My SAS role allowed me to shape my own career path

 Dr Ratna Alluri

In 1999 I arrived in the UK, a newly qualified IMG (International Medical Graduate). It took some time to get used to a different healthcare system. After several posts and pit stops, I moved to Aberdeen to work as a locum registrar in respiratory medicine for a year.

I was in between a LAT (Locum Appointment for Training) and run through training. Competition at the time was stiff and it was the time of transition to MMC (Modernising Medical Careers). A very supportive clinical lead spotted service gaps and appointed a colleague and me to specialty doctor posts in respiratory medicine. 

So, I suppose my SAS (service and specialty) role found me.

Ratna profile

Between 2008 -2012 I was happy in my post. I started with a service commitment in patient triage, which evolved over time. My main focus being to complete specialty training through CESR (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration).

My inspiration for choosing the CESR route was a close friend and brilliant surgeon who had successfully gone through the process. I slowly began compiling my evidence of training.

I worked the on-call registrar rota. I had independent clinics in my areas of interest and rotated through ICU for 3 months - a core requirement for respiratory training. I shared an office with service and trainee colleagues, attended training days and conferences. 

In 2013 after a casual conversation with a friend I found myself driving down to West Wales to start work as a locum consultant. It was the change I needed. I enjoyed my first taste of being lead clinician. After days and nights of sifting through mounds of paperwork I submitted my CESR application which at first was rejected. Feedback from the GMC was excellent - structured, clear and easy to action. 

I returned to Aberdeen with a plan to resubmit after closing all the training gaps. I accomplished this successfully while working as a Locum consultant in a newly established HDU. Today I work as a fulltime Consultant in Respiratory Medicine with subspecialist interests.

My SAS role allowed me to shape my own career path, away from the rigid structure of conventional training programs. It led me to opportunities to be part of research, support groups, university teaching, Royal college work and service leadership- a place to call home-and all at a pace that worked best for me.