Exploring health-tech alongside an NHS career

Moving into health-tech doesn't have to mean leaving clinical practice. Many clinicians build careers that combine both: a few clinical sessions alongside an industry role, a digital post inside the NHS, or advisory work that grows over time.

For some, it's a permanent way of working. For others, it's a lower-risk way to test the waters before a bigger move. Either way, it's worth knowing the options and the practical points to check.

Why combine the two?

• Keep your clinical skills and identity. Many clinicians value patient contact and don't want to lose it.
• Reduce risk. Trying health-tech part time lets you learn what you enjoy before committing.
• Bring credibility. Current clinical practice can make your input more valuable to health-tech teams.
• Keep options open. Returning to more clinical work later is easier if you've kept your hand in.

Ways to combine clinical and health-tech work

Part-time industry roles. Some companies hire clinicians part time, for example as clinical advisors, clinical safety leads or clinical leads in digital services. These can sit alongside a part-time clinical job.

Advisory work. Startups often need clinical input before they can afford a full-time hire. Short advisory projects build experience and relationships.

Digital roles inside the NHS. Clinical informatics posts, digital clinical lead roles and Chief Clinical Information Officer roles let you shape technology within the system, often combined with clinical work.

Fellowships and programmes. Digital health fellowships and clinical entrepreneur programmes offer structured ways to develop digital skills and networks alongside clinical training or practice.

Time out of training. If you're a doctor in training, options such as out of programme experience may allow a period in industry. Speak to your training programme director and deanery early.

Less than full time working. Reducing your clinical hours can create space for health-tech work, whether paid, advisory or portfolio building.

Practical points to check first

Combining roles needs some care. Before you start, check the following, and remember that rules and policies change, so always confirm the current position with the right organisation.

Your employer's policies. Many NHS employers require you to declare secondary employment and potential conflicts of interest. Check your contract and local policies, and speak to your manager.

GMC registration and licence to practise. If you keep practising clinically, you'll need to keep your licence and meet revalidation requirements, including appraisal across your whole scope of work. If you're considering reducing or stopping clinical work, check the implications with the GMC and your responsible officer before making changes.

Indemnity. Make sure your clinical work is appropriately covered, and check whether any advisory or industry work needs separate cover. Your medical defence organisation can advise.

Working time and wellbeing. Two roles can easily become too much. Be realistic about hours, rest and recovery, especially around nights and on-call.

Confidentiality and conflicts. Keep NHS information and industry work separate, and be transparent about any commercial interests, particularly if you influence purchasing decisions.

How to start small

1. Build a portfolio in your spare time to explore what you enjoy. See Building a portfolio while working clinically.
2. Join digital or innovation work in your own organisation.
3. Take on a small advisory project with a startup.
4. Network with people who combine roles, and ask how they structure their week. Finding health-tech opportunities beyond job boards has tips.
5. Review regularly. Every few months, ask yourself whether the balance is right and what you want next.

When to make a bigger move

Combining roles is a valid long-term career, but some people find they want to go further. Signs you might be ready: you're energised by your health-tech work, you've built evidence and relationships, and you have a clear idea of the role you want. At that point, our guide to How to get a health-tech job in 2026 covers the next steps.

The A–Z HealthTech Career Guide covers GMC, indemnity and out of programme options in detail, alongside the full career transition. Get the guide to plan your next step. This article is general information; see our Disclaimer.