Rehabilitation engineering encompasses a team of people assessing and responding to the needs of people with disabilities.
You’ll typically need appropriate level-3 qualifications to apply for a place on a BSc (Hons) healthcare science in rehabilitation engineering NHS Practitioner Training Programme (PTP) or through the NHS Scientist Training Programme specialising in clinical engineering, for which you’ll need a 1st or 2.1 either in an undergraduate honours degree or an integrated master’s degree in a relevant pure or applied science subject. 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.
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 science practitioner, you’d usually start on band 5, with opportunities to progress to more senior positions. Trainee clinical scientists train at band 6 level, and qualified clinical scientists are generally appointed at band 7. With experience and further qualifications, you could apply for posts up to band 9. Terms and conditions of service can vary for employers outside the NHS.
Effective communication skills, practically minded, and confident with technology, systems and processes, an interest in science and technology, meticulous attention to detail and able to work as part of a team.
With further training or experience or both, you may be able to develop your career further and apply for vacancies in areas such as further specialisation, management, research, or teaching.
Related roles
Doctors in palliative medicine provide holistic [7], quality-of-life care to patients with serious, advanced and progressive illnesses that cannot be cured.
Training usually starts with a five year first degree in medicine. 2 years foundation doctor training, 2 years core training (CT1-2), followed by 4 years specialists training (ST3-6). 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 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 doctor in palliative medicine 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.
There were 298 consultants in palliative medicine in England in 2016. You could specialise or conduct research or teach medical students or postgraduate students in training.
Related roles
- Medical oncology [8]
- General practitioner [9]
- Geriatric medicine [10]
- Respiratory medicine [11]