Find out where you can look for jobs, and how to apply
Where do I look for jobs in the UK?
Senior physio Deep Kapoor offers job hunting advice for physios trained overseas
The most frequently used job sites for work in the NHS are:
- NHS jobs in England and Wales
- NHS Scotland recruitment
- Health and social care jobs in Northern Ireland
On these sites, you can select the geographical area, banding or salary and you can set up an alert for any new jobs posted.
You can also look at the CSP’s job site, which has a mixture of NHS and independent practice jobs advertised.
Private providers
- The Private Healthcare UK website has a list of private hospitals in the UK
- BUPA is a big private health insurance provider and also holds a list of private hospitals
- Nuffield Health is another provider of private healthcare
Writing an application
Before applying for any job, you must fully understand what the role entails, what kind of healthcare establishment it is in and how your knowledge, training and experience relate to that which the role requires.
Read the job description and person specification carefully and make sure you address in your application, how you meet all aspects.
Top tips for writing a job application
- understand the job you have applied for
- get in touch with the contact person mentioned in the advert and talk to them to find out more about the job, what it entails and whether it interests you
- read the job description and person specification carefully and tailor your application to these
- do not be tempted to use the same statement for multiple jobs
Most employers will require you to complete a standard job application form. They prefer this method to sifting through many CVs.
Departments that receive many applications will usually use the application form as the first stage of their selection process and draw up a shortlist of people to invite for interview.
It is therefore essential to take time and care when completing an application and not to rely on pre-prepared generic statements or those generated by AI. Managers can easily spot these and will not look on them favourably.
Be precise about your work/placement experience: give clear dates, locations and job summaries. The NHS website has guidance on how best to make your application successful and how to write your application form.
Preparing for an interview
If your application statement has resulted in you being shortlisted, the interview preparation is similar. Take time to consider the job specification and prepare to demonstrate how you are a good fit for the role.
Watch CSP member Salil Parkar give his top tips for interviews
Find out as much as you can about the potential employer; where in the UK they are, whether they are in an acute hospital, are a community service or are in some other setting. Do they have organisational values, do they fit with yours, can you describe how?
Don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer to rephrase or clarify a question if you don’t understand. There can be lots of jargon and they are not trying to catch you out. You may also wish to write the questions down to help you consider and prepare your response.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask for feedback if I am not shortlisted at the application stage?
This can be frustrating, especially if you are not sure what you are doing wrong. However, often managers have so many applications it is virtually impossible to offer feedback to all. You may wish to find a critical friend or mentor, someone who has been through the process already, who can help guide your future applications.
What if I don’t get the job after my interview?
It's very common to ask for and receive feedback about your performance at an interview if you are not successful. This feedback can be helpful in your preparation for future interviews. Take time to take notes and listen to what the manager feels you did well and what you need to improve on.
I got the job, what now?
If you are successful at an interview, carefully check your contract before signing it. Ensure it describes the job you thought you had applied for, along with any restrictions that may be imposed on your practice, as and when you leave the job.
If you are a member, the CSP is here to support and protect you in the workplace.
