What is a CA?
It basically means, being an observer in order to familiarise oneself with the way things work in a different country. In the process one also is under observation from the higher ups.
Why CA?
This is the easiest way to develop your first hand contact with the system. With the given situation it is the only way. By becoming an observer, not only do you get valuable insight into how the NHS works but, you also develop contacts with your consultants which will later help in getting that all important job. Lets face it, at the end of the day the job is what you are here for.
When to do the attachment-before or after PLAB 2?
It is a matter of personal choice. Depending on how you scored in the IELTS & how fluent you are with the language & how confident you are of your communication skills, you can choose. Some individuals feel its a good thing to do it before your part 2 as it gives you an idea of common phrases, the accent & increases your confidence for the exam. I would say it also depends on your financial situation as it means arriving well before the exam, arranging accommodation, attending your courses for the exam etc. If you habitually watch BBC & English movies back home you should be all right.
CA-Advantages/disadvantages
Merits:
a) Its your first contact with the system. You have never been in a foreign hospital before. All you have seen is the different lab forms, catheters, cannulas & manikins shown to you in your PLAB 2 courses. You have no clue how the wards look like, how a crash call functions, (what a bleep looks like) how does one chase results?
b) Patients & diseases may be similar the world over but your approach to each one differs in each country. Your manner of speech, addressing the patient, being polite, taking consent before touching,thanking,all these things one may think are mundane but how many of us have adapted it into our daily lives?
c) Case notes, discharge summaries, note keeping, investigation forms, phone requests, liaising with other specialities-these are some of the small things but these you will be expected to know about when you start as an SHO.
d) Audit, case presentations, journal clubs, reading a paper-these are some things that are mandatory for any SHO job. As an attachι you can do all of this & improve your CV & your prospects.
e) Clerking English patients, examining, observing procedures, attending theatre, trauma calls, crash calls, arrests-these are some of the other things you will be able to do thereby, increasing your confidence in a foreign environment.
f) Familiarising yourself with the way the system works, understanding the pecking order, knowing the various teams that are involved in patient care, the sheer amount of facilities available to a patient, the quality of care delivered free of cost, the multidisciplinary attention received-these are some of the things you will come to understand & appreciate.
g) Making your presence known not only to the consultant but also to other members of the panel, registrars, shos, nursing staff. This is the most important bit as the chances of you getting your first job in the same place as your attachment are extremely likely because that is where people know you. You are not just another statistic.
Disadvantages:
None
Visa extension without the luxury of a job!
a) Clinical attachment-usually possible for the duration of the attachment/3 months. A letter from your consultant/medical staffing is required along with sponsorship letter/bank statements.
b) Examination-either part 1 or 2 of the Royal College Exams. Certain home offices like Liverpool/Glasgow will give you extension beyond your exam date, up to 6 months. It is a visitor visa status & you cannot work. You will need your confirmation entry ticket for the exam in original & proof that you can sustain yourself(bank statements, sponsor letter etc)
c) Honorary SHO post-confirmation from medical staffing, bank statements. This is not an offer of employment from the hospital as you are not paid for this job, so I am not entirely sure as to what kind of stamp you will receive on your passport. It is usually for the duration/6 months.
All the above can be applied for by post/personally.
Fees by post-£150
Fees with premium service, i.e. personal appearance-£250
Presently Croydon home office is the only place where you do not need an appointment but this is also temporary & will be phased out this year. You are advised to visit the home office website before applying.
All documents must be submitted in original & fees can be paid by cash/debit/credit cards.
If applying by post please remember to apply well in advance as it takes 7-10 days for processing.
A personal appearance will ensure you get your visa extension the same day subject to documents being in order.
Originally posted at http://www.rxpgonline.com/postt11934.html
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