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The Queen Victoria Hospital is a specialist NHS Hospital - providing life changing reconstructive surgery, burns care and rehabilitation services for individuals who have been impacted by illness or injury.

We have a very proud heritage, of being the birthplace of pioneering new and innovative surgical techniques - thanks to Sir Archibald McIndoe in 1939.

The Queen Victoria Hospital specialises in:

Conditions of the hands and eyes

Head and neck cancer

Skin cancer

Reconstructive breast surgery

Maxillofacial Surgery

Prosthetics

Today, The Queen Victoria Hospital is recognised, Nationally and Internationally, for our renowned reconstructive surgeries and outstanding patient care.

We have a number of departments within the hospital, these are as follows:

Burns Department

Canadian Wing (Ross Tilley Ward and Margaret Duncombe Ward)

Critical Care Unit (CCU)

Day Surgery Unit

Head and neck department

Minor Injuries Unit (MIU)

Occupational therapy

Outpatients departments (Corneo department, maxillofacial clinic, plastics dressing clinic, orthodontics)

Peanut ward (paediatric unit)

Physiotherapy

Radiology

Recovery

Theatres

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Here at QVH we are proud that we are able to offer opportunity to learn and develop your career, these include:

*Support worker apprenticeships at level 1 and 2

* Associate practitioner apprenticeships

* AHP profession specific apprenticeships  such as radiology, ODP, OT and physiotherapy

Please see our website for more details

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This page is dedicated to helping you find the best route for your career, and what really interests you!

Our team at QVH appreciate the knowing that they are empowered and supported to make a real difference to people's lives. Whether you are working face-to-face with patients or not, you make a real difference.

We have a dedicated team to help you with training and development opportunities, whilst working and gaining support from your colleagues!

See our link to our latest vacancies

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Healthcare Scientists use a range of science, engineering and technology skills to prevent, diagnose and treat a range of medical conditions.

There are lots of different jobs related to Healthcare Science, please watch the video to understand more.

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Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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Healthcare Science Careers at Gloucestershire Hospitals

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Information on the process of returning to Nursing and how to apply!

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This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to our use of cookies.

You are here

Nurses who want to return to the profession have much to offer patients, employers and society. Returning to nursing has never been easier with courses and training on hand to ease the transition and build skills.

If you are no longer a registered nurse, there are three ways you can return:

Readmission

You might be able to re-register with the NMC without doing a course or a test. You'll need:

450 registered practice hours over the last three years or 750 hours over the last five, including any practice hours gained on the COVID-19 temporary register

35 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) in the last three years

to provide three character references

You can apply directly through the NMC website or if you want to use hours worked through the COVID-19 temporary register, you'll need to email the NMC to request a paper copy of the readmission pack.

Further information on requirements and process is also available on the NMC website.

Return to practice course

Depending on how long you have been out of practice, the course can take between three and 12 months to complete.

By the end, you'll have the skills and knowledge to be able to return with confidence.

Find out more on the Health Careers website

NMC Test of Competence

The Test of Competence provides a quicker way to return to practice compared to the established routes. It is made up of two parts:

Individuals can arrange themselves to sit the Test of Competence for which they will be required to pay a fee, this fee can then be claimed back from Health Education England once the individual has returned to the register and is in NHS employment. Individuals can apply to sit the Test of Competence through the NMC website, where they will also find lots of preparation materials and essential reading to help with revision for the test.

Those who would like to know more, or have further questions they can drop us an email .

Some organisations are recruiting those who wish to return to the nursing register into support roles, they are then put through the Test of Competence and then deployed into a nursing role withing the organisations. Damian Burke, an Endoscopy Nurse at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, took this route, listen to him talk about his journey.

If you would like to find out more about returning to nursing please visit the Health Careers website.

Myth Buster

In order to assist those considering returning to practice to understand clearly everything that it entails a comprehensive Myth Buster document has been produced. A copy of the document is also available in the Related Documents section of this page.

Find a wealth of information and resources on the Health careers website

We are returning GP nurses. We are the NHS. If you are thinking of coming back to nursing, you're in the right place.

Find out about Ronke's return-to-practice story

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If you are no longer a registered nurse, there are three ways you can return: readmission a return to practice course a Test of Competence (ToC) Readmission You might be able to re-register with the NMC without doing a course or a test.

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Pathologists are medically or scientifically qualified and work in hospitals and laboratories with other doctors and healthcare professionals. Every blood test, biopsy sample, cancer screening test or search for infection will involve a pathology team. Many also conduct research, lead on training and education, and act as expert advisors to healthcare organisations and the government.

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From investigating infertility to researching neurological disorders, pathology careers are incredibly diverse - each focuses on a different area of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Pathologists are medically or scientifically qualified and work in hospitals and laboratories with other doctors and healthcare professionals. Every blood test, biopsy sample, cancer screening test or search for infection will involve a pathology team. Many also conduct research, lead on training and education, and act as expert advisors to healthcare organisations and the government.

Broadly speaking, those working in pathology focus on one of eight areas. The four most common are:

tissues and cells, studied by histopathologists, who play a key role in diagnosing or excluding cancer, and are the only pathologists to carry out post mortems

blood, studied by haematologists, who diagnose and treat people with blood disorders

the chemistry of the body, studied by chemical pathologists, who help diagnose and plan the treatment of diseases such as diabetes

infection, studied by microbiologists and virologists, who work together to diagnose and manage infections in patients and communities.

Other pathologists work in smaller, but no less important, fields, e.g. focusing on immunity, genetics and reproduction, toxins and animal disease. There are actually 17 pathology specialties in total, offering a diverse array of career options.

Choosing your role

When choosing what you'd like to do it's worth considering which your best subjects are, what you find interesting and whether you'd prefer to become a doctor or a scientist.

What fascinates you?

Consider what aspects of science and medicine fascinate you. Maybe you're keen on using microscopes and analysing and identifying patterns. If so, working as a histopathologist - and leading on the diagnosis of disease in tissue - might suit you well. Or perhaps you like the idea of helping others have a family - you could thrive in a career as a reproductive scientist. To find your fit, explore the different areas of pathology.

Medicine or science?

Many people working in pathology start out as either a doctor or a scientist - which is why many describe pathology as the bridge between medicine and science. Whilst both doctors and scientists in pathology focus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the educational route you take will shape the roles you're able to work in.

Careers Packs

Download the careers packs below for more information and resources about five of the pathology specialties.

Find the role that's right for you

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From investigating infertility to researching neurological disorders, pathology careers are incredibly diverse - each focuses on a different area of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Pathologists are medically or scientifically qualified and work in hospitals and laboratories with other doctors and healthcare professionals.

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Pharmacists are experts in medicines and their use: they train as scientists and clinicians and have a unique set of skills and knowledge. Using this scientific knowledge they advise patients on how to take medicines and recommend the best medicine for particular conditions and diseases

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Interested in becoming a pharmacist? Here’s how to go about it!

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How to become a nursing associate and find a course in England

A nursing associate is a new member of the nursing team who will provide care and support for patients and service users.

The nursing associate role is regulated in England only.

We became the legal regulator for nursing associates in July 2018.

Where to find training programmes

If you’re interested in becoming a nursing associate and you’re currently employed as a health or care professional, you can ask your employer for advice on the options available to you.

After 26 July 2019, you can only begin training on a NMC-approved nursing associate programme.

We’ll be updating our list of approved programmes to include nursing associate programmes as we approve them.

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How to become a nursing associate and find a course in England

A nursing associate is a new member of the nursing team who will provide care and support for patients and service users.

The nursing associate role is regulated in England only.

We became the legal regulator for nursing associates in July 2018.

Where to find training programmes

If you're interested in becoming a nursing associate and you're currently employed as a health or care professional, you can ask your employer for advice on the options available to you.

After 26 July 2019, you can only begin training on a NMC-approved nursing associate programme.

We'll be updating our list of approved programmes to include nursing associate programmes as we approve them.

You can also find out more about becoming an apprentice.

Progression to nursing qualifications

The government wants to see nursing associate qualifications help people with the desire and ability to become a registered nurse.

We've designed our standards in a way that makes it easy for education providers to develop programmes that will build on nursing associate proficiencies.

These programmes will need to enable students to develop a specialty in a field of nursing.

Applicants from outside England

The nursing associate role is regulated in England only.

As a result, we can only approve nursing associate education programmes in England.

If you've undertaken education and training in other countries (including the other parts of the UK) that you think is relevant to the role of the nursing associate, you will be able to:

apply for a pre-registration nursing associate programme in England and seek recognition of your prior learning, or

apply to join the register through our process for applicants from the devolved administrations (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), the EU or outside the EU.

Find out more about registering as a nursing associate.

Related resources

Read the blog by Sue West, our Senior Nursing Education Advisor.

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How to become a nursing associate and find a course in England A nursing associate is a new member of the nursing team who will provide care and support for patients and service users. The nursing associate role is regulated in England only. We became the legal regulator for nursing associates in July 2018.

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AHP Support workers - the value they bring to the AHP professional workforce

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AHP Support workers - the value they bring to the AHP professional workforce

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The Value they bring to the Allied Health Professional Workforce

When considering a career in healthcare, you may have thought that university study or an apprenticeship was your only option and that you may be restricted to working in registered roles such as a Nurse, Doctor, or one of our Allied Health Professional roles.

In reality, there are a whole range of roles in healthcare which provide essential support and care to patients, and their fellow colleagues.

These roles include support workers, senior support workers, assistants and assistant practitioners who work alongside the allied health professionals (AHPs). These staff members play a crucial role in delivering safe and effective care, influencing patient's experiences, across a huge variety of services such as within the NHS including inpatient and community, social care, housing, education and voluntary services. Support staff can also work with individuals at every age, from babies and young children, adults and older age.

The AHP support workforce works with registered allied health professional staff and the wider healthcare team (also known as the multi-disciplinary team).

AHP support workers can be involved in a range of tasks, often dependent on the allied health profession(s) they are working with; this may include tasks such as welcoming and preparing service users for treatment, supporting patients with their clinical care plans, supporting the development of resources and information and running groups.

Take a look at some examples of AHP Support Staff activities in the image below.

Think you might be interested in a career as an AHP Support Staff member?
Fantastic! Being an AHP Support Staff member is a great way of getting a taste for what it is like working in healthcare - it may be the job of your dreams or lead you on a journey you may not be expecting such as an apprenticeship to become a registered allied health professional at a later point in time.

If you do not have prior experience in healthcare, you might be surprised to realise you already have the skills needed. One of the most important elements of working in healthcare is being caring and compassionate, along with good communications skills.

What matters most is that you have a passion for helping others and enjoy working as part of a committed and caring team.
Inspirational stories
You can also take a look at some of our local AHP Support Staff inspirational stories below such as Lucy, Leading support worker for AHP Workforce Supply Project; Naseem, Rehabilitation Support Worker at the Yorkshire Cochlear Implant Service, Helen, Senior Therapy Assistant, Peter, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Toni, Henna and Jo, Dietetic Associate Practitioners.

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AHP Support Workers - The Value they bring to the Allied Health Professional Workforce - Aspiring Allies

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The Value they bring to the Allied Health Professional Workforce When considering a career in healthcare, you may have thought that university study or an apprenticeship was your only option and that you may be restricted to working in registered roles such as a Nurse, Doctor, or one of our Allied Health Professional roles.

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Springpod - Virtual work experience - AHPs

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Springpod - Virtual work experience - AHPs

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It’s vital that people considering our AHP professions get to know as much as possible to help them decide on their career pathway. Many young people are unable to get face to face work experience, so we can signpost them to virtual work experience opportunities.

SpringPod is an online virtual work experience programme that introduces people to the AHP professions.

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* This programme is on-demand, so if you meet the eligibility criteria you can start right away!*

We have joined forces with Health Education England to bring students an Allied Health Professional online work-related learning programme. The programme will provide an overview of what a career as an allied health professional in one of the 15 different allied health professions can offer, as well as develop key skills for each profession. There's also the opportunity to hear from NHS professionals, learn about their day to day work, as well as about the different areas of the allied health professions and complete assignments.

Upon completion, participants are awarded a certificate, which can be useful for CVs, Personal Statements and interviews. Alongside completing this programme, studying health and social care, social sciences or science subjects are good preparation for a career in health and social care. An awareness of the NHS core values and skills such as compassion, a desire to help and teamwork are also all essential.

What you'll cover

The programme is available completely on demand. There are around 10 hours of activity that can fit around other obligations. The programme will cover the following areas:

- The World of the NHS

- Introduction to the Allied Health Professional

- 3 Real Patient Journeys. You'll learn about why they're being treated by allied health professionals and how those profressionals help them.

- The Art of Communication as an Allied Health Professional

- How to Become an AHP: Getting Career Ready

- Meet the Partners and Next Steps

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Allied Health Professional Online Work-Related Learning

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This programme is on-demand, so if you meet the eligibility criteria you can start right away!* We have joined forces with Health Education England to bring students an Allied Health Professional online work-related learning programme.

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T levels are a level three technical education route that provide an alternative to A-levels for 16-19-year-olds.

One T Level is equivalent to three A levels. These 2-year courses have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study.

T Levels help support the recruitment of the NHS’s future workforce.

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The Health Foundation, The King's Fund and the Nuffield Trust in their joint briefing, The health care workforce in England - Make or Break (November 2018) stated that there are currently around 100,000 vacancies in the NHS and that this figure is projected to rise to nearly 250,000 by 2030.

Securing a workforce for the future is thought to be a greater threat to the provision of health care services than the funding challenges facing the healthcare sector. T level courses in health and science will help to raise the awareness, among young people, of the occupational choices that exist within healthcare and provide an opportunity for employers to strengthen their engagement with local schools/colleges - all of which could help to secure a health workforce pipeline.

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The Health Foundation, The King's Fund and the Nuffield Trust in their joint briefing, The health care workforce in England - Make or Break (November 2018) stated that there are currently around 100,000 vacancies in the NHS and that this figure is projected to rise to nearly 250,000 by 2030.

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Step Into The NHS :: Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships provide routes into a variety of careers in the NHS and are an excellent opportunity to earn, gain work experience and achieve nationally recognised qualifications at the same time.

What is available?

Apprenticeships are offered by individual NHS employers (such as trusts) as well as other non-NHS employers and organisations in many different areas of work. Below are some examples of apprenticeships that are relevant to the NHS.

Business administration and human resources

Clinical support

Communications and marketing

Construction/estates services

Dental nursing

Digital marketing

Electrical and engineering

Financial services

Health and social care

Healthcare science (various areas including medical physics, cardiac physiology and clinical engineering)

IT

Library, information and archive services

Management

Nursing

Pharmacy support

There are four levels of apprenticeships available:

What happens at the end of the apprenticeship?

You may be offered permanent employment at the end of the apprenticeship period. You can also search for job vacancies on the NHS Jobs website. Some apprenticeships also allow you to gain UCAS points and can lead onto a university course. You should always check with the organisation that provides your apprenticeship for details.

What if I don't feel ready for an apprenticeship?

If you are not quite ready for an apprenticeship, a traineeship might be for you. A traineeship is designed for young people who want to get a job and the skills and experience to boost their career prospects. It will provide up to 6 months of work experience, work preparation training, and English and maths support (if needed) to secure an apprenticeship or other employment.

Further information

For more information about apprenticeships and traineeships in England, visit gov.uk. To search for vacancies in your local area, visit the Find an apprenticeship website and the NHS Jobs website.

You can also visit our sister site, Health Careers, for more detailed information on apprenticeships and hear from people who have undertaken them.

Find out more about the 350+ careers in the NHS

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Step Into The NHS :: Apprenticeships Apprenticeships provide routes into a variety of careers in the NHS and are an excellent opportunity to earn, gain work experience and achieve nationally recognised qualifications at the same time. Apprenticeships are offered by individual NHS employers (such as trusts) as well as other non-NHS employers and organisations in many different areas of work.

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Whats roles are there supporting nursing

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Whats roles are there supporting nursing

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At the Queen Victoria Hospital, we are able to offer opportunities to develop your Nursing career, subject to your experience and education.

We support Nursing placements from Universities and other hospitals; and we also provide Level 6 Registered Nursing Apprenticeships to our internal staff.

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Find your ideal NHS profession with this quick quiz!

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Find your ideal NHS profession with this quick quiz!

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Take the NHS test to see what profession may be suited to you. The NHS has more than 350 careers to offer! There will be one suited to you, suiting your qualifications, interests and skills!

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Career Mapper is a part of the 'Step Into The NHS' project that aims to stimulate awareness amongst 14 - 19 year olds of the huge range of opportunities available within the NHS. Take the Career Mapper quiz to find out what jobs in the NHS might suit you.

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Returning to practice Allied Health Care professions and helpful video

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Returning to practice Allied Health Care professions and helpful video

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If you have been off the register for two or more years, or if you did not register within five years of after qualification, you will need to undertake a period of updating your skills and knowledge. This can be undertaken within the healthcare educational and social care sector. The programme will…

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See our video all about radiology careers here at QVH

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See our video all about radiology careers here at QVH

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See our video form our amazing team here at QVH

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Health careers, NHS, Return to Nursing information

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Health careers, NHS, Return to Nursing information

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Ready to reignite a fulfilling career in nursing? Your experience and skills are invaluable to us, and we're here to help you return to nursing with confidence.

Benefits of returning

Few other roles will give you the same kind of fulfilment as nursing - think how many lives you've already changed? But it's not just emotionally rewarding, there are plenty of practical benefits too, including some you may not have experienced before:

One of the most generous pension schemes in the UK.

Flexible working and opportunities to work part-time, helping to create a balance that suits you. Childcare support may also be available but it varies between NHS trusts.

At least 27 days holiday a year plus public holidays, and a standard working week of 37.5 hours.

Additional support for professional development, helping you to feel confidence in your skills and achieve your career goals.

A greater emphasis on working in multidisciplinary teams, allowing you to work with experts from many different departments.

How to get started

Our team of over 330,000 registered nurses make an incredible difference, every single day, and we can't wait for you to re-join them.

It's not a problem if you're no longer a registered nurse - returning to practice is really straightforward, and here's how you can do it:

You might be able to re-register with the NMC without doing a course or a test. You'll need:

450 registered practice hours over the last three years or 750 hours over the last five, including any practice hours gained on the COVID-19 temporary register

35 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) in the last three years

to provide three character references

You can apply directly through the NMC website or if you want to use hours worked through the COVID-19 temporary register, you'll need to email the NMC to request a paper copy of the readmission pack.

You'll also receive £1,000 to help cover any childcare, travel and book costs.

You can find lots more information on requirements and the process on the NMC website.

If you've been out of nursing for a while, the Test of Competence is a great way to update your knowledge.

The test is made up of two parts:

How to apply for the test

You can apply through the NMC website, where you'll also find lots of preparation materials and essential reading to help you revise for the test.

Financial support for the test

We'll cover the cost of you taking a Test of Competence, but you may have to pay upfront and claim it back once you're registered and working with us.

If you'd like to know more, you can drop us an email and we'll put you in touch with a member of our team who can answer any questions you may have.

A return to practice course will refresh your skills, leaving you ready to return to nursing with confidence. It involves a combination of classroom and placement-based learning, so you can get stuck in right from the start. You'll also be assigned a personal mentor to support you through your studies.

The course takes between 3 and 12 months to complete, depending on how long you've been out of practice.

Financial support for your studies

You won't just be emotionally supported by our team, you'll be financially supported too. If you apply directly to a university, NHS Health Education England (HEE) will pay for your course and placement fees. You'll also be given £1,000 to help cover any childcare, travel and book costs.

If you apply through an NHS organisation, your course and placement fees will be covered and you'll either receive a salary or £1,000 to help cover your costs.

Finding a course

Our course finder is an easy way to look for return to nursing programmes. You can also use it to search for return to practice courses in general practice nursing.

There are also opportunities for you to earn while you study. To search for a salaried return to practice course, visit NHS Jobs and search 'return to practice'.

Universities in Wales also run return to practice nursing programmes. You can find more information on the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership website.

We're here to help

Returning to nursing won't just make a difference to other people's lives, it'll make a big difference to yours too - and we're here to make it as easy as possible. No matter which route you choose, we can guide you through the process. If you'd like to discuss your options, simply request a call-back and a member of our team will give you a call.

Find your return to practice course

Live return to practice vacancies on NHS Jobs

Get your guide to returning to nursing

Sign-up and receive expert information and advice on coming back

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How to get started Our team of over 330,000 registered nurses make an incredible difference, every single day, and we can't wait for you to re-join them.

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My role as Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)  apprentice - Meet Neeve

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My role as Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)  apprentice - Meet Neeve

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Different forms of radiation are used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

If you work in radiation physics and radiation safety physics, you will be responsible for ensuring that this equipment is safe, both for patients and staff.

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What is a Pathologist?

A pathologist is a medical doctor who has specialized in studying the causes, nature, and effects of disease. They are central to a patient's diagnosis and treatment. These doctors are part of a patient's healthcare team, even though they may never meet the patient.

Pathologists make diagnoses, explain prognostic information, guide what a patient's next steps will be in regards to treatment, and monitor outcomes.

What does a Pathologist do?

The ability to integrate clinical data with biochemical, molecular, and physiological laboratory studies is fundamental to the work performed by pathologists on a daily basis.

Pathologists typically work in one of three main areas of discipline: as teachers, researchers, or diagnosticians.

Individuals who work in the academic field impart their knowledge to medical students, medical colleagues, and other trainees at various levels. Researchers in the field of pathology use laboratory science for disease models, clinical studies, and other experimental programs to further advance the field knowledge, understanding, and treatment options for various diseases. This information is used to both treat and diagnose patients more aggressively in the future.

Professionals who work in clinical laboratories or medical settings practice as consulting physicians who develop and apply their knowledge of laboratory and tissue analysis in order to diagnose and treat disease in patients.

It's important to note that professionals who work in the medical industry may also work with patients in the postmortem phase. Research with these patients is used to study disease, or determine if a death was a homicide or from natural causes.

A Pathologist could:

Examine kidney tissues of a patient under a microscope to determine if the patient is in need of a transplant.

Perform an autopsy to decide if the person died of homicide or natural causes. This information could be used to help solve a crime.

Look over the blood test of a pregnant woman to determine if the child she is carrying will be born in good health

Types of Pathologists:

Anatomical Pathologist

Clinical Pathologist

Forensic Pathologist

Cytopathologist

Neuropathologist

Molecular Pathologist

Chemical Pathologist

Genetic Pathologist

Immunopathologist

Are you suited to be a pathologist?

Pathologists have distinct personalities. They tend to be investigative individuals, which means they're intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive. They are curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and logical. Some of them are also conventional, meaning they're conscientious and conservative.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if pathologist is one of your top career matches.

Take the free test now Learn more about the career test

What is the workplace of a Pathologist like?

Most professionals in the field can expect to spend a great deal of time planning their research projects, researching the findings of other scientists, and attending meetings with other physicians.

Because the field of pathology is so broad, the work conditions will vary greatly. However, pathologists most often work in hospitals, offices, classrooms, and laboratories. The typical professional in the field can expect to work a 40-hour work week, but depending on the industry in which they are employed, a work week greater than 40 hours may be expected. Working hours are varied and are often on a rotating shift.

Pathologists need to have the ability to take in a lot of information at one time and the patience to complete sometimes lengthy research projects. They need to be accurate and precise workers; this is especially true for professionals that work to diagnose disease when their findings are a critical component to the care the patient will receive. They will most often work alone, but excellent communication skills are essential to give evidence of their findings in writing or orally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an Oncologist and a Pathologist?

Oncologists and pathologists are physicians who are linked by cancer. Oncologists treat the disease. Pathologists diagnose it. The two specialties are connected, yet significantly different.

Pathologists are, in essence, the detectives of the medical field. They spend their days in the lab. They examine body fluids, cells, and tissues to help identify diseases. Although pathologists are instrumental in determining what may be physically wrong with someone, they have little, if any, direct contact with a patient. Oncologists, conversely, spend a great deal of time with patients. Both, however, may be involved in a patient's care. Pathologists also perform autopsies to figure out why someone died.

Oncologists are cancer specialists who may be medical, surgical, or radiation oncologists, and who may further specialize within the discipline. Pathologists diagnose all medical conditions and diseases, not just cancer. They may specialize in the diagnosis of pediatric or genetic disorders, skin diseases, diseases of the nervous system and skeletal muscles, diseases that affect blood cells; or in transfusion medicine or forensic pathology.
Continue reading

How long does it take to become a Pathologist?

The road to becoming a physician, in general, is long and challenging. Choosing pathology means accepting this path to what is a very particular medical career - one with limited patient contact, but with unlimited potential to contribute to patients' treatment and recovery.

The process of becoming a pathologist takes between twelve and thirteen years, as follows:
- Bachelor's degree - four years
- Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree - four years
- Residency* - four or five years

*Four years for anatomic pathology; five years for the recommended combined track of anatomic/clinical pathology)

Pathology residencies comprise of training in anatomical and/or clinical pathology. Curricula provide instruction in autopsy, image analysis, molecular diagnosis, and protein biochemistry. Residents are also given opportunities to study electives and participate in research. As they advance, they are given more freedom and responsibility when conducting tests and making decisions.

Pathologists who wish to specialize in areas such as dermatopathology, surgical pathology, or pediatric pathology need to complete a fellowship. These programs last a year or two and are more narrowly focused than are residencies. Fellows have opportunities to conduct research tailored to their specific career interests. Some fellowships, particularly surgical pathology, may include rotations in different sub-disciplines, such as gastrointestinal, breast, soft tissue, and gynecologic pathology.

It is possible to work in the pathology field without obtaining a doctoral degree. Career opportunities, however, are naturally reduced. Individuals who earn only a bachelor's degree may be able to find employment as laboratory technologists, but opportunities for growth are limited. Those with a Master's Degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Animal Pathology, Plant Pathology, or another related field may qualify for applied research or teaching positions.

What are Pathologists like?

Clinical pathologists are specialized physicians who diagnose diseases by examining and testing cells, bodily fluids, and tissues. They interpret the results of lab tests so that informed decisions can be made regarding patient care. This kind of work strongly suggests that pathologists are predominantly investigative people.

Should I become a Pathologist?

When asked why they chose pathology, practising pathologists often cite these reasons:

The field's unique blend of imaging, challenging diagnostic dilemmas, and access to and experimentation with cutting edge technologies

The privilege of being the 'doctor's doctor,' the preeminent consultant to other physicians

The privilege of being at the forefront of patient diagnosis and involved in critical decisions that affect patients' lives

The degree to which pathology allows its practitioners to lead a balanced life, as the time demands are not nearly as pressing as those in surgery and other medical fields which involve more patient interaction

When asked about the attributes that accomplished pathologists possess, physicians in the field from around the world made the following comments [ paraphrased compilation]:

I think that you have to be born with a certain visual aptitude. You have to be able to build pictures in your mind. That's why the training takes a long time, since you must develop this innate visual ability and marry it to rigorous scientific learning. You have to come to appreciate the intrinsic beauty of microscopy itself. A colleague of mine told me that one question she always asks residency applicants is about their hobbies; if they like art or photography in particular she feels they are more likely to be a good pathologist than if they have other orientations.

First of all, I think you have to be good at pattern recognition. You're constantly looking at patterns, colors, and their relationships to make a diagnosis. You have to be thorough in your thinking: 'Well, if I haven't seen this before, what must I do to try and make the diagnosis? Do I need to do more special testing? Do I need to consult somebody else? Do I need to do more reading about this?'

You have to be a good observer. You have to be an observer of minutiae - to look at the little things. Little things make a difference. And you have to know what those little things mean - so that's where your academic training comes in. Probably the most serious fault in a potential pathologist is not being thorough enough.

You have to have imagination and conviction and should not be afraid to question. If you see something that doesn't fit any disease you know or that has been written about in medical journals, don't automatically assume that you don't recognize it because of a lack of knowledge on your part. Maybe it is something that has not yet been described. A good pathologist is about having an open mind and looking beyond the clinical expectation.

A very difficult thing in surgical pathology is to express in words the mental process you use in order to reach a diagnosis, because to some extent, it is instantaneous recognition at a subconscious level. Yet, you have to be skilled at putting what you're seeing down the microscope into words. When you read a pathology report you should be able to picture what the author of that report is seeing and understand their interpretation.

Microscopic examination of tissue is definitely an art form, and it's being able to put together pictures in your mind. Even when you may just see one corner of a picture in your biopsy, you have to be able to put that into the whole picture of what's going on in the organ. By appreciating the patterns and the things that are changing in the tissues, and then bringing in additional scientific information, such as gene expression in the tissues, you can build both the artistic and scientific picture that helps you understand the disease.

The common thread throughout all of these comments from professionals in the field is that the best pathologists combine science and fact with art and intuition. They are keen observers, thorough thinkers, and methodical builders.

Pathologists are also known as:
Anatomical Pathologist Clinical Pathologist Cytopathologist Neuropathologist Molecular Pathologist Chemical Pathologist Genetic Pathologist Immunopathologist

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A pathologist is a medical doctor who has specialized in studying the causes, nature, and effects of disease. They are central to a patient's diagnosis and treatment. These doctors are part of a patient's healthcare team, even though they may never meet the patient.

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Pharmacists make a difference to the lives of their patients through an expert knowledge of medicines and health.

Helping people live longer and healthier lives depends on the safe use of medicines and excellent healthcare advice. Pharmacists' unique expertise and knowledge makes them essential members of the healthcare team.

You'll combine a love of science with a desire to improve lives and be rewarded with a stimulating career across a range of settings and industries.

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Michelle Ehiabor - Senior Rotational Clinical Pharmacist

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QVH career pathways into Nursing and Allied Health Professions

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QVH career pathways into Nursing and Allied Health Professions

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1. The Care Certificate

2. Level 2 and 3 Senior Healthcare Apprenticeship

3. Level 5 Nursing Associate Apprenticeship

4. Level 6 Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (after completion of Nursing Associate)

5. Level 6 Registered Allied Health Professional (available for ODP)

Many more learning and development opportunities available to employees!

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Luke Watson

Nurse cadet

Luke's role has a direct impact on patients' health and he gets to work with a wide range of healthcare staff.

How did you become a healthcare support worker?

I was initially interested in becoming a paramedic after getting my BTEC National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences, but I decided to get some healthcare experience in a hospital first.

I started a healthcare assistant apprenticeship and worked in the A&E department for 13 months. This opportunity gave me a real feel for the health sector and I decided to pursue a career in nursing. When a new cadetship course started at the trust, I jumped at the chance to get a place. This cadetship has allowed me to gain enough UCAS points to apply for a degree in adult nursing, whilst fine-tuning my practical skills.

What's your day-to-day like?

As cadets, we have placements in various wards and assist with patient mobility, their individual health needs and personal care. Working with the nursing staff, I may also assist with procedures such as catheter care, monitor blood pressure and temperature, and dietary or fluid intake.

I also help a lot of different healthcare professionals with their daily tasks - everyone from nurses, doctors and healthcare assistants to porters, housekeepers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

I work in many wards around the hospital - the medical, haematology, gastroenterology, surgical, orthopaedics, palliative care, and community and day case departments - which means I've cared for many different types of patients, too.

What is the best part of your job?

The thing I enjoy most is providing individual patient care. Having a direct influence on a person's health is very fulfilling and I love watching a patient progress and improve from admission to discharge. I build a rapport with both the patients and their families and this gives me an insight into how they live at home so we can help improve their health, living environment and social circumstances.

What's next for your career?

Looking ahead, I hope to qualify and register as an adult nurse and progress in my career to become a charge nurse.

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Luke's role has a direct impact on patients' health and he gets to work with a wide range of healthcare staff. I was initially interested in becoming a paramedic after getting my BTEC National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences, but I decided to get some healthcare experience in a hospital first.

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Pharmacy technicians are essential to the smooth running of pharmacies, making sure patients get the most out of their medicines.

Working life

You'll work under the supervision of a pharmacist. You'll speak with patients, offering them advice on how to best manage their medicines.

Your typical day could involve giving medicines to patients, either on prescription or over the counter and providing information on potential side-effects. You’ll work with patients to reach the best possible care for them, advising them on their health, how to take their medicines and their lifestyle choice. This could be face-to-face or over the phone.

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Pharmacy technicians are essential to the smooth running of pharmacies, making sure patients get the most out of their medicines.

Working life

You'll work under the supervision of a pharmacist. You'll speak with patients, offering them advice on how to best manage their medicines.

Your typical day could involve giving medicines to patients, either on prescription or over the counter and providing information on potential side-effects. You'll work with patients to reach the best possible care for them, advising them on their health, how to take their medicines and their lifestyle choice. This could be face-to-face or over the phone.

Sometimes you'll need to refer patients on to another healthcare professional such as a pharmacist, doctor, nurse or allied health professional. You'll also be responsible for the supply of medicines at the pharmacy by working in the dispensary.

You may supervise other pharmacy staff, such as pharmacy assistants.

Pay and benefits

If you're working in the NHS, newly qualified pharmacy technicians will usually start at band 4 of the  Agenda for Change ( AfC) pay scale. You'll also have access to a generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as at least 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.

Terms and conditions can vary for pharmacy technicians outside of the NHS, including those working in community pharmacies, or for other employers that provide NHS services.

Where will I work?

hospitals

community pharmacies

GP practices

care homes

patient's homes

prisons

the armed forces

pharmaceutical industry

Must-have skills

How to become a pharmacy technician

You'll need to complete a two-year  accredited pharmacy technician course  involving a mix of practical work experience and study. You'll usually be employed by a pharmacy as a pre-registration trainee pharmacy technician and study for a level 3 apprenticeship.

You will need to complete a two-year training programme comprising practical work experience and study.

Entry requirements

Typically, you will needfour GCSE or equilvalent at A*-C/9-4 including mathematics, English language, science and one other subject to undertake the level 3 Pharmacy Technician (Integrated) apprenticeship.

Training and development

You will be required to keep your skills and knowledge up to date with annual continuing professional development (CPD) and formal assessments with the General Pharmaceutical Council to make sure your skills are up to date.

Your employer may offer in-house training and there are also regional and national courses and qualifications available.

Where your career can take you

You could become a senior pharmacy technician, responsible for the work of other pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants.

You may even decide to go into management and leadership roles.

You could specialise, in areas such as mental health, oncology (cancer treatment) or paediatrics.

Find your course to become a pharmacy technician

Sorry, there are no results matching your search. Try changing your filters such as "Region" or "Type of qualification" and search again.

Live NHS vacancies

Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technician ( Level 3 Apprentice)

Sheffield, S10 2TH

Salary:

Depending on experience Post salaried/[email protected] U Band 4 70% yr1 75% yr2

Type:

Fixed term

Employer:

Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Apply now on NHS Jobs

Other roles that may interest you

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Sometimes you'll need to refer patients on to another healthcare professional such as a pharmacist, doctor, nurse or allied health professional. You'll also be responsible for the supply of medicines at the pharmacy by working in the dispensary. You may supervise other pharmacy staff, such as pharmacy assistants.

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Springpod - Virtual work experience - nursing

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Springpod - Virtual work experience - nursing

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We have joined forces with Health Education England to bring students an Nursing online work-related learning programme.

The programme will provide an overview of what a career in Nursing can offer, as well as develop key skills for the profession. There’s also the opportunity to hear from NHS professionals, learn about their day to day work, as well as about the different areas of Nursing and complete assignments.

Upon completion, participants are awarded a certificate, which can be useful for CVs, Personal Statements and interviews.

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© 2022 The Education Hub Group Limited T/as Springpod. All Rights Reserved. The Education Hub Group Limited T/as Springpod is a company registered in England and Wales under reference number 10150500 at unit 5 Lloyds Wharf, 2 Mill Street, London. SE1 2BD

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© 2022 The Education Hub Group Limited T/as Springpod. All Rights Reserved. The Education Hub Group Limited T/as Springpod is a company registered in England and Wales under reference number 10150500 at unit 5 Lloyds Wharf, 2 Mill Street, London. SE1 2BD

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Students / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

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T Levels: welcome to the next level (Summer 2020)

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Start your journey to becoming a healthcare support worker

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Start your journey to becoming a healthcare support worker

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The NHS is vast and diverse, and so are our healthcare support worker roles. There are 30 different roles you could choose from that sit within seven areas of the NHS, including mental health, primary care, maternity and children's services.

You could support patients with nutritional issues as a dietetic assistant, help people learn to walk again as a prosthetic technician, or even help diagnose diseases and conditions as a radiography assistant.

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Start your journey to becoming a healthcare support worker today

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The NHS is vast and diverse, and so are our healthcare support worker roles. There are 30 different roles you could choose from that sit within seven areas of the NHS, including mental health, primary care, maternity and children's services.

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What are Allied Health Care Professionals?  (AHPs)

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What are Allied Health Care Professionals?  (AHPs)

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Great little resource to give more information about AHPs

What is an AHP? LINKS (hee.nhs.uk)

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Delve into the four branches of Nursing and see which one interests you!

Adult

Child

Mental Health

Learning disability

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Nursing gives you the opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives on a daily basis. There are four key areas of nursing you can choose to specialise in, with each leading on to a wide range of rewarding roles with plenty of scope for progression.

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AHPs Off the record- Return to Practice Programme discussion and interview 

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AHPs Off the record- Return to Practice Programme discussion and interview 

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AHP Return To Practice Programme | Natasha Pisarski, Jeni Hart, Stella Kose

AHP Return To Practice Programme | Natasha Pisarski, Jeni Hart, Stella Kose

Host Ena Ankutse explores the wonderful Health Education England AHP Return to Practice programme. She is joined by Natasha Pisarski (Return to Practice Programme National Lead), Jeni Hart (Occupational Therapist on the Return to practice programme) and Stella Kose (Working Dietitian following completion of return to practice programme). They discuss how the programme came to be, entry requirements and benefits for enrolees and pivotal insight from Jeni and Stella who are completing/have completed the programme Twitter handles: @NatashaPisarski, @kosestella, @jenihart163 To submit an enquiry to join the programme or to find out more about the programme please visit our website: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/return-practice-allied-health-professionals-healthcare-scientists-practising-psychologists If you would like to speak to someone about returning to practice: HCPC register please email us at : r2pahp-hcs@hee.nhs.uk HCPC Standards of Proficiency that we mention in the podcast can be found on this link https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-proficiency/

2022 © Spotify AB

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AHP Return To Practice Programme | Natasha Pisarski, Jeni Hart, Stella Kose by AHPs | Off The Record

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AHP Return To Practice Programme | Natasha Pisarski, Jeni Hart, Stella Kose by AHPs | Off The Record

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Host Ena Ankutse explores the wonderful Health Education England AHP Return to Practice programme. She is joined by Natasha Pisarski (Return to Practice Programme National Lead), Jeni Hart (Occupational Therapist on the Return to practice programme) and Stella Kose (Working Dietitian following completion of return to practice programme).

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Aspiring Allies - Speach & Language Therapist

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Aspiring Allies - Speach & Language Therapist

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What does a speech and language therapist do on a daily basis?

Meet and assess service users to identify the specific nature of their speech, language and communication needs

Work with service users and their families on therapy approaches targeting their needs

Complete service user notes (e.g. case history, progress, reports)

Communicate with other health professionals such as doctors, OTs, physiotherapist, dieticians, health visitors, teachers

Create treatment programmes with service users and their family members

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Speech and Language Therapist - Aspiring Allies

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There’s more to a career in healthcare than you think…

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While we're encouraging nurses and midwives to rejoin the permanent register where they can, we recognise that some people may want to support the emergency response to Covid-19 in the short term.

If you left our permanent register after 1 March 2015, you may be able to join our Covid-19 temporary register. However, please note that this will be closed to new applicants from 24 March, and will close entirely on 30 September.

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While we're encouraging nurses and midwives to rejoin the permanent register where they can, we recognise that some people may want to support the emergency response to Covid-19 in the short term. If you left our permanent register after 1 March 2015, you may be able to join our Covid-19 temporary register.

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See this great free resource of  videos and resources of the role of Operating Department Practitioner

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See this great free resource of  videos and resources of the role of Operating Department Practitioner

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introduction to operating department practitioner course

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Introduction to Operating Department Practice - ODP

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This free introduction course explores the career potential of Operating Department Practice, an exciting healthcare profession that you've probably never heard of! Produced by Canterbury Christ Church University with support from Health Education England.

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Aspiring allies - life as a physiotherapist 

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Aspiring allies - life as a physiotherapist 

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Physiotherapist

What is a physiotherapist?

A physiotherapist is a professional who aims to restore and improve movement and function when a person experiences injury, illness or disability to help them regain independence. Physiotherapists work with a variety of age groups who experience a range of health conditions affecting: the brain, heart, lungs, bones, joints and soft tissues. The focus is to facilitate a person's recovery through injury prevention, physical rehabilitation together with health and fitness.

What does a physiotherapist do on a daily basis?

Provide assessments- A variety of physical tests to assess, recognise and diagnose the problem the service users is experiencing. Taking the "whole person approach" allows for the highest quality individualised treatment plan.

Rehabilitation program- a tailored treatment plan to maximise general health and well-being through exercise, manual therapy, specialised equipment, education and advice.

Awareness and empowerment through service users participation in their own treatment, optimises the most effective recovery and motivation to achieve goals.

Work as part of a MDT- consists of a variety of professionals working together to provide a person-centred, holistic and coordinated care and support to an individual with complex care needs.

Where do physiotherapist's work?

Private clinics

Hospitals e.g. orthopaedics, rheumatology, respiratory, neurology, oncology

GP surgeries/community health centres

Sports clubs, Gyms and leisure facilities

Occupational health

Schools

The armed services

Charities

Mental health

Elderly care e.g. nursing homes

Nurseries

Orthopaedics

Paediatrics

Women's health

Specialist e.g. Learning disabilities' and complex needs rehabilitation

Think this might be a career you'd be interested in?

Find your future

Wondering which of the 14 allied health professional careers might suit you, your aspirations and your interests? Take our quick and easy test to find out.

Take the quiz

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Physiotherapist A physiotherapist is a professional who aims to restore and improve movement and function when a person experiences injury, illness or disability to help them regain independence. Physiotherapists work with a variety of age groups who experience a range of health conditions affecting: the brain, heart, lungs, bones, joints and soft tissues.

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Celebrating the work of healthcare scientists in the NHS

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Celebrating the work of healthcare scientists in the NHS

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Home - Institute of Biomedical Science Careers (ibms.org)

Healthcare science | Health Careers

National School of Healthcare Science | Health Education England | NHS (hee.nhs.uk)

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Here is a link to see a day in the life of a dietitian - virtual work experience

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Here is a link to see a day in the life of a dietitian - virtual work experience

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Dietetic assistants are vital in helping people with their diet and nutrition. They help people by advising them on how their food choices can lead to more fulfilling and healthier lives.

Working life

Dietetic assistants work with dietitians on food and nutrition while assessing, diagnosing and treating dietary and nutritional problems. The dietetic team also inform, teach and advise the public and healthcare professionals about the importance of diet and nutrition in staying fit and healthy.

In hospitals dietetic assistants may:

help patients choose from the hospital menu

order supplies for the department

monitor a patient's food

input data on patients' records

show patients how to use feeding tubes and pumps

weigh patients

explain a patient's diet and nutrition plan

Dietetic assistants working with individuals and in the local communities will help healthy and sick people with their dietary needs. They could work with people who:

have digestive problems

want to lose weight

have a condition which affects their ability to eat, such as cancer

need to put on weight after an illness

are HIV

have an eating disorder

have an allergy

Dietetic assistants work in hospitals, clinics and in the community. They may visit patients in their homes or in residential or care homes if patients cannot travel. Dietetic assistants may visit schools, nurseries and other community settings to talk to individuals and groups about diet and nutrition. As well as working closely with dietitians, dietetic assistants work with other healthcare professionals including nurses. They have a lot of contact with patients.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for dietetic assistants. Employers expect good numeracy and literacy and some experience or qualifications in health or social care. Employers may ask for GCSEs in English and maths. Science may also be useful. Employers may ask for an NVQ, BTEC or equivalent qualification in health and social care or healthcare.

Employers often ask for relevant work experience. Even where this is not specified, it would be an advantage if you have worked in health or social care, either in paid employment or voluntary work. If you're applying for a role in the NHS you'll be asked to show how you think the NHS values apply in your everyday work.

Skills and personal characteristics needed

To be a dietetic assistant, you'll need

an interest in science and food

an interest in people and their lifestyles

a positive and motivating attitude

an understanding approach

patience

You'll also need

an understanding of science

be able to explain complex things simply

organisation skills

communication skills

Training and development

You will receive appropriate training in order to do the job. This includes an introduction to the department, how to use the equipment and the procedures to follow. You may be offered the chance to study for qualifications such as:

the NCFE CACHE level 2 Certificate in Healthcare Support Services

the NCFE CACHE level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support

You may also be able to gain qualifications by doing an apprenticeship.

Some dietetic assistants join the British Dietetic Association (BDA) as associate members. The BDA runs courses, conferences and seminars where dietetic assistants can update their skills and network with others doing similar work.

With experience and some additional training, you could train as an assistant practitioner or as a dietitian.

Pay and benefits

Your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours and may include a mix of shifts, such as nights, early starts, evenings and weekends. As a dietetic assistant, you'll be paid on the Agenda for Change ( AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 2.

You'll also have access to our generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, which increases the longer you're in service.

Other roles that may interest you

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In hospitals dietetic assistants may: help patients choose from the hospital menu order supplies for the department monitor a patient's food input data on patients' records show patients how to use feeding tubes and pumps weigh patients explain a patient's diet and nutrition plan Dietetic assistants working with individuals and in the local communities will help healthy and sick people with their dietary needs.

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Springpod - Virtual Work experience - medicine

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Springpod - Virtual Work experience - medicine

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* This programme is on-demand, so if you meet the eligibility criteria you can start right away!*

We have joined forces with Health Education England to bring students an Medicine online work-related learning programme. The programme will provide an overview of what a career in Medicine can offer, as well as develop key skills for the profession. There's also the opportunity to hear from NHS professionals, learn about their day to day work, as well as about the different areas of Medicine and complete assignments. Upon completion, participants are awarded a certificate, which can be useful for CVs, Personal Statements and interviews.

This programme links to careers such as: doctor (including many different specialisms), surgeon, psychiatrist, nurse, pharmacist and more. Subject links include: maths, biology, chemistry. Note: you don't need to study these subjects to apply for or enjoy the programme this is simply to give you an idea about which subjects tie most closely to a career in medicine.

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Health Education England Medicine Online Work-Related Learning

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This programme is on-demand, so if you meet the eligibility criteria you can start right away!* We have joined forces with Health Education England to bring students an Medicine online work-related learning programme. The programme will provide an overview of what a career in Medicine can offer, as well as develop key skills for the profession.

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A T Level is a nationally-recognised qualification that is worth the same number of UCAS points as 3 A levels and accepted by universities.

Endorsed by business, they include a 45-day industry placement to help you learn what a real career is like.

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Supported by business

T Levels were designed with leading businesses and are now supported by employers of all sizes to give students the workplace skills they need to succeed.

Hundreds of employers - including Lloyds Banking Group, Nestlé, Yorkshire Water, Persimmon Homes and NHS Trusts across England - have hosted T Level students on industry placements.

Many employers retain T Level students on completion of their course and support progression within their business onto an apprenticeship or into another role.

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T Levels are a 2-year qualification designed to give 16 to 19 year olds a head start towards the career they want.

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Step Into The NHS :: Discover the allied health professions

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Careers A-Z Take the test Real-life stories Videos Discover the allied health professions

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Nursing careers pathway to become a nurse

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Nursing careers pathway to become a nurse

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If you're applying for a job either into the NHS or into an organisation the provides NHS services, you will be asked to demonstrate the values of The NHS Constitution; and how these will be incorporated into your everyday work.

If you are applying for a university course, related to healthcare, these will be discussed then also.

It is important for you to consider how you can, or do, demonstrate the NHS values so you are prepared to develop your career in the NHS and have knowledge to take the leap.

Work experience and volunteering can support the NHS Values, giving you good experience to practice them - at face value.

The values are:

Working together for patients. Patients come first in everything we do

Respect and dignity. We value every person – whether patient, their families or carers, or staff – as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits

Commitment to quality of care. We earn the trust placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics of quality of care – safety, effectiveness and patient experience right every time

Compassion. We ensure that compassion is central to the care we provide and respond with humanity and kindness to each person’s pain, distress, anxiety or need

Improving lives. We strive to improve health and wellbeing and people’s experiences of the NHS

Everyone counts. We maximise our resources for the benefit of the whole community, and make sure nobody is excluded, discriminated against or left behind.

(click link above for more information)

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If you're applying for a job either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you'll be asked to demonstrate the values of the NHS Constitution and how they would apply in your everyday work.

If you're applying for a university course such as nursing you'll also be tested on your values.

This is why is it so important for you to think about how you demonstrate the values in your applications and interviews. You may want to think about work experience or volunteering you have done or experiences from your personal life such as helping friends or family.

The values

So what are the values? There are six values that all staff - everyone from porters, physiotherapists, nurses, paramedics and gardeners to secretaries, consultants, healthcare scientists and phlebotomists - are expected to demonstrate:

working together for patients. Patients come first in everything we do

respect and dignity. We value every person - whether patient, their families or carers, or staff - as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits

commitment to quality of care. We earn the trust placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics of quality of care - safety, effectiveness and patient experience right every time

compassion. We ensure that compassion is central to the care we provide and respond with humanity and kindness to each person's pain, distress, anxiety or need

improving lives. We strive to improve health and wellbeing and people's experiences of the NHS

everyone counts. We maximise our resources for the benefit of the whole community, and make sure nobody is excluded, discriminated against or left behind.

For patients and the people who use NHS services, the NHS Constitution reiterates that:

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Patients and people using NHS services For patients and the people who use NHS services, the NHS Constitution reiterates that: the NHS provides a comprehensive service, available to all access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not an individual's ability to pay the NHS aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism the NHS aspires to put patients at the heart of everything it does the NHS works across organisational boundaries and in partnership with other organisations in the interest of patients, local communities and the wider population the NHS is committed to

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Our return to practice requirements are flexible, minimum requirements. They aim to protect the public by making sure you have up-to-date knowledge and skills.

Returning to practice is a self-directed process. It is your responsibility to make sure that you meet the appropriate requirements and can practise safely and effectively within your scope of practice, in line with our standards.

Our requirements if you are returning to practice

The amount of updating (the number of activities you carry out to update your practice) that we need is a minimum requirement. This means that you can carry out more updating if you need to, so that you are confident you can meet our standards.

If you are returning to practice, we need you to update your knowledge and skills as follows.

0 to 2 years out of practice - no requirements

2 to 5 years out of practice - 30 days of updating

5 or more years out of practice - 60 days of updating

In the 'days' requirements above, we consider 1 day to be equivalent to 7 hours.

If you are out of practice and would like to re-register with us

If you have stopped practising and come off the Register but want to re-register with us, you can apply for readmission. At this point, the return to practice requirements may apply to you, depending on how long you have been out of practice.

You need to complete your period of updating within the 24 months* before applying for readmission. You should also be aware that when you apply for readmission you will need to give us other information, including certified documents to confirm your identity and address.

Do the return to practice requirements apply to me?

You may continue to practise and do not need to meet our return to practice requirements.

To renew your registration with us every two years, you need to sign to confirm that you have practised your profession at some point during the past two years (the registration cycle which is about to end).
If you have not practised your profession during this period, you cannot make that declaration.
You should either:

come off the Register, and then potentially re-register at some point in the future if you need to return to practice; or

renew your registration using the paper renewal form, declaring that you have not practised your profession. You will then need to complete a period of updating within six months of renewal.

You should provide a covering letter with your renewal form telling us how long you have been out of practice so that we can correctly advise you on the length of updating you need to carry out.

The only exception to this is if you have come onto the Register part of the way through a two-year registration period. This is because you will have either completed an approved course or had your application assessed, or you will have already met our return to practice requirements. As a result, we do not need you to complete a period of updating.

If you have been out of practice, but you expect to return to practice soon, we recommend that you complete your period of updating and renew your registration so that you stay on the Register.

If you have not practised for more than two years, and do not expect to return to practice soon, you should come off the Register. You should not be registered if you are not practising.

If you have not practised for two years or more, you must complete either 30 or 60 days of updating (depending on how long you have been out of practice) within the twelve months before you apply for readmission to the Register.

Please see our requirements below.

You are eligible to apply for registration with us and do not need to meet our return to practice requirements.

We do not need you to carry out an updating period before we can register you. However, you should still make sure that you have taken steps to update your knowledge and skills so that you can practise safely and effectively.

If you have never practised
You must meet our return to practice requirements by completing a 60-day period of updating before you can register with us.

If you have practised outside of the UK in the five years since your qualification
Our return to practice requirements are for people who have not been practising their profession.

If you have been practising outside the UK and have not had a break of more than two years, our requirements will not apply to you. We will ask you to give us information about where you have practised and (if it applies) your registration with another regulator while you were outside the UK.

You do not need to meet the return to practice requirements if you have not had a gap in practice of more than two years.

When you apply for registration, please give us information about your work outside of the UK so that we can consider whether you need to meet our return to practice requirements.

HCPC welcomes applications to rejoin the main HCPC Register from those on the temporary register.

As you have not been on the main HCPC Register for more than two years, this means you will need to meet our Return to Practice (RTP) requirements when submitting a readmission application.

We are also offering some flexibility in our approach to this process, which includes being able to count your work while on the temporary register as evidence of the number of days of professional updating required to re-join the Register.Applying for registration is simple. You can find out more about how to do so here.

We would encourage that you apply as soon as possible and well before the closure of the Temporary Register on 30 September 2022. This is to ensure that there is enough time for us to process your application so that there are no gaps in your registration status. Our service standard for processing these applications is 10 working days and payments can take an additional 1-3 days to clear, dependent on your bank.

Our RTP processes apply whenever someone has been off the Register for two years or more.

We do this to make sure that professionals returning to practise have up-to-date skills and can practise safely and effectively. In general, we ask returners to undertake a number of days of updating before they are able to rejoin. You must complete either 30 or 60 days of professional updating, which depends on how long you have been out of practice and not on the main HCPC register.

If you have been practising while on the temporary register, it is very likely that this practise can be used as evidence of your professional updating.

* We would usually require that all of an applicant's updating is completed, from start to finish, within the 12 months before they apply for registration or readmission. We are temporarily extending this period to 24 months due to COVID-19.

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Our requirements if you are returning to practice |

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Returning to practice is a self-directed process. It is your responsibility to make sure that you meet the appropriate requirements and can practise safely and effectively within your scope of practice, in line with our standards.

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Speech and language therapists (SLTs) provide treatment, support and care for people of all ages who have difficulties with speech, language, communication, eating, drinking and swallowing. They work in all kinds of areas and settings to improve people's quality of life.
Thinking about becoming an SLT? Explore a route that suits you... View this content in Welsh

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Become a speech and language therapist | RCSLT

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Find out how to become a speech and language therapist, including information about the role of SLTs and the qualifications you'll need.

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Become an Operating Department Practitioner

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Become an Operating Department Practitioner

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Aspiring allies - diagnostic radiographer

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Aspiring allies - diagnostic radiographer

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Diagnostic Radiographer - Aspiring Allies

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There’s more to a career in healthcare than you think…

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First contact practitioners - Physiotherapist 

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First contact practitioners - Physiotherapist 

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How to become a pathologist

You can get into this job through a university course.

University

You can take either a medical doctor route or clinical scientist route to become a pathologist.

Medical doctor route

To become a pathologist through the medical doctor route, you'll need to complete:

a degree in medicine, recognised by the General Medical Council which takes 5 years

a foundation course of general training which takes 2 years

a specialist training programme in pathology which can take between 5 to 6 years

There's a lot of competition for places on medical degrees. Most universities will expect you to have done some paid or voluntary work experience in healthcare.

Science degrees

If you already have a first class or 2:1 (upper second class) science degree, you could take the graduate entry route into medicine instead. Some universities will also accept non-science graduates, but you might need to a do a foundation year.

Entry tests

When you apply for a course in medicine, you could be asked to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT).

They test the skills you'll need on the course, like critical thinking, problem solving, data analysis, communication and scientific knowledge.

Clinical scientist route

To become a pathologist through the clinical scientist route, you'll need to complete:

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology and chemistry

More Information

Other Routes

To become a veterinary pathologist, you'll need to train as a vet.

More Information

Registration

Further information

You can find out more about a career in pathology from the Royal College of Pathologists and Health Careers.

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Pathologists work in hospitals and laboratories on different areas of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.

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Pharmacist | Explore careers | National Careers Service

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What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your tasks will depend on which area of pharmacy you work in. In this role you could:

dispense medicines in a pharmacy, hospital or a GP practice clinic

give advice about prescription and over-the-counter medicines

advise on drug dosages and risks, to the public, patients, GPs and nurses

run screening programmes for diabetes, cholesterol or blood pressure

visit care homes or hospitals to advise on the use and storage of medications

order and control stock

run a business, including supervising and training staff

buy, quality test and distribute medicines throughout a hospital

supervise trainees and junior pharmacists

In education or industry, you could:

do research into new medicines

run clinical trials

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a GP practice, at a university, at a store or at a research facility.

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Your tasks will depend on which area of pharmacy you work in.

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Day in the life of a specialist dietitian

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Day in the life of a specialist dietitian

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"I really enjoy working as part of a multidisciplinary team and helping patients to recover with good nutritional care."

Pete's always been interested in nutrition and wanted to work with people, so a career as a dietitian was his obvious choice.

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Pete Turner

Specialist dietitian

Employer or university

Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust

How I got into the role

My degree in pharmacology was interesting but would have led to a career in a lab. I had an interest in nutrition and wanted to work with people so a postgraduate diploma in dietetics was an obvious choice for me.

I worked as a ward dietitian and then as a research dietitian and it soon became apparent that nutritional support was the area I was most interested in. Nutritional support involves feeding very sick and malnourished patients, often through tubes and intravenous lines. I jumped at the chance when a specialist nutritional support post came up at Royal Liverpool University Hospital in 1995 and have been in the role ever since.

I'm part of a multidisciplinary nutrition team with a pharmacist, nutrition nurse and doctor. Every morning we do a ward round of around 20 patients on intravenous feeding known as total parenteral nutrition. I monitor patients' progress and work out their requirements in terms of energy, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals which helps the pharmacist to devise a suitable feeding regime for the patient.

In the afternoons I work on surgical wards or the intensive care unit. Surgical patients often need building up before their operation with food, oral nutritional supplements or tube feeds and usually need nutritional support to help them recover after surgery. Intensive care patients usually need to be fed through tubes and drips and I decide on the best feeding options for them.

The best bits and challenges

I also lead a team of a band 5 and band 6 dietitians, undertake clinical audit and educate hospital staff including nurses and doctors on the importance of good nutritional care. I am also chair of the committee that organises the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition annual conference, the UK's largest clinical nutrition conference.

I really enjoy working as part of a multidisciplinary team and helping patients to recover with good nutritional care. Giving presentations to educate staff about the importance of good nutritional care is also very rewarding.

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Employer or university Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust My degree in pharmacology was interesting but would have led to a career in a lab. I had an interest in nutrition and wanted to work with people so a postgraduate diploma in dietetics was an obvious choice for me.

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Our address:
Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Holtye Road
East Grinstead
West Sussex
RH19 3DZ

Switchboard:
01342 414000 Main Hospital

Our website:
Homepage - Queen Victoria Hospital (qvh.nhs.uk)

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Podiatry assistants treat and care for people whose feet and legs have been affected by injury or illness. Their work helps people live full and independent lives.

Working life

Podiatry assistants are sometimes known as footcare assistants and treat people of all ages with a variety of conditions. For example:

children with lower limb pain or problems walking

diabetes sufferers with circulation problems who may be at risk of amputation

elderly people

people with sports injuries

dancers whose long hours of rehearsing and performing put stress on their feet causing injury

people needing minor procedures such as nail surgery or laser treatment, using local anaesthetic

people wanting advice about footwear or foot health

As a podiatry assistant, your work will include

cutting, filing and drilling toenails

applying dressings and treatments

booking appointments and other admin work

taking insole templates

advising patients and their carers on foot health and footwear

Where will I work?

In the NHS, you will work in hospital departments, clinics, health centres or GPs surgeries. Some podiatry assistants visit clients who cannot leave home or are in a nursing home.

Some podiatry assistants work in private clinics or footcare centres.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements to become a podiatry assistant. Employers expect good literacy and numeracy and may ask for GCSEs, or equivalent. They may ask for an NVQ, BTEC or equivalent qualification in health and social care or healthcare.

Employers often ask for relevant work experience. Even where this is not specified, it would be an advantage if you have worked in health or social care, either in paid employment or voluntary work.

Personal characteristics and skills needed

Podiatry assistants need to be

willing to handle other people's feet

calm and reassuring

caring and dedicated

able to follow procedures and instructions

willing to work alone or in a team

able to explain treatment to patients

You'll also need

Podiatry assistants are also known as footcare assistants.

good manual (hand) skills

organisation skills

communication skills

customer service skills

Training and development

You will get the training you need to work as a podiatry assistant. This includes:

diseases and conditions of the skin and nails

anatomy and physiology

conditions of the feet and legs

nail operations

You may also have the opportunity to do an apprenticeship.

Some podiatry assistants join the Royal College of Podiatry as associate members. They runs courses, conferences and seminars where podiatry assistants can update their skills and network with others doing similar work. You could apply to train as a podiatrist.

Pay and benefits

Your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours and may include a mix of shifts, such as nights, early starts, evenings and weekends. You'll be paid on the Agenda for Change ( AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 2 or 3.

You'll also have access to our generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, which increases the longer you're in service.

Other roles that may interest you

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As a podiatry assistant, your work will include cutting, filing and drilling toenails applying dressings and treatments booking appointments and other admin work taking insole templates advising patients and their carers on foot health and footwear Where will I work? In the NHS, you will work in hospital departments, clinics, health centres or GPs surgeries.

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Apprenticeships are also a key Government and HEE priority. With the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy and Reforms in 2017, HEE has continued to work with employers, government bodies and trade unions to continue the progression of the apprenticeship agenda in the NHS.

Specifically, HEE has been mandated to contribute to the development of apprenticeship standards in health, and is currently working with colleagues at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Skills for Health, as well as Trailblazer Chairs to make sure there are a wide range of standards from levels 2-7 available for employers and students to use.

Healthcare Apprenticeship Standards Online

Commissioned by HEE, Skills for Health has developed Healthcare Apprenticeship Standards Online (HASO), a tool to help health sector managers in England find a wide range of apprenticeships to train staff in clinical and non-clinical roles. For all the latest news on apprenticeship standards that are available to deliver, those in development, expressions of interest and to comment on consultations please visit HASO.

HASO Toolkit - support for 25% transfers

Transferring Apprenticeship Funds

If organisations pay the apprenticeship levy they can transfer apprenticeship funds to other organisations to pay for their apprenticeship training and assessment.

Skills for Health has published information on how the transfer process works as well as expressions of interest forms for receiving and transferring organisations and a frequently asked questions document. Information and resources can be found on the Skills for Health Levy Transfer Resources page.

Quality Principles

Working with the National Skills Academy for Health , we have developed a set of principles to ensure excellent practice in apprenticeship provision across UK health care organisations, to read more and to access resources to enable organisations to deliver quality apprenticeships visit our Skills for Health website.

Integrated apprenticeships

Some research has been completed to identify best practice in delivering integrated health and social care apprenticeships. You can find out more about the research here.

A range of case studies are available from Skills for Health. Further examples of best practice are available on our best practice and case studies page.

Related Documents

Related Content

Care Certificate

Health Education England, Skills for Care and Skills for Health have worked together to develop the Care Certificate. The Certificate has been designed to meet the requirements set out in the Cavendish Review.

Best practice and case studies

The national Talent for Care team at HEE is keen to share extensive best practice and case studies to help inform development of programmes and work across the country. If you have something you would like to contribute, please get in touch via talentfor

Health Careers

Make a difference with a career in health. Get all the information you need to take the next step in your career with the Health Careers service.

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Apprenticeships are also a key Government and HEE priority. With the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy and Reforms in 2017, HEE has continued to work with employers, government bodies and trade unions to continue the progression of the apprenticeship agenda in the NHS.

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There are over 30 roles available, including the below.

Healthcare support worker

As a healthcare support worker, you could work in one of seven different areas with us, including mental health, midwifery, and learning disability.

Becoming a healthcare support worker

There are plenty more healthcare support worker roles you can choose from, in all kinds of areas, from podiatry to radiography.

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There are over 30 roles available, including the below. As a healthcare support worker, you could work in one of seven different areas with us, including mental health, midwifery, and learning disability. Becoming a healthcare support worker There are plenty more healthcare support worker roles you can choose from, in all kinds of areas, from podiatry to radiography.

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Click on link to see more information  about AHPs

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Click on link to see more information  about AHPs

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Routes into AHP Careers (e-lfh.org.uk)

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All Nurses, who work in the UK, must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

In order to register with the NMC, you must have successfully completed a Nursing Programme approved by us. You must also meet our requirements of good health and good character.

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How to become a nurse and find a course in the UK

All nurses working in the UK must be registered with us. Before registration, they must have successfully completed a nursing programme of education that is approved by us. They must also meet our requirements of good health and good character.

Education and training

In the UK, nursing education and training programmes are only run at our approved educational institutions (AEIs) based in health and social care settings. Courses usually take a minimum of three years, although entry routes are available which take into account your previous learning. Please read our section below about accreditation of prior learning (APL) for further information.

Nursing training takes place at an NMC approved educational institution, with half of the programme based in clinical practice with direct contact with patients and families. This could take place in the home, community, hospitals, and independent and voluntary sector organisations.

Methods

During the programme, students are taught to understand, promote and facilitate safe and effective patient care. They are taught when to call for assistance and implement emergency measures, often working with other health professionals.

Promoting health and wellbeing is an important role for nurses. Students learn and are assessed on how to provide unbiased information and communicate effectively with a range of patients, families and other healthcare professionals.

Nursing degree apprenticeships

Some people choose to take nursing degree apprenticeships as an alternative to traditional degree courses.

Nursing degree apprenticeships are, like all apprenticeships, employer-led. The employer releases the apprentice to study at an approved education institution and in a range of practice settings so apprentices can get the full range of skills and knowledge that we require for registration. Apprentices will need to achieve the same high standards that we expect from students who take the traditional degree course before they can join their register.

Universities and practice placement partners also have to apply the same standards throughout their courses if they're running apprenticeships, including when deciding who gets a place on the course.

Find out more about becoming an apprentice.

Where to find training programmes

You can find details about the training programmes and the work nurses do from NHS Careers.

For a list of institutions approved by us to provide pre-registration nursing programmes please search our approved programmes.

Students normally apply to training programmes through the Universities and College Admissions Service (UCAS).

Accreditation of prior learning (APL)

Some students may have previous relevant learning, including formal certified learning such as an access course or another degree, or practice-based learning that was part of another course or gained through paid or voluntary work. Evidence of this learning may contribute to meeting some programme requirements, assessed through the AEI's own APL process. Up to a maximum of 50 percent of the programme can be accredited in this way.

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How to become a nurse and find a course in the UK All nurses working in the UK must be registered with us. Before registration, they must have successfully completed a nursing programme of education that is approved by us. They must also meet our requirements of good health and good character.

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A - Z collective list of 350+ jobs within the NHS!

(Click the image above)

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Return to Practise: Allied Health Professionals, healthcare scientists and practising psychologists

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Return to Practise: Allied Health Professionals, healthcare scientists and practising psychologists

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Aspiring allies - life as an Occupational Therapist

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Aspiring allies - life as an Occupational Therapist

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What does an OT do on a daily basis?

Assess and treat individuals of all ages ranging from children, adults and elderly people experiencing difficulties during their daily routines due to mental and physical health conditions.

Develop goals with individuals based on what is meaningful for them

Work with service users and plan interventions to prevent further deterioration of difficulties they experience.

Assess home and workplace environment to suggest adaptations

Work collaboratively within a team to discuss the progression of service users and review their treatment plans.

Aid recovery by working with individuals on a 1:1 basis or in a group setting

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Occupational Therapist

What is an Occupational Therapist (OT)?

OT's support individuals' to restore their independence and to overcome barriers that prevent them from doing activities (occupations) that are important to them.

What does an OT do on a daily basis?

Assess and treat individuals of all ages ranging from children, adults and elderly people experiencing difficulties during their daily routines due to mental and physical health conditions.

Develop goals with individuals based on what is meaningful for them

Work with service users and plan interventions to prevent further deterioration of difficulties they experience.

Assess home and workplace environment to suggest adaptations

Work collaboratively within a team to discuss the progression of service users and review their treatment plans.

Aid recovery by working with individuals on a 1:1 basis or in a group setting

Where do OT's work?

Orthopaedics

Stroke unit

Charity organisations

Critical care

Forensic unit

Care homes

Schools

Prisons

Adult social care

Child development centres

Women's refuge

Burns and plastic surgery

Think this might be a career you'd be interested in?

Inspirational Story

Rebecca Haythorne

Occupational Therapist

Read interview

Find your future

Wondering which of the 14 allied health professional careers might suit you, your aspirations and your interests? Take our quick and easy test to find out.

Take the quiz

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Occupational Therapist - Aspiring Allies

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Occupational Therapist OT's support individuals' to restore their independence and to overcome barriers that prevent them from doing activities (occupations) that are important to them. Assess and treat individuals of all ages ranging from children, adults and elderly people experiencing difficulties during their daily routines due to mental and physical health conditions.

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See a video on 'Working as an Operating department Practitioner'

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See a video on 'Working as an Operating department Practitioner'

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Working as an operating department practitioner

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Step into the NHS - Diagnostic radiographer

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Step into the NHS - Diagnostic radiographer

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A day as a diagnostic radiographer

You work as a diagnostic radiographer at your local NHS hospital, using a variety of different methods to take pictures, or images of the insides of peoples' bodies.

Your day begins with an x-ray of a child's leg, where you identify a small fracture. You inform the relevant healthcare professionals of your findings so the patient can be treated.

Throughout the day, you carry out various other imaging of patients - never knowing quite who or what you'll come across next. You enjoy working closely with a large medical team, and playing a vital role in the diagnosis of injuries and diseases of patients.

Work is always interesting and varied, with great opportunities to develop your career in the future.

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You work as a diagnostic radiographer at your local NHS hospital, using a variety of different methods to take pictures, or images of the insides of peoples' bodies. Your day begins with an x-ray of a child's leg, where you identify a small fracture.

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Physiotherapist - working in primary care 

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Physiotherapist - working in primary care 

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Musculoskeletal First contact practice is an increasingly established model of care designed to deliver a streamlined, patient-centred service and support the growing demands on general practice. Our goals: Support GPs by taking on the MSK caseload creating capacity to focus on medically complex pat…

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Step into the NHS - Biomedical scientist

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Step into the NHS - Biomedical scientist

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A day as a biomedical scientist

You work in the laboratory at your local NHS hospital, and today you're on the Saturday night shift - starting work at 6pm.

Your first task is to test the blood of a critically ill patient in need of a transfusion, and you work with the latest high-tech medical equipment to determine the correct blood type as fast as possible.

As you specialise in transfusion science, the rest of your shift is spent testing the blood types of patients requiring transfusions, and preparing the donated blood they'll be given. You enjoy providing doctors and other members of the healthcare team with vital information and materials - and knowing that every day you help to save lives.

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You work in the laboratory at your local NHS hospital, and today you're on the Saturday night shift - starting work at 6pm. Your first task is to test the blood of a critically ill patient in need of a transfusion, and you work with the latest high-tech medical equipment to determine the correct blood type as fast as possible.

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Real life story Amy -Community  Pharmacist

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Real life story Amy -Community  Pharmacist

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When I tell people I'm a pharmacist, they assume I stick labels on boxes, but there's much more to it than that! I hit the ground running and quickly developed my skills, knowledge and experience in a range of specialties.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about dietitians and dietetics, and how to train to become a dietitian.

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Why our amazing employees work at the Queen Victoria Hospital? 

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Why our amazing employees work at the Queen Victoria Hospital? 

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What drives you? Find it at Queen Victoria Hospital

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Occupational therapy support workers help people who struggle with day-to-day activities to live a full and independent life.

Working life

Illness, injury, disability or ageing can make ordinary tasks harder for some people. Occupational therapy (OT) support workers work with occupational therapists to help these carry out these tasks.

This includes daily care (washing, dressing, eating), work or education and leisure. They help people find ways to continue with activities which are important to them. This might involve learning new ways to do things. Or it might mean changes to the environment to make things easier.

OT support workers work with people of all ages and situations with a range of conditions. For example, helping

someone adapt to life after major surgery such as a hip replacement

children with disabilities take part in school and play activities

dementia sufferers develop strategies

stroke patients

people suffering from mental illness get back into everyday activities such as work or volunteering

elderly people stay in their own homes by providing adaptation such as level access showers or stairlifts

OT support workers may help people to use aids and equipment, including assistive technology. Assistive technology helps profoundly disabled people communicate, use IT, get about and control household services and equipment (lights, TV, etc).

OT support workers may also be known as

OT assistants

rehabilitation assistants

technical instructors/OT technicians

OT support workers can be based in hospitals, clinics and GP practices. They may also visit patients in their homes or in residential or care homes.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements for OT support workers. Employers expect good numeracy and literacy and some experience or qualifications in health or social care. Employers may ask for GCSEs in English and maths. They may ask for a BTEC or equivalent vocational qualifications in health and social care.

Employers often ask for relevant work experience. Even where this is not specified, it would be an advantage if you have worked in health or social care, either in paid employment or voluntary work. If you secure an apprenticeship in healthcare/clinical support, this could enable you to apply for OT support worker vacancies in the future.

If you're applying for a role in the NHS, you'll be asked to show how you think the NHS values apply in your everyday work.

Skills and personal characteristics needed

As an OT support worker, you need to be

able to motivate people

accepting of other people's lifestyles

willing to work with people from all walks of life

happy to talk to and work with groups

flexible

willing to travel

able to work in a team but use their own initiative

able to follow procedures

able to deal with people with challenging behaviour

You also need

You'll help people to use aids and equipment, including assistive technology.

very good communication skills

customer care skills

organisational skills

Training and development

You will receive appropriate training in order to do the job, including an introduction to the department and its procedures and how to set up and use the equipment.

You may be offered the chance to study for qualifications such as

the NCFE CACHE level 2 Certificate in Healthcare Support Services

the NCFE CACHE level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support

Some OT support workers join the British Association and College of Occupational Therapists (BAOT/COT) as associate members. The BAOT/COT runs courses, conferences and seminars where OT support workers can update their skills and network with others doing similar work.

With experience, you could become a team leader supervising the work of other OT support workers. You could apply to train as an assistant practitioner or as an occupational therapist.

Pay and benefits

Your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours and may include a mix of shifts, such as nights, early starts, evenings and weekends. You'll be paid on the Agenda for Change ( AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 3.

You'll also have access to our generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, which increases the longer you're in service.

Other roles that may interest you

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This includes daily care (washing, dressing, eating), work or education and leisure. They help people find ways to continue with activities which are important to them. This might involve learning new ways to do things. Or it might mean changes to the environment to make things easier.

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NHS apprenticeships - see what you can do ?

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NHS apprenticeships - see what you can do ?

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Did you know there are great opportunities to start and progress your career through an NHS apprenticeship?

Have a look at the categories below to see what you could do.

There are all sorts of apprenticeships available in the NHS, whatever your experience or qualifications. You could work on a ward providing hands-on care, or in a role behind the scenes that helps keep the NHS running. Whatever you choose, you'll make a big difference to patient care from day one and be sure of a rewarding career.

The NHS has apprenticeships at all levels too, whether you're just starting your career or looking to progress to being a registered nurse or other professional:

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 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 a level 3 apprenticeship. To start a level 6 apprenticeship you're likely to need A-levels, equivalent level 3 qualifications or relevant experience.

Check out Skills for Health's handy factsheets for more information about what you could do at each level.

Use this online tool to help you decide what level of apprenticeship is right for you. And read our stories from apprentices like you for inspiration!

You'll see some live vacancies below, and make sure you set up an alert on the NHS Jobs website so you can easily see opportunities in your area.

New NHS apprenticeships are being developed all the time too, so be sure to check this page regularly.

Not every apprenticeship is available in every area, so if you can't immediately see your ideal vacancy, it's a good idea to widen your search criteria for other opportunities. For example, finding a healthcare assistant role will provide invaluable experience and mean you're already working when other apprenticeship opportunities become available. You could also contact the NHS organisations in your area to find out what apprenticeships they might be planning.

Allied health professions

Healthcare support worker

Peer support worker

A peer support worker apprenticeship could be the perfect apprenticeship for you if you have lived experience of mental health challenges and would like to use that experience to support others.

Find out more.

Physician associate

You'll work closely with doctors, nurses and other clinical staff from day one in a physician associate apprenticeship. Could it be the right choice for you?

Wider healthcare team

The NHS simply couldn't run without a huge number of people working behind the scenes. See if an apprenticeship in one of these vital - wider healthcare team - services could be right for you.

Administration, for example working in health records or as a receptionist, secretary or telephonist. See the Skills for Health website for more information about business and administration.

Clinical support where you could make a difference in NHS 111, employment support or social prescribing.

Corporate services as communications, human resources or finance. See the Skills for Health website for more information about human resources.

Some live apprenticeship vacancies

Below you'll be able to see some live apprenticeship vacancies, pulled through from the NHS Jobs website. This is only a sample, so make sure you set yourself up with an account on NHS Jobs so you get an alert when vacancies you're interested in become available.

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NHS apprenticeships - see what you could do

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There are all sorts of apprenticeships available in the NHS, whatever your experience or qualifications. You could work on a ward providing hands-on care, or in a role behind the scenes that helps keep the NHS running. Whatever you choose, you'll make a big difference to patient care from day one and be sure of a rewarding career.

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A career in the NHS as a health care assistant

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A career in the NHS as a health care assistant

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A career in the NHS as a healthcare assistant

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At school or college and thinking about becoming a Nurse?

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At school or college and thinking about becoming a Nurse?

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Being a Nurse is one of the most rewarding careers that you can choose. You will be at the very centre of healthcare, and there are many specialist pathways that you can follow post-registration.

Nurses play a vital role as part of a multidisciplinary team, who all work together to change lives. Being a Nurse will expose you to new experiences everyday, all that you can learn from and widen your knowledge and skills. Whether this is with individuals with physical disabilities, mental health conditions, long term health conditions and everyone in between.

See our apprenticeship opportunities and check out T-Level placements (T Levels | The Next Level Qualification). N.B discuss opportunities with your manager, there are terms and conditions to applying.

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The NHS offers a fair and transparent pay structure with competitive and flexible benefits.

W e also have one of the most generous pension schemes on offer. As an NHS employee, you'll have unique access to a health service discounts scheme too.

See the most up-to-date information about what you could earn on our Agenda for Change page.

Looking after patients, looking after you

Compassionate care comes from staff who are well looked after, and the NHS is a well-respected national employer.

We have one of the most competitive and supportive benefits packages offered anywhere in the UK, including:

length of working week

holidays

career progression

Flexible working

Our flexible working options and benefits such as childcare mean that we can help you with your work/life balance and maintain wellbeing for you and your family.

Annual review

Everyone counts in the NHS and that applies to staff as much as patients. We'll look after you and help you fulfil your potential.

Everyone in the NHS has an annual personal development review and plan to support their career aspirations. And there are development opportunities and access to training courses for all full- and part-time staff.

350 Careers, One NHS, Your future

We have more than 350 different careers available and one of them could be just right for you.

If you share our values, we want to talk to you!

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See the most up-to-date information about what you could earn on our Agenda for Change page. Looking after patients, looking after you Compassionate care comes from staff who are well looked after, and the NHS is a well-respected national employer.

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Start your journey back to an allied health profession

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We can't wait to have you back. Sign up to so we can help make your return to practice a smooth journey.

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Speech and language therapists help patients of all ages with varying levels of speech, language and communication problems, or difficulties in swallowing, drinking or eating

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Speech and language therapists help patients of all ages with varying levels of speech, language and communication problems, or difficulties in swallowing, drinking or eating

As a speech and language therapist (SLT), you'll provide treatment, care and support to babies, children, adults and elderly people with a range of conditions, including cleft palate, stammering, language delay, voice disorders and dysphagia (eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties).

These can be caused by a range of issues, including:

developmental delays

injury

illness

learning disabilities

mental health conditions

physical disabilities.

You'll usually work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside other health professionals, and will often liaise with family, carers or teachers when developing treatment plans. You can also work in private practice.

Responsibilities

Your tasks will vary depending on your client and the nature of the problem. However, you'll typically need to:

identify the speech and communication difficulty or disorder

assess the cause and nature of the problem, for example, congenital problems (such as cleft palate) or acquired disorders after a stroke or injury

devise and deliver a suitable treatment programme, working on a one-to-one basis or in groups, to enable each of your clients to improve as much as possible

review and revise the programme as appropriate

advise carers on implementing a treatment programme and train other professionals in therapy delivery

monitor and evaluate your clients' progress

write confidential client case notes and reports, as well as information for clients, carers and other professionals

manage a caseload while taking into account priority cases, waiting lists, successful outcomes, referral and discharge of service users

work within a team to improve the effectiveness of service delivery.

At a more senior level, you'll need to:

conduct personal development reviews with colleagues

support and supervise newly qualified SLTs and speech and language therapy assistants

plan and deliver training sessions

undertake clinical audit

participate in research projects.

Salary

Jobs in the NHS are usually covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates consisting of nine pay bands. As a newly qualified SLT your starting salary is likely to be £27,055 (Band 5), rising up the pay scale to £32,934.

As a specialist SLT you can earn between £33,706 and £40,588 (Band 6).

Typical salaries for advanced or highly specialised SLTs range from £41,659 to £47,672 (Band 7). Some management roles (for example, head of children's therapies or therapy manager) can attract higher salaries at Band 8.

Salaries in the public and private sector are usually broadly equivalent to the NHS bands.

Fees in independent practice vary significantly depending on the scope and size of your practice, your experience and reputation, and your location.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

In the NHS, you will typically work 37.5 hours a week, which may include weekend work and on-call rotas to meet the needs of the service.

In other settings you may have to work some evenings or weekends to suit client needs.

There are opportunities for flexible or part-time work and job-sharing.

What to expect

You can work in a range of settings, for example hospitals, health centres, day-care centres, rehabilitation units, schools or pre-schools, a client's home, prisons or young offenders' institutions. It's possible to work in several different locations during the week.

You'll typically work in a multidisciplinary team with other professionals such as doctors and nurses, psychologists, teachers, mental health professionals and dietitians.

Jobs are available throughout the UK, although there are more opportunities in cities and towns. With experience, you can take on freelance work or set up in private practice.

Depending on where you work, you may need to travel between client visits.

Competition for entry-level posts is fierce and it's important to be geographically flexible if possible.

Qualifications

To practise as an SLT you must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). In order to register you'll need to complete an HCPC-approved undergraduate or postgraduate degree in speech and language therapy.

Undergraduate degree courses typically last three or four years full time and combine both theory and clinical practice. Clinical practice takes place in NHS hospitals, schools, community health clinics and day centres under the supervision of qualified therapists.

For most undergraduate courses you'll need at least five GCSEs or equivalent (at grade 4/C or above), including maths, English language and science, and three A-levels or equivalent. Some providers may ask for specific subjects such as English, languages, psychology and sciences. Applications for undergraduate degrees are made through UCAS.

A speech and language therapist degree apprenticeship has also been approved for delivery in England, combining paid work with part-time study. Currently there are three universities offering this new degree apprenticeship - the University of Essex, Birmingham City University and The University of Sheffield. For more information, see the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) website.

If you already have a degree, you can take an accelerated two-year postgraduate speech and language therapy course (either a PGDip or MSc) in order to qualify. Some course providers will ask for specific subjects relevant to speech and language therapy such as psychology, human biology/biological science, linguistics/languages, education, social science or medical sciences. Applications for postgraduate study are made directly to the relevant institution.

Entry requirements for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses vary so you should check with course providers for details of what they are looking for. A list of courses approved by the HCPC and accredited by the RCSLT is available on the RCSLT website.

You also need to complete an enhanced criminal record check as you will be working with children and young people, and have occupational health clearance.

Once you've successfully completed an approved undergraduate or postgraduate qualification, you're eligible to register with the HCPC and begin practising.

All pre-registration undergraduate and postgraduate speech and language therapy students on an eligible course in England can receive non-repayable funding support of at least £5,000 per year towards their studies. For full details, see the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Details of financial support for students studying in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are available from:

Entry without a degree is possible at speech and language therapy assistant practitioner level, working with qualified SLTs. For these roles, you'll typically need GCSEs in maths and English, as well as a Level 3 care or health-related qualification (or equivalent experience).

Skills

You'll need to have:

excellent interpersonal, communication and listening skills in order to gain the clients' trust, and to motivate and reassure people of all ages and backgrounds. Clients may be uncooperative because they're frightened, frustrated or disorientated by their situation

patience, as progress may be slow - involving repetitive exercises to aid clients who have problems memorising, processing and retaining information

creativity and problem-solving skills, to design programmes appropriate for different learning styles and communication issues

the ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, in order to improve the effectiveness of service delivery, as well as independently on your own

organisation and time management skills, with the ability to plan and prioritise your own workload

a flexible approach to work in order to deal with a range of clients in varied settings

the ability to remain calm under pressure

qualities such as empathy, assertiveness, tact, a sense of humour and physical and mental stamina.

You'll also need a driving licence, particularly if you're working as a community speech and language therapist, to travel between appointments.

Knowledge of Welsh, Gaelic or community languages may be a requirement or an advantage in some parts of the UK.

Work experience

Competition for places on training programmes is strong and you'll need to show that you have a good understanding of what an SLT does when you apply. Try and arrange an observation/work shadowing session at your local speech and language therapy service.

Relevant work experience, including voluntary work, is also useful. This can include working with children and adults with a learning disability, the elderly or disabled people, particularly those recovering from a stroke or head injury. Try contacting local nursing or residential care homes, schools, nurseries or stroke groups to ask for work experience.

It's also possible to gain experience by working as an SLT assistant/support worker or bilingual co-worker under the guidance of a qualified SLT.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

There are around 20,000 SLTs in the UK working in a range of settings (RCSLT). The majority of SLTs are employed by NHS trusts and work in hospitals (on wards, in intensive care units and in outpatient departments), schools, clinics, community health centres and day care centres. Some mainstream work may be managed by local authorities.

You may also be employed directly by:

nurseries and schools (mainstream and special)

child development centres

voluntary and charitable organisations

GP practices and community clinics

education and social services departments

courtrooms, prisons, secure units and young offenders' institutions

residential homes for the elderly or people with learning difficulties

higher education institutions (lecturing and research).

With experience, you can work independently or set up in private practice.

Look for job vacancies at:

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Maxxima and Your World Healthcare also handle vacancies.

If you decide to work in independent practice, you can become a member of the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) and have your details added to their register of members. This database allows you to showcase your skills to potential clients.

Professional development

Once qualified, your first year is spent under supervision as a newly qualified practitioner (NQP) working towards the RCSLT NQP Framework in order to become a full (Certified) member of the RCSLT. You will need to complete a set of NQP goals, which will support your learning and practice in your first year of practice.

You'll be responsible for your own professional development and must show that you're developing and keeping your professional knowledge up to date in order to remain on the HCPC register.

The RCSLT provides a range of courses and seminars in areas such as:

children with severe language difficulties

adult neurology

dysphagia (problems with swallowing)

clinical effectiveness.

Other continuing professional development (CPD) activities include observation of other therapists' practice, reflective practice, peer review of performance, case discussion and video analysis. You can also join a clinical specialist interest group and attend or take part in national conferences and clinical meetings. Full details of the range of activities and resources are available to RCSLT members.

If you're working as a freelance SLT you can also join ASLTIP, which runs events and conferences. Courses cover areas such as setting up an independent practice.

There are also opportunities to undertake a post-registration higher degree, such as a postgraduate certificate, diploma or Masters, or a PhD by research. Search for postgraduate courses in speech and language therapy.

Career prospects

First posts are often within the NHS and involve working from one of several locations, such as health centres, hospital clinics or special schools. In your first year of practice you'll have a general caseload and will normally work with both adults and children.

Many qualified SLTs choose to specialise in a particular disorder such as:

acquired conditions, for example stroke or brain injuries

cleft lip and palate

developmental language disorder

head, neck or throat cancer

hearing impairment

learning disabilities

mental health conditions

neurodegenerative disorders

stammering.

You can also specialise in a particular client group, although it's possible to move between groups.

Senior therapist positions exist in clinical specialisms, management, and research and teaching. A typical career path will often involve increased management responsibilities, which can include supervising students on placement and junior staff.

As the head of a local speech and therapy language service, you'll have responsibility for managing budgets, strategy and staff. There are a small number of opportunities to move into strategic management positions across different therapies.

Self-employment is another option for experienced SLTs and support for therapists working in independent practice is provided by ASLTIP.

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Speech and language therapists help patients of all ages with varying levels of speech, language and communication problems, or difficulties in swallowing, drinking or eating As a speech and language therapist (SLT), you'll provide treatment, care and support to babies, children, adults and elderly people with a range of conditions, including cleft palate, stammering, language delay, voice disorders and dysphagia (eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties).

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Maximise your potential - become an Occupational Therapist

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Maximise your potential - become an Occupational Therapist

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Royal College of Occupational Therapists

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Skip to content

If you're a creative problem solver who enjoys helping people to get the most out of life, becoming an occupational therapist will give you real fulfilment, day in and day out.

Scroll

ABOUT THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS (RCOT)

Diverse skills, a united community

We're the professional body that represents the UK's occupational therapy professionals, students and apprentices.

We've championed the profession and the people behind it for over 90 years; and today, we are thriving with over 35,000 members. We're here to help achieve life-changing breakthroughs for our members, for the people they support and for society as a whole.

We support and enable members to learn, research, teach, practice and continuously improve their knowledge and skills.

We are the voice for the profession, the guardians of the profession's body of knowledge and provide trade union membership. RCOT represents the profession locally, nationally and internationally.

We also introduce people to occupational therapy, and this website is home to information that can help you decide if this is the career for you. If you make that decision, we'll be on hand to support you during your studies and throughout your career. Put simply, we'll always be here when you need us.

Explore more

A career with amazing possibilities

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND BELONGING

A career for everyone

A wide range of people need support from occupational therapists. That's why we're so committed to attracting people from all walks of life to the profession. As an occupational therapist, you can be any gender, race or sexual orientation, you can be disabled or experience your own physical or mental health problems.

The more diverse, equity-driven and inclusive we are, the better placed we'll be to ensure everyone is treated with dignity and respect - as equal members of society with the same choices, rights and privileges.

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Home - Royal College of Occupational Therapists

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Skip to content If you're a creative problem solver who enjoys helping people to get the most out of life, becoming an occupational therapist will give you real fulfilment, day in and day out. Scroll We're the professional body that represents the UK's occupational therapy professionals, students and apprentices.

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Aspiring Allies - Operating Department Practitioner

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Aspiring Allies - Operating Department Practitioner

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Operating Department Practitioner

What is an operating department practitioner (ODP)?

An ODP's primarily work in an operating theatre, alongside surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre nurses, healthcare assistants, theatre support staff and porters.

The role involves receiving, assessing and delivering service users care in three main areas, which are; anaesthetics, surgery and recovery. Hence, ODP 's care for service users, before, during and following their surgery.

What does an ODP do on a daily basis?

Anaesthetic

Assist service users prior to their surgery

Prepare specialist equipment and medication

Surgery

Preparing all the necessary instruments and equipment for surgery, including microscopes and lasers.

Responsible for surgical instruments, equipment and swabs during surgery

Recovery

Monitor and support the service users when they arrive at the recovery unit

Administer suitable treatment until service users have recovered from the effects of the anaesthesia and surgery

Assess the service users so they can return to a ward

Where do ODP's work?

Hospitals

Intensive Care Unit (emergency department , operating theatres)

Think this might be a career you'd be interested in?

Find your future

Wondering which of the 14 allied health professional careers might suit you, your aspirations and your interests? Take our quick and easy test to find out.

Take the quiz

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Operating Department Practitioner - Aspiring Allies

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Operating Department Practitioner An ODP's primarily work in an operating theatre, alongside surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre nurses, healthcare assistants, theatre support staff and porters. The role involves receiving, assessing and delivering service users care in three main areas, which are; anaesthetics, surgery and recovery. Hence, ODP 's care for service users, before, during and following their surgery.

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The Wow show.  The hi tech world of Radiographers

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The Wow show.  The hi tech world of Radiographers

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Technology that can see inside people's bodies - sounds a bit sci-fi, but this is the domain of Radiographers who use some brilliant technology to work out what's causing illness and also to treat people with cancer.

Our reporter, Anne went behind the scenes to find out what Diagnostic Radiographers and Therapeutic Radiographers do.

Lesson plans for teachers and Pathway Progression information here

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Inside story: The hi-tech world of Radiographers - The WOW Show

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Technology that can see inside people's bodies - sounds a bit sci-fi, but this is the domain of Radiographers who use some brilliant technology to work out what's causing illness and also to treat people with cancer. Our reporter, Anne went behind the scenes to find out what Diagnostic Radiographers and Therapeutic Radiographers do.

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A day as a medical laboratory assistant

You work in the laboratory at your local NHS hospital, beginning at 9am.

Your main role is to assist biomedical scientists with their lab work, and your first task is to check equipment and material stocks, and order new supplies.

Next, you label and sort blood samples for a haematologist, and ensure the samples are properly stored. After making up chemical solutions for general use, you carry out some general clerical duties; printing and filing reports and entering patient data on the computer system.

You enjoy working in a laboratory, helping scientists diagnose diseases and contributing to the life-saving processes of the hospital.

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You work in the laboratory at your local NHS hospital, beginning at 9am. Your main role is to assist biomedical scientists with their lab work, and your first task is to check equipment and material stocks, and order new supplies. Next, you label and sort blood samples for a haematologist, and ensure the samples are properly stored.

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Real life stories - Steve hospital Pharmacist

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Real life stories - Steve hospital Pharmacist

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Steve Williams

Senior clinical pharmacist

Employer or university

Westbourne Medical Centre and The Adam Practice

How I got into the role

I was particularly keen to use my wealth of experience to try and reduce some of the medicines-related harm that causes avoidable hospital admissions. Having worked in hospital pharmacy for 25 years, the NHS was introducing a major national pilot scheme for clinical pharmacists to work in general practice so I applied for a senior post on the beautiful Dorset coast.

There are five main aspects to this role. I:

1. deal with day-to-day clinical enquiries from clinicians such as GPs, nurse practitioners, district nurses about medicine choices for patients

2. update all the medicines on the GP computer system for patients over age 60 when they are discharged from hospital. This usually involves speaking to the patient themselves to check understanding of what has happened to their medicines, and sometimes the community pharmacy

3. work to improve the safety and efficiency of repeat prescription systems to help patients and the practice itself

4. use my medicines expertise and prescribing qualification to perform annual medication reviews for patients on multiple medicines, in particular patients in care homes

5. get involved in reviewing and improving the quality of prescribing, for example use of antibiotics to achieve initiatives set by local or national bodies such as NICE

The best bits and challenges

My biggest success has been getting two other general practices in the area to employ a pharmacist within the national pilot scheme. The practices had been considering it for a while but, having me in the role, and my passion for pharmacists improving patient care, demonstrated to them just how important these roles are going to be in general practice.

The biggest challenge has been going from a senior role in the NHS to feeling as though I'm new again and going back to basics!

Life outside work

Moving to this role has meant a move to live by the sea and I love all the opportunities it has brought me and my family, for example dog walking, fishing, kayaking and swimming.

Career plans and top tips for others

I'm raring to go! I'm looking forward to helping more and more patients who take too many medicines now that I understand more about how things work in general practice and the GPs realise just how useful I can be.

I'm about to start participating in a research project, led by the University of Belfast, studying the benefits of clinical pharmacists working in general practice. It's exciting and I hope it will kick start getting a better understanding of the need for pharmacists in general practice to improve the care of patients who take multiple medications for several long term medical conditions.

If you're considering a career in pharmacy, or wanting a change from hospital or community pharmacy, I'd say you'll never look back! You'll be able to fully realise your potential as a medicines expert and the practice and the patients will be astonished about how much you know and how irreplaceable you are.

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Employer or university Westbourne Medical Centre and The Adam Practice I was particularly keen to use my wealth of experience to try and reduce some of the medicines-related harm that causes avoidable hospital admissions.

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How to become a Dietitian - Apprenticeships

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How to become a Dietitian - Apprenticeships

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In this section
The dietetic degree apprenticeship is a route that will allow an individual to work as an apprentice in a dietetic setting with an income, as well as study at university to complete a dietetic degree programme.

All apprentices are employed by an employer; they are not learners. Apprentices are recruited by employers in close consultation with HEIs and will have a combination of lectures, practical learning and assessments at their university, as well as 1,000 hours of practice-based learning. Successful completion of the apprenticeship programme will enable application to the Health and Care Professions Council for registration to practise using the protected title 'Dietitian'.

How do I become a Dietetic Apprentice?

Coventry University began delivery of the first ever level 7 dietetic apprenticeship programme in December 2022.

Find out more about the course here and get contact details for the course provider on the GOV.UK website here.

Other dietetic apprenticeships at undergraduate and post graduate levels are in development and the BDA webpage will be updated as soon as more information on these apprenticeship schemes becomes available.

HEI & Employer Information

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In this section The dietetic degree apprenticeship is a route that will allow an individual to work as an apprentice in a dietetic setting with an income, as well as study at university to complete a dietetic degree programme. All apprentices are employed by an employer; they are not learners.

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We have a fantastic and dynamic team at The Queen Victoria Hospital, and you will be overwhelmed with the support from colleagues from the minute you walk through the door!

Find out why one of our lovely Paediatric Nurses still works here after 14 years in this short video.

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Step into the NHS -Occupational therapy assistant

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Step into the NHS -Occupational therapy assistant

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Step Into The NHS :: Occupational therapy assistant

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You work alongside an occupational therapist, assisting people in the community to live happy and fulfilling lives.

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HASO - Healthcare Apprenticeships Standards Online

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HASO - Healthcare Apprenticeships Standards Online

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HASO – The best place to navigate apprenticeships and technical education in the health sector.  Aimed at employers and front-line managers (but also valued by training providers and end point assessment organisations).

Here you can:

Keep up to date with apprenticeship news and consultations

Download apprenticeship standards, end point assessment plans and printable resources

Plan how you will fund, procure, deliver and quality assure the apprenticeships used by your team or organisation

Check which training providers and end point assessment organisations are available

Create apprenticeship pathways for career progression and find out how pre-apprenticeship programmes can provide a pipeline of prospective apprentices

This site is sponsored by Health Education England as part of the Talent for Care ‘Get ready, Get in, Get on and Go Further’ themes and strategic aims and is hosted and maintained by Skills for Health.

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Talent for Care Skills for Health This site is sponsored by Health Education England as part of the Talent for Care 'Get ready, Get in, Get on and Go Further' themes and strategic aims and is hosted and maintained by... Read more "