What is a Medical Advisory Group (MAG) interview?
The Medical Advisory Group (MAG) is a panel of senior Consultants from across the United Kingdom, offering diverse expertise. Established by Doctors Gateway in partnership with NHS Professionals, the panel consists of 26 highly experienced members, known as MAG Consultants. This group plays a vital role in evaluating Doctors for National Health Service (NHS) Trusts (hospitals).
Through MAG interviews, we at Doctors Gateway can ensure that every internationally trained Doctor is accurately graded, guaranteeing optimal placement opportunities that align with their skills and expertise.
What happens in a MAG interview?
MAG Consultants specialise in various areas such as geriatrics, anaesthetics, psychiatry, renal medicine, interventional radiology, and emergency medicine. Once your application has been reviewed by our recruitment team, you will be invited to a pre-Trust interview, also known as a MAG interview.
During this interview, a MAG Consultant will assess your competency and provide an appropriate grading within the NHS based on your education, professional experience, and disciplinary history. This comprehensive evaluation is designed to ensure that you are fully prepared to deliver safe and effective care within the NHS system.
What are the benefits of a MAG interview?
The Medical Advisory Group (MAG) interview offers multiple advantages for both Doctors applying to work in the NHS and the wider UK healthcare system. Key benefits include:
- Precise evaluation of clinical skills: This type of interview will accurately assess your clinical competencies, ensuring you are matched to a role that aligns with your expertise. This not only optimises your contribution to patient safety but also supports your professional growth by placing you in a suitable position within the NHS.
- Expert insights from senior Consultants: The involvement of senior Consultants from a variety of specialties ensures that your abilities are thoroughly evaluated by experts. Their insights guarantee a detailed and fair assessment of your readiness to practice independently.
- Alignment with NHS standards: By participating in the MAG interview, you will gain a clear understanding of NHS practices and expectations, helping you integrate seamlessly into the healthcare system and deliver high-quality patient care.
- Increased NHS Trust confidence: For NHS Trusts, the MAG interview provides assurance that international Doctors have undergone a thorough evaluation process. This improves recruitment decisions, ensuring that Doctors are well-suited to their roles and enhancing overall trust in the placement system.
- Support for internationally trained Doctors: The MAG interview offers significant support to Doctors, who have trained outside the UK, transition into the NHS. Beyond evaluating clinical competencies, you will familiarise yourself with NHS protocols, easing your adaptation to a new healthcare environment and setting you up for success.
The MAG interview serves as an important step in bridging the gap between internationally trained Doctors and the NHS. By ensuring accurate grading and expert evaluation, it helps place the right Doctors in the right roles, providing a smoother transition into the UK healthcare system and enhancing both patient care and Trust confidence.
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