jobs
- Indeed
- Greys Specialist Recruitment
Medical Writing Jobs
Medical writing is the process of
producing written content for various purposes and audiences in the field of medicine and healthcare. Medical writers work for various clients and organizations, such as:
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Biotechnology companies
- Medical device companies
- Contract research organizations (CROs)
- Medical communication agencies
- Medical journals
- Medical education providers
- Healthcare websites
- Healthcare charities
Medical writing jobs can be classified into two main types: regulatory writing and educational writing.
Regulatory writing involves producing documents that are required by regulatory authorities or agencies for the approval or marketing of drugs, devices, or procedures. Educational writing involves producing documents that are intended to inform or educate healthcare professionals, patients, or the general public
about various aspects of medicine and healthcare.
Medical writing jobs do not require PLAB or GMC registration, but they do require a medical degree or
qualification and some training or experience in medical writing. Some medical writing jobs may also require additional qualifications or certifications, such
as:
- Master’s degree or PhD in a related field
- Diploma or certificate in medical writing
- Membership or fellowship of a professional body or
association, such as the European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) or
the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA)
To apply for medical writing jobs,
you need to have excellent writing skills, research skills, critical thinking skills, and communication skills. You also need to have a good knowledge of medical terminology, scientific principles, ethical standards, and regulatory
guidelines. You can find medical writing jobs on websites such as:
- Jobs.ac.uk
- Nature Careers
- New Scientist Jobs
- BMJ Careers
Healthcare Consulting Jobs
Healthcare consulting is the process of providing expert advice or guidance to various clients and organizations in the field of medicine and healthcare. Healthcare consultants work for various types of consulting firms, such as:
- Strategy consulting firms
- Management consulting firms
- Technology consulting firms
- Healthcare consulting firms
Healthcare consulting firms provide expert advice or guidance to various clients and organizations in the
field of medicine and healthcare. Healthcare consulting firms can help with various aspects of healthcare, such as:
- Strategy
- Operations
- Technology
- Innovation
- Transformation
- Performance improvement
- Risk management
- Compliance
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Market entry
- Customer experience
- Digital health
Healthcare consulting firms work with various types of clients and organizations, such as:
- Hospitals and health systems
- Primary care and community care providers
- Specialty care providers
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
- Medical device and diagnostics companies
- Health insurers and payers
- Health regulators and policymakers
- Health charities and foundations
Healthcare consulting jobs do not require PLAB or GMC registration, but they do require a medical degree or qualification and some training or experience in consulting. Some healthcare
consulting jobs may also require additional qualifications or certifications, such as:
- Master’s degree or MBA in a related field
- Membership or fellowship of a professional body or
association, such as the Institute of Consulting (IC) or the Management
Consultancies Association (MCA) - Accreditation or recognition by a regulatory body or
agency, such as the Chartered Institute of Management Consultants (CIMC)
or the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
To apply for healthcare consulting jobs, you need to have excellent problem-solving skills, analytical skills, communication skills, and interpersonal skills. You also need to have a good knowledge of the healthcare industry, its trends, challenges, opportunities,
and best practices. You can find healthcare consulting jobs on websites such as:
- Consultancy.uk
- Denhet.com
- Indeed
Medical Teaching Jobs
Medical teaching jobs involve providing education or training to various learners in the field of medicine and healthcare. Medical teachers work for various types of educational institutions or providers, such as:
- Medical schools and universities
- Postgraduate medical education centres and deaneries
- Royal colleges and faculties
- Continuing professional development (CPD) providers
- Medical education agencies and companies
Medical teaching jobs can be classified into two main types: academic teaching and clinical teaching.
Academic teaching involves providing lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, etc. on various topics related to medicine and healthcare. Clinical teaching involves providing supervision, feedback, assessment, etc. on various clinical skills and competencies related to medicine and healthcare.
Medical teaching jobs do not require PLAB, but they do require GMC registration if they are clinical. The same routes mentioned above for clinical fellowships apply for GMC registration without PLAB. However, some medical teaching jobs may not require GMC registration if they are academic or if they involve working under supervision.
To apply for medical teaching jobs, you need to have a relevant degree or qualification in medicine or a related field, such as biomedical sciences, pharmacology, epidemiology, etc.
You also need to have some experience or interest in teaching and demonstrateyour skills in pedagogy, curriculum design, assessment methods, feedback techniques, etc.
Medical Transcription Jobs
Medical transcription is the process of converting audio recordings of medical consultations, reports, and procedures into written documents. Medical transcriptionists need to have a good command of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and
English language. They also need to have good typing and listening skills, as well as attention to detail and accuracy.
Medical transcription jobs are
usually done remotely, which means you can work from home or anywhere with a reliable internet connection. You can find medical transcription jobs on various online platforms, such as Upwork, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour, etc. You can also look for medical transcription companies that hire international medical graduates, such as AccuTran Global, Nuance Transcription Services,MModal, etc.
The average salary for a medical transcriptionist in the UK is £21,000 per year, according to Indeed. However, this may vary depending on your experience, skills, and the type and volume of work you do.
Telemedicine Jobs
Telemedicine is the delivery of health care services using information and communication technologies, such as phone calls, video calls, online chats, etc. Telemedicine allows patients to access health care from anywhere and anytime, without having to visit a physical clinic or hospital. Telemedicine also enables doctors to provide
consultations, diagnosis, prescriptions, referrals, and follow-ups remotely.
Telemedicine jobs are suitable for international medical graduates who want to use their medical knowledge andskills without having to go through the PLAB exam or GMC registration. You can
find telemedicine jobs on various online platforms, such as Babylon Health, Push Doctor, Livi, etc. You can also look for telemedicine companies that hire international medical graduates, such as Docly, Medicspot, Qured, etc.
The average salary for a telemedicine doctor in the UK is £50 per hour, according to Glassdoor. However, this may vary depending on your experience, skills, and the type and volume of work you do.
Medical Software Jobs
Medical software is the application of software engineering principles and techniques to create software systems that support health care delivery and management. Medical software includes electronic health records (EHR), clinical decision support systems (CDSS), telemedicine platforms, medical imaging systems, etc.
Medical software jobs are suitable for international medical graduates who have a background or interest in computer science or software engineering. You can find medical software jobs on various online platforms, such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, etc. You can
also look for medical software companies that hire international medical
graduates, such as Cerner, Epic, Allscripts, etc.
The average salary for a medical software engineer in the UK is £45 000 per year, according to Indeed. However, this may vary depending on your experience, skills, and the type and complexity
of work you do.
Healthcare Administration Jobs
Healthcare administration is the management of healthcare organizations, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, etc. Healthcare administrators are responsible for planning, organizing,
directing, and controlling the operations and resources of healthcare
organizations. They also oversee the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcareservices.
Healthcare administration jobs are suitable for international medical graduates who have a background or interest in business administration or management. You can find healthcare administration jobs on various online platforms, such as NHS Jobs, Indeed,LinkedIn, etc.
You can also look for healthcare administration courses or
programs that accept international medical graduates, such as Master of
Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare Management, Master of Science (MSc) in Healthcare Administration, etc.
The average salary for a healthcare administrator in the UK
is £35 000 per year, according to Indeed. However, this may vary depending on your experience, skills, and the type and size of the organization you work for.
Healthcare Management Jobs
Healthcare management is the leadership and coordination of healthcare organizations, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, etc. Healthcare managers are responsible for setting
the vision, mission, goals, and strategies of healthcare organizations. They also oversee the financial, human, and material resources of healthcare organizations. They also ensure the compliance with laws, regulations, and standards of healthcare delivery and quality.
Healthcare management jobs are suitable for international medical graduates who have a background or interest in health policy, health economics, health systems, or health services research. You can find healthcare management jobs on various online platforms, such as NHS Jobs1, Indeed2, LinkedIn3, etc.
You can also look for healthcare management courses or programs that accept international medical graduates, such as Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Administration (MHA),
Master of Science (MSc) in Health Management, etc.
The average salary for a healthcare manager in the UK is £40 000 per year, according to Indeed2.
However, this may vary depending on your experience, skills, and the type and size of the organization you work for.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored some of the jobs that you can do in the UK without requiring PLAB examination.
These jobs include medical transcription, telemedicine, medical software, healthcare administration, and healthcare management. These jobs allow you touse your medical knowledge and skills in different ways and sectors, without having to go through the PLAB exam or GMC registration. However, these jobs may
also have their own challenges and requirements, such as language skills, technical skills, qualifications, certifications, etc. Therefore, you should do your own research and assessment before applying for these jobs.
We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below.
