Preparation before you qualify as a GP

We know many GPs who are about to qualify are probably already looking ahead to the end of their exams and getting started in the exciting world of general practice!

As there are still quite a few things to get your head around before you qualify, it is good to prepare in advance so that you feel ready to make the move into general practice. To ensure you hit the ground running and make the most of the opportunities available to you, we have created a useful guide to help you get on top of what kind of specialist areas you could consider, as well as the necessary requirements and paperwork you’ll need to complete before you get started as a fully-fledged GP.

Consider your GP career options

As you draw towards the end of your medical training, it’s important to spend time considering how you would like to develop your career long-term. Perhaps you see yourself transitioning into a leadership role with more management responsibility, entering a partnership or developing a speciality interest like diabetes or children’s health.

Whatever your personal preferences, there are many career options available to new GPs and thinking ahead will allow you to make the transition from training to working in practice as seamless as possible. While you prepare for your final exams (if you haven’t completed them already), try asking yourself the following three questions:

How do you want to work?

As you’ll already be aware, working in general practice isn’t just one career. In fact, it’s quite the opposite and can be broken down into the following options:

  • Freelance GP
  • Salaried GP
  • Partnership
  • Out of hours GP
  • Portfolio GP

Where do you want to work?

GPs also work in a variety of healthcare settings, from hospitals with roles in accident and emergency centres, to community clinics, GP surgeries and in residential and nursing homes. It’s important to consider the pros and cons of each environment and which you think you’d suit the best when weighing up your options.

Where do you see yourself long-term?

When thinking about your GP training pathway, consider the hoops you need to jump through to get from A to B. For example, if you’re looking to develop a speciality there will be further training and experience you’ll need to gain to do so.

Steps to take before applying for GP roles

As you can see, the end of your medical training is just the beginning of your new journey in general practice. It’s important to bear in mind that choosing one option does not close you off to the others and you can change paths to suit your personal circumstances at any time – as they are bound to change throughout your career.

However, before you start working as a doctor and applying for roles after you qualify, there is still some paperwork you need to complete in order to do so, such as:

  • Joining the NHS Performers List

You will need to be on the NHS Performers List to demonstrate you are up to date on your training and have passed the necessary background checks to administer care. To register, you will need to download an application form from the National Performers Website and have your ID documents and certificates such as your DBS check and your graduate or postgraduate training to hand.

  • Getting your Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)

Your certificate will be awarded to you upon successfully completing your GMC approved training programme. Around four months before your expected completion date, you should receive an invitation from GMC and apply online as soon as you can.

How joining a medical services can help prior to qualifying

Hunting for jobs after you qualify as a new GP can be challenging without any prior experience in the market. Compared to other sectors, working in healthcare can also prove more difficult as it involves filling out the correct medical forms, going through a few rounds of in-depth interviews and ensuring your compliance information is up to date.

Sourcing roles through a medical services can help to take away the stress of the hiring process, as well as be a great source of ongoing career support and guidance. When looking ahead to the end of your training, it would be wise to consider reputable agencies as they will help you to find your perfect job in the right location.

Find your next GP position with Key Medical Services 

If you are about to qualify as a new GP and enter the world of work in healthcare, our team of specialist consultants would be happy to guide you in this time. From offering career advice to providing support with sourcing assignments, they’ll be sure to help you find the best opportunities to suit you and align with your long-term goals. They will also help you to get your compliance levels up to 100% so that you never miss an opportunity.