Many NHS trusts manage their recruitment through TRAC, an applicant tracking system used to advertise vacancies, collect applications and arrange interviews. If you have applied for an NHS role advertised on the national jobs site, you may well have been redirected to a TRAC portal to complete and submit your form. Knowing how the system works in advance helps you avoid losing your progress and lets you put your energy into a strong application rather than wrestling with the software.
Creating your account
Your first step is to register an account with a working email address that you check regularly, because TRAC sends interview invitations and updates by email. Once registered, you can build a profile that stores your personal details, employment history and qualifications. Completing this profile carefully the first time saves a great deal of effort, as much of it can be reused for future applications to the same or other trusts that use the system.
Working through the application form
A typical TRAC application is broken into sections that you complete in turn. The main parts usually include:
- Personal details and contact information
- Employment history, with a continuous record and reasons for any gaps
- Education, training and professional registration
- A supporting statement explaining why you suit the role
- Equality monitoring information, which is confidential and not seen by the panel
- References, often covering the last three years of employment
The supporting statement is the section that decides whether you are shortlisted, so it deserves the most time. Write it against the person specification and give evidence for each essential criterion. Our how to write a supporting statement guide explains how to structure it so the recruiter can tick off each requirement easily.
Practical tips while you apply
TRAC can time out if you leave it idle, and unsaved text may be lost, so draft your supporting statement in a separate document and paste it in. Save each section as you go. Watch the closing date closely; NHS adverts can close early once enough applications are received, so submit in good time rather than at the last minute. Check that your professional registration details, such as your NMC PIN if you are a nurse, are entered correctly, because errors here can hold up the checks later.
After you submit
Once submitted, you can log back into TRAC to see the status of your application. If you are shortlisted, interview invitations and any tasks are usually managed through the same portal, so keep an eye on your inbox and your account. If you are offered a role, the system also handles pre-employment checks, including identity, references and a background check; see our DBS checks explained guide for what those involve.
TRAC is straightforward once you understand its rhythm, and a little preparation goes a long way. When you are ready to start, you can browse current openings on our NHS jobs page and follow the links through to each trust's portal. This article is general information about the application process and is not formal careers advice.