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Get Involved: Recruitment and Studying

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Recruitment opportunities

The Human Resources Department is contactable via email: wi.recruit@nhs.scot or tel. 01851 704704.

Working at NHS Western Isles.

Find out more about working with NHS Western Isles and living within the Outer Hebrides by clicking here. 

Student Electives

Electives are offered on selected start dates for a period of 3,4, 7 or 8 weeks, during the months of May, June and July only. Please note that as Western Isles Hospital is a small rural hospital, elective placements are not restricted to one specialty, but you will get the chance to gain experience in several. 
 
We are now accepting applications for 2026 – please see guidance documents below on how to apply.
 
We will start accepting applications for 2027 in December 2025. We may not respond to early applicants.
 
Applications for 2025 will be considered, but there is limited space.
 
 
 
For further information, please contact Caroline Ross, Medical Education Coordinator at wi.csa@nhs.scot.
 
Undergraduate Medical Education Team:
  • Director of Medical Education: Dr Neil Maclean
  • Medical Education Co-ordinator: Caroline Ross

Taster Weeks

Western Isles Hospital offers Taster Weeks throughout the year for those in Foundation Programme posts, after April of FY1 year, or during (ideally, at the start of) FY2 year.

Please note that as Western Isles Hospital is a Rural General Hospital (plus), it is not guaranteed that Taster Week placements will be in the same specialty for the entire week. You will have the opportunity to experience several departments depending on capacity.

Please send your C.V. and preferred dates to Caroline Ross, Medical Education Co-ordinator. Email: wi.csa@nhs.scot.

School Leavers / Work Shadowing Placements

NHS Western Isles attempts to support work experience placements for school pupils interested in a medical career as much as possible, though limited spaces are available. Please contact wi.csa@nhs.scot for further information.

Observerships and Clinical Attachments

Western Isles Hospital does not offer Clinical Attachments other than Taster Weeks for those already currently employed in UK Foundation posts.

If you would like to apply for an Observership please fill in the application form below and return to wi.medrecruit@nhs.scot

Application Form (MS Word format)              Application Form (PDF format)

Please note that as Western Isles Hospital is a remote Rural General Hospital (plus), Observerships may be limited to opportune specialities, though you may have the chance to experience the workings across several departments, depending on capacity.

Please be aware that Observerships are strictly “hands-off”, work shadowing placements. Applicants will need to fund their own travel and accommodation. Observerships are not paid roles but neither will you be charged for the experience. Any such medical placements may be subject to short notice cancellation in the event of unforeseen adverse service pressures that compromise support for the Observership.

We are no longer accepting applications for 2024. We will review applications for 2025 from November onwards- early applicants may not be replied to.

Careers in Nursing

If you are thinking about becoming a nurse, and would like to find out more, please click here. 

Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Return to Practice

What is an AHP?

Allied Health Professionals work across the hospital and community settings. Allied Health Professionals are Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Podiatrists, Speech and Language Therapists, Radiographers and Physiotherapists.

For information on working as an AHP student at NHS Western Isles view our AHP Student Info & Orientation Pack

Allied Health Professions are a crucial part of the NHS, making up one third of the clinical workforce.  There are a wide range of AHP roles including: 

* Art Therapist* Occupational Therapist* Podiatrist
* Therapeutic Radiographer

* Orthoptist

* Prosthetist

* Dietitian

* Orthotist

* Speech and Language Therapist

* Dramatherapist* Paramedic

* Therapeutic Radiographer

* Music Therapist* Physiotherapist

The Return to Practice process enables you to re-register with the HCPC after a period of time away from your profession. There are many reasons why you may not have practiced such as caring/parental responsibilities, illness, travel or other career routes.   We value the skills you have gained whilst you have been away and look forward to your return. 

 Different requirements apply depending on how long you have been out of professional practice.  NHS Careers Scotland has all the information you need about the steps to re-registration:  www.careers.nhs.scot/shape-your-future/return-to-practice/allied-health-professions/ including the links to the HCPC who manage the final step. 

Local Healthcare Career Videos

NHS Western Isles has produced a series of local healthcare career videos, offering information on a wide range of NHS career paths.

Each features information on what is involved in the post, including essential skills and education requirements, useful qualities, as well as what each interviewee finds to be the most rewarding aspects of their unique role.  The films have been developed by NHS Western Isles staff and placement students.

The following films were produced as part of #NoWrongPath career campaign:


Note. Additional videos will be added as they become available.

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