Who are Sonographers Medical Australia?
SONOGRAPHERS Medical Australia has
been set up to assist Australians in preparing the appropriate
paperwork and documents required to work in the United Kingdom Health
Service as a Sonographer or Radiographer.
SONOGRAPHERS Medical Australia
will refer all clients wishing to work in the UK to SONOGRAPHERS
Medical in the United Kingdom. Once you are working in the United
Kingdom you have a choice to either be employees of
SONOGRAPHERS Medical or opt to work
through a limited company arrangement - see below.
SONOGRAPHERS Medical Australia and
SONOGRAPHERS Medical will work
closely together to ensure you get the best advice and service.
How often and how much do I get paid?
As a locum radiographer / sonographer you will be paid weekly into a
bank account of your choice. Locum
Sonographer Pay rates are no longer a National standard for any
Agency. A large number of hospitals now have agreements to supply
staff at a fixed pay rate with rates varying from hospital to
hospital. In general, pay rates vary from £26.50 to £35.00 for
Sonographers and £17.00 to £27.00 for Radiographers depending on
location and qualifications.
How can I set up a bank account?
On your arrival in the UK, Sonographers Medical can provide you with a
letter of introduction to Citibank. You will need a UK address, proof
of ID and our letter to get an account.
What are the benefits of a limited company?
In simple terms, due to tax benefits, you get more money in your
pocket at the end of the week.
We strongly suggest you seek professional assistance prior to setting
up a limited company to avoid breaking any Inland Revenue rules and
regulations.
To assist,
SONOGRAPHERS Medical
has reached an agreement with Actar Ellis Brown & Co.,
Chartered Accountants to establish and manage such companies for a
minimum commission charge.
With the minimum of paperwork, AEB
can employ you in a Limited Company, specifically designed to provide
you with a greater amount of money in your pocket at the end of the
week. Each week, they invoice us for your gross pay and then pay you.
To recompense you for the absence of
Annual Leave payments your hourly rate is increased further enhancing
your take home pay.
SONOGRAPHERS Medical
are confident that this method of working is of benefit to a large
number of our locums. As this is not an area of our
expertise we can therefore pass on basic contact details, if you wish,
to AEB, who can then send on a detailed information pack and answer
specific queries.
How much does it cost to get set up before I go?
The
Health Professions Council (HPC)
is the main cost with a £200 (about A$550) application fee plus an
extra
£120 once accepted. Remember that this is less than a
week's pay in the UK. Your
'Right to Work' visa costs between $100 and
$200 (more than that for Right of Abode and UK passports). When
applying for a working holidaymaker visa you will need to prove you
have enough funds to support yourself in the UK for at least the first
month.
What about accommodation?
Some hospitals have nursing quarters which you can rent for a
reasonable price. Generally, these hospitals are outside London
however within
London you will need to find your own accommodation. A good place to
look for accommodation is
Gumtree.com (lots of antipodeans
advertise on this site) and also the London newspaper Loot.
I am a sonographer but not radiographer - can I still work as a sonographer in the UK?
Some hospitals require any employee to be state registered. Non-radiographers cannot register with the
HPC. There will be
positions available but they will be limited. We suggest sonographers
with a non-radiographic background join
BMUS to strengthen their resume and if
possible, register with an alternative Council such as the Nursing and
Midwifery Council (NMC)
for nursing staff.
Do I need a uniform?
You will need to obtain a white tunic which you wear with
trousers or a skirt. Different hospitals have different coloured trims for
different professions so white is the best all round choice if you are
planning on moving around. The best place to get them in London is Alexandria's, 3 Hanover Square, London (off Oxford Street). Nearest
tube is Oxford Circus. Tel: 020 7491 8010
2005 Sonographers Medical Australia