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. Call handler/emergency medical dispatcher

    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 skills
    You 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.
  2. Clinical associate in psychology

    Clinical associates in psychology provide psychological interventions under the supervision of a fully qualified practitioner psychologist. 

    You'll need a degree in psychology or to have completed a British Psychological Society-accredited postgraduate psychology conversion course. Training involves a Level 7 degree apprenticeship hosted by an employer, such as an NHS trust, alongside training on a university validated degree programme.
    As an apprentice you will be paid at Agenda for Change Band 5 and Band 6 after completing it.
    You’ll support people who have long-standing and complex difficulties and use psychological theory and evidence to find the best interventions for them.
    This is a fulfilling role in itself, but you could move into fields such as psychological therapy and applied psychology.
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