We’re delighted you’re considering applying for a job with us, where your talents and passion can truly make a difference.

We welcome people from all backgrounds and abilities, and we will always offer an interview to applicants who have all the essential skills and qualifications needed for the job if they:

• have a disability
• are a member of the armed forces community (for example, a veteran or family member)
• are an ethnically diverse applicant applying for a role that is Band 8b or above
• a care leaver or have experience within the care system

Discover your perfect role

We advertise all our roles in the vacancies section of our site, as well as on trusted platforms like NHS Jobs, LinkedIn, Indeed, FindAJob, and Jora.

Take your time to explore opportunities and find a position that interests you and fits your skills and experience.

Tip: Before applying, we encourage you to learn more about our CQC ‘Outstanding’ rated trust and our supportive employee culture. Understanding what we value will help you tailor your application and showcase how you’ll fit into our team.

Reach out with questions

If you have questions about a job you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to reach out before you apply.

Contact the recruiting manager listed on the job advert to:

• learn more about the role, responsibilities, and team
• ask questions that will help you feel confident when completing your application

Tip: Reaching out shows genuine interest and allows you to gain valuable insights to make your application stand out.

Prepare your application

When you’ve found the perfect job, take a moment to:

• review the job description and note the essential criteria
• reflect on examples of your skills and experiences that match these requirements

Apply using our online system

To apply, you’ll need to use our applicant tracking system, Trac. We don’t accept CV applications.

This ensures fairness and consistency in assessing applications. The first time you apply, you’ll create an account, which will allow you to log in anytime to start or continue your application.

Use the online application form to provide all your relevant experience and skills. Make sure you complete all sections fully and include all relevant work history and qualifications.

Your application must include the names and contact details of references covering the last five years.

Tip: Some roles may close earlier than the advertised closing date so apply as soon as possible.

Help us choose you

We score all applications based on how well they show you meet the person specification to decide who will be invited to interview.

Focus on the supporting information section to boost your score.

• Demonstrate how you meet the essential skills, qualifications and experience from within the person specification.
• Use specific examples that show not just that you can do the job but how you’ll excel in it.
• Tailor your application to the role for the best chances of getting shortlisted for interview.

Tip: Check out our ‘Help with your application’ guide for further information.

Final checks before you submit

You can’t edit your application once it’s submitted, so take a few minutes to:

• review your answers for completeness and accuracy
• check for typos or missing information

When you’re ready, click submit.

You’ll receive an email confirming your application has been received.

We’ll review your application and let you know as soon as possible after the closing date if you have progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

If shortlisted, you’ll receive an interview invitation, usually via an email from Trac, with a link to book your interview, either face-to-face or online via Microsoft Teams.

Once you’re booked on, a reminder will be sent the day before your interview.

• See a full list of our sites

In November 2025, we introduced a new approach to recruitment interviews, by providing candidates with the interview questions when their meeting is set up.

This pilot is part of our commitment to making Berkshire Healthcare a fairer, more inclusive place to work.

It supports our People Strategy, Neurodiversity Strategy, and EDI Framework by helping to remove barriers for candidates who may be neurodivergent, racialised, carers, or under-resourced.

We know that traditional interviews can feel like memory tests. By giving candidates time to consider answers, we’re aiming to:

• Reduce anxiety and improve confidence
• Encourage more thoughtful, evidence-based responses
• Level the playing field for candidates with different needs and backgrounds
• Attract a more diverse pool of applicants

When the interviews are set up, our team will share the values based questions with you so you have time to consider your answers.

You'll be asked additional technical questions relevant to the role, as well as potential follow-up questions.
We encourage you to prepare your answers, however, we're looking for genuine and authentic examples, so please do not rely on AI for responses.

Contact our Recruitment Team if you have any questions: recruitment.enquiries@berkshire.nhs.uk

Use our new interview tips document.

In addition to a standard interview, we may include assessments, such as written tasks or presentations.

If this is the case, you’ll be provided with details in your interview invitation.

You’ll also be given the option to request any reasonable adjustments needed.

Read more about reasonable adjustments on the Scope website

Tip: Keep an eye on spam/junk folders as emails can sometimes go into these folders. If you can’t make the interview date suggested, don’t be afraid to ask if an alternative date can be offered.

• Read more about reasonable adjustments on the Scope website

For most roles, the next stage is an interview based on our values, which are:

• caring for and about you is our top priority
• committed to providing safe, good quality services
• working together to develop innovative solutions

Our questions will focus on how your behaviour aligns with these values, so consider this carefully when preparing for your interview.

Tip: Read our interview tips to help you prepare

Following your interview, the recruiting manager will let you know the outcome of the interview, usually on the same day or the day after the interviews.

Successful candidates

If you’re successful, you’ll receive a verbal conditional offer which will be followed up by email. Once you have accepted your job offer, there are only a few more steps to go through on your NHS recruitment journey, including pre-employment checks.

Unsuccessful candidates

If you’re unsuccessful at interview, you’ll be given the opportunity to request feedback to help you in the future.

Pre-employment checks

Our job offers are conditional and subject to pre-employment checks.

We have a responsibility to ensure our patients and staff are safe in our care, and our pre-employment checks follow the NHS Employment Standards and Regulations Guidelines.

Checks include:

• identity right to work
• disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (where required)
• professional registration/qualification checks (where applicable)
• references occupational health

• Read more about NHS Employers' standards

Once all pre-employment checks are complete, your new line manager will be in contact to arrange a start date.

When we agree your start date with you, our Recruitment Administration team will send you an unconditional offer and your contract of employment.

Tip: To prepare for your start, you may wish to visit our Nexus for New Starters onboarding website. You can see more about working for our trust and even start some of your statutory and mandatory training.