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Healthcare

Health

 A career in healthcare can be very rewarding - you'll be helping people back to full health either by looking after them directly or working behind the scenes. There are so many different jobs within healthcare and lots of different settings to work in. 

 

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MyChoiceNotts

Are you interested in getting a qualification in this area? Look for a course at local sixth forms and FE colleges on My Choice Notts(Nottinghamshire and just over the border). For higher education courses go to UCAS

 

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Vacancies Online

Search for local job vacancies and Apprenticeship opportunities in the sector you're interested in.

 

Diploma logo
Find out more about the Diploma in Society, Health and Development course here. You may also be interested in the Diploma in Public Services course.

Did you know the NHS is the largest employer in the UK? Most jobs in healthcare involve working directly with people - either with patients, their family or other members of staff.  Unless you have a job 'behind the scenes' you may have to work shifts (nights and weekends) as people need care around the clock. The work can be pretty tiring so you need to be physically fit.  It's also good if you're not squeamish!

You don't need qualifications for every job in healthcare - porters, maintenance and security are very important roles and hospitals would come to a grinding halt without them - but you do need to study for several years at university to become a nurse, doctor, radiotherapist or for other professional roles.

How can you get into this type of work? 

Your Personal Adviser will be able to discuss your options with you.

  • School or college - study for GCSEs, AS / A levels, a diploma, NVQs or other vocational qualifications that could lead to a job, an Apprenticeship, further qualifications or even a degree.

  • e2e (Entry to Employment) - if you’re not sure if you’re suited to this job you might be able to get some work experience through e2e. It can also give you extra support to gain the right qualifications, get onto a training programme or get a job.

  • Apprenticeship - train ‘on-the-job’ with a wage or allowance. For the latest Apprenticeship vacancies in Nottinghamshire go to Vacancies Online.

  • Work or work with training

What else can I do? 

  • Get some work experience in a nursing home or your local hospital.

  • Do some voluntary work.

  • Brush up on some of your skills such as communication or customer care.

  • Read about healthcare work on Jobs4U  or look for the online EClips job descriptions in your school or nearest Connexions centre.

  • Research some of the less obvious jobs.

  • Talk to your Personal Adviser

As well as qualifications, employers also look for the skills
people have when they’re applying for jobs. Here are the
skills that healthcare employers are looking for from you:

  • Communication

  • Customer awareness

  • Team working

  • Organisation and planning

Team working is one of the skills that employers in the East Midlands are reporting shortages of. There are also skills shortages in technical, practical and job specific skills.

Skills

Four one pound pieces

 Wages will vary depending on where in the country you work and between different organisations.

Job title

Average weekly salary*

Average annual salary

Dental nurse

£279.00

£14,508

Doctor

£1,102.10

£57,308

Medical secretary

£320.20

£16,649

Midwife

£573.00

£29,796

Nurse

£507.50

£26,390

Paramedic

£698.90

£36,343

Ambulance staff (excluding Paramedics £420.80 £21,882

Pharmacist

£699.50

£36,734

Physiotherapist

£494.10

£25,692

Speech therapist

£515.00

£26,780

Nursing auxiliary / assist.

£292.30

£15,200

Healthcare Practice Manager
 £732.30 28,030

Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, ONS 2009

*Based on gross pay (before you have anything taken out) and not including overtime.

 

What's happening in the industry? 

The government is making many changes to the NHS (National Health Service) and these changes, which include how the money is spent, will affect the industry. The emergency services are used more now and we also have an ageing population which means there are more older people who need looking after. Some public health issues are becoming more important, such as the spread of superbugs and a rise in obesity. This means that public health specialists are more in demand. There's also a shift towards more health care taking place in local communities which means a change in the way that some people in the sector work. 

There's a shortage of nurses, pharmacists, radiographers, biomedical scientists, midwives and technology workers.  Around three quarters of NHS workers are female but men still hold most of the senior positions. 

Over the past few years there’s been a growth in alternative therapies such as acupuncture, reflexology and homeopathy.

Around the world

Remember Healthcare is a global industry and there are many opportunities to work overseas in the health sector but applications for work will depend on the specific needs of a country and demand can change quite rapidly.

There are healthcare skills shortages in many countries because of people choosing to train or work in countries such as the UK where the wages are better. This puts a severe strain on the healthcare service and as a result, many voluntary organisations employ health care professionals, especially in Africa and South America.

There are also private healthcare companies operating abroad. 

In terms of pharmaceuticals, India is developing and Ireland is very strong in pharmaceutical manufacture.  

 See the 'Notts Info' section for what's happening locally.

Useful links

www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk

Around 11% of the workforce in Nottingham and 6% of the workforce in Nottinghamshire county work in the health sector. Along with social care, it's one of the largest employment sectors.

Most people who work in healthcare work for the NHS.  There are three NHS Hospital Trusts which cover Nottinghamshire; Doncaster and Bassetlaw in the north of the County, Sherwood Forest in Mansfield and Newark and Nottingham University Hospitals in the Nottingham area.  There are also private hospitals, which sometimes do work for the NHS.

Young people with level 2 and level 3 qualifications are needed to join the industry where the majority of new jobs will be for roles needing higher skills such as auxiliary and assistant nurses and carers.

Some exciting new projects will be starting over the next few years in the county, including a regional stroke centre in Nottingham, a women's and children's centre at King's Mill Hospital and a rehabilitation centre for Bassetlaw.

The two hospitals in Nottingham are teaching hospitals where student doctors can train. They also have important research and development departments. 

Nottingham has been awarded Science City status which means that the bio-medical industry is also set to develop and grow. For more info go to www.science-city.co.uk.

Workers in the healthcare industry in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire:

  • About 39,300 people  are employed in the health sector (1)

  • Over three quarters (more than 75%) of workers are female (2). 

 

Number of people employed in the health care sector in Nottinghamshire

 

Area of Nottinghamshire

Number of workers

Ashfield

6,166

Bassetlaw

3,853

Broxtowe

1,516

Gedling

2,229

Mansfield

2,155

Newark and Sherwood

2,369

Nottingham

19,875

Rushcliffe

1,766

Total

39, 292

 Source: Annual Business Inquiry, 2008

See also  Social Care, Counselling and Childcare 

Key employers in the health sector:

NHS and Primary Care trusts in local areas

Ashfield
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust Kingsmill Hospital

Bassetlaw
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Bassetlaw Hospital Worksop
Retford Hospital

Broxtowe
Alliance Boots
EMT Healthcare

Mansfield
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust Kingsmill Hospital
Mansfield Primary Healthcare Trust
Mansfield Community Hospital

Newark & Sherwood
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust Newark Hospital

Nottingham City
NHS Direct
Nottingham University Hospitals NHSTrust City Campus
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Queens Medical Campus
Biocity
Medical Solutions

As of January, 2010

This list is just a guide – there are many more employers. Some organisations, especially the NHS advertise on their own websites.

 All statistics from Annual Business Inquiry, 2008

Fetch

Fetch!

Fetch the dog will guide you to websites where you can get more information on careers that interest you.


Jobs 4 U

Jobs4U

Find out more about specific jobs in this sector:

  • what's it like?
  • getting in
  • pay and benefits
  • similar jobs

Other useful links

Step Into the NHS
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