Understanding Trust Grade Jobs in the NHS

Let’s learn about its benefits and future prospects for you.

What are Trust Grade Jobs in the NHS?

Trust Grade Jobs are positions in the NHS that are not part of the standard training pathways. A doctor who is working in the NHS in a non-training post is called a Trust Doctor. An NHS Trust Grade Doctor gets hired directly by an NHS Trust, instead of Health Education England. These jobs apply to all specialities.

These positions are for doctors who are;

• Overseas doctors who like NHS experience
• Doctors who take a break from a training program

These roles are flexible and can vary in responsibilities. It can be both temporary or long-term, allowing hospitals to fill gaps in staffing. Trust Grade Jobs can be equivalent to Senior Officer or Registrar level.

How Does It Benefit Me to Take Up This Job as an Immigrant Doc?

• Network Building: Working within the NHS helps you network with other professionals, which can be beneficial for future job opportunities or references.
• Faster career progression: Trust doctor positions offer less competition and a faster way to your first consultant post. It allows you to focus on training and development. Trust Grade positions can serve as stepping stones to secure a place in the formal speciality training programs later on.
• Experience Building: These roles allow you to gain valuable NHS experience, which is crucial for any further career advancement in the UK. You’ll also be able to enhance your medical vocabulary and communication skills, which is vital in the healthcare sector.
• Smoother transition to the UK and NHS: Trust doctor roles give you valuable time to settle into the UK and the NHS system, making it easier to adjust to a new environment. These roles also give you geographic flexibility. Trust doctor positions can provide the freedom to explore different regions of the UK throughout your career.

👉 Important Note: Similar to training post positions, Trust Grade doctors also receive the same study leave, teaching salary, supervision, and other support.

If you care for work-life balance over training, this is an ideal option as it offers the same pay raises as any other job.

How can I be one as an overseas doctor?

You can become a Trust Grade Doctor following these steps:

• Check Eligibility: When you intend to practise medicine in the UK, you are required to register with the GMC. For this, you must meet the eligibility criteria with a medical degree recognized in the UK. In case of a doubt, you should check your qualifications status with the GMC. 
• Compete for English Proficiency: Pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET) if you’re from a non-English speaking country. Registrants for the GMC must score 7.5 or more overall in IELTS. OET is an alternate exam which was designed specifically for the healthcare sector professionals.
• Appear in the PLAB Test or a Membership Exam: The PLAB or Membership exams ensures that international doctors have basic medical competence and communication skills. Before this, doctors must have already completed the IELTS or OET. 
• Apply for Jobs: Look for Trust Grade positions on NHS job boards or directly on hospital websites.
• Attend Interviews: Prepare for interviews that may focus on your clinical skills and understanding of the NHS.
• Obtain a Visa: If you're offered a job, you’ll need to secure a visa that allows you to work in the UK, such as the Health and Care Worker visa. You must check the UK Government's website to find out more.

When Can a Doctor Be a Trust Grade Doctor?

• After Foundation Training: Typically, doctors who have completed their Foundation Year 1 (F1) may apply, but those with equivalent experience may also be considered.
• During Specialty Training Gaps: If you’re waiting for a speciality training spot, a Trust Grade role can be a great interim solution.

What are my future prospects if I do this job?

• Career Advancement: Trust Grade roles can lead to further opportunities within the NHS, including positions in speciality training. Trust doctor's roles include plenty of specialities and are easy to acquire (i.e. elderly care, ED, acute medicine, general medicine, and general surgery).
• Networking: If you build relationships with peers, it can open doors to multiple higher-level positions.
• Increased Employability: If you gain NHS experience, it makes you a more eligible candidate for future roles, both within the NHS and internationally. Trusts create trust grade roles wherever they see a vacancy in service provision. This occurs due to an unfilled training post, or when a trainee has to drop out of the programme.

Why Does a Job Like This Exist Within the NHS?

The NHS often faces vacancy or staffing shortages and Trust Grade Jobs help fill these vacancies. NHS also gets a flexible workforce for patient care. Additionally, these positions allow overseas doctors to gain experience and integrate into the system.

With the right preparation and commitment, you can turn this opportunity into a fulfilling medical career.

If you’ve read this far, do try Medlogbook to log your medical experiences. I’ve created this to organise your competencies which could help with moving abroad. You can be better prepared for submitting work evidence, a requirement in most countries for practising.