Hiring and Sponsoring Specialist Medical Practitioners (SOC Code 2212)

Specialist Medical Practitioners, classified under SOC Code 2212, are highly skilled medical professionals who play a critical role in the healthcare system. They engage in a range of activities essential for diagnosing and treating complex medical conditions. The key responsibilities of Specialist Medical Practitioners include:

• Examination and Diagnosis: Thoroughly examining patients, arranging necessary x-rays or tests, and interpreting results to diagnose conditions accurately.
• Treatment Administration: Prescribing and/or administering appropriate treatments or surgeries based on the diagnosed conditions.
• Preventative Care: Administering medical tests and vaccinations to guard against communicable diseases.
• Patient Supervision: Overseeing patient progress and advising on dietary, exercise, and preventive health measures.
• Specialist Consultation: Providing expert advice to generalist medical practitioners or other specialists in the field.
• Advanced Medical Procedures: Performing specialist tasks such as surgeries, anaesthetisations, and diagnostic or interventional radiology.
• Education and Research: Preparing and delivering lectures, conducting research, and participating in clinical trials to advance medical knowledge.
• Leadership in Patient Care: Assuming overall responsibility for the implementation and supervision of care and treatment plans coordinated by other healthcare providers.

With an increasing demand for expert medical care and treatment in the UK, health institutions are continuously seeking qualified Specialist Medical Practitioners, leading to opportunities for international recruitment. This guide aims to assist HR professionals in understanding the process of hiring and sponsoring Specialist Medical Practitioners under the UK’s immigration framework.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Specialist Medical Practitioners?

SOC Code 2212 refers to Specialist Medical Practitioners who provide expert medical care in their field of specialization. Their responsibilities can include:

• Examining patients: Conducting thorough evaluations to assess health conditions.
• Arranging tests: Coordinating necessary x-rays and other diagnostic tests, and interpreting results.
• Diagnosing conditions: Identifying medical issues and determining appropriate treatments and surgeries.
• Administering treatments: Providing medical tests, therapies, and inoculations against communicable diseases.
• Supervising patient progress: Monitoring recovery and advising on diet, exercise, and preventative actions.
• Consulting: Offering specialist advice to generalist medical practitioners or other specialists.
• Performing medical tasks: Carrying out specialized procedures such as surgery, anaesthetization, and diagnostic or interventional radiology.
• Education and research: Preparing and delivering lectures, engaging in research, and participating in clinical trials.
• Overseeing healthcare teams: Taking overall responsibility for and directing care and treatment plans implemented by other healthcare providers.

Specialist Medical Practitioners are vital to the healthcare system, ensuring high-quality patient care and advancing medical knowledge through research and education.

Eligibility to Hire Specialist Medical Practitioners (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Specialist medical practitioners must possess a high level of expertise in their field and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Medical degree: A completed medical degree from an accredited institution, including any necessary postgraduate training in a specialty.
• Licensure: Active medical license to practice medicine in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Specialization: Demonstrated expertise in a specific area of medicine, such as surgery, anaesthesiology, or radiology.
• Clinical experience: Significant experience in diagnosing and treating conditions within the specialty, including performing relevant procedures or surgeries.
• Research and teaching: Experience in academic settings may be advantageous, including participation in clinical trials, research projects, and the ability to deliver lectures to peers or students.
• Patient management: Proven ability to supervise patient care, develop treatment plans, and advise on preventative measures, including lifestyle changes.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 2212 and that the specialist's experience and work meet the expectations for the role.

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

Sponsoring Specialist 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 Specialist Medical Practitioners under SOC Code 2212.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Specialist Medical Practitioners, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Specialist 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 Specialist Medical Practitioners. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Specialist 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 Specialist 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 Specialist 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 Specialist Medical Practitioners

Before the Specialist 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 Specialist Medical Practitioners’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Specialist 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 Specialist Medical Practitioners’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Specialist 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 Specialist Medical Practitionerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Specialist Medical Practitioners

Sponsoring Specialist Medical Practitioners under SOC Code 2212 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 Specialist Medical Practitioners, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Specialist Medical Practitioners under SOC Code 2212 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.