Frequently asked questions
Doctor Jobs
Discover Doctor roles nationwide with NHS Trusts, agencies, and private healthcare providers. Scroll down for insights into what Doctors do, how to become one, typical employers, pay bands, and FAQs.
What Does a Doctor Do?
Doctors in the UK diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of medical conditions across hospitals, clinics, and community settings. They work in environments such as hospital wards, operating theatres, outpatient clinics, GP surgeries, and emergency departments, often as part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and healthcare assistants.
Doctors treat diverse patient groups, from children to older adults, managing both acute and long-term conditions. Roles are available across the NHS and private healthcare providers, with some Doctors choosing to combine both.
Key duties include:
- Diagnosing and treating medical conditions
- Reviewing and monitoring patient progress
- Leading and contributing to clinical teams
- Communicating with patients and families
- Maintaining accurate medical records
How to Become a Doctor
To become a Doctor in the UK, you must complete a recognised medical degree (MBBS or equivalent) followed by Foundation Training (FY1 and FY2). After this, Doctors progress into specialty training or GP training, depending on their career goals.
All practising Doctors must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and hold a licence to practise. Entry routes include standard undergraduate medicine degrees, graduate-entry medicine, and approved overseas qualifications. International Doctors may need to pass the PLAB exams or hold an accepted equivalent.
Our Doctor Career Guide
This information comes from our own Doctor Career Guide, which provides a full deep dive into becoming a Doctor, including education routes, specialty pathways, GMC registration, and real-world insights from practising Doctors.
I chose medicine because it's so broad that you go into anything. You can become a surgeon, a GP, infectious disease, research, literally anything.
Hibah Mirza, Medical Student
Read Hibah's complete blog on why she chose to study medicine here.
Typical Employers of Doctors
Doctors in the UK are employed across a wide range of healthcare settings, including:
- NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts
- Private hospitals and clinics
- Medical recruitment agencies
- Community health providers
- GP practices and primary care networks
Some of our current employers hiring for Doctor jobs include:
Pay and Benefits for Doctor Jobs
The average annual salary for a Doctor in the UK varies by grade, specialty, and location.
Approximate salary ranges include:
- Foundation Doctors: £32,000 - £37,000
- Specialty Registrars: £43,000 - £63,000+
- Consultants: £88,000 - £120,000+
Location can impact earnings - London weighting increases pay compared to some regional roles.
Private sector and locum Doctor roles may offer higher hourly or daily rates based on demand and experience.
Our Doctor Pay Guide
This information comes from our Doctor Pay Guide, which is kept up to date using trusted sources and real job data, giving you an accurate picture of current Doctor salary expectations.
Career Progression for Doctors
Doctor careers offer clear and structured progression. A typical pathway may move from Foundation Doctor to Registrar to Consultant or GP Partner. Beyond clinical practice, Doctors can progress into medical leadership, education, research, or highly specialised roles.