Working in the UK as a Radiotherapist

With an ageing population, the UK has an increasing demand for qualified radiotherapists. This means there is an opportunity for qualified radiotherapists from abroad to work in the UK. A recent report by the Radiotherapy Board highlights that the profession has a vacancy rate of 10.5%. And that 92% of radiotherapy departments across the UK report radiotherapy job vacancies. So there are plenty of opportunities to work across the country. Register with us today to find the latest NHS radiotherapy jobs.

How to register to work in the UK

Due to a shortage of trained healthcare workers, the UK makes it easy for trained foreign nationals to come to the UK and work in the NHS. However, you need to be aware of the new rules put in place since the UK's exit from the EU. Residents of EU states, along with Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, are no longer able to work in the UK without an appropriate visa. Applicants also need to ensure their qualifications meet the level demanded by the profession. This can be achieved by registering with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The HCPC will check your degree and qualifications to ensure you meet the Standards of Proficiency for Radiographers. With an ageing population, the UK has an increasing demand for qualified radiotherapists. This means there is an opportunity for qualified radiotherapists from abroad to work in the UK. A recent report by the College of Radiographers highlights that the profession has a vacancy rate of 10.5%. And that 92% of radiotherapy departments across the UK report radiotherapy job vacancies. So there are plenty of opportunities to work across the country. Register with us today to find the latest NHS radiotherapy jobs.

How to register to work in the UK

Due to a shortage of trained healthcare workers, the UK makes it easy for trained foreign nationals to come to the UK and work in the NHS. But you need to be aware of the new rules put in place since the UK's exit from the EU. Residents of EU states along with Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein are no longer able to work in the UK without an appropriate visa. Applicants also need to ensure their qualifications meet the level demanded by the profession. This can be achieved by registering with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The HCPC will check your degree and qualifications to ensure you meet the Standards of Proficiency for Radiotherapists. They will also check if you are proficient enough in English to work safely in the UK. You can find out more about the HCPC and register with them on their website. Alternatively, give them a call on (44) 020 7840 9802 from outside the UK.

Visas available

Members of the EU are reminded that applications for the EU Settlement Scheme have now closed. In some circumstances, you may still be able to apply for an exemption. You can check if you are eligible for an extension here. Everyone else, including citizens of EU member states and Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, need to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa.

Health and Care Worker visa

The Health and Care Worker visa allows trained medical professionals, their partners and dependent children to live and work in the UK for a period of up to 5 years. After this period you can apply for permanent settlement or a visa extension. To qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa, the job must qualify as a health or social care job. If you are a qualified doctor, nurse, or other trained healthcare professional, you will be considered eligible. You must also work for a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office. And have a certificate of sponsorship from your employer. This must state the type of role you have been offered in the UK. The job must also pay over the National Living Wage. The amount you are paid will depend on your experience and qualifications. Wages can also be determined by the region you work in, with jobs in London paying up to 10% more than elsewhere.

Temporary Work Exchange visa

Foreign workers that wish to work or study in the UK temporarily, should apply for the Temporary Work - Government Authorised Exchange visa. This replaced the T5 Temporary Worker visa and allows foreign workers to stay for a period of up to two years. The exact amount of time you are allowed to stay in the UK will depend on the role you apply for. You can enter the country 14 days before your position starts and leave up to 14 days after it has finished. To be eligible for the visa you must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor. This can be an employer running an approved exchange scheme, a higher education institution, or a government department. Applicants must also prove they have enough personal savings to cover their time in the UK. They must also pay a healthcare surcharge, which at the time of writing, is £624 per year. An application fee of £244 is also payable. The above fees are payable for all visa applicants including the partners and children of the main applicant. You can find out more about the eligibility requirements and fees for the Temporary Work -Government Authorised Exchange visa here.

Youth Mobility Scheme visa

The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is open to young adults aged 18-30 that are either British Overseas Citizens, from a British Overseas Territory or a citizen of the following countries; Australia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Mariano and Iceland. Residents from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan must be selected from the Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot. You can find out more about the ballot system here. The Youth Mobility Scheme visa allows holders to live and work in the UK for a period of up to two years. To be eligible, you must show you can support yourself in the UK. And have savings of at least £2,530.

Life as a Radiotherapist in the UK

Working in the UK as a radiotherapist is a rewarding experience. You will be working with other like-minded healthcare professionals dedicated to delivering the highest possible levels of health care to patients. But if you have never experienced life in the UK before, it can be intimidating knowing what to expect. So in this section, we are going to look at what you need to know to live happily in the UK.

Accommodation – Where to stay

Finding suitable accommodation is going to be pretty high on your agenda when moving to the UK. Some roles may provide accommodation as part of the package, but for a typical radiotherapist role, this is rare. While you may be offered temporary accommodation at the hospital until you get settled in. This is unlikely to be a permanent arraignment due to the shortage of such accommodation. This type of accommodation is reserved for staff that work unsociable shift partners such as A&E doctors. Since most radiotherapists work regular office hours, you are unlikely to receive accommodation as part of your package. This means you will have to find suitable accommodation. However, you should be aware that most hospital positions require employees to live within 45-60 minutes of the hospital itself. So make sure you check your contract before looking for a property. Several property websites in the UK make it easy to find suitable accommodation within a given radius. Check out Rightmove.co.uk, Onthemarket.com and Zoopla.com to find accommodation in your desired location. To secure a property, you will need to provide proof of identity and income. Your passport and NHS contract can be used for this purpose. You will also need to pay a small deposit to secure the property.

Bank accounts

Most NHS Authorities require that salaries be paid into a UK bank account. This means you will have to open a bank account. While you can do this before you arrive, in most cases it will be easier once you have settled in. The UK has a competitive financial sector, so you will find plenty of options for bank accounts both online and offline. Some banks even offer financial incentives for opening a current account. You can check out the latest bank offers here.

Remuneration

Salaries for radio jobs in the UK start in band 5 of the Agenda for Change pay rate scale. This is for newly qualified radiotherapists with less than two years experience. The salary for band 5 is between £24,907 and £30,615. More experienced radiotherapists with more than two years of experience fall into band 7. This pays between £38,890 and £44,503. At the consultant level, radiotherapists fall into band 8c which commands a salary of £73,664. Locum radiotherapy pay rates range from £20-35 per hour.

Radiotherapy jobs London

The above pay scales are representative across the UK. However, radiotherapy jobs based in London are paid a supplement on top of these rates to cover the increased cost of living in these areas. While many radiotherapists choose to work in London, because of the extra salary, there are plenty of opportunities to work across the UK. And you may find the quality of life to be superior in many of the smaller towns and cities.

Working hours

Most radiotherapist jobs stipulate a 37.5-hour working week. This is based on five 7.5 hour shifts. Shift patterns cover the hours between 8 am and 8 pm. You will be expected to work some weekends but will get time off during the week to compensate. Radiotherapists are rarely required to be on call. The job is mainly restricted to office hours. But there may be opportunities to do extra shifts, due to the shortage of qualified staff.