Become a portfolio GP

What is a portfolio GP?

A portfolio GP combines several different roles to create a varied and flexible working week. Instead of working full-time in a single salaried or partner role, you build a "portfolio" of different jobs that match your skills and interests.

A portfolio career can be made up of many different elements, for example:

• Core clinical work—Working as a locum or a part-time salaried GP in a practice.
• Specialist clinical work—Developing a special interest, potentially as an accredited GP with an Extended Role (GPwER).
• Teaching and training—Supervising GP trainees or teaching medical students.
• Management and leadership—Working for a regional or national health board, or a clinical commissioning group.
• Academic work—Engaging in medical research with a university.
• Other medical fields—Seeking roles in areas like medical journalism, expedition medicine, or corporate wellness.

This approach allows you to design a career that is unique to you.

The benefits of a portfolio career

Building a portfolio of roles offers a modern, flexible approach to a career in General Practice. It provides variety and control over your professional life.

Enjoy variety and continuous learning

A portfolio career keeps your work interesting and challenging. By working in different settings and disciplines, you constantly learn new skills and gain fresh perspectives, which can enhance your core work as a GP.

Design a career that fits your life

You’ll have the autonomy to decide how you spend your working week. You can increase or decrease your commitments in different areas as your life changes. This allows you to build a truly sustainable career and improve your work-life balance.

Prevent burnout and maintain enthusiasm

Routine can be a major cause of burnout. The variety in a portfolio career helps to maintain your passion for medicine by keeping your work stimulating and diverse. Switching between different roles can keep you feeling energised and engaged.

Develop a unique professional identity

A portfolio career allows you to become an expert in multiple areas. You can build a professional reputation based on your unique combination of skills. This could open doors to opportunities that may not be available in a traditional role.

What to expect in your role

A portfolio career is like running your own small business, which requires a high level of organisation.

Key things to think about include:

• Managing your time—You'll be responsible for managing your own diary, coordinating different jobs, and ensuring you have enough time for administration and professional development.
• Contracts and employment status—You may have a mix of employment types. Some roles may be on a salaried (PAYE) basis, while others will be self-employed, requiring you to manage your own invoicing and contracts.
• Managing your finances—As you may have multiple income streams, good financial planning is essential. This includes managing your tax through self-assessment, making National Insurance contributions, and planning your NHS pension contributions, which can be more complex.

Seeking advice from a specialist accountant and financial adviser is recommended.

Working in a GP out of hours service

Out-of-hours work is a popular and flexible part of a portfolio career. It combines easily with other roles like daytime sessions or teaching. This helps you create a varied and financially stable working week.

Before you start GPOOH work

Working OOH in Scotland is straightforward. You just need to be aware of a few practical points:

• Performers' List—To work in any GP role in Scotland, you must be on a health board's Performers' List.
• Indemnity cover—GPs who hold a contract with a health board and who are working in Scottish OOH services are covered by the state-backed CNORIS indemnity scheme for that work.
• Flexibility—OOH shifts offer flexibility, particularly for work during evenings and weekends.

Find out more about GPOOH services in Scotland.

Remote and rural opportunities for portfolio GPs
Rural practice is a natural fit for a portfolio career. The role often combines General Practice with work in a local community hospital. This helps you develop a broad and valuable set of generalist skills.

Discover more about working in remote and rural areas:

• GP Jobs: Rural practice
• Scottish Rural Medicine Collaborative
• Rural GP Association of Scotland

Find out more about the National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Care.

Is a portfolio career right for you?

This career path is ideal for self-starters who thrive on variety and new challenges.

A portfolio career could be a good fit if you:

• are highly organised, disciplined, and self-motivated
• enjoy learning and adapting to new environments
• are comfortable with a degree of income variability
• have strong networking skills to seek out new opportunities
• want to design a bespoke career path based on your passions

If this sounds like you, then building a portfolio career could be a very rewarding choice.

How to build a portfolio career

Building a portfolio career is a proactive process that you control.

Common steps include:

1. Identify your interests—Clarify which clinical and non-clinical areas you are passionate about.
2. Gain core experience—Build a strong foundation in General Practice, often starting in a salaried role.
3. Seek further training—Additional training, such as diplomas or CPD courses, will help you to develop expertise in your chosen areas.
4. Network effectively—Connect with colleagues, attend conferences, and join professional bodies like the RCGP.
5. Start gradually—Begin by taking on a single extra role alongside your main job and build from there.

This approach will help you to transition smoothly into a portfolio career.

Related content

The following resources provide further information on developing a varied GP career in Scotland:

• RCGP: Guidance on Portfolio Careers and the GPwER Framework
• BMA: Sessional and locum GP guidance
• GP Jobs: Search for sessional and part-time GP roles in Scotland
• GP Jobs: The Scottish GP Rural Fellowship

These resources provide valuable tools and guidance for building the career you want.