As a doctor, you'll play a vital role in diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses and injuries. This career offers a challenging yet immensely rewarding path, demanding strong scientific knowledge, problem-solving skills, and genuine compassion. From general practice to specialised surgery, you'll work within diverse teams to improve patient lives, making a tangible difference in your community. This career requires extensive training and a lifelong commitment to learning, but offers unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Journey to Becoming a Doctor

1. Academic Requirements:
   • Strong GCSEs, particularly in science subjects.
   • Excellent A-Level grades, typically including Chemistry and Biology (or Human Biology).
   • Entry to a medical school requires high grades and competitive applications.
2. Medical School:
   • A five-year undergraduate medical degree (MBBS or MBChB).
   • It includes lectures, practical sessions, and clinical placements in hospitals and GP surgeries.
   • Some universities offer a six-year programme with an intercalated BSc.
3. Foundation Programme:
   • A two-year paid training programme (FY1 and FY2) after graduation.
   • Provides experience in various medical specialities.
   • Essential for full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC).
4. Speciality Training:
   • Further training to specialise in a specific area of medicine.
   • It can take several years, depending on the chosen speciality.
   • Requires passing further examinations.

A career in midwifery is a deeply rewarding path focused on providing comprehensive care to women and their families throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Midwives offer personalised, holistic support, combining medical expertise with compassionate guidance. They monitor foetal development, assist with labour and delivery, and educate new parents on newborn care. This role demands strong communication, problem-solving skills, and a genuine passion for empowering women during a transformative life event. Midwives work in various settings, including hospitals, birthing centres, and community clinics, and play a vital role in promoting healthy pregnancies and positive birth experiences.

Nursing is a rewarding and dynamic career focused on providing compassionate care to individuals, families, and communities. Nurses work in diverse settings, from hospitals and clinics to schools and homes, playing a vital role in promoting health, preventing illness, and supporting patients through recovery. This career offers opportunities for specialisation, leadership, and lifelong learning, making it a fulfilling path for those passionate about making a real difference in people's lives.

Nurse

Want a career that makes a real difference? Nursing offers a dynamic and rewarding path where you'll provide essential care and support to people of all ages. As a nurse, you'll be on the frontlines of healthcare, working in diverse settings like hospitals, clinics, schools, and homes.

What you'll do:

• Administer medications and treatments.
• Monitor patient conditions and vital signs.
• Provide compassionate care and emotional support.
• Educate patients and families on health management.
• Collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Nurse

A Chief Nurse is a senior leadership role within a healthcare organisation, responsible for the overall quality and delivery of nursing care. They lead and manage nursing staff, develop policies and procedures, ensure patient safety, and contribute to strategic planning. It's a demanding but highly rewarding career for experienced nurses passionate about making a significant impact on patient care and the nursing profession. This role requires strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, and often involves working closely with other healthcare professionals and administrators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Nurse

As a school nurse, you'd be the healthcare hero within a school setting! You would provide direct care to students, managing everything from minor scrapes to chronic illnesses. You'd also educate students and staff on health topics, promote wellness, and ensure the school environment is safe. This role requires strong medical knowledge, compassion, and excellent communication skills, making it a rewarding career for those who want to make a real difference in children's lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registered Nurse

A career as a Registered Nurse (RN) is dynamic and rewarding. RNs are the backbone of healthcare, providing direct patient care, administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and educating patients and their families. They work in diverse settings, from hospitals and clinics to schools and home healthcare. This role requires strong critical thinking, communication, and compassion. If you're passionate about helping others and thrive in a fast-paced environment, nursing offers a stable and fulfilling career path with opportunities for specialisation and advancement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Useful Websites

• NHS Careers: Information on pharmacy careers within the NHS: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate
• UCAS: Information on pharmacy degree courses: ucas.com/courses
• Health Careers: Information on many different health-related careers: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles

A career as a Pharmacist offers a diverse and rewarding path for those passionate about healthcare and science. Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals, experts in medicines and their use. They play a vital role in ensuring patients receive the right medication, at the right dose, and for the right duration, while also providing crucial advice and support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Dispensing and Checking Medications: Accurately preparing and dispensing prescriptions, ensuring safety and legality.
• Patient Counselling: Providing advice on medication usage, potential side effects, and healthy living.
• Clinical Services: Offering services like vaccinations, blood pressure checks, and medication reviews.
• Medicines Management: Optimising medication use in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
• Collaboration: Working closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
• Public Health: Contributing to public health initiatives and promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Research and Development: Involvement in drug development and clinical trials.

Career Pathways:

Pharmacists can work in a variety of settings:

• Community Pharmacy: Serving the public in local pharmacies, providing advice and dispensing prescriptions.
• Hospital Pharmacy: Working in hospitals, managing medication for inpatients and outpatients.
• GP Practices: Working within general practitioner surgeries, providing medication reviews and advice.
• Industry: Working in pharmaceutical companies, involved in research, development, and manufacturing.
• Academia: Teaching and conducting research in universities.
• Regulatory Bodies: Working for organisations like the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Education and Training (UK):

1. MPharm Degree: A four-year Master of Pharmacy degree from a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) accredited university.
2. Foundation Training Year: A one-year paid training period in a GPhC-approved setting, supervised by a qualified pharmacist.
3. GPhC Registration: Passing the GPhC registration assessment to become a registered pharmacist.
4. Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Ongoing learning and development to maintain registration.

Essential Skills:

• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Crucial for dispensing and checking medications.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Essential for patient counselling and collaboration.
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Necessary for addressing medication-related issues.
• Scientific Knowledge: A strong understanding of pharmacology and related sciences.
• Ethical and Professional Conduct: Adhering to professional standards and regulations.

Why Choose Pharmacy?

• Making a real difference to people's health.
• Diverse career opportunities.
• Challenging and rewarding work.
• Job security and good earning potential.
• Opportunities for professional development.

Useful Websites:

• General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC): The regulatory body for pharmacists in Great Britain: https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/
• Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS): The professional membership body for pharmacists: https://www.rpharms.com/
• NHS Careers: Information on pharmacy careers within the NHS: https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate
• UCAS: Information on pharmacy degree courses: ucas.com/courses
• Health Careers: Information on many different health-related careers: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles

Occupational Therapists (OTs) help people of all ages participate in the activities they want and need to do every day. Whether it's helping a child with autism develop social skills, assisting someone recovering from a stroke to regain independence, or adapting a workplace for an employee with a disability, OTs focus on improving quality of life. It's a rewarding career that blends science, creativity, and problem-solving to empower individuals to live their best lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) help people of all ages who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking, or swallowing. This can include problems with:

• Speech: Articulation, fluency (stammering), voice.
• Language: Understanding and using spoken and written language.
• Communication: Social communication, non-verbal communication.
• Swallowing (dysphagia): Difficulties with eating and drinking.

What SLTs do:

• Assess and diagnose communication and swallowing difficulties.
• Develop and deliver personalised therapy programs.
• Provide advice and support to individuals, families, and carers.
• Work in various settings, including schools, hospitals, clinics, and community centres.

Why it's a rewarding career:

• You make a real difference to people's lives.
• It's a diverse and challenging role.
• You work with people of all ages.

To become an SLT, you'll typically need:

• A degree in Speech and Language Therapy.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Physiotherapist helps people of all ages improve their movement and manage pain. They assess, diagnose, and treat a range of conditions, from sports injuries and back pain to neurological disorders and post-surgery rehabilitation. Using hands-on techniques, exercise programs, and electrotherapy, they empower patients to regain mobility, independence, and a better quality of life. It's a rewarding career for those who are passionate about health, fitness, and helping others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Osteopaths are allied health professionals who focus on the musculoskeletal system, using manual therapy to diagnose, treat, and prevent health problems. They take a holistic approach, considering how your body's bones, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues work together. Daily tasks include assessing patients, developing treatment plans, and performing hands-on techniques like massage, joint manipulation, and stretching. This career requires strong communication skills, a deep understanding of anatomy, and a passion for helping people improve their health and wellbeing.

A Prosthetist-Orthotist (P&O) designs and fits custom medical devices like artificial limbs (prostheses) and braces (orthoses) to help patients regain mobility and independence. It's a rewarding career combining patient care, technical skills, and creativity. You'll assess patients, take measurements, create designs, fabricate devices, and provide ongoing adjustments and support. If you're interested in healthcare, engineering, and making a tangible difference in people's lives, P&O could be a great fit.

A career as a Dietitian is all about helping people make informed food choices to improve their health and well-being. Dietitians use their knowledge of nutrition science to assess clients' dietary needs, create personalised meal plans, and provide education on healthy eating habits. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, and private practices, helping individuals manage chronic diseases, achieve weight goals, and optimise their overall health. If you're passionate about food and its impact on health, and enjoy working with people, a career as a Dietitian could be a rewarding path.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Podiatrists are foot and ankle specialists, diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions from ingrown toenails and sports injuries to complex diabetic foot problems. It's a hands-on career combining medical knowledge with practical skills. You'll work with diverse patients, improving their mobility and quality of life. Expect to assess, diagnose, and create treatment plans, often using specialised tools and techniques. This career offers opportunities in clinics, hospitals, sports settings, and private practice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Music, Art, and Drama Therapist uses creative expression to help people improve their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. They work with individuals and groups of all ages, using music, art, or drama techniques to address issues like stress, trauma, disability, or mental health challenges. This career blends artistic passion with therapeutic skills, requiring strong communication, empathy, and a deep understanding of psychology. You'll facilitate creative processes, encourage self-expression, and help clients develop coping mechanisms and build confidence.

A career in dentistry offers the chance to improve people's health and confidence through oral care. Dentists diagnose and treat dental issues, from cavities and gum disease to complex procedures like implants and orthodontics. It's a blend of science, artistry, and patient interaction. You can work in private practice, hospitals, or public health, and specialise in areas like paediatrics or oral surgery. Dentistry provides a stable and rewarding career with opportunities for lifelong learning and making a real difference in people's lives.

A Diagnostic Radiographer, or Radiologic Technologist, uses cutting-edge imaging technology like X-rays, CT scans, and MRI to create detailed images of the inside of a patient's body. These images help doctors diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. It's a vital role in healthcare, requiring a blend of technical skill, patient care, and anatomical knowledge. If you're interested in science, technology, and helping people, a career in diagnostic radiography could be a rewarding path.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health visitors are specialist community public health nurses who work with families, particularly those with babies and young children, to promote health and wellbeing. They provide support and advice on everything from breastfeeding and nutrition to child development and managing common childhood illnesses. It's a role focused on early intervention, aiming to empower parents and carers to give their children the best start in life. You'll work closely with families in their homes and community settings, offering guidance, running clinics, and connecting them with other essential services. If you're passionate about child health, enjoy working with people, and want to make a real difference in your community, a career as a health visitor could be a rewarding path.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luton and Dunstable

Mhairi.Emery@ldh.nhs.uk - Work Experience Manager and work_experience@ldh.nhs.uk 

Milton Keynes

WorkExperience@mkuh.nhs.uk 

Stoke Mandeville

luisa.clarke@nhs.net