Personal story: Dr Gwendolyn Johnson
After graduating in Medical University in Poland in June 2022, I started my journey in the Malta Foundation School 3 days after my graduation. A brand-new country, place and career to embark and adapt to.
I started off with 2 weeks of shadowing a fellow foundation doctor and I started as a Foundation Year 1 Doctor officially in July 2023. My first 3-month rotation was in Vascular Surgery, being the foundation doctor for the Head of Department, and this definitively put everything in place for me, in terms of teamwork, ward work, on- calls etc. I was full of anxiety when I started as I had no clue how the hospital system works, thankfully the 2-week shadowing period helped immensely with the help of amazing seniors. My Clinical Supervisor was my pillar and guide to everything from the rotation itself. The ward nurses also guided me in my everyday tasks.
Following that placement I did well in Cardiology, General Surgery and my
final foundation year 1 rotation was in General Medicine Renal and I could not be happier. The experiences I have learnt from patient management to giving utmost care to their plan, to having my Educational Supervisor guide me through this whole year in career planning and coping with the Programme itself.
Having the chance to do a Taster week in Anaesthesia was a huge privilege as my exposure and scope to what I am learning everyday continues to grow exponentially. From my experience, my seniors have been a role model in helping me, teaching me, never making me feel low in anyway, understanding that I am a new foundation doctor. This has helped me with understanding my job better, boosting my confidence as I rotate in new departments, helping me come out of my comfort zone everyday. I will always be grateful for my experience as a house officer in Mater Dei Hospital.
Preparing yourself for engagement with the Employment process
Getting to grips with immigration bureacracy can be challenging but I managed with the help of the Human Resources staff at Mater Dei as well as Foundation School management. The insights which I gained from this experience I am offering below to help new International Medical Graduates (IMGs) get to grips with this process.
It is important to note that this is solely my personal experience and requirements and documents may change with time and so it is important to follow any updated advice given on this website and by the above staff.
Here is my understanding of this process:
STEP 1
Documents needed by the Maltese Medial Council (MMC) for the Provisional medical registration number to be obtained. Submit these documents to the MMC. TIP: it can be sent via post (authorised documents only) or it may be handed in person to the MMC ( which can delay the timeline of obtaining the MMC number)
Documents needed are listed below:
- A certified true copy of the original Passport or Identity Card
- A certified true copy of the original Birth Certificate
- A certified true copy of the original Primary Medical/Dental Qualification
- A detailed Transcript of the Basic Medical/Dental Qualification
- An original Certificate of Compliance from the competent authority
- An original Police Conduct/Certificate of Good Standing from competent authority (this is valid for 3 months from the date of issue).
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English Version
Original official translations of any documents/certificates as per above, that are not in English or Maltese.
STEP 2
With the Provisional Medical Registration, the immigration registration process begins with Identity Malta with applying for a Working permit. The first step of having the Approval in Principle letter (this includes documents eg- Maltese residential address, insurances, Provisional Registration with MMC etc) TIP: this usually take at least 2-4 weeks or more. This is followed by finger prints in Identity Malta office and then card collection.
STEP 3
Once this is approved, the official contract will begin from Mater Dei Hospital usually handled by Human Resources. With officially starting your job, a hospital ID card, access to software and patient database will be accessible. TIP: contract will not officially begin unless approval from identity Malta is completed, this means during shadowing period, you may not be on pay roll, no access to software, no engaging with patients, until this process is finalised. So the sooner you engage with this process the higher the chance to have things done in time for your job start.
Important to note, these processes takes at least 4 weeks to be completed. It is highly advisable to send the documents as early as possible to avoid being held through this process. TIP: if you do not have certain documents please do inform authorities on when those particular documents would be available, as application process can start without all documents at hand. Once these missing documents are available to you at hand, submit as soon as possible.
Wishing you the best of luck for a successful and enjoyable Programme!
Gwen :)
