Trac vs NHS Jobs: Where IMG Doctors Find and Apply for NHS Jobs

When you start looking for NHS jobs, you will quickly meet several different websites: NHS Jobs, Trac, and separate job sites for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They can look confusing at first, but the application itself is very similar on all of them. This guide explains where doctor jobs are advertised and how to apply.

Quick answer

NHS Jobs (jobs.nhs.uk) is the main job site for England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own sites. Trac is a recruitment system many NHS organisations use to manage applications, so you may find a job on NHS Jobs and complete the form on Trac. The application form is very similar on both.

The main NHS job websites

England: NHS Jobs (jobs.nhs.uk). The main website for NHS jobs in England, where most trusts advertise their posts.

Scotland: NHS Scotland Jobs (jobs.scot.nhs.uk). Used by NHS Scotland health boards.

Wales: NHS Wales Jobs (nhs.wales/nhs-jobs-in-wales). The starting point for jobs with NHS Wales health boards and trusts.

Northern Ireland: HSC Jobs (jobs.hscni.net). Used by Health and Social Care organisations in Northern Ireland.

Some organisations also advertise on their own websites.

What is Trac?

Trac is a recruitment system that many NHS organisations use to manage their applications. Sometimes you find a job on NHS Jobs, and the "apply" button takes you to Trac to complete the application form. Trac also runs its own job board, Health Jobs UK. So you may need an account on more than one system, but the form you fill in asks for very similar information.

What every application asks for

Whichever site you use, the application form usually includes your personal details and right to work, your GMC registration, your qualifications and employment history (with any gaps explained), your references, and a supporting information section. There is no separate CV upload for most posts; your evidence goes into the form itself.

The supporting information section is where you are scored against the person specification. Our guides on how to write an NHS supporting statement and the NHS person specification explain how to do this well.

Tips for applying

Save your details once. Both NHS Jobs and Trac let you keep a profile, so you do not have to type everything again for each job.

Set up job alerts. Search for titles such as "clinical fellow", "trust grade" or "specialty doctor" in your specialty, and turn on email alerts. Popular posts can close early when enough applications arrive.

Tailor every application. Copying the same supporting statement into every form is one of the most common reasons applications are rejected. Read our 9 lessons from 3,000+ IMG applications.

Fill gaps in your evidence. If a person specification asks for teaching, audit or safeguarding and you have little to show, our free online CPD courses for doctors give you structured learning, a model paragraph for your application and a verifiable certificate of completion.

Key points

NHS Jobs is the main site for England, with separate sites for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and many organisations use Trac to manage applications. The form is similar everywhere, and the supporting information section is where you win or lose the shortlisting. If you would like your application checked before you apply, contact CareerPro UK.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Trac and NHS Jobs?

NHS Jobs is the main website where NHS jobs in England are advertised. Trac is a recruitment system many trusts use to run their applications, so the apply button on NHS Jobs may take you to Trac.

Do I need a CV to apply for NHS jobs?

Usually not. Most NHS jobs use an online application form instead, with a supporting information section scored against the person specification.

Do I need accounts on both NHS Jobs and Trac?

Often, yes. Both let you save a profile, so you only need to enter your details once on each.

Where are NHS jobs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland advertised?

Scotland uses NHS Scotland Jobs, Wales uses NHS Wales Jobs, and Northern Ireland uses HSC Jobs. Some organisations also advertise on their own websites.

Related guide: NHS Scotland job applications for international doctors

Last reviewed: October 2026. Read how we research and update our guides.