How to work as an ear, nose and throat doctor in the UK

Ear, nose and throat (ENT) or otolaryngology doctors apply their medical knowledge and skills to diagnose, prevent and treat illnesses of the ear, nose and throat. Ear, nose and throat doctors work in hospital wards and outpatient clinics in both public and private hospitals.

Work activities

Typical activities for an ear, nose and throat doctor are varied. They include: Monitoring and providing specialist care to patients on hospital wards and in outpatient ear, nose and throat departments; Examining and talking to patients to diagnose their ear, nose and throat conditions; Providing specific treatments or referring patients to specialist surgeons who can perform ear, nose and throat operations; Creating treatment records and writing referrals; Liaising with other health care professionals to ensure quality treatment; Promoting health education; Teaching and researching.

Entry requirements

To become an ear, nose and throat doctor, an individual must hold a medical degree recognised by the General Medical Council(GMC). Medicine as a first degree Competition for entry onto a medical degree course is fierce. High A level grades in subjects relating to science are required and pre-entry voluntary or paid work experience associated with medicine is desirable. Medicine following a first degree Graduates with a good first degree in a subject relating to medicine, such as anatomy, biological sciences, biomedical sciences, or biochemistry, can become an ear, nose and throat doctor by enroling on a graduate entry to medicine programme.

Training

Medicine degree training Medical school students spend five years at university during which time, they learn the skills that they need to progress into the foundation programme. Foundation programme Upon graduating from medical school, they embark on a two-year foundation programme (FP) in which they undertake a series of medical placements in a range of specialties and health care settings. Specialty training Doctors who have successfully completed their foundation training can apply for specialty training to become Specialty Registrars(StRs). Prospective ear, nose and throat consultants may spend around six years in a registrar post, following which time, they will have gained the necessary skills to work as a consultant.

Skills

Prospective ear, nose and throat doctors need to show evidence of the following skills: Compassion; Resourcefulness; Stamina; Responsibility; An ability to prioritise; An ability to work under pressure; An ability to communicate well with patients, young and old, from a range of different backgrounds.

Work conditions

NHS work The basic pay for a full-time ear, nose and throat consultant is between £70,000 and £94,000 per year, according to NHS Careers (2007). Salaries vary according to location. Private practice work Ear, nose and throat consultants who work for the NHS can supplement their income by working in private practice. Work locations Working settings may include hospital wards, consulting rooms and operating theatres.