Internationally Trained Midwife? What can Gloucestershire Hospitals offer you?

Internationally trained midwife recruitment criteria

3320 Become A Gloucestershire Midwife

International Recruitment is an initiative originated in NHS People Plan as a response to the shortage of staff in England. International Recruitment at Gloucestershire Hospitals works within Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire LMNS (BSW Collaborative).

If you are an International Trained Midwife, under the terms of this collaborative, you will need:

  • Proof of Non-UK Midwifery Registration/Qualification.
  • Passed International English Language Test (IELTS) or Midwifery training qualification in English.
  • Passed NMC Computer Based Test (TOC21).

Support

Internationally Trained Midwives rotate to Delivery Suite, Maternity Ward, Triage and Birth Unit. They work as Band 4 pre-preceptorship Midwives under clinical supervision (supernumerary) to achieve a good level of knowledge and clinical competencies allowing a safe and independent practice and the registration within NMC.

  • Recruited Internationally Trained Midwives work towards their NMC registration.
  • 12 week OSCE Preparation Programme run by Practice Educators in Swindon.
  • 12 week supervised clinical placements in the local Trusts.

OSCE Training Programmes

Internationally Trained Midwives are provided with a Competency Booklet to guide them through their 12 week training.

They will be working alongside clinical supervisors to help and support them with their clinical practice.

Practice Educators will be providing class-room based teachings once a week in Swindon to prepare for their NMC OSCE, as well as support working clinically when able. The Practice Educators will arrange two weekly supportive reviews and organise any extra support if required.

Nursing and Midwifery Council registration for International Midwives

To find out more about NMC registration in the UK please visit this link on the NMC website

Direct enquiries from International Midwives

Unfortunately, our International Recruitment Practice Educators can no longer respond to direct enquiries regarding International Recruitment. If you are interested in working for our Trust, please apply via the following agencies:

Contact our International Recruitment Practice Educators

If you are an internationally trained midwife currently working for the Trust in another role and you are interested in becoming a Registered Midwife with us, please contact:

Bernice's story

Bernice Olivia Aboah: My Band 5 Journey as an International Midwife

Bernice, International Midwife

I am Mrs Bernice Olivia Aboah, I am married with a little daughter. My journey to the UK commenced when I decided to join my husband in London.

I took my International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and achieved the required band so I registered with NMC UK, I wrote my Computer Based Test (CBT), and passed. I then created an account on Trac Jobs and Indeed and started applying for preceptorship jobs. I got a job offer through an agency, who collected all the required documents and booked an interview for me. I had an interview with practitioners from Great Western, Gloucestershire Hospitals, and Salisbury NHS Trusts. After my interview, I received an offer letter from Salisbury NHS Trust and was waiting for my Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) to apply for my Tier 2 visa. I got information from the agency that I would be stationed at Gloucester instead of Salisbury. I accepted it in good faith, I had my COS and applied for the visa. Upon receiving my visa, the agency booked and paid for my flight ticket and brought me to Gloucester.

When I got to Gloucester, I was given temporary accommodation and later moved to my own rented accommodation. I was warmly welcomed by the recruitment team, Claire and Dagmara. I was given orientation on the various Midwifery units as well as some equipment being used in the hospital. I went for my induction programme organised by the hospital. I went through 12 weeks of OSCE training conducted at Swindon with other midwives from Great Western and Salisbury NHS Trusts. Alongside my OSCE training, I had supernumerary rotational shifts in the delivery suite, birth unit, maternity ward, triage, and anti-natal clinic.

I received great support and love from every midwife I worked with. My practice educators, Dagmara and Millie gave me massive support. After the 12 weeks of OSCE training at Swindon, Dagmara and Millie continuously organised OSCE training for me at Gloucester until I took my OSCE exams at Oxford Brookes.

My practice educators were so lovely and supportive that made me confident and competent in all ten OSCE stations even before I went for the real exams.

BERNICE ABOAH, BAND 5 MIDWIFE

After five months of training, I went for my OSCE exams and passed on the first attempt. I have finally received my PIN to work as a registered midwife in the UK. I really appreciate the good work, encouragement and support from my practice educators, Dagmara and Millie. I'm also grateful for the support received from all the shifts in-charges and other midwives I have worked with.

Although there are many differences in the midwifery setting between my home country and the UK, they were all lovely, making me feel relaxed and teaching me where they needed to. As I am commencing my band 5 role, I am hopeful that with all the training I have received and the continuous support from other midwives, I will be able to work with the multidisciplinary team to provide effective and efficient antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care for service users and their families.