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. Histopathology (doctor)

    Histopathologists study organs, tissues, cells and genetics to help provide a diagnosis. 

    You'll follow a set pattern of training which usually starts with a five year first degree in medicine and two years of foundation training, You will then complete five years of specialist training (ST1-5). This period of training will include completing your royal college exams. The 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 histopathologist 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. 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 261 applications for 97 specialty training places. After two years of integrated cellular pathology training, you will either decide to continue in histopathology specialty training or apply for training in one of the three other cellular pathology specialties: diagnostic neuropathology, forensic histopathology or paediatric and perinatal pathology.
  2. Security staff

    Security staff make sure that hospitals and other NHS sites are accessible and safe for patients, visitors and staff. They also protect buildings and valuable equipment.

    There are no set entry requirements for security officers. Employers usually expect security staff to have some experience of security or customer service, particularly dealing with challenging situations. Employers may ask for relevant training and will expect a good standard of numeracy and literacy. They may ask for GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and maths and a driving licence. Staff joining the NHS as a team leader or manager need experience in security work or with a uniformed service such as the Army or police. When you join the NHS in a security role, you will have an introduction to the site, departments, systems and procedures. You will be expected to keep your skills and knowledge up to date by going on short courses on particular topics, such as conflict resolution or physical intervention.
    Security staff working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. You would typically start on AfC band 2. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions at band 3. Security staff in the NHS work standard hours of around 37.5 a week. The work involves shifts which include early starts, evenings, nights and weekends. Terms and conditions will usually be different for porters working outside of the NHS.
    Security staff need to be able to understand a situation quickly, remain calm in stressful situations, confident and reassuring, resilient in dealing with other people’s challenging behaviour, able to follow procedures, able to work alone or in a team, prepared to go into unknown or unpredictable situations and physically fit for walking and standing. They also need good communication, teamwork and customer service skills.
    With experience, security officers can become team leaders supervising other security staff. With further experience, you could become a manager responsible for the security of a hospital, area or trust or be responsible for security and related areas such as health and safety and fire safety. You may be able to move into other support services roles or into other areas such as estates.
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