April 5, 2022
STARTING A NEW LOCUM DOCTOR JOB: EMMA’S EXPERIENCE
I’M A BRITISH DOCTOR ED MOVING TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA TO DO LOCUM DOCTOR JOB WITH BLUGIBBON.
This is my experience of getting out from the UK to Australia during peak Covid-19 restrictions.
VISA APPLICATION
AHPRA REGISTRATION
a. To register with the AMC (Australian Medical Council) who verify your degree . I had already done this process back in 2015 so didn’t have to repeat it. You need certified copies of degree certificates for this.
b. International criminal history check (not the same as for the visa!). AHPRA have a list of companies to use (I used Fit2Work ).
c. Certified copy of passport. They want very specific wording as per AHPRA website. I got caught out by this and had to go back to the notary public so make sure you follow this guidance
d. Request a Certificate of Good Standing from GMC (or your current medical body) to be sent directly to AHPRA
This is mostly the paperwork part, but there is still few steps before you can start your new life as a locum doctor in Australia.
MEDICAL
Part of your visa application requires you to have a medical check done at one of their approved centres. Basically a quick examination, blood test and CXR. Once this was all submitted my visa came through pretty quickly.
Now due to Covid-19 and Australian travel restrictions there were a few extra hoops to jump through.
TRAVEL EXEMPTION
BOOK A FLIGHT
COVID-19 TEST
AUSTRALIAN TRAVEL DECLARATION
AT CHECK-IN
QUARANTINE
"You don’t need to book a quarantine – it is all done automatically on your arrival."
This means there is zero choice about where you stay and you don’t find out until you have landed and collected your luggage. I had visions of requesting a room with a balcony and bath tub but as I’ve heard all the rooms are of a similar standard with no special features.
Last step before my new Locum Doctor Job with Blugibbon!
On arrival to Perth there was a quick temperature check in the airport but otherwise no Covid-19 testing. Once luggage had been collected everyone from the flight queued up and we had to identify ourselves with the local police before sitting on an arrangement of plastic garden chairs
to await the buses to the hotel. This whole part of the journey seemed to take forever as people are loaded along with their luggage one by one onto one of four buses before they all leave the airport together. You are escorted by police cars to the hotel where once again one by one
people and their luggage are unloaded.
The hotel check-in was very swift, they ask for any dietary requirements and then you head up to your room. Once in there – that’s it no leaving for 14 days. You get a Covid-19 test on day 2 and day 12 but other than that no face to face visits from anyone!
MY EXPERIENCE OF 14 DAYS QUARANTINE
I had heard about various Facebook groups or websites where you can rent gym equipment / bike trainers for your quarantine too.
The hotel food has had its highs and lows, there wasn’t a choice but most meals were edible (!).
What’s great is that you can do an online food shop to be delivered as well as ordering Uber eats, etc. Friends and family can drop off food / drinks for you anytime of day – I have to say having some proper Ozzie coffee delivered was a life saver! The one real downside to the hotel was that the WIFI was appalling. The only time I could get it to work was at 2am (the perks of jet lag!) – so I ended up getting a pay as you go sim dropped
off and using this for data – expensive but worth it.
So now on my final day of quarantine I am sat here feeling unbelievably excited to get out into the Perth sunshine! The whole process may seem daunting but looking out at the blue skies and picturing the Covid-19 free life that it is going on outside these walls I can guarantee that it will be worth it once you are here! Ready to start a new life and do Locum Doctor job all over Australia .
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