Careers involving Health
There are many different health-related careers. In fact, the National Health
Service (NHS) is the biggest employer in Europe! Some jobs involve close contact
with patients; others are to do with administration or with providing essential
support services. There are opportunities for people with all levels of qualification.
This leaflet aims to give you a broad overview of some of the main career areas
available in healthcare and medicine. Find out more about the work, entry and
training for any of the careers that particularly interest you, by looking at the
more detailed leaflets listed at the end.
What it takes
To work in healthcare and medicine you need:
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good communication and teamwork skills
to be reliable and conscientious
sensitivity, tact and understanding (for those in patient contact)
an interest in science and technology (for many jobs).
If your role involves working with children, young people or vulnerable adults, you
will have to undergo background checks.
Opportunities and prospects
While the NHS is the main employer for work in medicine and healthcare, the
private sector also offers opportunities for qualified staff.
The NHS has a well-structured career ladder, and there are prospects for
promotion in most areas of work. The NHS provides opportunities for staff at all
levels to improve their qualifications. Some roles allow you to branch out, e.g.
from nursing into health promotion.
For some jobs, it may be possible to get started through an Apprenticeship or a
similar programme.
Areas of work
Doctors
Qualified doctors can specialise in general practice, surgery, psychiatry,
obstetrics, orthopaedics, paediatrics, oncology and many other areas. Entry
requirements vary between medical schools, but you normally need at least three
good A levels; the most important subjects to consider taking are chemistry and
biology.
Nurses and midwives
Nurses train for different branches of nursing - adult, children's, learning
disabilities or mental health. Not all nurses and midwives work in hospitals. You
can work in the community visiting people in their homes, as a nurse based in a
GP's practice, or (with further training) as a health visitor. There are currently
two main routes to qualifying as a registered nurse - via a degree or diploma
programme. Each training institution sets its own entry qualifications.
Allied health professions
The following professions require you to be registered with the Health Professions
Council (HPC) and gain an HPC-approved qualification. For degree course entry, a
minimum of two A levels, which often must include a science, or equivalent
qualifications, are normally required; check with individual institutions.
Art, music and drama therapists
These therapists help patients in general and psychiatric hospital units, clinics,
special schools etc, to communicate and to express themselves. They may work in
the NHS and also privately.
Clinical psychologists
Clinical psychologists deal with problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and
addiction, treating their clients through counselling and behaviour therapy. They
work in hospital and community settings. After completing a psychology degree or
conversion course (which must be accredited by the British Psychological Society),
you are required to undertake postgraduate training, leading to an HPC-approved
qualification. Other psychologists, such as those specialising in counselling, health,
and sport and exercise, also work in health services. Psychologists who offer
services to the public (known as practitioner psychologists) must be registered with
the HPC.
Dietitians
Dietitians advise patients about following special diets to control a medical
condition, or as part of their general recovery plan. They also advise hospital
catering staff and others on nutrition. Dietitians may work in the NHS, in food
manufacturing, education or journalism.
Occupational therapists
Occupational therapists help clients to be more independent by practising everyday
activities that get their minds, muscles and joints working. Therapists advise on
gadgets and alterations that can help people in their own homes. They work for
the NHS or in social services departments.
Operating department practitioners (ODPs)
ODPs assist anaesthetists, surgeons and theatre nurses before, during and after
operations. Most qualify through a Diploma of Higher Education.
Orthoptists
Described under optical work - see later in this leaflet.
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapists help sick and injured people, and those with disabilities, to be as
physically independent as possible. Physiotherapists work in the NHS, in private
practice or for sports clubs etc.
Podiatrists
Podiatrists (or chiropodists as they are also known) are specialists in the care of
feet and lower limbs. They diagnose problems and decide upon treatment. They
also try to stop problems arising. As a podiatrist, you can work in the NHS, in
private practice, or in both.
Prosthetists and orthotists
These are the specialists who measure patients for, and fit them with, artificial
limbs (prostheses) or devices such as spinal supports, neck collars or leg callipers
(orthoses), to support and relieve parts of the body. Prosthetists and orthotists
may work for the private sector or for the NHS.
Radiographers
Radiographers specialise in diagnostic radiography, where they help to diagnose
injuries and diseases using X-rays, ultrasound and various other techniques, or in
therapeutic radiography, treating patients with conditions such as cancer.
Speech and language therapists
Therapists work with clients who have speech, communication and swallowing
problems, which they may have been born with or which have arisen from illness,
injury or as a result of psychological problems. Most work for the NHS.
Many of the above are assisted by support workers - described below under
support staff.
Healthcare science work
N.B. New training routes for healthcare scientists are planned under the
Modernising Scientific Careers programme. Check that any course you undertake
meets the new requirements.
Biomedical scientists (increasingly known as healthcare scientists) work in hospital
and other biomedical science laboratories, carrying out investigations and tests on
body tissues and fluids, to help diagnose diseases. There are various specialisms
including histopathology (the study of tissue samples) and medical microbiology (the
study of micro-organisms). Biomedical scientists need to register with the HPC, by
taking an approved degree.
Medical physicists are involved in the research and development of new medical
techniques and equipment, developing existing techniques and systems and
maintaining quality and safety standards. They may work in a specific area such as
radiotherapy, nuclear medicine or laser technology. Training is mainly through a
degree that combines academic study with work-based learning. Medical
engineering is a closely related area of work.
Clinical/medical technologists may be involved in calibrating, testing, maintaining
and servicing complex specialist equipment, or preparing and calculating doses of
radioactive materials for use with patients. Clinical/medical technologists generally
need a relevant degree, although other entry routes may be possible.
Clinical physiologists work with patients, using equipment to measure and analyse
how well various parts of patients' bodies are functioning, such as the heart
(cardiac physiologists), lungs (respiratory physiologists) and hearing (audiologists).
Training is mainly through a degree that combines academic study with work-based
learning.
Medical illustrators include clinical photographers, medical videographers, medical
artists and graphic designers. They make records for educational, diagnostic,
scientific and other purposes. Clinical photographers work mainly in hospitals and
have patient contact. Medical artists and graphic designers make anatomical
illustrations for brochures, books etc. Entry usually requires a relevant higher
education qualification followed by part-time specialist study.
Ambulance staff
Ambulance care assistants/Patient Transport Service drivers carry out routine,
non-emergency work, such as taking patients to clinics.
Paramedics, along with emergency care assistants, attend emergency calls.
Paramedics are trained to offer life-saving medical treatment. They may enter as
a student paramedic and undergo training while working, or as a direct entrant
after gaining an HPC-approved higher education qualification.
Dental work
Dentists treat diseased and damaged teeth and gums, and also carry out
preventive and corrective treatments. They work in general dentistry practices,
hospitals and various other settings. Training begins with a five-year degree
course, requiring very good A levels for entry; chemistry and biology are the most
important subjects to consider taking.
Dental therapists and hygienists advise people on how to look after their teeth and
gums. They clean and scale teeth, and carry out other treatments. Therapists are
trained to do additional work such as simple fillings and, in children, extractions of
deciduous (milk) teeth. Training is through a diploma or a degree course. A levels
are required for entry; some courses may accept a dental nursing qualification.
Dental technicians make dental appliances, such as dentures and crowns. Most
work in commercial dental laboratories. They need to be good with their hands and
interested in science and technology. A minimum of four or five GCSEs or
equivalent is generally needed to start training. People with A levels, or equivalent,
could consider training through an approved degree or foundation degree.
Dental nurses work with dentists. They prepare fillings and dressings, pass the
instruments to the dentist and attend to patients. They need a calm and pleasant
manner. No particular qualifications are needed to start training, but some courses
may require GCSEs or higher-level qualifications.
Optical work
Orthoptists diagnose and treat defects of vision and abnormalities of eye
movement. They carry out tests on patients, decide on the treatment required and
monitor the patient's progress. They mainly work in hospitals. Entry is via an HPCapproved degree.
Optometrists test eyesight to detect and measure faulty vision, and prescribe
lenses to correct it. They must also spot any diseases. Most work in private
practice, but some work in the NHS. Entry is though an approved optometry
degree course, followed by training in the workplace.
Dispensing opticians supply and fit glasses and (with additional training) contact
lenses, working from optometrists' prescriptions. Minimum entry requirements for
training are five GCSEs at grades A*-C or equivalent, including English, maths and
science.
Pharmacy work
Pharmacists supply drugs, medicines, preparations and appliances as prescribed by
doctors, either in hospital or retail pharmacies. They supervise the dispensing of
prescriptions and advise on minor ailments. Pharmacists need a specialist degree,
followed by further training in the workplace.
Pharmacy technicians make up prescriptions and prepare medicines, supervised by a
pharmacist. They work in hospitals or in retail settings. Entry requirements for
training are usually four GCSEs at grades A*-C (normally including science, maths
and English), or equivalent.
Health promotion
Health promotion raises awareness of how to live a healthy lifestyle, and is often
a career for experienced health professionals. The work includes organising
campaigns, and providing advice and support to other health professionals and
health service managers. First degree and postgraduate courses are available.
Support staff
Support staff in the NHS are vital. They include:
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healthcare assistants - who provide basic care to patients on hospital wards, in
outpatients' clinics and in the community
therapy assistants (sometimes known as clinical support workers) - who work in
areas such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy and podiatry
healthcare science assistants - who assist in routine work in laboratories, and
phlebotomists - who take blood samples from patients, for delivery to the
laboratory for testing
hospital porters.
Some support jobs bring you into contact with patients; others involve work
'behind the scenes'. Many jobs do not require qualifications for entry, but if you
have some, you may start higher up the ladder.
Complementary medicine
There are many fields of complementary medicine including homeopathy,
chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal medicine and naturopathy. Most focus on the
whole person, and aim to treat various conditions. Practitioners work in private
clinics or as self-employed practitioners, although some treatments are available
on a limited basis in the NHS. Training for some branches requires A levels or
equivalent for entry, and may be up to degree level or beyond, but there are
openings in other fields for people with lower-level qualifications.
Administration/management
Management staff run all the different parts of the NHS; there are also
opportunities in private hospitals and clinics. Areas of management include finance,
facilities, contracts and supplies, dealing with planning and development, public
relations, human resources etc. Managers are supported by administrative staff.
Information staff gather and analyse computerised information about patients and
track progress towards targets. Health informatics is an increasingly important
area.
Secretarial/clerical staff include medical secretaries and health records staff.