To qualify as a specialist in occupational medicine doctors need to register with the Faculty and undertake an approved specialty training programme [1] approved by the General Medical Council (GMC). Once successfully completed, this makes doctors eligible both for Membership of the Faculty (MFOM) and for entry to the GMC Specialist Register.
For a quick guide to specialty training, see: Have you considered a career in Occupational Medicine? [2]
An alternative route to becoming a specialist is through a CESR [3] (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration) application to the GMC.
Doctors who have applied successfully through CESR to join the GMC Specialist Register, are eligible to apply for Membership of the Faculty (MFOM) through an application for Membership ad eundem [4].
The British Medical Association (BMA) has published a document outlining salary scales for occupational physicians working outside of the National Health Service. The document is available on the BMA website [5].
Non-specialist work in occupational medicine
Doctors who are working part-time in occupational medicine can take the Diploma in Occupational Medicine [6]. This is most frequently taken by general practitioners who wish to add to their practice portfolio by providing occupational health services to local companies.