I’ve been asked to do something that falls outside my role, what should I do?

Establish boundaries early

Ashley Simpson, medical education fellow, NHS Lothian, says, “Being asked to undertake a task you believe is outside your role can be challenging. Navigating these situations is often context dependent, requiring a balance between your professional responsibilities, team working, and patient safety.

“Delivering healthcare is a team effort, with each professional holding specific responsibilities. There is often overlap in competencies, however, meaning that some tasks can be undertaken by multiple team members.

“As a resident doctor rotating though departments, it’s important to clarify the typical responsibilities of team members in each setting. A task outside your role in one department may fall within it in another. Establishing role boundaries can empower you to handle situations like this more effectively.

“Occasionally you may be asked to complete tasks typically assigned to others—for example, phlebotomy—because of workload or staffing pressures. In these instances, working collaboratively may be the best approach for patient care. If this becomes a frequent occurrence, impacting your own clinical responsibilities or professional development, you should escalate this to your clinical or educational supervisor.

“The General Medical Council requires doctors to work within their competence. If you are asked to perform a task that you are not trained to undertake, you must voice this. While that might feel difficult in hierarchical teams, patient safety is your priority. Politely explain—for example, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not competent to perform this task safely. I think it requires someone more experienced.’ Most colleagues will understand and reassign the task. If not, you should excuse yourself and seek senior support.

“In emergencies, you may not have time to pause and seek advice. In these rare situations when there are no alternatives, adaptability may be required to provide the safest care possible, even if the task is outside your usual remit. In such instances, perform the task to the best of your ability, document your actions transparently, and seek senior guidance as soon as possible.”

Stepping up can be positive

Shamim Nassrally, consultant physician, acute and general internal medicine, Guys and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, says, “If you’re asked to take on a task or role outside your usual duties, how you approach it will depend on several factors, with the context being key. The GMC’s guidance1 emphasises that doctors must ‘provide a good standard of practice and care and work within [their] competence.’

“For instance, stepping up as the internal medicine trainee year 3 registrar on call as an internal medicine trainee year 2 who has membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians could align with these standards, given your qualification and experience. Performing an unsupervised procedure that you are unfamiliar with would breach these principles, however, and potentially jeopardise patient safety.

“You might perceive the request positively, as an opportunity and a compliment. A senior colleague recognising your skills, abilities, and dedication can be an encouraging endorsement of your competence. It’s entirely reasonable, however, to feel apprehensive or hesitant when faced with an unfamiliar role, especially if it involves responsibilities that stretch your comfort zone.

“When deciding whether to take on such a role, there are several key factors to consider. The first is competence and confidence. You must feel personally satisfied that you possess the professional competencies required to fulfil the role effectively and safely.

“The second is supervision and support. Ensure there will be adequate supervision proportional to the demands of the role. It’s essential to have a shared understanding with your supervisor that, because of the unfamiliarity of the task, you may need additional guidance and support.

“Finally, consider whether the role offers opportunities for personal and professional development, and ensure you are recognised and acknowledged for taking on the additional responsibility.

“In general, taking on a new role demonstrates confidence, a willingness to learn, and a growth mindset—attributes that are highly valued in medical practice. It is equally important to recognise when to decline a role. If adequate supervision or support is unavailable, or if the task lies outside your scope of competency, declining is a professional and necessary decision to safeguard patient safety and your own integrity.”

Can someone support you?

Nikki Nabavi, academic foundation doctor, says, “As a foundation doctor I’ve already noticed how often tasks are asked of me that fall outside the remit of my role, for myriad reasons.

“Firstly, if this is not your role, whose is it? Perhaps we are given jobs that our nursing colleagues can do. Ask yourself, ‘Why have I been asked to do this?’ Staffing and resource provision are regularly stretched, so this could be the reason.

“Before you undertake the task, ask yourself if you are competent to carry it out safely. Is there anyone else who is more appropriate who is available to do it?

“If you don’t do the task, will it directly risk patient safety or delay care? Many nurses are able to take bloods—there are occasions, however, where it speeds up management if I do it myself. Sometimes no appropriate alternative staff members are available to carry out a job, in which case a task that may not intrinsically be part of my role becomes mine.

“Assessing what you should and shouldn’t do is easier said than done, as often the list of tasks feels endless, and it becomes a matter of effective clinical prioritisation. If you feel overwhelmed ask yourself, ‘If I do this task now, can anyone support me with my other tasks? Can any of my other jobs be handed over?’

“If you do take on extra tasks, it’s important to reflect on why they landed on you. Was the shift understaffed? Is there a systemic problem that means it keeps happening? Is it compromising your ability to continue with the other tasks expected of you? If so, it’s important to escalate this to seniors.

“Finally, if you have capacity and are competent to carry out this additional task—why not do it? There are many benefits to spending extra time with patients and building connections with them or other members of the multidisciplinary team—so you may find me making a cup of tea for someone on my ward. The role of a doctor is not as rigid in its definition as we may have been taught.”

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An additional role can be fulfilling

Christopher McAloon, consultant cardiologist and royal college tutor, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, says, “My core activity is busy and there’s always more work to be done, but I find having a second role to be a welcome distraction. I’ve been a consultant cardiologist for over five years and worked in two trusts and I have a strong postgraduate medical education interest. I have been a foundation programme director and now I’m a royal college tutor.

“I participated in a similar discussion in December 20202 where I was asked about mid-career boredom. I think my answer then, amazingly, is still the same in 2025. Having a second role, if the time to fulfil the role is available, is a positive decision for self-development and personal satisfaction.

“We all pick up interests as we progress through our career paths—mine was medical education and research. We develop these interests and develop something of an expertise as we do more things to deepen this interest. I’ve found this brings me enjoyment and satisfaction. I’m an advocate for doing something outside your role because of the personal satisfaction it brings. It should be something that progresses your career but most importantly you enjoy.

“There are some important considerations, however, as you just can’t say yes to everything. I stick to my original rule of ‘only take on one extra role at a time’ and do this well. Furthermore, make sure you have the time recognised you need to perform the role.

“If you’re asked to undertake something outside, consider it if you would enjoy it and if you have the time.”