My guideline on resigning from jobs in the NHS
Ideally, an international medical graduate needs to resign only once from his/her job in the NHS- the non training post.
This is the usual career progression for an IMG doctor (in medicine):
1. Trust grade SHO post for 6 month to 1 year.
2. Resign from non training post.
3. Enter training post
However some people tend to waver a bit from this plan as they
- Feel unsettled in their first job and "think" that they would be more settled if they apply and work in another non training post.
- They have genuine issues which they did not think of before applying for their current job- eg, it is in the wrong specialty the do not wish to train in, it is far away from their home, etc.
Either way- They ask me to give them advice on resigning. Here are some frequently asked questions:
When can I resign from my job?
You need to give your trust a notice period to your trust.
What is a notice period?
This is the time you need to continue working in that trust till the HR, rota coordinator and management arrange for a suitable replacement for you.
It is usually 4 to 6 weeks but you need to confirm with your HR.
What do I have to do?
Talk to your supervisor before considering resigning from your post if it is due to being unsettled. Some trusts allow the doctor to work in a different specialty. for example, if you are working in ED and you do not wish to continue, you can talk to your supervisor who may be able to get you a post in medicine which is what you now want to do. This will save you the hassle of going through applying for jobs, giving interviews, applying for another visa and relocating - all of which cost time and money.
I have discussed this with my supervisor. And I would like to apply for another job in a different trust.
Talk to your HR and rota coordinator. Ask them about the notice period. In the meantime prepare your resignation letter - BUT DO NOT SUBMIT IT!
What should I give to my consultants and wards on leaving?
You must give thank you cards and boxes of chocolates to your consultants, wards and throw a small party (like a pizza party) during your lunch break on your last day. Give a small speech of how amazing your experience has been. Meet everyone personally and also email your consultants thanking them for their support. This will leave an everlasting impression.
Remember- those same consultants may be interviewing you for your training post later on.
What happens when I leave the trust?
This is the usual career progression for an IMG doctor (in medicine):
1. Trust grade SHO post for 6 month to 1 year.
2. Resign from non training post.
3. Enter training post
However some people tend to waver a bit from this plan as they
- Feel unsettled in their first job and "think" that they would be more settled if they apply and work in another non training post.
- They have genuine issues which they did not think of before applying for their current job- eg, it is in the wrong specialty the do not wish to train in, it is far away from their home, etc.
Either way- They ask me to give them advice on resigning. Here are some frequently asked questions:
When can I resign from my job?
You need to give your trust a notice period to your trust.
What is a notice period?
This is the time you need to continue working in that trust till the HR, rota coordinator and management arrange for a suitable replacement for you.
It is usually 4 to 6 weeks but you need to confirm with your HR.
What do I have to do?
Talk to your supervisor before considering resigning from your post if it is due to being unsettled. Some trusts allow the doctor to work in a different specialty. for example, if you are working in ED and you do not wish to continue, you can talk to your supervisor who may be able to get you a post in medicine which is what you now want to do. This will save you the hassle of going through applying for jobs, giving interviews, applying for another visa and relocating - all of which cost time and money.
I have discussed this with my supervisor. And I would like to apply for another job in a different trust.
Talk to your HR and rota coordinator. Ask them about the notice period. In the meantime prepare your resignation letter - BUT DO NOT SUBMIT IT!
When should I submit my resignation letter?
Once you have applied on NHS jobs, given interviews, accepted a post, received your Certificate of Sponsorship and applied for a visa.
How long will this whole process take?
This can take anything from 2 months to 4 months.
What should I do in the meantime?
Continue working in your trust and make the most of your time here. Give a post graduate exam if you can concentrate on it, or work on an audit or case study- something to keep yourself busy.
What are the legal implications in terms of visas?
You must be in the UK on some sort of visa in some job. Which is why it is important to apply for your new visa first and then resign from your current post. You should be employed till the day your new visa arrives.
So I should resign on the day my new visa arrives?
You can hand in you notice period a few weeks in advance according to the hospitals guidelines but do let them know that you will continue working for them till your new visa arrives.
Am I allowed to work in my current trust even if my new visa has arrived?
Yes- you can as mentioned here:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/frequently-asked-questions-about-tier-2.html
I am changing jobs in the UK. What sort of visa do I need?
A TIER 2 general visa. The link is mentioned here:
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/tier2-general
But this states "leave to remain".
Once you have applied on NHS jobs, given interviews, accepted a post, received your Certificate of Sponsorship and applied for a visa.
How long will this whole process take?
This can take anything from 2 months to 4 months.
What should I do in the meantime?
Continue working in your trust and make the most of your time here. Give a post graduate exam if you can concentrate on it, or work on an audit or case study- something to keep yourself busy.
What are the legal implications in terms of visas?
You must be in the UK on some sort of visa in some job. Which is why it is important to apply for your new visa first and then resign from your current post. You should be employed till the day your new visa arrives.
So I should resign on the day my new visa arrives?
You can hand in you notice period a few weeks in advance according to the hospitals guidelines but do let them know that you will continue working for them till your new visa arrives.
Am I allowed to work in my current trust even if my new visa has arrived?
Yes- you can as mentioned here:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/frequently-asked-questions-about-tier-2.html
I am changing jobs in the UK. What sort of visa do I need?
A TIER 2 general visa. The link is mentioned here:
https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/tier2-general
But this states "leave to remain".
This is the visa we apply for when we are on a tier 2 work visa and want to:
-Apply for a new visa for a new job.
- Extend the visa in our current job and continue working in it.
How long does this take?
8 weeks if you go through the standard route. 1 day if you apply via the priority visa route as mentioned here:
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/switch-to-this-visa
Which visa should I apply for?
- Extend the visa in our current job and continue working in it.
How long does this take?
8 weeks if you go through the standard route. 1 day if you apply via the priority visa route as mentioned here:
https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general/switch-to-this-visa
Which visa should I apply for?
If you are applying for a non training post then apply for the standard visa 10 weeks in advance of your starting date. However if you are short on time and cannot stay in your current job for that long then apply for a priority visa
So what is the ideal pathway?
1. Inform your supervisor - to see if there is a way round it instead of changing jobs.
2. If not, then inform your HR and ask about the notice period.
3. Apply for new jobs, give interviews, wait for your COS, apply for a work visa.
4. Hand in your resignation at week 7 of your visa application (as it usually takes 8 to 10 weeks to arrive
5. Receive your new visa
6. Resign from your trust.
I have received my new visa but did not hand in my resignation.
Talk to your HR - they might allow you to resign earlier but most trusts are very strict on the notice period.
Why are they so strict about this?
This is to ensure that there are a certain number of doctors in the ward where you were supposed to work in. This is a national requirement therefore they should know in advance so that they can make arrangements to recruit someone else.
Can I resign from my post as soon as I start?
If you have a genuine reason as mentioned above then yes, you can as long as you work till your notice period.
I would strongly advise that you should try to settle in this post rather than switching jobs unless you have got a training post.
Please read these posts as well:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/the-pursuit-of-happiness-in-uk-for-img.html
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/my-advice-to-doctors-who-get-nervous.htm
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/the-cons-of-living-and-working-in-uk-as.html
Will my premature resignation cause problems for me?
Well, your supervisor would certainly not approve of this decision however if you have a genuine issue then by all means, make your life easier by applying for a new job.
I am applying for a training post. How should I go about resigning from my current trust?
1. Inform your supervisor and HR.
2. Hand in your resignation letter according to the trusts notice period.
3. As your training job will start at a particular time anyway and you will be applying for a priority visa , you can safely inform your trust.
4. Continue working in your current trust till a few days before your training post- mention the date in your resignation letter.
5. You can also mention that you would like to do locums in this trust till your last day if you are resigning a week before your new job.
Read this as well:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/my-guideline-on-applying-for-work-visa.html
So what is the ideal pathway?
1. Inform your supervisor - to see if there is a way round it instead of changing jobs.
2. If not, then inform your HR and ask about the notice period.
3. Apply for new jobs, give interviews, wait for your COS, apply for a work visa.
4. Hand in your resignation at week 7 of your visa application (as it usually takes 8 to 10 weeks to arrive
5. Receive your new visa
6. Resign from your trust.
I have received my new visa but did not hand in my resignation.
Talk to your HR - they might allow you to resign earlier but most trusts are very strict on the notice period.
Why are they so strict about this?
This is to ensure that there are a certain number of doctors in the ward where you were supposed to work in. This is a national requirement therefore they should know in advance so that they can make arrangements to recruit someone else.
Can I resign from my post as soon as I start?
If you have a genuine reason as mentioned above then yes, you can as long as you work till your notice period.
I would strongly advise that you should try to settle in this post rather than switching jobs unless you have got a training post.
Please read these posts as well:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/the-pursuit-of-happiness-in-uk-for-img.html
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/my-advice-to-doctors-who-get-nervous.htm
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/the-cons-of-living-and-working-in-uk-as.html
Will my premature resignation cause problems for me?
Well, your supervisor would certainly not approve of this decision however if you have a genuine issue then by all means, make your life easier by applying for a new job.
I am applying for a training post. How should I go about resigning from my current trust?
1. Inform your supervisor and HR.
2. Hand in your resignation letter according to the trusts notice period.
3. As your training job will start at a particular time anyway and you will be applying for a priority visa , you can safely inform your trust.
4. Continue working in your current trust till a few days before your training post- mention the date in your resignation letter.
5. You can also mention that you would like to do locums in this trust till your last day if you are resigning a week before your new job.
Read this as well:
http://omarsguidelines.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/my-guideline-on-applying-for-work-visa.html
Why do I need to apply for a priority visa which costs twice as much as a standard visa for a training post?
This is because the COS for training posts arrives 3 to 4 weeks before the job starts. And you do not have enough time to apply for a standard visa which would take 8 weeks to arrive.
Do I need to give a notice period when I am switching jobs within my training posts?
No you do not have to- as you are on a fixed contract for a particular time duration which your HR, rota coordinator and supervisor are already aware of. However it is a good idea to just let them know 6 weeks in advance that you are leaving.
What should I give to my consultants and wards on leaving?
You must give thank you cards and boxes of chocolates to your consultants, wards and throw a small party (like a pizza party) during your lunch break on your last day. Give a small speech of how amazing your experience has been. Meet everyone personally and also email your consultants thanking them for their support. This will leave an everlasting impression.
Remember- those same consultants may be interviewing you for your training post later on.
What happens when I leave the trust?
You will be asked to hand in your ID badge, any access cards you have and fill out a feedback.
You will receive a P45 form in a few weeks which is a tax document. This has 2 sections - you keep one section and give the other section to your new trust which they use to calculate your tax and then submit it to the HMRC.
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