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.

Don't forget, you can also save your role comparisons by registering with us.  

  1. Public health academic

    Public health academics influence and guide policy-makers in tackling public health challenges, professional practice and research.

    Qualification requirements will vary depending on the level of the role. To obtain a first lecturing position, you would require a postgraduate qualification, or equivalent, in public health or a related subject, together with some experience of working in the field of public health, preferably with evidence of having published your work previously
    Working hours can be long, but are often flexible, so that staff may choose the timing of their teaching sessions and manage their own research and administration. You may also need to be available for some evening and weekend work (for example, for tutorials and seminars, conferences and events).
    You'll have an interest in public health and enjoy research and teaching.
    Although there are exceptions, the standard progression route is generally from researcher to lecturer, senior lecturer (or reader), to professor. Some universities in the UK have also adopted the title 'associate professor' for lecturer, and 'full professor' for professor.

    Related roles

  2. Clinical neurophysiology

    Clinical neurophysiologists investigate and diagnose disorders of the nervous system including a range of conditions affecting the functioning of the muscles (neuromuscular disease). 

    Training usually starts with a five year first degree in medicine. You’ll then complete two years of foundation training and two years of core training (CT1-CT2), followed by four years of specialty training (ST3-ST6). 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 and on call. 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 neurophysiologist 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 31 applications for 10 specialty training places. There are currently 106 consultants working in the NHS in this specialty. You could specialise or conduct research in areas such as epilepsy surgery or Parkinson’s disease or teach medical or postgraduate students.

    Related roles

Make a comment or report a problem with this page

Help us improve

This form is for you to tell us about something that could be improved about the website or if there's anything wrong, incorrect or inaccurate with what you see. 

If you have a query about a career in the NHS, please visit our contact us page and call or email us.