NHS Jobs Alternative
NHS Jobs isn't for private practices. We are.
NHS Jobs is the NHS's internal recruitment system. Private practices can't post there — and even if they could, the candidates are looking for NHS band progressions, not private practice careers.
About NHS Jobs
NHS Jobs (jobs.nhs.uk) is the official recruitment platform for NHS trusts and CQC-registered NHS organisations, managed by NHS Business Services Authority. It is free for NHS organisations and handles over 30,000 active NHS listings at any time. It is not accessible to private practices and is not designed for private practice hiring.
The problems
Why practices move away from NHS Jobs
Private practices cannot post on NHS Jobs
NHS Jobs requires NHS employer registration through NHS Business Services Authority. Independent private practices — clinics, vet surgeries, aesthetics centres, private GP practices — are not eligible. It is simply not an option.
The candidates want NHS careers
Professionals searching NHS Jobs are specifically looking for NHS pay bands, NHS pension, Agenda for Change terms, and NHS career progression. They are not your candidate. Reaching them wastes your time and theirs.
Built for large NHS organisations, not nimble private practices
NHS Jobs is a heavy, process-driven application system designed for NHS trusts with HR departments and compliance teams. The application flow, job description templates, and candidate tracking are all built for NHS scale — not for a 5-person private clinic posting their first role.
Side by side
NHS Jobs vs The Practice Standard
| Feature | NHS Jobs | The Practice Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Private practice posting | Not available | Yes — built for it |
| Cost | Free (NHS only) | £149 +VAT per listing |
| Candidate intent | NHS career seekers | Private practice seekers |
| Disciplines | NHS roles only | 88 regulated private professions |
| Self-serve posting | No — NHS HR process | Yes — live in minutes |
| UK regions | NHS trust geography | All 12 UK regions |
Post your private practice role — from £149.
All 88 regulated professions. 12 UK regions. Candidates always free.
Get started — from £149Common questions
Can a private practice post on NHS Jobs at all?
No. NHS Jobs requires registration as an NHS employer through NHS Business Services Authority. Independent private practices — including private GP clinics, dental practices, aesthetic clinics, and veterinary surgeries — are not eligible to post.
Are there healthcare professionals looking for private practice roles specifically?
Yes — and that's the gap The Practice Standard fills. Many registered nurses, vets, optometrists, and allied health professionals actively want to move out of the NHS into private practice. They're not on NHS Jobs looking for that role — they're on platforms built for private practice.
What's the difference between NHS and private practice candidates?
NHS candidates are typically seeking NHS pay bands, NHS pension, and structured NHS career progression. Private practice candidates want independent clinical environments, higher earning potential, and freedom from NHS bureaucracy. The two pools have different motivations and rarely overlap.