Let’s say you’ve got a UK visa permit to live and work in the UK. But your skill is midwifery; however, you’re good at it. “Can you survive with that?”
To help you out, this article talks about midwife jobs in the UK for nurses abroad. You’ll be cleared on the following:
Are midwives in high demand in the UK?
How Long Does It Take to Be Employed as a Foreign Midwife in the UK? The requirements of being a foreign Midwife in the UK How to Apply as a Midwife in the UK
Are Midwives in demand in the UK?
Yes, midwives are in high demand in the UK. According to research, an estimated 2,385 babies are put to birth per day in the UK; that’s about 99.39 in an hour.
Sadly, we don’t have so many midwives migrating to the UK daily.
Rather, it’s been reported by the Royal College of Midwives that there is a shortage of over 2,000 midwives in England at the moment, and in the past year, 600 midwives have left the service.
This is clear proof that the UK needs more qualified midwives to catch up with the number of deliveries daily.
How Long Does it Take To be Employed as a Foreign Midwife in the UK?
You have 12 weeks (3 months) from the employment date to sit for your exams and complete the validation check under the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to be fully accepted as a licensed midwife in the UK.
However, during the probationary period, you can be legally employed as a pre-registration candidate. Meaning that you’re paid while in training.
Requirements of being a Foreign Midwife in the UK
To land midwife jobs in the UK for nurses abroad, you’re expected to:
- Be Certified by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
- Complete the two-part Test of Competence examination (ToC)
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
The NMC is the authorized body in the UK to regulate and promote high education and professional standards for nurses and midwives across the UK, and nursing associates in England.
They also carry out the registration of candidates qualified to practice.
As an authority, you must merit their approval, Click on the NMC link and follow the instructions to register under the NMC after that;
The two-part Test of Competence (ToC) examination
The test of competence is a two-part examination comprised of a computer-based multiple-choice examination. This exam can be written from any part of the world.
Practical objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) must be written in the UK.
Also, you must meet certain language proficiency tests such as:
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or
The Occupational English Test (OET).
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
IELTS is a world-popular test on how fluent you are in the English language and how well you can communicate with it.
It is a big check if you wish to study or work in an English-speaking environment.
At least you must score up to 7 points in reading, listening, and speaking, with at least 6.7 points in writing, to qualify.
The Occupational English Test (OET)
The OET is another world-known English language proficiency test, but this time, it’s focused on the health sector.
It’s mandatory in the UK for doctors, nurses, midwives, and other health professionals. As a midwife, you’re expected to hit a B as the least to qualify.
When said is done, NMC will compare your competence to the UK’s standard of midwifery, any differences in expectations, you’ll be called to make up for it.
Which Organization in the UK is Hiring Foreign Midwives?
As a qualified midwife in the UK, you can work at a client’s home, health care institutions, a GP practice, or in an NHS or private hospital.
Either, in rural or urban locations across the UK. However, some maternity teams to join in the UK, London is:
St Mary’s Hospital
Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital
St Thomas Hospital
Garrett Anderson Wing
Royal London Hospital
Kingston Hospital etc.
How to Apply as A Midwife in the UK
After you’ve been Certified to work as a midwife in the UK, it’s still on your part to look for employment. When you’ve seen your ideal job, you’re to make ready the following:
- A valid passport and ID card
- Your birth certificate
- Proof of qualification relevant to your application
- Certificate of practice from a country that you’ve practiced midwifery in the past
- Two proof of employment references that show that you’ve been practicing for 12 months. It should show your competence in skill and character-wise.
- A doctor’s report to confirm that you’re in sound health.
- Track record of the midwifery programs that you’ve successfully covered.
- Criminal report from police from the country you’ve lived in in the past six months.
FAQs
#1. Can foreigners work in the UK as a midwife?
Yes, as a foreigner, if you wish to work in the UK as a midwife, you must have professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and follow the guidelines they provide you.
#2. Can a nurse become a midwife in the UK?
Yes, a wife can become a midwife in the UK. If you’re already a verified nurse in the UK, you can take the 18-month midwifery course.
When you’re through. Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), so that you can practice as a midwife.
Closing Thoughts
Your role as a midwife is to care for pregnant women and intervene in the labor room for safe delivery.
You’ll help pregnant women stay healthy, after delivery, and may require to nurse the baby a few days after delivery.
With that being said; midwife jobs in the UK for nurses abroad are highly in demand. For accuracy, kindly click on the links to the authority sites.
You must have a job offer from an authorized employer in the UK before applying for a skilled worker visa.