Hiring and Sponsoring Generalist Medical Practitioners (SOC Code 2211)

Generalist Medical Practitioners, classified under SOC Code 2211, are essential healthcare professionals who play a critical role in the medical field. Their responsibilities include:

• Examination of Patients: Conduct thorough examinations to evaluate health status and understand medical issues.
• Diagnostic Testing: Arrange and interpret results from x-rays and other diagnostic tests to assist in diagnosis.
• Treatment Provision: Diagnose medical conditions and prescribe or administer appropriate treatments, ensuring effective patient care.
• Inoculation Administration: Administer medical tests and vaccinations against communicable diseases, contributing to public health safety.
• Patient Monitoring: Supervise and monitor the progress of patients, providing guidance on diet, exercise, and preventive healthcare measures.
• Referrals to Specialists: Refer patients to specialists when necessary, facilitating comprehensive medical care by collaborating with other healthcare providers.
• Education and Research: Prepare and deliver lectures, undertake research, and engage in clinical trials to advance medical knowledge and practice.
• Supervision of Healthcare Providers: Oversee the implementation of care and treatment plans by other healthcare personnel, ensuring high-quality patient outcomes.

Given the ongoing need for skilled medical professionals and the continuous growth of the healthcare sector in the UK, many organizations are actively seeking qualified Generalist Medical Practitioners, including those from abroad. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the complexities of hiring and sponsoring Generalist Medical Practitioners under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Generalist Medical Practitioners?

SOC Code 2211 refers to generalist medical practitioners who provide comprehensive healthcare services to patients. Their responsibilities can include:

• Examining patients: Assessing patient health to identify medical issues.
• Arranging tests: Organizing necessary x-rays or other diagnostic tests and interpreting the results.
• Diagnosing conditions: Determining the nature of illnesses or injuries and prescribing appropriate treatments.
• Administering medical tests: Conducting tests and giving inoculations to prevent communicable diseases.
• Supervising patient progress: Monitoring and advising patients on diet, exercise, and other preventive health measures.
• Referring patients: Consulting with specialists when necessary and coordinating care with them.
• Delivering lectures: Sharing knowledge through educational talks and presentations.
• Undertaking research: Participating in clinical studies to advance medical knowledge.
• Supervising treatment plans: Overseeing the implementation of care plans by other healthcare providers.

Generalist medical practitioners are essential to the healthcare system, playing a key role in patient care, health education, and the advancement of medical practices.

Eligibility to Hire Generalist Medical Practitioners (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Generalist Medical Practitioners must exhibit a comprehensive understanding of medical practices and convey certain qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Medical Degree: A relevant medical qualification, typically a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) or equivalent.
• Licensing/Certification: Valid medical license to practice in the specified jurisdiction and any additional certifications required by local healthcare regulations.
• Clinical Experience: Practical experience in a clinical setting, demonstrating the ability to diagnose and treat various medical conditions.
• Patient Care Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with a focus on patient communication, empathy, and the ability to advise on preventive health measures.
• Research and Teaching: Experience in research, participation in clinical trials, and the ability to prepare and deliver medical lectures.
• Teamwork and Leadership: Ability to supervise and coordinate care alongside other healthcare providers, ensuring a comprehensive treatment approach.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 2211 and that the practitioner’s qualifications and experience meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Generalist Medical Practitioners: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Generalist Medical Practitioners under SOC Code 2211.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Generalist Medical Practitioners, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Generalist Medical Practitioners under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Generalist Medical Practitioners. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Generalist Medical Practitioners applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Generalist Medical Practitioners’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Generalist Medical Practitioners can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Generalist Medical Practitioners

Before the Generalist Medical Practitioners begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Generalist Medical Practitioners’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Generalist Medical Practitioners holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Generalist Medical Practitioners’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Generalist Medical Practitioners’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Generalist Medical Practitionerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Generalist Medical Practitioners

Sponsoring Generalist Medical Practitioners under SOC Code 2211 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Generalist Medical Practitioners, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Generalist Medical Practitioners under SOC Code 2211 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.