Whether you’re looking for short- or long-term opportunities abroad, relocating to work as a doctor in Ireland can be a great option to consider! Ireland has a strong healthcare system with many hospitals and clinics that provide quality care to patients. They also usually have ample job opportunities for foreign doctors, especially doctors from South Africa (yay)!
On this page we aim to provide you with more information on how to work as a doctor in Ireland.
There are several reasons why a South African doctor might want to work in Ireland, such as:
Although there are many benefits to moving to Ireland to work as a doctor, it’s always wise to weigh up the potential difficulties as well before making the leap:
If you’ve weighed up the pros and cons and still find yourself intrigued with the idea of working as a doctor in Ireland, then we have good news for you: it’s relatively easy for South African doctors to find work in Ireland!
However, there are still a few requirements you must meet before you can hop on the plane and go.
There are two types of IMC registration:
General registration
General registration applies to doctors that wish to work as a general Senior House Officer (SHO) or Registrar – essentially the equivalent of a Medical Officer/General Practitioner or Registrar in SA.
Specialist registration
This registration is for specialists that wish to work as consultants in Ireland.
How to apply with the Irish Medical Council:
Registration with the IMC does not guarantee that you will find work as an SHO, Registrar, or Consultant in Ireland. Just as in South Africa, you still need to apply and get accepted for a job or specialist training program.
The medical field remains competitive wherever you go, so if you want to relocate to Ireland specifically to specialise in a preferred field, it would still be a good idea to work as an SHO in that field and apply for their training programme at a later stage.
Registering with the IMC can be a complex process, nevermind finding work and accommodation.
Luckily, there are a number of recruitment agencies that assist and support many South African doctors through this journey. Consider contacting an agency early on in the process if you want assistance and advice.
Once you have registered with the IMC, the next step is to apply for the job you want. You can either search and apply for a job by contacting medical facilities in Ireland directly or follow the much easier and quicker route of working through a recruitment agency.
Recruitment agencies tend to know of multiple job opportunities at various facilities and are more likely to find the right job for your preferences. They usually also provide CV setup and interview support to help you succeed with your application. However, if you want to try and find work directly, you can always start at the HSE (Health Service Executive) website – the Irish public healthcare sector.
As a South African looking to work in Ireland, you will need to get a work permit. Either you or your prospective employer can apply for the permit. If you working through a recruitment agency then they should be able to sort this step out for you.
If you will be working full time and for more than 90 days, then you will need a critical skills work permit.
If you are planning to work as a locum hospital doctor, then you will need an atypical working scheme permit.
Ireland unfortunately has a fairly competitive property market as they currently suffer a housing crisis. This can make it difficult to find accommodation close to the health facility where you will be working.
If you are working through a recruitment agency then ask them to help you get accommodation, or at the very least direct you to some websites or local estate agencies that can help you. Otherwise, try finding some local estate agencies close to your work and ask them about housing options and availability.
Once you get to Ireland, you want to open a bank account and get your PPS (Personal Public Service) number as soon as possible. You need a PPS number if you want to get paid or make use of any of the social services. You will need the following documentation to open a bank account and/or apply for the PPS number:
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