Healthcare Career Advice

A healthcare career has many choices when it comes to job roles and career development. You can make a real difference to people when they are most vulnerable, making this a good career choice. Healthcare jobs can include working in the private or public sector, and a variety of skills are needed, so you can find the perfect healthcare role to suit your qualifications and area of interest.

Quick Links

How to Work in the Healthcare sector

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to get a job in Healthcare

Should you wish to work in Healthcare you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Healthcare Job

  • 2 or more GCSEs (healthcare assistant)
  • Level 2 Certificate in Work Preparation for Health and Social Care (healthcare assistant)
  • Level 2 Diploma in Health & Social Care (healthcare assistant)
  • Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care (healthcare assistant)
  • T Level for Healthcare Support Workers (healthcare assistant)
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs (nurse)
  • 2 or 3 A levels (nurse)
  • Degree in adult nursing (nurse)
  • Level 3 Dental Nurse (dental hygienist)
  • Level 4 Oral Health Practitioner (dental hygienist)
  • 5-year degree in medicine (GP)
  • 3-year training course in general practice (GP)
  • 2-year foundation course in general training (GP)

Core Healthcare Skills

If you choose a career in healthcare, then you are already someone that wants to help others. A good work ethic and organisational skills will help you deal with some healthcare jobs’ demanding nature. You will need relevant medical qualifications and specialist training, and degrees for specific medical roles.

If you are looking for a career that helps make a real and valuable difference, you will find it with a healthcare career.

Key Responsibilities for a Healthcare Job

  • Complete patient records and updating charts
  • Administering medications
  • Monitoring patients vital signs
  • Ordering diagnostic tests
  • Monitoring patients for changes in condition
  • Helping patients with personal care
  • Administering intravenous medication
  • Developing nursing plans
  • Modifying treatment based on patient responses
  • Advising families on how to care with patients after discharge

What to expect in a Healthcare Job

Working in healthcare requires the relevant qualifications for your chosen specialty. You may work in a hospital, laboratory or visit people in their homes to assist with their care. Work may require travel to different locations, and you will work with other people throughout the day. Healthcare jobs can be demanding with long working hours, but you will reap the rewards as you genuinely make a difference.

Recommended Healthcare Jobs

Loading Jobs...

How to get Healthcare Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Healthcare job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Healthcare application. If you have not held a Healthcare position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Healthcare role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Healthcare CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Healthcare application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Healthcare in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Healthcare 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Healthcare and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Healthcare experience.

How to get Healthcare Experience

What does it take to be a Healthcare? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Healthcare jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Healthcare through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Healthcare Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Healthcare part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Healthcare or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Healthcare freelance work

If you have impressive Healthcare qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.