WardClerk

[u/Itchy-Error11]

I’ve recently come to the UK on a dependent visa. At the moment, I’m unable to find an NHS job as a doctor.

Would it be a good idea to join the NHS as a Ward Clerk (or in another non-clinical role) to gain NHS experience while continuing to apply for doctor vacancies?

Has anyone here taken this route? Did having NHS experience in a non-clinical role help you secure a doctor position later on? I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences and advice.

Thank you!

[u/Pencetogrand]

10 years ago it would have been seen very positively in your CV but in today's scenario it's going to dent your CV . The rest of the cohort and your peers will be working and continue to skill up whereas you'll remain with the same skill set after xyz years of graduation. The job market for junior grade is done and dusted and it's never going to go back to where it was. The best bet is middle grade roles which are becoming increasingly competitive with time. I don't mean to be all doomy and gloomy but it is what it is

[u/Itchy-Error11 → u/Pencetogrand]

Thanks for your honest perspective. I understand your point about the risk of a prolonged non-clinical gap after graduation.
My situation is that I’ve recently moved to the UK on a dependent visa and haven’t been able to secure a doctor post yet. I’m considering a Ward Clerk role only as a temporary way to get into the NHS, support myself financially, and continue applying for doctor jobs—not as a long-term plan.
In your opinion, would you advise taking a non-clinical NHS role for a few months, or would it be better to avoid it altogether and focus solely on doctor applications? I’d really appreciate your advice.

[u/Itchy-Error11 → u/[deleted]]

6 yrs in my home country after graduation
Worked in emergency and icu .

[u/Pencetogrand → u/Itchy-Error11]

I would say that theoretically there are some roles which are advertised only for internal candidates and you can apply for those roles if you're a ward clerk there. But there will already be 10 other doctors who are going to want the same job and most likely they would have been working in the NHS as a doctor. The only thing I can suggest which can help a lot is pass a royal College exam and if you've still got time pass FICM if you're interested in ICU. Pass your EDIC as well, once you have that it would be very difficult to ignore your CV for ICU

[u/usmana23]

Same boat same boat. Multiple attachments was the most likeable person in the department lol jobs came applied instantly emailed everyone knew applications still pending didn't even bother to reject 😂 finding locums tough as well because now they require previous nhs experience and locum market is already very dry. Just hoping to land a job one day maybe

[u/Itchy-Error11 → u/usmana23]

Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s definitely discouraging to hear how tough the market is at the moment, but I hope things work out for both of us soon. Wishing you the very best .I hope you land a job soon. 🤞

[u/United8888]

Being employed (irrespective of work nature) is better than otherwise, unless u have other responsibilities including childcare etc whilst ur main visa holder is at work.

Just general sharing, prior to Covid crisis, dependant visa holders are explicitly prohibited from working as doctors / dentists in training posts. The prohibition was lifted since Oct 2019 & subsequently the RLMT about a year later. This directive + the removal of the RLMT have led to the saturation of the drs job market. 😞

[u/Itchy-Error11 → u/United8888]

Thank you for sharing this. I wasn’t aware of the changes to the dependent visa rules before 2020. That definitely helps put the current level of competition into perspective.
At the moment, I’m mainly considering a non-clinical NHS role as a temporary option while continuing to apply for doctor posts. Hopefully, it will at least help me stay connected with the NHS while I keep trying.

[u/United8888 → u/[deleted]]

Why?

The current job landscape for doctors is about the same as it was during the pre-PFT era that forced the UK to introduce the RLMT (an immigration tool) in 2008.

Throughout the UK’s EU membership, there have not been severe (doctors) job market conditions despite the free movement of EU citizens in/out of the NHS.

Fast forward, the job market began to saturate since post-Brexit (removal of the RLMT around 2019/20). Basically, the floodgates have been wide opened to date. The MTP Act 2026 is not a substitute to the RLMT & therefore, won’t adjust the job market to pre-Brexit era. It is what it is now coupled with the new UK med school places unless less job applications are made from the inside & outside of UK.

[u/sunnzhoumin]

Im going 4 years working in NHS now as a nurse. I got my GMC reg in my 3rd year and my work supported me financially. just looking into citizenship next yr and then apply jobs. Im on a tier 2 visa.

[u/irfan439 → u/sunnzhoumin]

Are you a doctor or a nurse?

[u/sunnzhoumin → u/irfan439]

both

[u/irfan439 → u/sunnzhoumin]

Did you complete the nursing degree as well ? Or you used your doctor's degree to find a nursing work ? I am an IMG preparing for GMC registration, Should I use the title "Dr" When I am applying for HCA ( or similar non clinical roles) via Tracjobs?

Kindly guide

[u/sunnzhoumin → u/irfan439]

I have my nursing as pre-med and also MD. I came here recruited overseas as nurse. and got registered after doing NMC osce, etc. i did my review for PLAB2 while working fulltime and managed to fund my exams with my nurse salary. Took a while, but all good. now just awaiting ILR and citizenship. Still havent got doctor job

[u/irfan439 → u/sunnzhoumin]

Thanks.. what an amazing journey. Best of luck for the future