NHS CV Guide & Tips

Whether you’re applying for a junior clinical role, specialty training, or a consultant post, your medical CV is a critical part of your NHS job application. It’s your first opportunity to show recruiters that you’re qualified, experienced, and aligned with NHS values.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the key elements of a well-structured medical CV from the NHS point of view, ensuring you present your skills and experience professionally and effectively.

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🧩 Why Your CV Matters

An NHS medical CV isn’t just a list of your qualifications and jobs—it should:

• Tell your career story clearly and confidently

• Highlight your clinical competencies and achievements

• Reflect your professional values, goals, and commitment to the NHS

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📚 Key Tips for Writing a Stand-Out NHS Medical CV

✅ Use Clear Section Headings

Organise your CV using logical and clearly defined headers so that recruiters can find information quickly. Use bold or underlined headings for clarity. Suggested structure:

1. Personal Details

2. Career Summary / Profile

3. Education and Qualifications

4. Employment History

5. Clinical Experience

6. Audit & Quality Improvement

7. Research & Publications

8. Teaching & Training

9. Courses & Certifications

10. Skills & Interests

11. References

1. Personal Details

Include:

• Full name

• GMC registration number

• Contact information (email & phone)

• Right to work status (e.g. visa, settled/pre-settled)

  
  

2. Career Summary / Profile

Write a short paragraph (4–6 lines) summarising:

• Your current position and specialty

• Key achievements or specialisations

• Long-term goals (e.g., training in a certain specialty, becoming a consultant)

• Alignment with NHS values (e.g. teamwork, patient safety, innovation)

Example:

I am a dedicated SHO in General Medicine with three years’ experience in high-pressure NHS environments. I have a strong interest in respiratory care and am currently involved in a departmental QIP. My future goal is to pursue specialty training in Acute Internal Medicine. I am committed to delivering safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care in line with NHS core values.

3. Education and Qualifications

List in reverse chronological order (most recent first):

• Medical degree

• Postgraduate exams (e.g., MRCP, PLAB, IELTS/OET)

• Additional degrees or diplomas

Include:

• Institution name

• Dates (month/year)

• Grades or distinctions (if relevant)

4. Employment History

List all roles chronologically, starting with your current or most recent job. For each role, include:

• Job title

• Hospital/Trust name

• Start and end dates (MM/YYYY)

• Detailed description of responsibilities and achievements

Tip: Include any gaps in employment and briefly explain them (e.g., parental leave, illness, career break for research).

Example:

Senior House Officer – General MedicineRoyal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS TrustAug 2022 – Present

• Managing acute admissions and coordinating care across general medicine and cardiology wards

• Performing procedures including venepuncture, ABGs, NG tubes, and catheterisation

• Participating in daily ward rounds, MDT meetings, and weekend on-call rota

• Contributed to a departmental audit on discharge summaries, presented at trust QI day

  
  

5. Clinical Experience

Highlight your core skills and any specialised experience, including:

• Rotations completed

• Exposure to certain conditions or procedures

• Involvement in patient safety initiatives or MDTs

  
  

6. Audit & Quality Improvement

• Briefly describe QI projects you’ve worked on

• Mention your role, findings, and any outcomes

• State whether it was presented or published

7. Research & Publications

Include:

• Peer-reviewed publications

• Poster presentations

• Ongoing research projects

• Clinical trials or data collection

  
  

8. Teaching & Training

• Undergraduate or postgraduate teaching experience

• Participation in simulation or bedside teaching

• Feedback received or certificates awarded

  
  

9. Courses & Certifications

List relevant courses such as:

• ALS, BLS, ATLS

• Leadership and communication training

• NHS induction courses Include:

• Course provider

• Date completed

  
  

10. Additional Skills & Interests

Include:

• IT systems you’ve used (e.g., EPIC, Cerner, SystmOne)

• Languages spoken

• Hobbies that demonstrate communication, resilience, or teamwork

11. References

Include at least two referees, preferably:

• A current or recent consultant

• A supervisor familiar with your clinical and personal skills

Provide:

• Name, role, hospital, email address, phone number

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✍️ Final Tips for Your NHS CV

• Use uniform formatting: consistent font, size, and bullet points

• Save as PDF to maintain layout across devices

• Keep it concise: ideally 2–4 pages

• Proofread thoroughly or have a colleague review it

• Match terminology with NHS job specs and the Person Specification

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💡 Summary: What NHS Recruiters Are Looking For

✅ Clear and logical structure

✅ Evidence of commitment to specialty

✅ Accurate dates and explanations for gaps

✅ Demonstrated clinical experience and personal development

✅ Reflection of NHS values and professionalism