Job hunting decisions and tips
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Becoming a GP
If you like thinking on your feet and meeting a wide range of individuals, working as a doctor in general practice could be the right career choice for you.
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Career planning is key for medical graduates
You need to assess your strengths and aspirations to decide on the best possible match when considering which specialty would be right for you.
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Don't want to be a medic? Graduate careers outside medicine
If you're not sure that a career practising medicine is what you want, don't panic. You can transfer the skills you've gained through your medical degree to something else.
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NHS vs the private sector nursing: what type of graduate employer will you choose?
Our overview of the various graduate employers in nursing and healthcare, including the NHS, the armed forces and independent healthcare organisations.
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Investigate the entry requirements for graduate allied healthcare jobs
Some allied healthcare professions require you to graduate into your chosen field; others allow graduates to convert your degree with a diploma. Explore your chosen career route here.
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Graduate management careers with a healthcare twist
If you want to learn how to be a manager, you’ll find your niche in healthcare. From finance and HR, to project management and informatics, the sector offers a huge variety of roles to suit graduates from all degree backgrounds.
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Life as a student nurse
Read about three nurses' experiences moving from theory to practice and taking the first steps in their career.
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How do I get a graduate job in healthcare operations and management?
Find out how to get into a career in healthcare management, learn about the skills and training you'll need and explore options such as the NHS graduate scheme.
Training and qualification
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Graduate entry into nursing: your training options
Explore the routes you can take into nursing if you studied a different degree and where you can find funding.
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What to expect heading into the foundation programme
The foundation programme consists of a series of placements and assessments, with time allocated for formal education.
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No medical degree? No problem! A graduate medical degree is the cure
No medical degree but you want to become a doctor? Get advice on how to get onto a graduate medical degree.
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Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC): your graduate career depends upon it
The NMC keeps a register of qualified nurses and defines the competencies necessary for a graduate career in nursing and midwifery.
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Find out about the NHS graduate scheme and other healthcare management programmes
Healthcare isn’t just for medical and nursing graduates – there are also opportunities for graduates who are looking for a career in management.
Areas of practice
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Your career options in medicine: specialisms
There are a number of medical specialties you can train for after completing your medical degree, so you can focus on a field you have a real interest and passion for.
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Radiography: area of practice
A radiographer is involved in every aspect of a patient's treatment.
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Arts therapies: area of practice
Arts therapists train to use music, art or drama to help people with emotional and developmental needs.
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Speech and language therapy: area of practice
Managing difficulties with communication or eating, drinking and swallowing.
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Chiropody/Podiatry: area of practice
In a career as a chiropodist or podiatrist you'll help to keep people's feet pain-free.
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Dietetics: area of practice
Dietitians raise awareness of the importance of diet and nutrition and provide advice to help people with conditions such as food allergies and diabetes.
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Occupational therapy: area of practice
Occupational therapists work with people who are experiencing physical, psychological or social difficulties to help them live as independently as possible.
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Orthoptics: area of practice
Orthoptists are responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of people with eye difficulties.
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Physiotherapy: area of practice
In a graduate career as a physiotherapist you'll help and treat people with physical problems caused by illness, accidents or ageing.
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Prosthetics and orthotics: area of practice
Prosthetists supply and maintain artificial limbs, while orthotists supply aids such as braces, callipers or splints for people needing physical support or protection.
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Midwifery: area of practice
Midwives are highly trained, multi-skilled professionals who provide maternity care from the early stages of pregnancy to six weeks after birth.
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Your career options in nursing
Qualified nurses can work in a variety of different specialisms from children's nursing to mental health. Take a look at our overview of nursing areas of practice.
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Psychology: area of practice
Helping people work through their emotional problems.
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Operating department practice: area of practice
Operating department practitioners are part of the team that cares for patients who are undergoing surgery.
Job descriptions
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Dramatherapist: job description
Dramatherapists perform controlled sessions where theatre and drama-based activities are used to observe and explore the behaviour, attitudes and emotions of individuals experiencing physical, psychological, emotional or mental health problems.
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Psychologist (clinical): job descriptions
Clinical psychologists work to reduce psychological distress in people with mental or physical health problems.
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Sports therapist: job description
Sports therapists use their knowledge and skills to treat sporting injuries, advise on injury prevention and support rehabilitation, using a range of physical techniques and therapies.
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Occupational therapist: job description
Occupational therapists help people overcome physical and mental problems that are the result of disability, injury, ageing or illness.
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Health promotion specialist: job description
Health promotion specialists may work in the community, promoting good health, or in strategic work, developing health policies.
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Psychologist (educational): job description
Educational psychologists work with, observe and assess the behavioural, social, emotional and educational problems and needs of children and young people below the age of 19 years.
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Medical physicist: job description
Medical physicists use analytical and applied scientific techniques to assist healthcare workers in the safe diagnosis and treatment of patients.
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Counsellor: job description
Counsellors work in confidential settings with individuals who are experiencing personal difficulties, to help them overcome their problems and to make appropriate changes to their lives.
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Orthoptist: job description
Orthoptists diagnose and treat the vision problems and eye abnormalities of patients of all ages, checking for evidence and symptoms of disease, injury or visual defects.
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Paramedic: job description
Paramedics provide specialist care and treatment to patients who have been involved in accidents, emergencies or other crises.
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Health service manager: job description
Health service managers are responsible for the strategic, financial and day-to-day management of hospital and community health services and general practitioner (GP) practices.
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Psychotherapist: job description
Psychotherapists help individuals who are experiencing emotional and psychological difficulties to understand their problems and make appropriate changes to their lives.
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Mental health nurse: job description
Mental health nurses are responsible for planning and providing support and medical and nursing care to people who have a range of mental health issues.
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Dance movement psychotherapist: job description
Dance movement psychotherapists use movement and dance within a therapeutic environment to help individuals of all ages who are experiencing physical, psychological, emotional or mental problems.
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Dental hygienist: job description
Dental hygienists help to prevent dental decay by cleaning patients' teeth and providing them with education about how to care effectively for their teeth and gums, and the effects of diet on oral health.
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Physiotherapist: job description
Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques and therapies in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients who are affected by physical problems caused by illness, disability, injury or ageing.
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Health visitor: job description
Health visitors are nurses or midwives with an additional specialist public health qualification who work with families with children aged under five to promote good health and prevent illness.
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Child psychotherapist: job description
Child psychotherapists use language and play to observe, assess, help and treat children and young people who are experiencing behavioural, emotional, social and psychological difficulties.
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Midwife: job description
Midwives deliver babies and provide antenatal and postnatal advice, care and support to women, their babies, their partners and families.
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Dentist: job description
Dentists are medical healthcare professionals who work with patients to treat dental and oral disease and injuries and to prevent dental health problems.
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Adult nurse: job description
Adult nurses plan and provide nursing care to adults suffering from a wide variety of medical conditions and illnesses, supporting their treatment, recovery and well-being.
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Herbalist: job description
Herbalists treat a variety of physical conditions, illnesses and allergies through the holistic use of plants in conjunction with medical knowledge.
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Children's nurse: job description
Children's nurses plan and provide holistic nursing care to children affected by a wide variety of illnesses and medical conditions.
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Music therapist: job description
Music therapists use music within a therapeutic environment to help individuals of all ages who are experiencing emotional or mental problems, or who have learning or physical disabilities or physical illnesses.
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Dietitian: job description
Dietitians promote good dietary health and treat nutritional problems by providing practical advice about food choices, based on scientific research.
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Aromatherapist: job description
Aromatherapists treat a variety of physical conditions, illnesses and psychological disorders with essential aromatic oils that are extracted or distilled from flowers, trees, spices, fruits or herbs.
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Learning disability nurse: job description
Learning disability nurses provide care and support to people with learning disabilities to help them live as independently as possible.
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Chiropractor: job description
Chiropractors use a variety of physical techniques and therapies to treat and rehabilitate patients who are suffering from disorders and/or injuries of the back or musculoskeletal system.
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Nurse: job description
Nurses plan and provide medical and nursing care to patients in hospital, at home or in other settings who are suffering from chronic or acute physical or mental ill health.
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Doctor (general practitioner, GP): job description
General practitioners provide confidential patient consultations and initial medical care within a community-based setting.
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Art therapist: job description
Art therapists use art to help patients cope with emotional and mental health problems and allow them to express emotions and feelings.
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Retail pharmacist: job description
Retail pharmacists provide general healthcare advice and supply prescription and non-prescription medication to the public. A retail pharmacist works in a retail setting rather than in a hospital or GP surgery.
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Nutritional therapist: job description
Nutritional therapists advise about and treat a wide range of medical conditions by assessing patients' requirements for food, vitamins and minerals while taking general health, well-being and lifestyle into consideration to provide holistic treatments.
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Doctor (hospital): job description
Hospital doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions, disorders, and diseases through the application of specialist medical skills and knowledge.
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Practice nurse: job description
Practice nurses work in GP surgeries where they plan and provide nursing care, treatment and health education to patients of all ages.
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Speech and language therapist: job description
Speech and language therapists diagnose, advise about and treat speech and language problems to help people communicate effectively.
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Nutritionist: job description
Nutritionists help to advance an understanding of how diet affects the health and wellbeing of people and animals.
