Careers in the NHS

Posted on Fri, 14 November 2008 13:13:20 (686 Reads)

There are hundreds of different roles in the NHS, in this article we are profiling some of the careers available. For further information on these and the many more careers available please visit www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

Nursing

If you want to work in an environment that's interesting, rewarding and challenging, a career in nursing will give you plenty of scope to do exactly that. Nurses form the largest group of staff in the NHS and are a crucial part of the healthcare team. Nurses work in every sort of health setting from accident and emergency to working in patients' homes, with people of all ages and backgrounds.

So, if you've got an interest in caring for people, you'll find a role that suits you in nursing. Some nurses begin their career by working their way up from support roles, which require no set qualifications, and go on to train for a registered nursing degree or diploma, which qualifies them to work as a nurse. Others apply straight to university to undertake their studies. Whatever route you take, you'll need to gain a degree or diploma in nursing, during which the NHS will support you. For instance, your tuition fees will usually be paid and you will be eligible for a bursary.

Once you are part of the NHS, you'll benefit from flexible working arrangements, excellent benefits and a wealth of opportunities to help you fulfil your ambitions and progress up the career ladder. There are few professions that offer so much in terms of job satisfaction and support, while giving you the chance to enhance people's lives during their times of need.

Dietitian

Dietetics is the interpretation and communication of the science of nutrition to enable people to make informed and practical choices about food and lifestyle, in both health and disease. A dietitian will have trained in both hospital and community settings as part of their course. Most dietitians are employed in the NHS, but may also work in the food industry, education, research and on a freelance basis. It is necessary to have a recognised degree, MSc or post graduate diploma in nutrition and dietetics to work as a dietitian.

Nutritionist

Nutrition is the study of nutrients in food, how nutrients are used by the body, and the relationship between diet, health and disease. Most of the major food manufacturers and retailers employ nutritionists and food scientists but opportunities also arise in research, education and journalism. There are a variety of careers within the field of food science and technology.
Nutritionists also have an increasing role to play in healthcare and there are opportunities to work in the NHS.

Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists help and treat people of all ages with physical problems caused by illness, accident or ageing.

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession which sees human movement as central to the health and well-being of individuals. Physiotherapists identify and maximise movement potential through health promotion, preventive healthcare, treatment and rehabilitation.

The core skills used by physiotherapists include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and the application of electro-physical modalities. Physiotherapists also have an appreciation of psychological, cultural and social factors which influence their clients.

Many physiotherapists work within hospitals. Here they are needed in virtually every department, from general out-patients to intensive care, where round-the-clock chest physiotherapy can be vital to keep unconscious patients breathing.

Hospitals often have physiotherapy gyms, hydrotherapy and high-tech equipment so that specialist therapy can be carried out.

Radiography

There are two types of radiography, diagnostic and therapeutic. Both need considerable knowledge of technology, anatomy and physiology and pathology to carry out their work.

The NHS employs 90% of all radiographers, with other opportunities in private clinics and industry. There are about 18,000 registered radiographers in the UK. The ratio of diagnostic to therapeutic radiographers is ten to one.

Diagnostic Radiographer

Diagnostic radiographers work mainly within the radiology and imaging departments of hospitals (NHS trusts or private sector) but may also work in surgeries/clinics.

X-rays and ultrasound are just two of the imaging techniques used by diagnostic radiographers to look at injuries or disease, or monitor changes inside the body. While most diagnostic radiographers carry out a range of procedures, they may specialise in techniques such as computerised tomography scanning, or magnetic resonance imaging which uses magnetic field and radio frequency waves to produce cross-sectional images of the body.

Diagnostic radiography is a fast-moving and continually changing profession, and long-term career prospects include management, research, clinical work and teaching.

Therapeutic Radiographers

Therapeutic radiographers are increasingly known as radiotherapy radiographers. They work closely with doctors, nurses, physicists and other members of the oncology team to treat patients with cancer.

Radiotherapy radiographers deliver doses of X-rays and other ionising radiation to patients, most of whom are suffering from various forms of cancer. The aim of the treatment is to deliver an accurate dose of radiation to the tumour/cancer whilst minimising the dose received by the surrounding tissues. They establish where the area to be treated is located and work out the exact dosage required with doctors and medical physicists.

Radiotherapy radiographers may be involved in the care of the cancer patient from the initial referral clinic stage, where pre-treatment information is given, through the planning process, treatment and eventually post-treatment review (follow-up) stages.


For further information on these and the many more careers available please visit www.nhscareers.nhs.uk




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