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 manager

    You will be the head of your own department, ensuring that our patients get the possible treatment and care. 

    The training and qualifications you'll need will depend entirely on the role you're applying for. The majority of clinical managers are qualified and registered healthcare professionals, and for some posts you will need to have gained experience in areas such as clinical audit or clinical governance.
    Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. This pay system covers all staff except doctors, dentists and the most senior managers. In the NHS, your career in clinical management would typically start at Agenda for Change band 6 or 7, with some positions at band 5, and the most senior roles rising to band 9 for, for example, a professional manager for a clinical service. NHS staff will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week. They may work a shift pattern. Roles in integrated urgent care/NHS 111 services are aligned to Skills for Health qualification levels. Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.
    As with any managerial role, you'll need leadership skills, a willingness to work with others and respect their views, good communication skills, effective organisational skills, negotiating skills, the ability to challenge the way things are and find better alternatives, honesty and fairness in dealing with other people and a commitment to the ideals of quality and fairness in delivering healthcare.
    In clinical management, you could progress to more senior positions, with a variety of responsibilities at operational or strategic level. For example, NHS trusts and the NHS 111 service have a medical director and a director of nursing, or other senior clinical management roles.
  2. Haematology (doctor)

    Haematologists diagnose and treat patients with blood and bone marrow disorders. 

    You'll follow are set pattern of training which usually starts with a five year first degree in medicine and two years of foundation training, You'll then undertake two years of core training (CT1-2), followed by five years of specialist training (ST3-7. This period of training will include completing 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 weekends. 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 haematologist 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.
    There are approximately 917 haematologists working in the NHS in England. In 2020, there were 195 applications for 73 specialty training places.
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