Me&Mi

I've just been contacted by someone asking about Validation of Radiography qualifications.  Here is how I did it, in case anyone else needs this information Here is the link to the article I used to get information about what to do: www.e-radiography.net/careers/europeaneducation.pdf This is the particular section you need: FRANCE Ministère de l’emploi et de la solidarité, Direction générale de la santé, Sous direction des professions de santé, Bureau des professions paramedicales, 1, Place de Fontenoy, 75350 Paris 07, France Handwritten request for authorization to work stating profession. Copy of passport with certification of conformity, Copy of education programme with certification of conformity, Certification of work in the country of origin. FRENCH (sworn translation) All my documents had to be translated by an official translator and stamped as sworn translations.  I got letters from all the places I worked outlining my experience and employment dates.  I had to get a copy of my education programme(D.C.R.stamped by the Society of Radiographers in England to say it was a true copy).  All the documents(copies of all) I sent off were stamped at my local police station with a handwritten note by the policeman to say that the copies were true copies of the original documents(including the copy of my passport).  We don't have "Certificates of conformity" in Ireland but the police stamp worked. All document must be sent registered post.  One thing I would let you know about is that in France you need to have experience in Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine.  If these subjects were not part of your training(they weren't in mine) then you will need to get some work experience in these areas.  If you do not, they will make you either sit an exam or do four full weeks of work experience in an approved hospital (i.e. 8 weeks if you've no experience!).  Getting this work experience in your own country before you apply might be easier, I don't know.  If you are completely fluent in French and don't mind two months without pay then go for it in France!   I think it cost me about €3000 euro for all the translation and paying for copies of certificates and education programme etc. Best of luck to anyone applying.

Well I went to the Dr and he wouldn't take any money off me for the letter saying my daughter was fit to go to school!  It's the easiest thing I've done in France so far!  No red tape?????????  Hey Ormx, glad to hear from you.  We decided on Carcassonne in the end for various reasons.  Might pm you again on MM when I get the chance.  All good so far.  Just had a swim in the pool that is part of the apt complex we're staying in.  Weather is great.  The people are really nice(although the accent is hard to understand sometimes!).  Anyway, like I said, catch up with you soon.  Hope you are well. Thanks for the advice everyone.  I'll look into what to do longer term.  Whatever I do, I'm sure it'll improve my French which is always a good thing[8-|]

Thanks for that Will and Owen.  We have the EHICs in Ireland now so that is what I brought.  Maybe the simplest solution is to just go and pay as a non resident. Thanks for the good advice.

Hi there, We have come to France for six months.  I don't think we will be staying longer though.  Neither of us is working at the moment.  Is our EHIC enough?  We need to bring our daughter to a Dr so she can go to school for the few months.  We haven't got an E106 and wouldn't know where to get one in Dublin.  Any ideas?  Don't mind getting INTO the system but not sure it's a good idea if we are only staying for 6 months.  Advice would be appreciated.

My husband, 2 girls(3 and 1 year old) and I are looking for a 2/3 (preferably 3) bedroomed apartment or house from late July early August for six months.  If anyone has something to rent (preferably furnished), I'd love to hear from you. Thanks in advance, Mide

Thanks Tresco[:D] Twinkle and JK, OH doesn't play trad music.  He's in a band playing original rock/country/pop(I don't know how to describe it as you can tell!).  Have to go, kids are pulling at my heels.  ChezShells, thanks for your reply.  Would love to know WHEREABOUTS you live. This thread really is a great help, thank you all.[kiss]. Getting the hang of the emoticon thing.  Furry knickers- suffering from baby brain at the moment but are you taking the p*** by any chance?  A shillelagh is a type of weapon.  Maybe you meant harp?[8-|]

Peter, I really appreciate that!  We live in Dublin and so would need connections to Ireland unfortunately.  OH plays a bit of music and wouldn't be sure of being able to keep it up in France so would like the possibility of getting home quite quickly and cheaply(point taken regarding flights btw) so maybe somewhere between 2/3 ryanair airports would be an idea. Mind you, weather is also a huge consideration.  Thanks all.  How do you get icons into your posts?!!!

Ormx, Hi there! I'm not very imaginative when it comes to my username, am I?  Sounds like you live in a lovely place - you should keep it a secret unless you want us landing in your neck of the woods :) Will, thanks for the information.  I was hoping  we could continue being taxed in Ireland(dual tax arrangement) and bring worldwide health insurance with us.  I know, I  know, it's not the right thing to do; especially as we'd have to open a  bank account, rent somewhere and pay local charges. I suppose we'd still have to pay the heafty social and pension charges.  OH earns 35000euro which is  not a lot for Dublin.  He works as an instructional designer(it's an IT job).  There is no way his company would fork out another cent.  Out with the calculator I suppose! Thanks again for the reality check.  The best way to succeed is to prepare I suppose

Thank you all so much for your very insightful remarks.  Teamedup, this may be a silly question, but do you know where we could find out how much our cotisation costs will be by any chance?  The employer doesn't know about the move (yet!) and really all depends on whether or not they say "Yes".  So I need to find out about how much it will cost them. Would still love to hear about why others like where they live(and of course if you let on whereabouts it is, that'd be really helpful :)).  Like the idea of being between Toulouse & Carcasonne although I went aupairing once in Luchon- Lasted 5(12 hour) days!!  I've been to Le Mans, the people are lovely there.  Been to Tours many times(people not AS friendly) and have a good friend living there. SIL lives in the Pyrenees(just realised I can't spell that!) near Ceret.  So we just don't know. The advice so far is great and I suppose I asked the question to bring up priorities for us. Thanks for all the replies so far.  Will read the "why we're leaving" thread.

We're thinking of relocating to France later this year.  Hubby hopes to work for his present employer remotely.  Anyway, all we know is that we'd like to live in a smallish town or village.  We've 2 kids under 3.  I'd love to find out why you like where YOU live.  Thanks in advance.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.  I really appreciate it.  John I have joined a forum(must do a bit more posting!).  As regards my qualification, I have to do a month work experience in a particular area to be allowed to work in a paid position so this might be interesting.  I only have to apply to a "DRASS"  in the area I want to live with the ministerial letter I have and they will organise the work experience.  Not going until next summer but I like to have my homework done.  Thanks again all.

Thank you all.  No problem KathyC, I can see what you might have thought.  I looked back and it actually doesn't say time and date of posting so I understand where you are coming from. I would never write an English cover letter like this (esp the asking for interview bit!).  I used websites to give me an idea of what is expected in a french motivation letter. I thought it was very laboured myself.  So I will take on board what you have all said and reconstruct it.  Thanks again for taking the time to read and reply.

KathyC, I posted to both forums at the same time, I didn't know the EXACT same people post to both otherwise I would've posted only to one.  I replied here because I felt it was rude not to reply when people go to the effort to help you.  Why are you so annoyed?  I AM taking on board what everyone said and appreciate the replies.  If I thought the letter was ok, I wouldn't have asked the question. Sorry if you feel insulted that I asked in two places at the same time.

Thank you for your replies.  I will be enclosing a CV also.  I haven't decided who I'm applying to yet so that is why there isn't any specific detail about the job in question.  I appreciate the advice :)

This will obviously be in French but I would like opinions please as I have never written one of these letters before!  Thanks in advance.   Dear XXX,   I am a diagnostic radiographer with 14 years clinical experience.  I qualified in 1992 with the diploma of the College of Radiograpers in England.  This qualification has been validated by the french Ministry of health and because of this, I am permitted to work in France as a diagnostic radiographer..   Having worked in five very different hospitals, I feel as though I have a rounded and thorough level of clinical experience.  These hospitals range from Ireland’s largest general hospital (St. James’s) where I learned how to deal with any situation, to Ireland’s leading cancer hospital (St Luke’s) where the emphasis was always on being gentle and compassionate,.  I have worked within the public and private sector and am happy to xray adults and children alike.  I am happy to work in all general areas and I have a number of years experience in mammography and Computed Tomography.  I have an honours degree in French which I completed in 1999.   Being of a friendly and hard-working disposition, I have always settled well and fitted into all of my previous placements.  I love to work and have excellent references from all my previous employers.  I would very much appreciate an interview with the possibility of  being employed in the position of general radiographer in a part-time capacity. Yours sincerely,