The Ultimate Timeline to Plan Your F3 Year
There are so many amazing work options for F3 doctors and sometimes the wealth of options and opportunities can be overwhelming. Being aware of your options, knowing who to reach out to, and being decisive and proactive are all important when planning your F3 Year.
However, underpinning all of this is a timeline for decision making and applications that you will need to stick to if you are going to get the jobs and opportunities that you want.
To ensure that you don’t miss out, we created this two-year timeline to help you make decisions and meet key deadlines. Our timeline starts at the beginning of F2 and ends and the end of F3 but if you choose to continue your non-training career into F4 and beyond, you can simply keep cycling through the timeline for as long as you like.
For ease of use, we have split the timeline into two parts. The first part covers your F2 Year and the planning stage for your F3 Year, and the second part covers the duration of your F3 Year and your transition to working overseas, staying in the UK for an F4, or returning to training.
You can bookmark this page to regularly check in on the timeline and check your progress every month or two. It is also worth looking at our Webinar Calendar where we publish information, updates, and registration links for our webinars.
Note: Please be aware that this article only lays out key deadlines for ST applications for an August start date. It does not include deadlines for Jan/Feb starts.
📆 August to September (10-12 months before F3)
❓Question to answer
Am I considering an F3 Year?
At the start of F2, you should ask yourself this question; ‘Am I considering an F3 Year?’
If your answer is ‘no, definitely not’ then you probably know you want to go straight into training after F2 ends. If that is the case then tally-ho and good luck in your applications. But in case you end up changing your mind later on, consider bookmarking this page so you can catch up on missed webinars and articles if you do come back to us down the line.
If your answer is a resounding and confident ‘yes!’ then head straight to the action list for this month and sign up for our F3 Timeline monthly newsletter ASAP.
If your answer is ‘maybe’ or ‘I’m not sure yet’ then perhaps you need to know a but more about what an F3 Year is before you make the decision to commit to one.
At this stage, you don’t need know what you want to do in your F3 Year, just whether or not you might want to do one. Considering this question now means you will be more confident in your decision to apply/not apply for training when specialty applications open in October.
👉 Action List
General: Sign up for the F3 Timeline Newsletter and create your Messly Profile for alerts and updates about key deadlines for F3.
Portfolio: Start building your professional portfolio using our Portfolio Companion structure.
Portfolio: Download your F1 Horus e-portfolio documents (including your ARCP outcome) and save to your portfolio.
📚 Reading List
To F3 or Not to F3? Understand what an F3 Year is, why people choose one, decide if it might be right for you.
Should I do an F3 Year? Similar to the above article but exploring the pros and cons of an F3 and providing extra tips.
Taking Time Out of Training Consider the non-training career options that might make work better for you.
📆 October to November (9-10 months before F3)
❓Question to answer
Should I apply for training?
Our F3 Planning Webinar and F3 Workbook use exercises and quizzes to help you explore whether an F3 Year might be for you, or whether you should actually consider applying for a training post.
If you prefer not to attend the webinar, see the reading list below for a series of articles to help you decide if an F3 Year is a good choice for you.
You can also subscribe to Messly’s F3 Stories Podcast to hear from previous and existing F3 doctors about their life-changing experiences, key challenges, and top tips for your F3 Year.
The deadline for most training applications is November / December (or even earlier for academic and research training posts).
If you are certain you want to do an F3 Year, or if you think you might want to take multiple years of out training, then it might be worth saving yourself application and exam stress by not applying at all. However, this means you are making a definitive comittment to an F3 Year.
If you are less sure about taking an F3 Year, you can always apply for a specialty training post and change your mind later.
🌐 Webinars
F3 Planning Webinar (October) Identify which F3 options might be best for you using the exercises in our F3 Workbook.
👉 Action List
General: Subscribe to Messly’s F3 Stories Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Training: Research and apply for training posts.
📚 Reading List
Your F3 Options Explained A general breakdown of your main F3 options.
The F3 Year: Where to go next A handy flow chart to see which F3 jobs might suit you best.
Am I Eligible to Work in Australia Identify whether you’re eligible to work in Australia.
What is a locum doctor A detailed guide to working as a locum doctor, including how you can become one and how much money you could earn, as well as the pros and cons of locuming compared to more traditional career paths.
Is locuming right for you This article will take you through some of the key thoughts you'll need to consider when deciding if it's right for you.
📆 December to February (6-8 months before F3)
You need to start making decisions about what you plan to do in your F3 Year and this is particularly important if you plan to go to Australia for a job that starts in August immediately after F2 ends.
❓Questions to answer
What are my F3 options?
If you’re confused about the differences between clinical fellowships and trust grade positions, aren’t sure if locum work would meet your career goals, or want to learn more about options outside of medicine, then we have a webinar to help answer these common questions.
The F3 Options Panel Discussion will help you learn more about the most common work options for F3 doctors by asking previous and current F3s about their different work experiences.
🦘Is Australia or New Zealand right for me?
While many F3 doctors choose Australia or New Zealand for their F3 Year, the medical calendar in those countries starts in February, so it’s out of kilter with the UK system. Most UK doctors start their Australia jobs in February, which means they commit to an F4 Year by default as their contracts are 12 months long. However, it is possible to find roles in Australia that start in August, which means you can to return to the UK in time to start a training post after your F3 Year ends.
If you think an F3 Year in Australia or New Zealand is the right choice for you, you should register to attend our F3 in Australia Panel Discussion which will help you understand your options and how to apply for jobs that have an August start.
🌐 Webinars
F3 Options Panel Discussion (February) Explore your F3 options in more detail by hearing from previous and existing F3 doctors.
F3 in Australia Panel Discussion (February) Find out more about roles in Australia and New Zealand and how to apply for an August start.
👉 Action List
Portfolio: Approach any potential referees from your first F2 rotation.
Portfolio: Update your CV with information about your first F2 rotation.
Australia: Update your CV with references and a cover letter for your application Down Under.
Australia: Apply for jobs in Australia or New Zealand.
Australia: Join the F3 in Australia and New Zealand Facebook Group.
📚 Reading List
Your Locum FAQs Answered Answers to the most common locum questions.
To Aus or not to Aus Figure out whether a move to Australia is right for you.
Common Questions on moving to Australia The most commonly asked questions from UK doctors who are weighing up a move Down Under.
Key dates for your move to Australia The timeline for applications and interviews for jobs in Australia.
The ultimate guide to working in Australia Our hub for all of our Australia articles.
Your F3 Year in New Zealand An overview of what working in NZ as an F3 is like.
How to ask for a medical reference Explains the etiquette of asking seniors for references, and how to increase your chances of getting them to say yes.
Medical References FAQs Gives quick answers to commonly asked questions and breaks down the differences between different types of references.
📆 March to April (3-4 months before F3)
❓Questions to answer
Do I want to do a fellowship?
If you’re considering a fellowship for your F3 Year, then you should now start looking for roles and reaching out to departments to get the job you want.
If you aren’t sure whether a fellowship is a good fit for you, you may want to attend the repeat of our F3 Planning Webinar, to help you identify which F3 path might suit you and your career goals best. Or, consider working through the F3 Workbook on your own.
How can I maximise my chance of getting the fellowship I want?
Many doctors aren’t aware that with passion and persistence they can create their own fellowship. You can learn more about how to do this in our F3 Fellowship Panel Discussion in April.
Updating your CV specifically for the fellowship you want and collecting excellent references can help you get a competitive fellowship, or convince a Trust board to spend the extra money to create a new fellowship just for you. Learn how to boost your portfolio using our Portfolio Companion.
Do I want to pursue a higher education qualification?
One other common option for F3 doctors is to pursue some kind of higher education qualification during their time out of training. In particular, Post Graduate Certifications in Medical Education or Public Health are popular. If you want to apply for a higher education degree or diploma, you will need to get this in before the deadline (usually late spring but it varies depending on the University/Course).
🦘What are the next steps in my Australia application process?
If you applied for a job in Australia or New Zealand then your interview will likely fall in this period. If your application is successful, you’ll want to planning your move. You’ll need to get a provisional license to practise, have your documents certified, and organise your visa, travel and accommodation.
🌐 Webinars
F3 Planning Webinar - Repeat (March) Identify which F3 options might be best for you using our F3 Workbook.
F3 Fellowships Panel Discussion (April) Learn more about F3 fellowships and discover our secret to securing the perfect fellowship for you.
👉 Action List
General: Research and apply for higher education diplomas, certificates, and degrees.
Portfolio: Approach any potential referees from your second F2 rotation.
Portfolio: Update your CV with information about your second F2 rotation.
Locum: Enrol with Messly’s locum finding service.
Locum: Start registering with locum agencies.
Fellowships: Find and apply for clinical fellowship roles on NHS Jobs or through Medical Staffing departments.
Australia + New Zealand: Interview for overseas posts.
Australia + New Zealand: Apply for visas and book flights if your application is successful.
📚 Reading List
The Locum Hub has all of our top articles on locuming.
Locum Doctors Timeline If you're not quite sure what you'll need to do, or when it needs to be done, by to get started as a locum doctor, don't worry. We've outlined all of this, along with what documents you'll need to collect, to get started.
Answering the Key Registration Questions for Locum Doctors A list of answers to the most common and frequently asked questions when it comes to approaching registration and compliance as a locum doctor.
Agency Registration and Compliance for Locums A complete guide to which documents most agencies and banks require from you, as well as tips to make the registration process as quick and easy as possible.
Finding the Right Locum Agencies for You In this article, we provide tips for how to figure out which locum agencies are the right ones for you to approach based on your own specific interests and needs.
Clinical Fellow vs Locum Doctor highlights the key differences and pros and cons of each.
What happens after my Australia Interview The next steps after you receive an offer of work in Australia.
Provisional and General Registration in Australia How to get your license to practise in Australia.
How to Get Your Licence to Practise Medicine in New Zealand.
How to get your documents certified for your move to Australia.
📆 May to June (2-3 months before F3)
❓Questions to answer
Do I want the security of a contract or the freedom of freelancing?
If you’re not going overseas or starting a fellowship in August, the key decision to make right now is whether you want a contracted role or not.
If you want the security of a contract and regular work, then you should use this time to secure a Trust Grade role. These jobs can be found either on NHS Jobs or by speaking to Medical HR or the rota coordinator managing the department you want to work in. If they know of an upcoming vacant rota line, they will usually try to fill this with a Trust Grade doctor over a locum as it costs the Trust less money.
Do I have the right work experience and references to get good locum jobs?
If the freedom and flexibility of locuming is more what you are looking for, use this time to start looking into your locum options, and learning how to optimise your chances of getting highly paid and regular locum work. This might be as an ad-hoc locum or could be though a long term locum position. We address the most common locum FAQ’s in our F3 Locum Questions Answered Webinar.
Even if you plan to leave your current trust after F2 ends, it is worth registering with your current Trust’s Staff Bank to get some additional locum experience that will give you a competitive edge. It is much easier to get this experience in a Trust that you are familiar with than one that is new to you. Make sure that you collect references that can vouch for all of your locum and shadowing experience as some Trusts and Agencies won’t accept unreferenced experience.
It is also worth setting some financial goals for your F3 Year. Think about how much you want to work, how you want to get paid, whether you have plans to travel, and whether you want to buy a house. You can find quick and succinct answers to all of your locum-related questions on our Locum Academy, or read the in-depth articles on our blog. You can also use our Locum Salary Calculator to work out how much you could earn as a locum doctor.
🦘Do I have my travel documents in order?
If you are heading overseas, you’ll want to make sure that your visas, travel documents, and accommodation is sorted.
🌐 Webinars
Your F3 Locum Questions Answered Webinar (May) Get the answers to the most commonly asked locum questions including how to find work, how much you can earn, and the rules on appraisals for F3 locum doctors.
👉 Action List
Portfolio: Request extension to Horus ePortfolio from Medical HR.
Locum: Register with your current hospital Staff Bank
Locum: Get work experience in key departments to boost your locum CV
Locum: Contact rota-coordinators for internal locum shifts available in August
Trust Grade: Find Trust Grade roles through NHS Jobs, rota-coordinators, Medical HR, and Medical Staffing Departments.
Australia + New Zealand: Search and apply for overseas accommodation.
Australia + New Zealand: Join the Fellowship Life Transplant Services Facebook group.
Australia + New Zealand: Submit request for annual leave at the end of F2 if you need time to move overseas for an early August job start.
📚 Reading List
The Locum Hub has all of our top articles on locuming.
Getting Started as a Locum Doctor We understand that getting started as a locum doctor can feel daunting. That's why we wrote this guide to give you a summary on the key points to help get you started.
Bank vs Agency A breakdown of how each works, and their pros and cons, covering registration, pay, and access to shifts.
Locum Rates: What Can I Expect? A guide to help you know what to expect to be paid as a locum, including a general overview of the UK pay rates, as well as an explanation of the pan-London rates.
Should You Locum Through a Limited Company? Here we explain what it means to locum through a limited company, discuss the pros and cons of doing so, and answer the key questions you’ll need to be thinking about when deciding if it's the right approach for you to take.
How to Make a Living as a Full-Time Locum Doctor Exploring how much you might expect to earn from locum work as an F3, highlighting key financial and work-related considerations you should be making, and providing advice to help manage your finances.
How to Negotiate a Better Locum Rate A detailed guide to help you becoming better at negotiating with prospective employers, to help you maximise the amount you can earn while locuming.
Tips to Increase Your Locum Pay Our top tips to help you earn the best rates possible for your grade, specialty, and region when working as a locum doctor
Ad-hoc vs Long-term Locuming Explains the differences between these two styles of locum working.
📆 July (1-4 weeks before F3)
This is it, the end of your Foundation Training Programme. Hopefully by now you a plan for what you will be doing from August, but don’t worry if you don’t have work lined up yet.
There are some final things that are important to sort out before you move on from your training role, and will save you stress in the long run.
When should I start booking locum shifts?
You can start booking shifts as soon as you feel ready to. If your Locum Agency or Staff Bank are already contacting you with available work then you can book these and alleviate some anxiety around being ‘unemployed’. Working as a freelance locum may take some mental adjusting as you will probably have spent the last 8 years with schedules to follow and pre-prescribed holidays and time off.
Though it can feel scary, there is also something thrilling about having nothing lined up. If you know you are going to work as a locum but want to take some time off before you start, that is okay. Let your staff bank or agency know when you will be open to work and try to feel confident in the knowledge that you will fall back into work when you are ready.
If you are really nervous about working as a locum, booking a couple shifts while you are still working as an F2 can alleviate this anxiety - particularly if they are in the department you currently work in. Or, you can always negotiate a long-term locum position which offers the benefit of lots of regular work and also the locum pay rate.
How much do I want to earn as a locum doctor?
You can earn your annual F2 salary working only 2 days per week as an F3 locum doctor so if you want to take time out, you can easily make up lost income by adding a few extra locum shift the following month. Use our Locum Salary Calculator to estimate your earning potential as a locum.
Do I have all of my paperwork in order?
As you enter the last few months of your Foundation Programme, you need to ensure that you have everything you need going forward. This is particularly important if you are leaving your current Trust and will struggle to access digital records going forward.
ESR documents like payslips (useful for taxes, negotiating pay, and mortgage applications) or proof of Mandatory and Statutory Training records (for Locum Agencies and new Trusts) should be downloaded before the end of F2. Horus ePortflio documents should also be saved to your own portfolio for safekeeping and future reference.
Make sure that your medicolegal cover is up to date and aware of the upcoming change to your work pattern. Read more about this topic here.
You should aim to have your CV optimised prior to moving on from F2. This means editing it with relevant information about your foundation years, and ensuring all of your work experience has a referee that can vouch for that period. Make sure that you have approached potential referees before adding them to your CV.
👉 Action List
General: Join the Foundation Year 3 Doctors Facebook group
General: Plan end-of-F2 celebration with friends
Portfolio: Ensure that the extension to your Horus ePortfolio has been approved.
Portfolio: Download and print your ARCP document to save in your Portfolio.
Portfolio: Download your full Horus ePortfolio and save to your Portfolio.
Portfolio: Download MAST e-learning certificate and save to your Portfolio.
Portfolio: Download your payslips off ESR and save to your Portfolio.
Portfolio: Approach any potential referees from your third F2 rotation.
Portfolio: Update your CV with information about your third F2 rotation.
Locum: Start locuming through your internal staff bank to overcome locum anxiety
Australia + New Zealand: (Prepare to) move overseas to start in your new role!
📚 Reading List
The Locum Hub has all of our top articles on locuming.
The Biggest Mistakes I Made In My First Month As a New Locum Doctor Join Ryan, our very own Health Tech Fellow and A&E Locum Doctor, as he shares with you some of the mistakes he made in his first month when he first started locuming.
Tips for Your First Day as a Locum Doctor in a New Hospital Tips to help you prepare for, and successfully navigate, your first day at a new hospital when working as a locum. This will also hopefully give you the opportunity of being invited back for more shifts in the near future.
Tips for Settling into a Long-Term Locum Position This article will help you get settled into a long-term locum position, provide advice for making a positive impact when joining a new team or working in an unfamiliar hospital, discuss how to make the most of your time there, and what to do if any issues arise.
Is Medical Indemnity Necessary? We’ve partnered up with the MDDUS, one of the UK’s leading Indemnity providers for medical professionals, to bring you this in-depth guide. Covering the different types of legal issues you may face as a locum doctor, as well as answering questions about the different types of indemnity available.
Congratulations, you have reached the end of your F2 Year! This article covered your F2 Year and the planning stage for your F3 Year. You can continue onto the next article which covers the duration of your F3 Year and your transition to working overseas, staying in the UK for an F4, or returning to training.
Please let us know what you end up doing for your F3 Year, and whether this timeline has been helpful to you (or can be improved in any way) by contacting us at support@messly.co.uk
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