HealthTech is becoming an increasingly popular area of interest for doctors looking to diversify their careers, develop portfolio roles, or explore opportunities beyond traditional clinical work. With the wide range of possible roles and unclear entry routes, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.

As part of the Mind the Bleep HealthTech series, we have explored how doctors are building careers in this space, including roles in clinical content, digital health, and clinical safety. Across these conversations, several consistent themes emerged about how doctors can begin exploring HealthTech, develop relevant skills, and position themselves for opportunities.

Below are some of the most practical lessons from the series.

Many doctors assume that moving into HealthTech requires a complete career change. In reality, many clinicians begin by exploring opportunities alongside clinical work.

Common approaches include:

• portfolio roles alongside training
• F3 or time out of programme
• part-time advisory or content work
• project-based contributions to startups
• fellowships or internships

Maintaining some clinical work can also be helpful, as real-world NHS experience continues to add credibility and context when working with digital health products. HealthTech careers are rarely linear, and exploration often happens gradually.

HealthTech is a broad field, and many doctors do not begin with a specific role in mind. Instead, exploration is often guided by broad questions like:

• What problems in healthcare interest me?
• What companies are working on solutions in this area?
• What type of work sounds interesting day-to-day?

Allowing interests to guide exploration can help narrow down the wide range of possible roles, which include:

• clinical content
• product development
• clinical safety
• medical advisory roles
• research and evaluation
• operations or strategy roles

Clarity often develops through exposure rather than planning everything in advance.

LinkedIn was consistently highlighted as one of the most valuable tools for learning about the HealthTech space.

Practical ways to use LinkedIn include:

• following people working in HealthTech roles
• reading posts about projects and industry trends
• identifying companies working in areas of interest
• messaging individuals to ask about their career journeys
• learning about job opportunities that may not be widely advertised

Many doctors described initially feeling unsure about using LinkedIn, but becoming more comfortable over time.

Unlike traditional medical recruitment, many HealthTech opportunities are not advertised on formal job platforms.

Instead, roles often arise through:

• networking conversations
• internships or short-term projects
• informal introductions
• early-stage startup collaborations
• demonstrating interest in a company’s work

Building relationships and learning about organisations can create opportunities that may not otherwise be visible.

HealthTech roles are becoming increasingly competitive, with many positions attracting large numbers of clinical applicants with similar training backgrounds.

Small experiences outside routine clinical work can help demonstrate interest and differentiate applications, such as:

• writing clinical or educational content
• contributing to research or innovation projects
• participating in digital health fellowships
• supporting early-stage startups
• volunteering with health-focused organisations
• developing teaching resources or publications

These experiences often accumulate over time and may become highly relevant when applying for roles.

Industry employers are generally less interested in traditional medical CV formats listing rotations and exams.

Instead, they often focus on:

• transferable skills
• project involvement
• evidence of initiative
• examples of impact
• communication skills
• understanding of the problem the company is solving

Applications that clearly demonstrate relevant skills and genuine interest in the organisation tend to stand out more than generic submissions.

Clinical training develops many skills valued in HealthTech environments, including:

• communicating complex information clearly
• understanding patient needs and system challenges
• problem solving under uncertainty
• working within multidisciplinary teams
• prioritisation and decision making
• understanding safety and governance processes

These skills can be applied in a wide range of roles beyond direct clinical care.

Transitioning into HealthTech can take time. Many doctors described applying for multiple roles, having numerous conversations, and experiencing periods of uncertainty before securing their first HealthTech position.

Common challenges include:

• unclear job pathways
• competitive application processes
• limited formally advertised roles
• needing to build experience in new areas

However, consistent effort over time often leads to opportunities.

Compared to traditional clinical training pathways, many HealthTech roles involve:

• flexible working structures
• remote collaboration
• project-based work
• greater autonomy over time management
• opportunities to contribute across multiple areas

This can be appealing for doctors interested in creative problem solving or building new systems, but may require adjusting to less structured working environments. In smaller startups, doctors may also have opportunities to contribute across multiple areas such as product, education, operations, or strategy, allowing for broader skill development and faster learning.

Exploring HealthTech does not require a major immediate commitment. Small first steps may include:

• attending an event or webinar
• reading about companies in the space
• completing a short project
• sending a message to someone working in digital health
• contributing to a small project
• learning about how digital products are developed

Initial exploration does not need to involve a major commitment, but can gradually build confidence and understanding.

HealthTech offers a wide range of opportunities for doctors interested in working at the intersection of healthcare, innovation, and technology. While the pathway may initially feel unclear, many doctors begin with small steps that build knowledge, experience, and connections over time.

Careers in this space rarely follow a linear route. Exploration often involves trying new things, speaking to people working in the field, and gradually identifying areas of interest.

For many clinicians, gaining clarity comes not from having a fully formed plan at the outset, but from engaging with the space and learning through experience.

If you would like to learn more about different roles in HealthTech and how doctors are entering the field, you can watch the Mind the Bleep HealthTech webinar series, which covers:

• common routes into HealthTech
• how to build relevant experience alongside clinical work
• how doctors can position themselves for roles in digital health
• what day-to-day work in HealthTech can involve

These sessions provide practical insights for doctors and medical students interested in exploring careers at the intersection of healthcare and technology.

If you’re interested in learning more about HealthTech roles and opportunities, the following resources can be helpful starting points:

• NXGN – community sharing events, opportunities and insights for clinicians interested in digital health
• Medic Footprints – platform showcasing alternative careers for doctors, including digital health roles
• BiteLabs – digital health fellowship programme offering exposure to different HealthTech career paths

• Otta – startup-focused job board with many digital health companies
• Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent) – roles in early-stage startups
• LinkedIn Jobs – commonly used by HealthTech companies

• The HealthTech Podcast – Dr James Somauroo
  Interviews with founders, clinicians, and leaders building digital health products. Particularly useful for understanding how HealthTech companies operate and where clinicians fit within product, strategy, and innovation roles.
• Out of Programme – Dr Jing Ouyang
  Conversations with clinicians who have pursued portfolio and alternative careers, including digital health, startups, consulting, and clinical informatics. Helpful for understanding real transition journeys and career decision-making.

These resources can help you build awareness of the types of roles available and better understand how doctors are contributing to digital health innovation.

Written by Dr Ejatu Jalloh (FY3)