Everything You Need to Know About the Medical Training Initiative
The Medical Training Initiative (MTI) is a government scheme designed to assist doctors with a proven specialty from a low and middle-income country to pursue further specific specialist training in the UK.
The scheme requires you to apply for a Tier 5 visa, which allows you entry into the UK for two years before legally, you must return back to your home country.
The MTI Scheme is a great opportunity for junior doctors looking to expand their clinical skillset and experience but then want to take those skills and apply them to their healthcare system.
In this blog post, we’ll answer your most frequently asked questions on the MTI Scheme and help you decide if it’s the right pathway for you!
What is the purpose of the Medical Training Initiative Scheme?
The MTI Scheme utilises the unfilled training vacancies within the NHS to allow International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to gain from the opportunities on offer.
What training will I receive?
The training received by IMGs on the MTI Scheme will vary; however, typically it will follow the CCT Curriculum. The level of training will strongly depend on your competence, specific interests and the training available at the placement hospital.
At the start of the placement, each doctor will be allocated an Educational Supervisor who will help set them their specific training objectives to meet throughout the two-year placement.
What is the eligibility criterion for the Medical Training Initiative?
When you apply for the MTI Scheme, you are essentially applying for GMC Registration sponsorship as you don’t have to complete the full pathway to secure an MTI post.
To be eligible, you must:
- Hold a primary medical qualification
- Evidence your English language skills via IELTS or OET
- Have experience within the specialty you are applying for
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What are the benefits of the Medical Training Initiative Scheme?
Access to world-class clinical training
- An opportunity to gain non-clinical skills such as education and leadership
- Ability to receive full GMC Registration without evidencing your specialist skills via PLAB or an acceptable postgraduate qualification
- Option to receive a diploma certificate if you complete your full two-years of training and fulfil the ARCP criteria (completion of the e-portfolio and reflective essay)
What are the negatives of the MTI Scheme?
- At the end of your two-year Tier 5 visa, legally you must leave the UK and return back to your home country
- If you’re a senior doctor using this route, you will receive less responsibility and a lower salary
- The salary is lower than a comparable service post due to the educational element of the MTI post
How do I apply for the MTI Scheme?
If you’ve read the above and decided that the MTI pathway is the right route for you – there are several ways you can apply for an MTI post.
- The relevant Royal College website
- NHS Jobs
- Personal contacts within the NHS
To apply you will need an up-to-date CV, a relevant cover letter and evidence of your primary medical qualification and English language certificate.
Please note, recruitment agencies cannot help you secure an MTI post with the NHS. You will need to apply directly and independently.
What salary will I receive?
The salary will vary depending on the grade, specialty, trust and your previous work experience. Typically, the salary will be comparable to a UK trainee level and you will find yourself working an SHO or Clinical Trust Fellow post.
Can I apply for other NHS posts whilst in the UK?
If you join an NHS trust and you decide that the UK is absolutely for you and you want to continue working in the UK long-term, then you can absolutely apply for a different NHS post whilst on the scheme. However, it’s UK law that at the end of your Tier 5 visa you must leave the UK and return back to your home country to make your application.
Alternatively, if you’re enjoying your MTI post but would like help with obtaining a new post at the end of the two-years, we can help you secure that post! You can fly back to your home country, say hello to your loved ones, apply for a Tier 2 visa and then we can support you with getting on a plane back to the UK to start your new role.
Thank you for reading and we hope you found this blog post useful!
If you decide that you would like ID Medical’s support with securing a fixed-term post rather than a temporary MTI Scheme post – please email your CV to us at marketing@id-medical.com
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ID Medical work with 95% of NHS Trusts, helping international doctors and nurses secure their dream NHS post. We can support you with:
- Securing an NHS post
- Tier 2 Visa Application
- Securing UK accommodation
- Finding schools for children
- Settling into the UK
- Ongoing pastoral support
