International recruits

Applicants for our International Nurse/ Midwifery recruitment programme must complete the following steps in order to start the application process with East Kent Hospitals:

1. Apply to the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). (Please ensure you have applied via the correct route in accordance with the position you wish to apply for: e.g. Paediatric Nurses must possess a Child Nurse application via the NMC)

2. Complete the Test of Competence on the NMC website, known as the CBT. (Please ensure you have applied via the correct route in accordance with the position you wish to apply for: e.g. Paediatric Nurses must possess a Child Nurse application via the NMC)

3. Nurses that have completed their nurse training in a country where English is not their first language must complete an English language test (International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Occupational English Test (OET). Find out more about English language requirements on the NMC website.

Applicants for our International Allied Health Practitioner (AHP) recruitment must complete the following steps in order to start the application process with East Kent Hospitals:

1. Apply to the UK Health & Care Profession Council (HCPC). Find out more on about how to apply on the HCPC website.

2. Provide all documents required to certify to the HCPC

3. Allied Health Professionals that have completed their training in a country where English is not their first language must complete an English language test such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet Based Test (IBT)

   Find out more about English language requirements on the HCPC website.

1. If a Professional registration is required for your post the application must be completed before applying for the desired vacancy. Please check the Professional Standards Authority website

2. All International candidates must have at least two years clinical experience.

3. Ensure you have the correct English proficiency certification for your profession.

When relocating, you will need to consider the cost of living in the United Kingdom and consider how you will afford to maintain a certain standard of living. It is therefore recommendable that you complete your own research into the cost of living, to understand how this may impact you.

You can find example average UK prices for everyday items such as food, clothing and childcare on the Numbeo website

Please note that these prices are averages and should act as a guide only

Rental prices will vary according to a number of factors such as the property size, location, and services included.

Private rental market cost comparisons can be found on the ONS website

You’ll need to check your rental agreement to see if this includes the additional utility bills such:

• Council tax

• Gas and electricity

• Water rates

The average cost of running a house in the UK will change depending on many factors, including where you live in the country, the type of property you live in, and how many people reside there.

In addition, you should consider the costs of:

• Telephone connection and Internet services

• Television Licence

With a skilled worker visa, it may include the condition that you have no recourse to public funds. This means you will not be able to claim most benefits, tax credits or housing assistance that are paid by the state (Guidance Public Funds Feb 2014).

For more detailed information on public funds can be found Public funds guidance document.

Your travel costs will be depending on a number of factors such as the mode of travel, distance and occasions.

Further information is provided to support your research:

Rail transport - the Trainline website

Bus transport - Firstbus Bus Journey Planner

Use the Government tool to check if you can drive in Great Britain with your non-GB driving licence - Advice on driving in the UK on a non GB licence 

For information on how to apply for a UK driving licence please visit: How to apply for a UK Driving Licence

NHS England have developed advice for internationally educated nurses and midwifes coming to work in NHS England.

“Maternity rights will be consistent across all NHS trusts in England as this is governed by English law. However, the support available may be different in different areas or trusts so is important to gather all the information you need to inform your decision.”

The information is designed to be used alongside discussions with your new employer to help you make informed decisions before traveling to the UK.

The Trusts’ Welcome Day is designed to give new starters the information they need to confidently start their career with the Trust.

The day covers the key topics about working at East Kent Hospitals, along with activities to build your confidence both inside and outside of the workplace and to support your transition to living in a new country.

Some of the topics covered include:

• About the Trust

• Our values and expected behaviours

• Information about pay, holiday and leave

• I.T. systems

• Transport, travel and parking

• Where to find information to support you

The Clinical Induction programme is designed to give you, as a clinical colleague, a head start in the clinical environment and provide you with the tools to support delivering safe and quality care to our patients. The topics covered aim to develop a culture of openness, honesty, learning, team work and support within the clinical environment that can be built upon through your career.

Local orientation and induction, are incredibly important opportunities where you can meet your new colleagues, learn about your new role and explore your new environment. The programme is designed to encourage you to flourish in your career.

The Trust are invested in supporting you, and have a pastoral care team, in addition to specialist and Health and Wellbeing services. The provisions for pastoral care are embedded throughout your career journey with dedicated drop in sessions as well as the offer of confidential one to one engagement.

For further pastoral care information contact ekhuft.pastoral.support@nhs.net

Our bespoke international nurse recruitment programme is tailored to meet your educational and developmental needs

We have a clear plan to support you from when you arrive in the UK to working in our hospitals. The programme has distinct time frames and will provide you with the opportunity to learn and pass the OSCE, as well as be ready to work clinically.

In addition to the Trust Welcome Day and pastoral care throughout, our International pre-registration programme consists of:

• A four-week intensive OSCE support programme designed to prepare you for the OSCE.

• The support programme is delivered by our dedicated OSCE training team, who are experienced nurses from a multicultural background.

• A two-week transition programme designed to prepare and support the transition of your knowledge and skills into UK clinical practice.

• The training programme is delivered by our dedicated clinical speciality teams, who are experienced professionals across expert fields of nursing.

• Twelve Month Preceptorship programme to support your transition into the role of a UK Registered Nurse in clinical practice.

East Kent Hospitals has been awarded the National Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark to recognise its compliance and excellence in Preceptorship.

Preceptorship plays a pivotal role in retention and sets a structure to support newly registered professionals to develop in confidence and competence, enabling the translation of knowledge into everyday practice.

You can read more about the National Preceptorship Framework