Carpenter/joiner [1]
Our buildings need to be kept in good repair so they are safe and pleasant environment for patients, staff and visitors. Carpenters are part of the estates team that make this happen.
There are no set entry requirements but employers usually expect a qualification in carpentry or joinery, such as an NVQ, certificate or diploma. They may also expect some experience of construction work and qualifications and/or experience in other related areas such as painting and decorating. Although carpenters often join the NHS fully qualified and experienced, it may be possible to train in carpentry or joinery in which case employers usually ask for GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and maths. When you start as a trainee carpenter, your training will include health and safety, using tools and equipment safely and all aspects of carpentry and joinery. You will be expected to study for relevant qualifications and may be encouraged to become multi-skilled eg in painting and decorating or plumbing.
Estates staff working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. As an estates support worker, you could start on AfC band 2. As a qualified craftsperson in estates maintenance, you will typically start on AfC band 3. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions at bands 4 and above. Carpenters and joiners in the NHS are likely to work standard hours of around 37.5 a week. Some may work shifts including early starts, evenings and weekends. Terms and conditions will usually be different for carpenters and joiners working outside of the NHS.
Carpenters need to be interested in practical work and repairs, able to follow technical instructions, accurate and methodical, willing to work at heights where necessary, able to use hand tools and power tools and health and safety aware. They also need practical skills, manual (hand) skills and organisational skills.
With experience, you could become a supervisor, overseeing the work of a team of staff. With further experience, you could become a manager, responsible for the maintenance and repairs service for a hospital, area or trust. Some carpenters become self-employed by setting up a business, either on their own or with one or more colleagues.
Related roles
- Bricklayer [2]
- Painter and decorator [3]
- Plumber [4]
- Tiler [5]
Arts and crafts can be used as part of a person’s therapy as a way of helping them deal with their issues.
There are no set entry requirements but employers expect good literacy and numeracy. They may ask for GCSEs (or equivalent) in maths and Englis and an interest and ability in one or more areas of arts or crafts, such as art, music, drama, cookery, gardening, photography etc. They may also ask for a qualification in health or social care and experience in working in the arts in a care or therapy setting. This could be from paid or voluntary work. Some staff enter by working as healthcare assistants or occupational therapy assistants in jobs which may include creative therapies. You will be given the training you need to do the job, including an introduction to the department and its procedures. You will also have training in relevant issues such as mental health or disability.
Creative therapies support staff working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. Job titles vary and it all depends on the exact role you're working in. However, you would typically start on AfC band 2 or 3. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions. Most staff in roles related to the creative therapies in the NHS work standard hours which are likely to be around 37.5 a week. They may work some evenings or weekends. Terms and conditions will usually be different for creative therapies support staff working outside of the NHS.
Staff in roles related to the creative therapies need to be creative, patient and caring, able to motivate people, accepting of other people’s lifestyles, willing to work with people from all walks of life, happy to talk to and work with groups, flexible, able to work in a team but use their own initiative, able to follow procedures and able to deal with people with challenging behaviour. They also need arts and crafts skills, good communication skills and good organisational skills.
You could apply for more senior roles - such as an activities team leader or supervisor, or train as an art, music or dramatherapist, or as an occupational therapist.
Related roles
Reproductive science is the science of creating life and providing solutions to infertility. Andrology focuses on the field of male reproduction.
For the NHS Scientist Training Programme you’ll need a 1st or 2.1 either in an undergraduate honours degree or an integrated master’s degree in a pure or applied science subject relevant to the specialism for which you are applying - reproductive science or andrology. If you have a relevant 2.2 honours degree, you’ll also be considered if you have a higher degree in a subject relevant to the specialism for which you are applying. Evidence of research experience is desirable. To apply for Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST), you’ll need postgraduate qualifications or considerable relevant experience as a clinical scientist, or both.
NHS staff 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. As a healthcare scientist working reproductive science or andrology, your salary will typically be between AfC bands 6-9, depending on the precise role and level of responsibility. Trainee clinical scientists train at band 6 level, and qualified clinical scientists are generally appointed at band 7. With experience and further qualifications, including Higher Specialist Scientist Training, you could apply for posts up to band 9. Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.
An interest in science and technology, good communication skills, comfortable using modern technology and complex equipment, great attention to detail, good interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
An interest in science and technology, good communication skills, comfortable using modern technology and complex equipment, great attention to detail, good interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
Related roles
- Biomedical science [12]
- Genomics [13]
- Genomic counselling [14]
- Knowledge and library services [15]