Every IMG in the UK has heard this before:
“Build your portfolio. You’ll need it for training.”
But what no one tells you is how to build it: What goes in it? What counts? Does your teaching session actually matter? What if you’re not in a training job yet?
If you’ve asked these questions – you’re not alone. And if you’re overwhelmed by portfolio talk, this post is for you.
So, What Is an NHS Portfolio?
Your NHS portfolio is your professional evidence file. It tells the story of who you are as a doctor, your skills, accomplishments, and readiness for specialty training.
It’s not a single document but a collection of:
Reflections
Clinical case discussions
Audit reports
Teaching feedback
Courses and certificates
Appraisals and assessments
Supervisor reports
Think of it like a professional diary + evidence log + training passport.
IMG Struggles: “But I’m Not in Training Yet…”
Many IMG doctors feel portfolio pressure before they even start working in the NHS. You may not be in a training job, and you might be wondering:
“How am I supposed to build a portfolio if no one’s guiding me?”
The good news? You don’t need to be in training to start building. Trust-grade doctors, locums, even clinical attachment observers can and should keep evidence of learning and development.
Here’s how to start…
What Should I Include?
If you’re wondering what kinds of things you can add to your NHS portfolio, here are some practical examples:
If you’ve ever taught medical students or junior colleagues, ask for formal feedback and write a short reflection about what you taught and how you felt about the experience. Teaching counts; and it doesn’t have to be in a lecture hall to be valuable.
Have you joined or contributed to a quality improvement project or audit? Keep a summary of the project, your specific role, and the outcome. Whether you initiated it or just helped with data collection, it still shows engagement with NHS standards.
Attended any clinical courses like ALS, BLS, or Safeguarding Level 3? Those are great additions – save your certificates and make a short note about what you learned and how you plan to apply it in clinical practice.
If you’ve discussed a challenging patient or clinical decision with a senior, turn it into a Case-Based Discussion (CBD). Use an available form or template and ask your supervisor to sign it.
Even something like handling a night shift alone or managing patient escalation can be portfolio-worthy; write a short reflection on what happened, what you did well, what you struggled with, and what you’d do differently next time.
Finally, if you’ve ever presented at a journal club, MDT, or ward teaching session, save your slides and get informal or formal feedback from attendees. Then add your reflection – what you prepared, how you delivered it, and what the key takeaways were.
In short: Every learning experience counts – if you capture it. You don’t have to wait for a consultant to hand you a form. Take initiative, reflect, and gather your evidence now. You’ll thank yourself later.
Common Portfolio Mistakes
Waiting until training starts to begin documenting
Thinking only formal teaching or audits matter
Not asking supervisors to sign feedback or forms
Forgetting to reflect (it’s not just what you did – it’s what you learned)
Reframe This: Build While You Grow
Don’t think of your portfolio as a box to fill for interviews. Think of it as your proof of growth.
The doctor you’re becoming is already taking shape. You just need to track the journey.
So, whether you’re in a trust-grade job, attachment, or just landed in the UK – start now.
Even a reflection on how you managed your first on-call weekend can go in your portfolio.
Final Thought
“You don’t need a training number to act like a trainee.”
Start now. Reflect often. Collect everything. Because when it’s time to apply, you won’t be scrambling to remember what you did – you’ll be ready.