Doctor CV Examples & UK Templates

Becoming a doctor takes dedication, skill and a strong work ethic. You’ve earned that Dr. before your surname and are looking for the right place to practise. Of course, you’ll need a healthy doctor CV that sets you apart from the rest. 

You’re in the right place to get your job hunt moving stat! At Resume.io, we have all the resources you’ll need, including CV guides and CV examples for more than a dozen professions and an intuitive resume builder. 

This resume guide, along with the corresponding resume example will cover the following topics:

• What does a doctor do?
• How to write a doctor CV (tips and tricks)
• The best format for a doctor CV
• Advice on each section of your CV (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional CV layout and design hints.

What does a doctor do?

Doctors treat patients to help them maintain their wellness or regain their general health after an injury or illness. They diagnose, monitor and treat illnesses and health conditions. Doctors also give advice, prescribe medications and advise patients on how to keep fighting fit.

Some doctors choose to perform research or continue their training to focus their skills. For example, they may have specialised training in one organ system or focus on one disease or syndrome.

The National Health Service (NHS) employs more than 140,000 general practitioners (GPs) and another 20,000 specialists, Nuffield Trust reports. While doctors can choose to work in the private or public sector, many work both within the NHS and ‘on the side’ for private firms.

How to write a doctor CV

Whilst your CV will be unique, the anatomy of it will follow form. Your resume should contain the following elements:

• The CV header
• The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The CV skills section
• The education section

Choosing the best CV format for a doctor

If you are going down the public route, you will most likely be applying through the NHS website. We recommend sticking with the reverse chronological format for your doctor CV. That means that you will detail your medical experience, training and education starting from the most recent and working backwards.

Online systems require this format and straying from it will make it more difficult for you to input your doctor CV into a web-based application. If you are applying for a research position and have extensive knowledge, you may consider a hybrid format that elevates your skills and learning to front and centre.

CV summary example: portrait of health

Bedside manner makes a great impression on patients and the summary of your doctor CV is the best spot in this application document to show it off. Within 3-4 lines of text, you must describe your professional personality and explain why you’re the best physician for the job.

The best summaries also offer employers a glimpse of why you want to work for them and tell them how you will improve the practice or hospital where you are applying.

Employment history sample: heart of your CV

Your physician training has included at least two years of core medical training (CMT) 

or an Acute Common Care Stem (ACCS) programme for specialists. These work experiences are vital to the employment history section of your doctor CV since they outline both your training and work history.

As you develop this section, keep in mind the following advice:

• Use bulleted lists instead of prose paragraphs
• Drop space-wasting words such as “As a medical trainee, I was responsible for”
• Begin each phrase with a strong verb which gives employers a sense of action.

Resume skills example: diagnostic tool

You are a multifaceted practitioner and the skills section of your doctor resume must highlight that. Hiring personnel will use this section to quickly determine whether you have the knowledge they seek in a doctor. That means matching what you list here to the job advertisement.

Keep in mind that the skills which are most important are the ones your targeted employer has listed in the job advertisement. Analyse this carefully and make adjustments when necessary. The best CVs tell employers that the applicant wants the specific job and knows what it entails.

Doctor CV education example

Registered doctors have completed a five-year degree in medicine from a programme recognized by the General Medical Council. The education section of your doctor CV is a simple listing of your academic course of study and your achievements. Include academic awards and accolades as well. 

If you are beginning your medical career, this section takes on added importance, so you may consider increasing its prominence by moving it to a higher position within your document.

CV layout and design: first impression

Although you may be inputting your doctor CV details into an online system, you may also need to attach a document. That’s where your layout and design come in. Doctors must present as organised, pleasant and professional, and your CV should be no different.

Doctors wear white coats because they project cleanliness — keep that principle in mind as you choose a design for your CV. Maintain ample margins and vary your line lengths to avoid eye-straining blocks of type.

If you choose to include colour, keep it to one subdued shade. Employ bold section headings to make navigating your CV easy and ensure you choose an easy-to-read font for the text.

For a headstart on your layout, choose one of our expertly-tested resume templates. Your time is too valuable to waste on design when you could be applying for your next, great job.

Key takeaways for a doctor CV 

1. Many doctors in the UK work at least part-time for the National Health Service (NHS).
2. A doctor CV must highlight both a scientific, professional image and the bedside manner it takes to put patients and their families at ease under sometimes trying circumstances
3. Include all aspects of your on-the-job training within the employment history section of your doctor CV
4. Take advantage of the online resume builder to get your job hunt started faster.