Are you ready to take your career to a whole new level? If you love to travel and learn more about other cultures, perhaps you should consider making your next move abroad.
The pros and cons of working abroad
Working in a different country can be really enriching for both you and your family. – but It won’t be a vacation. However, it does mean you get paid while immersing yourself in a whole new culture and lifestyle.. You’ll be able to gain valuable insight into another country’s medical system – and even possibly learn a new language.
You might find it difficult at first to familiarize yourself with different drug formularies, for example. And getting used to new names for surgical instruments or processes can be a challenge. But it is one that can be well worth taking, as the pay off in terms of your career and personal growth could be immense.
Staying connected
Staying connected with family and friends, when you work abroad, is so much easier nowadays—with the wealth of technology available. But you would need to consider the challenges of maintaining that contact if you live and work in a different time zone.
And, if you plan to return home to the US, it’s worth thinking about any potential difficulties you might have in finding a new job. So you could try speaking to your employer about the possibility of taking a sabbatical, if that’s something you’re concerned about.
What to think about beforehand
Before you decide to work abroad, it can be helpful to talk with other doctors who have already done so for practical tips and insights.
If you’re moving from the US, you may find salaries are lower in some parts of the world so that is also worth researching thoroughly. You will also need to consider your tax position fully, remembering that you may be liable for tax in both places.
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What will you need to practice abroad?
Every country will require different documentation from you before you can begin work there—these will include:
- an active medical license
- a current résumé
- a valid passport
- two or more passport-sized photos for your visa application
- professional references
- a physical examination
- a background check
The entire process of applying for a job independently can take between 3 and 6 months, but there are other options if you’re keen to get started..
How else can you find a job abroad?
There are a number of ways you can go about finding doctor jobs in other countries – depending on your needs. If you’re planning to go for only a short time, then using an agency may be the easiest solution. The great news is that many will take care of practical arrangements and paperwork for you, which makes the whole process run much more smoothly.
We hope this post has given you some valuable insight into working as a doctor overseas. With a little thought and forward planning it can be a great way to grow – and gain knowledge and experience that will last you a lifetime.
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