There are approximately 230 private hospitals in the United Kingdom. Most are required to have a Resident Medical Officer (RMO) on site 24 hours a day to cover for cardiac arrests on behalf of consultants. The hospitals vary in size, medical complexity and workload but a typical private hospital will handle elective surgery only. There are relatively few acute medical admissions, as private hospitals generally do not accept myocardial infarcts, etc. Only the larger hospitals (>60 beds) will have ICU or ITUs and most of the clinical workload is geared towards general ward work and managing post-operative complications.

RMOs usually work 168-hour shifts, during which time they are required to remain on the hospital site at all times. Meals and accommodation are provided free whilst on duty and the on-call room will usually have satellite TV. RMOs cover private hospital for emergencies and general ward work; some hospitals may require RMOs to assist in theatre.

The minimal clinical standards for Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) are:

1. Fluent spoken and written English.
2. A minimum of two years post-graduate experience (internship + one year. This should include a minimum of 100 blood taking procedures and a minimum of 100 cannulations.
3. Resuscitation and Emergency medicine experience
4. Recent surgical experience in post-operative care (as a guide, at least three months surgical experience in total during the past three years). (it may be and in gynecology or urology, or any area that is somehow related to the surgical field). Although RMOs do not work in theatre, the job is perhaps 90% related to the care of patients post-operatively, depending on the hospital.
5. Experience in doing and interpreting ECGs, urethral catheters, nasogastric tubes and arterial blood gases.
6. Full GMC registration.

The role of an RMO (Resident Medical Officer) ensures that the wishes of consultants are carried out in their absence by the RMO. The RMO is also responsible for leading the "crash team" in the event of a cardiac arrest situation. The RMO is expected to take total charge of the situation and advise the other clinicians on what action to take. These situations do not constantly occur and so the majority of the RMO role is taken up by seeing and interacting with patients; prescribing (and quite often dispensing) appropriate medication (as directed by the consultant); taking bloods; inserting IV drips and cannulations; carrying out and analyzing ECGs and generally monitoring the patient whilst in the hospital - constantly interacting (by phone if necessary) with the consultant.

Outside of office hours, the RMO is only doctor on site and must be confident in dealing with clinical emergencies on behalf of admitting consultants. All applicants are required to hold full adult and paediatric resuscitation qualifications (ALS/ACLS and EPLS/PALS).

RMO work is ideal for those doctors wishing to study whilst earning a reasonable salary. Also, with the current difficulties in organizing a substantive post in the UK from overseas and the unpredictability of NHS locums, RMO work has become the best way to gain UK experience and guarantee work in the UK. Without UK experience, Locum positions are very hard to come by. Therefore, this is an ideal way to enter the UK health sector and will enable one to apply for NHS substantive posts while still earning a salary.