Compare roles in health

Not sure where to start with the hundreds of NHS careers? Use our compare roles section to get bite-size information on the entry requirements and training, pay and conditions, prospects and skills needed of up to three roles. If there is something that you think you could do, then get more in-depth information on the role.

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  1. Clinical neurophysiology

    Clinical neurophysiologists investigate and diagnose disorders of the nervous system including a range of conditions affecting the functioning of the muscles (neuromuscular disease). 

    Training usually starts with a five year first degree in medicine. You’ll then complete two years of foundation training and two years of core training (CT1-CT2), followed by four years of specialty training (ST3-ST6). This period of training will include your royal college exams. Length of training can vary according to your circumstances.
    Doctors may work up to 48 hours a week. The working hours may sometimes extend beyond the normal working day to include early mornings, evenings and on call. You’ll first earn a salary when you start your foundation training after medical school. The basic salary ranges from £29,384 to £34,012. Once you start your specialty training as a neurophysiologist employed by the NHS, you can expect to earn a salary of at least £40,257, which can increase to between £84,559 and £114,003 as a consultant.
    You'll need excellent communication skills to manage a wide range of relationships with colleagues, and patients and their families. You'll be emotionally resilient, have excellent problem-solving and diagnostic skills and work well in teams and under pressure. You'll also be very organised for the benefit of patients.
    In 2020 there were 31 applications for 10 specialty training places. There are currently 106 consultants working in the NHS in this specialty. You could specialise or conduct research in areas such as epilepsy surgery or Parkinson’s disease or teach medical or postgraduate students.
  2. Prosthetist/orthotist

    Transform the lives of your patients by helping them to run, walk better or simply stand without pain.  Prosthetists and orthotists give back the power of movement to their patients, in a way that’s as pain-free as possible and use the latest technology to create and fit prostheses or aids.

    You need to study for an approved degree (BSc) in prosthetics and orthotics. Two universities in the UK offer courses which take three or four years. To get onto a degree course in orthotics and prosthetics you need two or three A levels (or equivalent qualification) along with five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English language, maths and science. Alternatively, a degree apprenticeship standard (level 6) in prosthetics and orthotics has been approved. You will typically need level 3 qualifications in order to apply for a degree apprenticeship with a health care provider.
    Prosthetists and orthotists in the NHS work standard hours, which are likely to be around 37.5 a week. They may have to work shifts, including evenings, nights and weekends. They start on band 5 of the Agenda for Change pay scales. Elsewhere, a prosthetist’s or orthotist’s hours will depend on where they work. In a private clinic, they may work evenings and weekends to suit private clients.
    Prosthetists and orthotists need an understanding of how people live their lives, have an interest in how engineering can be used to help people and be willing to work alone or in a team. They should also have engineering and maths skills, good manual (hand) skills and ability to explain treatment to patients.
    You will work as a prosthetist or orthotist and may choose to specialise in a particular area of practice such as sports injuries, diabetes, forensic podiatry or working with children. Teaching or research are also options.You could also move into management, either within orthotics and prosthetics services or general management. As head of a local orthotics and prosthetics service you would be responsible both for a team of staff and for managing a budget. Some prosthetists and orthotists decide to set up their own clinics, on their own or with other professionals.
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