Career Resources

Hoping to get more insight into careers within the NHS?

Whatever your skills, qualifications or interests, there is a career for you in the NHS. You could work directly with patients, in an office, in hospitals, a care home, a GP practice, an ambulance trust, or in the community.

Every day is different and rewarding, and everyone plays a vital role in looking after people’s health and well-being. Once you are part of the NHS team the opportunities in health and social care are endless.

Video Warning: this video contains scenes that maybe upsetting to viewers, scenes include

  • blood, and/or graphic images

  • sensitive scenes

  • Bright, fast flashes and colours for people who suffer from photosensitive epilepsy

Our 'insight into career' webinars will give you an insight into just some of the 350+ different careers within health and social care.

Insight into Allied Health Profession (AHPs) careers - Day 1
Our day 1 session covered careers as a Young Persons Lead for CAHHMS, occupational therapy, diagnostic radiographer, super attendant radiographer for A&E, dietitian – in support clinical treatment, what is an art therapist and a conversation with a degree apprenticeship student.
Insight into Allied Health Profession (AHPs) careers - Day 2
Our day 2 session covered interview and CV skills, activities to help boost your confidence and looking at radiology case studies
Insight into Healthcare Science careers - Day 1
You will find healthcare scientists in many of the different areas of the NHS – they are responsible for over 80% of diagnoses but are only 5% of the NHS workforce. Our day1 session covered careers within cardiac science, medical physics, histocompatibility & immunogenetics, chemical pathology and apprenticeship opportunities.
Insight into Healthcare Science careers - Day 2
Our day 2 session covered careers within bioinformatics & genomics, respiratory, medical engineering. Students were also given the opportunity to speak with an apprentice in nuclear medicine.
Working as a radiographer
Did you know there are two types of radiographer? See what it means to be a diagnostic radiographer or a therapeutic radiographer
Life as a therapeutic radiographer
Daniella shares what it's like to work as a therapeutic radiographer, the day-to-day life of the role and what it's like to work within radiography.
Behind the scenes in the Control Room
This short film gives a behind the scenes look at life as an East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) call handler. Shot in the Bedford control room in July 2022, the film features two EEAST call handlers, Nadia Ali and Marilyn Munangatire. The film includes footage of Nadia and Marilyn handling live 999 calls and interviews with them both talking about their roles and what being a call handler involves on a daily basis.

Career Videos

Find out more about what it’s like to work in health and care with these real-life stories from a range of staff. These interviews give you an insight into working in a particular role and what they love most about their job.

ODPs (Operating Department Practitioners)

ODPs are Allied Health Professionals who are based in operating theatres. Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) work in three key areas; anaesthetics, surgery and recovery. An ODP will participate as part of the team, meeting a variety of patients from very small children to older adults and everything between and perform a number of roles

Healthcare Science

Healthcare scientists use a range of science, engineering and technology skills to prevent, diagnose and treat a range of medical conditions. Together they provide the scientific backbone of the NHS and their work underpins 80% of all diagnoses. Their role stretches across the whole innovation pathway from academic and translational research, to patient-centred service transformation.

Midwifery

Midwives provide care and support to women and their families while pregnant, throughout labour and during the period after a baby’s birth. You’ll mainly deal with pregnant women requiring professional support and advice.

You are likely to be the lead health professional and contact for a woman, providing evidence-based information and helping her make informed choices about the options and services available throughout her pregnancy.

Radiographers are allied health professionals who take x-rays and other medical images to assist doctors in diagnosing diseases and injuries. They are also known as medical imaging technologists.

A radiographer does your scan. Radiography is one of the most innovative aspects of healthcare – you’ll use advanced technology to look inside patients’ bodies and understand the root causes of their illness, and consult with colleagues on diagnosis and treatment plans.

For more information and to view other career videos click here

Following government's announcement on the 2022/23 pay award, the annual salary have been updated and can be accessed below inclusive of Higher Cost Area Supplements (HCAS) rates. 

Band

Entry step point

Years until eligible for pay progression

Intermediate step point

Years until eligible for pay progression

Top step point

Band 2

£20,270

2

£21,318

 

Band 3

£21,730

2

£23,177

 

 

Band 4

£23,949

3

£26,282

Band 5

£27,055

2

£29,180

2

£32,934

Band 6

£33,706

2

£35,572

3

£40,588

Band 7

£41,659

2

£43,806

3

£47,672

Band 8a

£48,526

5

£54,619

 

 

Band 8b

£56,164

5

£65,262

 

 

Band 8c

£67,064

5

£77,274

 

 

Band 8d

£79,592

5

£91,787

 

 

Band 9

£95,135

5

£109,475

Agenda for change: published 4 August 2022

Have you thought about completing an apprenticeship? Apprenticeships are for any age and are the opportunity to 'earn while you learn' whether you are just starting out or looking to progress in your career.

Apprenticeship levels

NHS apprenticeships are available at four levels:

  • level 2 - equivalent to GCSEs 

  • level 3 - equivalent to A-levels 

  • levels 4 and 5 - equivalent to a foundation degree and above

  • levels 6 and 7 - equivalent to a full bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Entry requirements

Entry requirements will depend on the employer and the type and level of apprenticeship.

For example, you may need four or five GCSEs at grades 9-4/A-C or equivalent to do an Advanced Level Apprenticeship. To start a higher apprenticeship you're likely to need A-levels, equivalent level 3 qualifications or relevant and sufficient experience.

When you're an apprentice:

  • you get paid and train at the same time, with at least 20% of your time spent in off the job training, often at a college, university or with a training provider

  • you train to be fully competent in your chosen occupation

  • you’re on a career path - with lots of future potential for you

There are a variety of apprenticeships on offer in health and social care, these include;

Working in social care means supporting people with their non-clinical needs, although there is an important crossover between working in health and working in social care. Your work could range from anything to providing medication and personal care to helping someone with their shopping or making their lunch for them

Whatever your skills, age or qualifications there is a role for you in social care. Click here to see why some of the Adult Social Care workforce chose a career in care.

If you are interested in being a Team Leader, Key Support Worker, Care Assistant or a Manager visit the Herts Good care website to apply today.

Not quite ready? Click here to read why and how current staff got into their careers.

Careers support

As always the Academy is happy to offer health and care careers support to schools, colleges and students, so please get in touch with us via email academy.hwe@nhs.net if you have any queries or need help supporting careers events virtually or face to face

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Case studies

case study image

Alexi tells us how the nursing associate has helped her into a job she loves

The Nursing Associate Programme is a bridge between a Health Care Assistant and Registered Nurse.

Read more
case study image

Jamila was inspired by the great Florence Nightingale

Jamila is looking to inspire and encourage you to consider a career as a learning disability nurse.

Read more

Jobs

Interested in working for the NHS or social care? Find out about current vacancies and how to apply.

News and Events

Click here to find out about the latest news and events.

Nursing Associate

Nursing associate is a new role within the nursing team. Find out more about the role here.

Careers in Health & Care

You could help make a real difference to people’s lives by choosing a career in health or social care.