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. Midwife

    Midwives provide care and support to women and their families while pregnant, throughout labour and during the period after a baby’s birth. 

    Training to be a midwife involves studying for a degree in midwifery or a degree apprenticeship in midwifery. there are no national minimum academic entry requirements for entry into pre-registration midwifery degrees or degree apprenticeships as each university (running degree courses) and employer (offering apprenticeships) sets its own criteria. However, they usually look for a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9-4/C or above - typically including English language or literature and a science subject - and either two or three A-levels or equivalent.
    Midwives working on maternity wards are likely to work shifts while those in the community are more likely to work a 9 to 5 day but could be on-call for home births. Qualified midwives in the NHS start at Agenda for Change Band 5. With more experience and additional responsibility, you could move through the banding to senior management.
    There are a range of important skills and knowledge you will need to pursue a career in midwifery. Excellent people and communication skills, an ability to answer questions and offer advice and dealing with emotionally charged situations are all skills you'll need. If you're applying for a role either directly in the NHS, you'll be asked to show how you think the values of the NHS Constitution apply in your everyday work. The same will be true if you are applying for a university course funded by the NHS.
    There are lots of opportunities for midwives to progress their career with more experience. You could become supervise of team of midwives. You could also move in health visiting with additional training or move into clinical academic research.
  2. Decontamination services management

    By making sure that medical devices are sterilised, our decontamination services managers are making sure that our patients are protected from infection and contracting viruses. 

    Experience to level 3 vocational training through decontamination training and qualified to IDSc Technical Certificate for entry as a decontamination technician supervisor (training includes working towards the Foundation Degree in Decontamination Sciences); postgraduate degree or equivalent level of knowledge through academic courses to postgraduate level required for decontamination managers (training includes working towards the BSc (Hons) Decontamination Sciences for junior managerial roles)
    Staff in the NHS will usually work a standard 37.5 hours per week. They may work a shift pattern. 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. As a supervisor in decontamination sciences, you would typically start on AfC band 3, with opportunities to progress with appropriate training, qualifications and experience to bands AfC 5 - 8. Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.
    Ability to work to high standards of quality and safety under pressure, flexibility, professional manner, initiative , logical thinking to help troubleshooting , ability to motivate others, enthusiasm, excellent communication skills, report writing and interpretation, positive outlook, able to deal with complaints from staff and patients.
    With further training and/or experience, you may be able to develop your career further and apply for vacancies in areas such as further specialisation, management, research, or teaching.
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