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Hospital doctor

Alternative titles for this job include

A hospital doctor diagnoses and treats illness and disease in patients admitted to hospital.

Average salary (a year)

£28,808 Starter

to

£77,519 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 48 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a hospital doctor

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course

University

You'll need to complete:

  • a 5-year degree in medicine, recognised by the General Medical Council
  • a 2-year general medical foundation programme
  • a 5 to 8 year specialty training programme, the length dependent on which specialty of medicine you choose

Entry to some specialties is very competitive. You can see the number of applicants to places available each year through the NHS Competition ratios.

If you already have a degree in a science subject (minimum upper second), you could take a 4-year graduate entry programme into medicine.

You may be able to join a 6-year degree course in medicine if you have no science qualifications. This includes a one-year pre-medical or foundation year.

When you apply for a course in medicine, you could be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT). They test the skills you'll need on the course, like critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis, communication and scientific knowledge.

Medical schools will also expect you to have some relevant paid or voluntary work experience. The British Medical Association has information on finding a placement.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • at least 5 GCSEs grades 9 to 7 (A* or A), including English maths and sciences
  • 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry

More Information

Volunteering

It's really important to get as much work experience as you can with a diverse range of people before applying to medical school.

If getting hospital or GP placements proves difficult, you can gain valuable skills from volunteering in education, charity, health and social care settings.

You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.

You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT.

More Information

Registration

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Medical Association for professional development and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a doctor and studying medicine from the British Medical Association and Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of medicine
  • science skills
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day to day tasks will depend on your medical specialty. You'll do some tasks common to most hospital doctors like:

  • talk to and examine patients to make a diagnosis
  • treat patients in hospital wards and at outpatient clinics
  • carry out medical procedures
  • create and update confidential patient records
  • work with other members of the wider medical team
  • supervise and train junior medical staff
  • write reports and keep GPs informed about the diagnosis and care of their patients

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and entry on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register, you could apply for senior or consultant roles.

You may go on to lead a team, manage a department or work in private practice.

You could serve in the forces as a doctor or medical officer. You can find out more information from:

You could go into training or mentoring medical students and other healthcare professionals or clinical research roles.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a hospital doctor right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Access to Science

  • Provider: CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 04 September 2023
  • Location: Cambridge

Access to Science

  • Provider: EALING, HAMMERSMITH & WEST LONDON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 25 September 2023
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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