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Dietitians translate the science of nutrition into everyday information about food and advise people on their food and nutrition choices.
To practise as a dietitian, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to register you need to study for an approved programme in dietetics. This is usually a BSc (Hons) degree and courses are three or four years. Universities decide there own requirements but you're likely to need two or three A levels or equivalent, including chemistry, maths or biology, along with five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English language and maths. If you have a degree already with an acceptable level of human physiology and biochemistry, there are approved graduate-entry shortened Masters and diploma programmes. A degree apprenticeship in dietetics has been approved and offers an alternative route to HCPC registration.Most dietitians in the NHS work standard hours, which are likely to be around 37.5 a week. Dietitians working elsewhere such as the food industry, the media or sports nutrition may work normal office hours of around 9.00am to 5.00pm. They may however have to work evenings or weekends according to the needs of the employer. Self-employed dietitians hours of work depend on client needs. They may work evenings and weekends to suit private clients. Some dietitians may have to travel between client appointments.Skills include an interest in science, food, people and their lifestyles, a positive and motivating attitude, an understanding of science be able to explain complex things simply and organisation skillsYou could specialise in a clinical area, such as cancer or diabetes. Or you could work with particular groups, such as elderly people or those with learning difficulties. Teaching and health education are also options. You could take on a management role where you would supervise the work of a team of dietitians. Eventually, you could be responsible for controlling a budget and planning and marketing a dietetic service. Elsewhere, you could specialise in for example, sports nutrition or an area of the food industry.Related roles
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Music therapists use the power of music to help people deal with feelings they cannot put into words.
You need to have successfully completed one of the HCPC-approved postgraduate education and training courses in music therapy. Only then can you apply to join the HCPC’s Register of Health and Care Professionals, and use the protected title of ‘music therapist’. The training course take two years full time or can be completed over a period of three or four years part time. You'll need formal arts training and often need a music degree. A level 7 apprenticeship for arts therapists (art therapists/art psychotherapists, dramatherapists and music therapists) has also been approved for delivery.Music therapists work part-time and in some cases full time in the NHS. They usually start at band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay rates. Their working hours will generally be from 9am to 5pm but this may vary depending on their service and role. In other settings, their working hours will depend on where they work. For example, in education, they may work school hours, and during term time only.Music therapists need many skills including a high level of musicianship, excellent communication skills and the ability to empathise, creativity and imagination. You'll also need a desire to be part of the caring professions, flexibility, adaptability and openness.Some music therapists choose to specialise in a particular clinical area of interest such as dementia, child development, neuro-disability, mental health or palliative care. Other music therapists choose to work in two or three clinical areas depending on their interests. Music therapists hold both employed and self-employed posts, with some choosing to work both for an employer and at the same time offering a private practice. There are opportunities to develop your skills and take on more managerial roles music therapists also hold posts such as head of arts therapy. -
Dramatherapy uses role play, voice work, movement and storytelling to help clients explore and solve personal and social problems.
To be a dramatherapist you need professional experience in an area of therapy or health care. This may be from working in, for example, nursing, social work, special needs or psychotherapy. Or you may have voluntary experience of working with people in a therapeutic setting. To practise as a dramatherapist, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a dramatherapist. You need to have taken an approved postgraduate qualification in dramatherapy. Courses can be full time or part time and take between one and three years. A level 7 apprenticeship for arts therapists (art therapists/art psychotherapists, dramatherapists and music therapists) has also been approved for delivery.Dramatherapists in the NHS work standard hours, which are likely to be around 37.5 a week. They usually start at band 6 of the Agenda for Change pay rates. They may work some evenings. Elsewhere, the working hours will depend on where they work. In education, for example, they may work school hours. Prison work may involve early starts. Self-employed dramatherapists’ hours of work depend on client needs. They may work evenings and weekends to suit private clients.Dramatherapists need a range of skills, including creativity, being non judgemental, resilient in dealing with other people’s strong emotions and sensitive and mature. They also need theatre skills and ideas, excellent communication skills, being able to work with people from all walks of life and being able to reflect on their own emotions.You could specialise to work with a particular type of client such as children, the elderly or offenders. Or you could become a specialist in a particular issue such as dementia, mental health or palliative care. You could decide to become self-employed and build up a private practice. You could do this alongside employed work. As an experienced practitioner, you could become a senior or consultant dramatherapist, managing the work of a team of therapists. You could become the head of an arts therapy department, coordinating the work of therapists from other disciplines such as music or art therapy. You might also train other dramatherapists. -
To work as a dental nurse, you have to be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) or be enrolled on a GDC-approved certificate, diploma or degree course. You do not necessarily need academic qualifications to work as a trainee dental nurse but you will need to study for qualifications to progress.Most dental nurses in the NHS work standard hours, which are likely to be around 37.5 a week. They may work some evenings. Your starting salary will usually be between band 3 and band 4 of the Agenda for Change pay rates but some senior dental nurses will start at band 5 or higher. Terms and conditions may vary for those dental nurses not directly employed by the NHS.Being a dental nurse requires a friendly, responsible attitude, a positive approach to people and a willingness to study. You must be happy to work as part of a team and willing to learn and understand the science behind dentistry.Experience as a dental nurse is usually a requirement for those wishing to become a dental hygienist or dental therapist. With experience and further training, dental nurses can also work as orthodontic therapists.
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You'll deal with emergency calls from the public and make sure that the right help reaches people as soon as possible.
There are no set entry requirements to become an emergency medical dispatcher or call handlers but employers expect good standards of literacy, numeracy and IT skills. Some may ask for qualifications such as GCSEs, NVQs or equivalent.Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales and emergency medical dispatchers and call handlers are usually at bands 2 or 3. Although emergency medical dispatchers and call handlers work standard hours of around 37.5 a week, these are on a shift pattern. Shifts cover 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year. So an emergency medical dispatcher or call handler’s work pattern includes evenings, nights, early starts, weekends and bank holidays. Terms and conditions can vary for employers outside of the NHS.Emergency medical dispatchers and call handlers need to stay calm under pressure, have a reassuring manner, deal with people who might be highly distressed or aggressive, use their initiative while following procedures, good communication skills and excellent keyboard skillsYou could progress to become a team leader or supervisor. You would be in charge of a team of call handlers or dispatchers, responsible for allocating work and drawing up schedules. With further experience you could become a duty manager, responsible for the call centre during a shift. You could take further training to become an emergency care assistant. With more experience, you could apply to train as a paramedic. You would have to pass entrance exams and meet other requirements before being accepted onto a paramedic course. -
Adult psychotherapists work with adults to assess and treat a range of emotional, social or mental health issues.
You’ll need an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject and/or be a qualified and experienced healthcare practitioner. Training usually takes four years, combining study with clinical training. Clinical training includes treating individual patients under supervision.Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. While training, you'll typically be paid at band 6. After completing your training, you'll be paid at band 7. Adult psychotherapists work full or part time. Terms and conditions can vary for employers outside of the NHS.You’ll need a range of skills including a keen awareness of people and their behaviour, the ability to relate to a wide range of people and excellent communication skills. If you're applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you'll be asked to show how you think the values of the NHS Constitution apply in your everyday work.As your professional experience and knowledge grows, you can move into more senior positions. There are opportunities to be involved in research and training people to become psychotherapists. As well as moving to more senior and specialised roles, you may also have the chance to take on additional responsibilities and progress within the organisation. -
Directors of public health hold some of the most pivotal strategic and leadership positions.
The main route to become a director of public health is through initial completion of specialty training. In some circumstances, it is possible to achieve specialist status through a 'portfolio' route where individuals present a portfolio of experience for assessment, to demonstrate that they have gained sufficient experience that is deemed to be equivalent to completing specialty training.While you may usually work standard hours, it's likely you will need to be available outside normal working patterns, for example in the case of a public health emergency, for media interviews etc. Salaries for directors of public health are likely to be between £70-100,000 or more depending on the requirements of the role (around equivalent band 9 of Agenda for change or comparable local authority pay scale).You’ll have substantial experience of public health practice at a senior level in order to be able to make visionary, challenging and often difficult decisions about how services are delivered. You’ll have high-level skills in diplomacy, appropriate for working in complex political and social environments.Further opportunities for directors of public health include more senior government roles or political consultancy and advisory roles. -
Environmental health professionals are at the forefront of public health, as every aspect of environmental health is designed to improve the public’s health and wellbeing.
You can apply to become a local enforcement officer with GCSEs or equivalent qualifications and experience of working in environmental health. For more senior roles you’ll need to undertake professional training, such as a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) or Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) qualification in Food Premises Inspection, Food Control, Food Safety, or Food and Health. To become an environmental health practitioner or officer, you will need a degree or higher degree level that is accredited by the CIEH or the REHIS before passing professional exams. A BSc Environmental Health Practitioner degree apprenticeship has been approved for delivery. To get onto a degree apprenticeship, you will need to apply for an apprentice position with an employer.Working hours are likely to vary depending on the nature of the role and may involve some evening and weekend working (for example in responding to an environmental incident). An environmental health officer may earn up to £32,000; a senior environmental health officer up to £35,000. A team leader might earn up to £41,000.You'll need to be tactful and diplomatic, have an awareness of and commitment to customer care principles, and be effective at analysing problems, evaluating and recommending options. More senior roles will require knowledge and demonstrable experience across a number of environmental health disciplines.You might choose to specialise and take postgraduate qualifications, or move into a management role. Opportunities to become a chief executive also exist. Roles in the private sector may be available for senior staff. -
You’ll help people improve their mobility and regain their independence after an injury or operation, or as a result of ageing or a disability.
You need to study for an approved degree level programme in physiotherapy - either through a full-time or part-time university degree or a degree apprenticeship in physiotherapy. There are also two-year accelerated MSc courses available to people who already have a BSc degree in a relevant subject. To get onto a physiotherapy degree course you usually need two or three A levels (or equivalent qualifications), including a biological science and/or PE, along with five GCSEs (grades 9-4/A-C), including English language, maths and at least one science. You'll need similar level 3 qualifications to get onto a degree apprenticeship. Each university and employer sets its own entry requirements, so it’s important to check carefully.Physiotherapists in the NHS work standard hours, which are likely to be around 37.5 a week. They may work shifts, including evenings, nights and weekends. They start at band 5 of the Agenda for Change pay scale. Elsewhere, a physiotherapist’s hours will depend on where they work. For example, a sports physiotherapist is likely to work at weekends. In private practice, physiotherapists’ hours depend on client needs. They may work evenings and weekends to suit private clients.Physiotherapists need to be happy to be hands-on with patients, good listeners, caring, able to motivate people and normally physically fit as the work can be strenuous. They also need good manual (hand) skills good organisation and communication skills and an ability to explain treatment to patients.You may choose to specialise in a particular area of practice such as sports injuries, critical care, care of the elderly or working with children or cancer patients. Teaching and research are also options. You could also move into management, either within physiotherapy services or general management. As head of a local physiotherapy service you would be responsible both for a team of staff and for managing a budget. Some physiotherapists set up their own clinics, on their own or with other professionals. -
Emergency care assistants (ECAs) work with paramedics as part of emergency ambulance crews attending 999 calls.
There are no set entry requirements to become an ECA. Most employers expect good standards of literacy and numeracy. Some may ask for qualifications such as GCSEs, NVQs or equivalent. It would be an advantage if you have worked with elderly or disabled people, either in paid employment or voluntary work. First aid work would also be useful, such as volunteering with St John Ambulance or the British Red Cross.Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales. Although ECAs in the NHS will usually work standard hours of 37.5 per week, these are on a shift pattern. Shifts cover 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year. So an ECA’s work pattern includes evenings, nights, early starts, weekends and bank holidays. ECAs need to be prepared to work outdoors in all conditions, where necessary.Terms and conditions can vary for employers outside of the NHS.An emergency care assistant, skills include being able to understand a situation quickly, confident and reassuring, be able to follow procedures, good communication skills and excellent driving skills.You could progress to become a team leader or supervisor. You would be in charge of a team of ECAs, responsible for allocating work and drawing up shift rotas. You could apply to train as a paramedic. You would have to pass entrance exams and meet other requirements before being accepted onto a paramedic course. -
Anaesthetists are the largest group of hospital-based specialists and give anaesthetics for surgical, medical and psychiatric procedures.
Training usually starts with a five year first degree in medicine and two years foundation training. Core anaesthetics route: two years core training (CT1-2), followed by five years specialist training (ST3-7). ACCS route: three years core training (CT1-3), followed by five years specialist training (ST4-8). 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, weekends and on call. The basic salary ranges from £29,384 to £34,012. Once you start your specialty training as an anaesthetist 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 1,479 applications for 569 places for anaesthetic specialty training. You could specialise or conduct research in areas such as pain medicine, teach medical or postgraduate students, or get involved in research. -
As an emergency medical technician, you may operate as a single responder to an incident or support a paramedic on a double-crewed ambulance. You’ll have many of the same skills as paramedics, such as being able to assess, triage and provide lifesaving treatment.
For entry onto the level 4 apprenticeship as an emergency medical technician (EMT), you will typically need a general standard of education and be committed to self-development; a full UK manual driving licence (including the full C1 category) with a minimum of 1 year's driving experience; your own transport to attend training and work; experience in dealing with a range of people of different ages and social groups and a high degree of physical fitness.Training is through a level 4 apprenticeship which takes 12-18 months. Following an initial classroom-based course, you will continue your apprenticeship and learning whilst out on the road, responding to emergency calls. If you successfully complete the course, you will then be eligible to continue as a qualified EMT role with the ambulance service trust.Most jobs in the NHS are covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay scales and emergency medical technician jobs will usually be at band 4. If you are in a trainee position, you may receive a percentage of the band 4 rate, rising to the full band rate once qualified. Check terms and conditions with the employing ambulance service trust. You will usually work standard hours of 37.5 per week on a shift pattern. Shifts cover 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year. So the pattern includes evenings, nights, early starts, weekends and bank holidays. You need to be prepared to work outdoors in all conditions, where necessary. Terms and conditions can vary for employers outside of the NHS.You will need an understanding of compassion, respect and dignity through patient-centred care; dedication, motivation and drive. If you're applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you'll be asked to show how you think the values of the NHS Constitution apply in your everyday work.You could progress to become a team leader or supervisor. You would be in charge of a team, responsible for allocating work and drawing up shift rotas. You could apply to train as a paramedic. You would have to pass entrance exams and meet other requirements before being accepted onto a full-time paramedic course, paramedic degree apprenticeship or student paramedic position with an ambulance service trust. -
Dentists are the frontline of good oral health. They work with communities to prevent and treat dental/oral disease, correct dental irregularities and treat dental/facial injuries.
Becoming a dentist involves at least five years’ study at dental school, followed by one or two years of supervised practice. Most entrants will require three As at A-level, although one year pre-dental courses are offered by some dental schools which broadens access to other students.Most dentists work as general dental practitioners and can choose where they work and determine their working hours. Newly qualified dentists undertake dental foundation training for one year and earn £30,132. Dentists then either choose to work in a dental practice, or enter dental core training. Dental core trainees earn a basic salary between £29,912 and £39,092, and may be paid an additional supplement. Salaried NHS dentists earn between £38,095 and £81,480. Consultants in dental specialties are paid on the same scales as other hospital consultants and earn between £75,249 and £101,451.Dentists lead the dental team so good leadership skills are essential, as well as excellent knowledge of human anatomy and first class clinical skills. You will need to be confident to diagnose and treat problems and provide good advice to patients.Dentists can work in general dental care, community dental care, dental public health or hospital dental care.