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Careers in the allied professions

Caring, compassionate, committed Make a difference with a career in health Welcome Contents

What is an allied ? ...... 4 A career for you NHS values and the 6Cs of compassionate care Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ...... 5 There are more than 350 roles in health, and many of them are part of a wider To apply for any job in the NHS or in an Which role is right for you? ...... 6 team which works alongside other health organisation that provides NHS services, or professionals for the benefit of for a course with clinical placements in the The allied health professions at a glance ...... 8 and the public. As well as the NHS itself, a NHS, you’ll need to show how you think the great many large and smaller organisations values of the NHS Constitution would apply i therapist ...... 8 provide healthcare and work to prevent ill in your everyday work. ii ...... 8 health in the UK. These include public and iii Dramatherapist ...... 9 private sector organisations, community The NHS Constitution values are: iv therapist ...... 9 interest companies, social enterprises and v ...... 10 charities, and you could work for the NHS Working together for patients vi Orthoptist ...... 10 or any one of these other organisations in Respect and dignity vii ...... 11 a health role. Commitment to quality of care viii Physiotherapist ...... 11 Compassion ix /chiropodist ...... 12 Some roles give you direct contact with Improving lives x Prosthetist/orthotist ...... 12 patients, while in others you are part of a Everyone counts xi (diagnostic and therapeutic) ...... 13 vast support network vital to delivering xii Speech and language therapist ...... 13 healthcare and preventing ill health, and These values may also be promoted as good team-working is essential. Some jobs the 6Cs of compassionate care, which are: Real-life stories ...... 14 are in , others are based in the community: increasingly, health and social Care Getting started as an allied health professional ...... 22 care services are integrated or co-ordinated Compassion in order to provide a seamless service for Competence Next steps and progressing your career ...... 25 people with a range of needs. Communication Courage Benefits of working in the NHS ...... 28 We actively recruit people of all ages, Commitment backgrounds and levels of experience, Health career framework ...... 30 including people who have worked in other sectors or who bring life experience from outside the world of work. This helps us to understand the different needs of patients, families and carers, and to provide the best Find out more about the NHS Constitution possible service every day. and the 6Cs at:

www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ nhsconstitution

www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/6Cs What is an allied FAQs health professional? What are the allied health professions?

If you are looking for a career that combines a The allied health professions (AHPs) are art therapist, challenge, an excellent employment package dramatherapist, chiropodist/podiatrist, dietitian, music and the reward of doing something really therapist, occupational therapist, orthoptist, paramedic, worthwhile, the allied health professions physiotherapist, prosthetist, orthotist, diagnostic offer a wide range of opportunities. radiographer, therapeutic radiographer, and speech and language therapist.

How do I train to be an allied Allied health professionals (AHPs) provide treatment and help rehabilitate adults and health professional? children who are ill, have disabilities or special needs, to live life as fully as possible. They The training for each of these professions involves going to work across a wide range of care pathways, university to do an approved programme. For some careers, including A&E, paediatrics and end-of-life only full-time courses are available, but for others there care, and in different settings including the may be part-time routes too. community, people’s homes and schools, as well as hospitals. They also often work in the Is there financial help to support independent sector or for charities. me while I’m training?

Although they frequently work alongside The NHS has traditionally provided financial support to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, AHPs are making independent eligible students taking approved courses in a number of assessments and decisions about treatment. the allied health professions, but it is important to note that As an AHP, it will be important that you this support is changing from September 2017. can work well as part of a team and be For the latest information, visit able to make your own decisions based on www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/financialsupport the training and specialist expertise you have acquired. Can I work as an AHP assistant and train later? In the frontline of healthcare, all the allied health professions involve working directly Yes, there are opportunities to work in a variety of clinical with patients, usually one-to-one, but sometimes with groups of people who support roles, such as a dietetic assistant, physiotherapy share similar health problems or issues. assistant, assistant, assistant, technical instructor, assistant, orthotic technician, prosthetic technician and speech and language therapy assistant. Depending on your role, your employer may then support you to train as a fully qualified AHP.

4 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 5 Which role is right for you? This booklet focuses on the professional AHP roles.

Whether you are interested in , the , sport or psychology, you’re For information about staff sure to find something here that suits you. working in assistant or clinical support roles, visit What all the roles share is a commitment to the individual or client. www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ clinicalsupportstaff These are jobs you’ll enjoy if you feel comfortable interacting with people, including families and other carers, as treatment progresses.

On the frontline of healthcare, all the allied judgements on which the health and health professions involve working directly Each of the allied health professions wellbeing of your patients may depend. with patients, usually one-to-one, but brings specialist knowledge and skills This means you will need good grades at sometimes with groups of people who share that are unique to their job. A-level or equivalent level 3 qualifications similar health problems or issues. However, For example: to gain a place on a university course, or the kind of work varies according to the relevant work experience combined with profession you choose. • Therapeutic play a key evidence of academic ability. part in treating people who have Some roles, such as a radiographer, life-threatening . involve using complex high-tech equipment. For more information about the • Orthoptists may be asked to assess A range of other jobs such as prosthetist will training needed to work in the the vision and eye movements appeal to you if you have an interest allied health professions, visit of young babies with the aim of in design and technology and how they www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ detecting and correcting problems can be used to improve people’s lives. AHPtraining related to eye or brain development. Speech and language therapists and take complex scientific information and • Occupational therapists can help use it to create individual treatment plans people regain independence after Working as an assistant for people with eating or communication a serious illness or injury, working problems, respectively. in hospitals but also in the clients’ Across most of the allied health professions own home. there are a range of assistant roles that play Other roles are more hands-on. As a • Arts therapists help people come to an important part in providing treatment physiotherapist or podiatrist, your specialist terms with, and recover from, severe to patients. There are no set academic knowledge of muscle and bone structure conditions such as requirements but these roles can act as a are needed for treatments that often depression or addiction. springboard for further career development involve manipulation and guiding people and eventual professional qualification. through . How far you want to take your career will depend on you but the culture of personal The arts therapies involve listening and To move into any of the professional roles, development and continuing learning within working in partnership with clients to you need to have completed a course of the NHS will provide all the support you need. identify ways of overcoming their problems. study and training at degree, diploma or You’ll use art, drama and music to enable postgraduate level. Only then will you others to live their life more fully. be qualified to make the kind of clinical

6 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 7 The allied health professions at a glance

You can find more detailed information about all the allied health roles listed below on the Health Careers See real-life stories of website at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/AHP people working in some of the allied health There are also short videos about most of professions at the end of the AHP roles on our YouTube channel: this section www.youtube.com/NHScareers

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Art therapist Dietitian Dramatherapist Music therapist

Art therapists use their psychotherapeutic Dietitians are experts in and nutrition. Dramatherapists use role play, movement and can be particularly helpful training and their creative skills to work with They are the only health professionals who storytelling to help people explore and solve when emotions are too confusing to express people who have difficulty communicating and assess, diagnose, support and treat health personal and social problems. Dramatherapists verbally. Music therapists use people’s natural relating to others. Working in hospitals, mental conditions with food and nutrition. Dietitians work in a variety of settings, including mental musicality to help explore and solve personal health and disability services and in prisons, art also promote wider messages health and disability services, and in prisons. and social problems. They use a wide range therapists help clients to express their feelings, such as reduction of obesity and diabetes, and of musical styles including free improvisation explore their potential, and achieve a sense of many work on a freelance basis with clients to If you enjoy drama, and are willing to to offer appropriate, sensitive and meaningful personal development and fulfilment. achieve personal goals. undertake psychotherapeutic training, help. They work in a variety of settings, it could be the career for you. including mental health and disability services It’s a career to consider if you enjoy art Dietitians work in a variety of settings. While and in prisons. and can see how the creative process many work in hospitals, others work in the You will need academic qualifications, could have therapeutic value for a wide community, health centres, specialist , evidence of your dramatic ability, and to be It could be the career for you if you are range of people. people’s homes, with the food industry, sports able to demonstrate a genuine interest in musical and can see how music can be used and the media. helping people. as a therapy for a wide range of people. Before you start training as a therapist, you need academic qualifications, evidence of Key to being a dietitian is your ability Find out more about being a dramatherapist at You’ll need academic qualifications, evidence your ability as an artist, and to demonstrate to understand the science and evidence www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/dramatherapist of your ability as a musician, and to be a genuine interest in helping people. behind whatever you are presented able to demonstrate a genuine interest in with and translate that information helping people. Find out more about being an art therapist at so that patients and clients are able www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/arttherapist to understand. Find out more about being a music therapist at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/musictherapist “Helping new art therapists Find out more about being a dietitian at to develop is extremely important.” www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/dietitian Francesca La Nave, Art psychotherapist

8 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 9 3 4

Occupational therapist Orthoptist Paramedic Physiotherapist

This is a wide-ranging role that links health Orthoptists assess and treat patients of respond to 999 and 111 calls Physiotherapists assess everything from back with social care and the surroundings in all ages who have problems with eye and are trained in all aspects of urgent and pain and getting strength back after a stroke which people live. Occupational therapists movement and coordination, such as a lazy emergency care, ranging from problems such or long illness to sports injuries, and provide help people with physical and psychological eye (amblyopia) or squint (strabismus). as cardiac arrest, heart attacks, strokes, spinal treatment using techniques ranging from problems to be more independent in home, injuries and major trauma, to minor illnesses programmes to the use of heat work and social settings by assessing what A career in orthoptics requires an in- and injuries. and other therapies. they are able to do for themselves and depth understanding of how the eye and providing support and encouragement. brain work, combined with the ability to In the past, paramedics provided If you’re especially interested in anatomy work with people of all ages, including emergency treatment and transported and exercise, physiotherapy will give It will appeal to you if you have a young children. patients to . you a deeper understanding of what’s strong practical streak, and can quickly involved in movement and how injuries, grasp the day-to-day problems created Orthoptists work in hospital clinics and But, as a modern day paramedic, you will pain and problems associated with by someone’s state of health and the centres, and may also go provide a comprehensive mobile healthcare can be managed and treated. circumstances in which they live. into schools to conduct vision assessments. service by assessing patients, diagnosing problems and providing treatment, often in Many physiotherapists work with patients Working in hospitals, community health Orthoptists may be asked to assess the vision the patient’s own home. in hospitals and in outpatient clinics, but centres and in people’s own homes, your job and eye movements of young babies with there is a wide range of other community is to help clients achieve as much as possible the aim of detecting and correcting problems Find out more about being a paramedic at settings too. for themselves. Occupational therapists also related to eye or brain development. www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/paramedic provide support and guidance for families Find out more about being a physiotherapist and carers. Find out more about being an orthoptist at at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/orthoptist physiotherapist Find out more about being an occupational therapist www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/OT “It is very satisfying to help patients progress from admission “What appealed to me about to discharge home.” occupational therapy was the Peter Eckersley, opportunity to work closely with Physiotherapy team leader people in a problem-solving role and to help people to be as independent as possible in their daily life.” Anne Gordon, Consultant paediatric occupational therapist

10 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 11 5 6

Podiatrist/chiropodist Prosthetist/orthotist Radiographer Speech and language therapist

Podiatrists assess, diagnose and treat Prosthetists use their skills to design and fit Radiography is a large and growing area This role is about helping people who, for disorders of the bones, skin and soft tissue of artificial limbs for people who have lost limbs within modern healthcare based mainly in physical or psychological reasons, have the foot and lower limb to help keep people through trauma, diabetes, peripheral vascular hospitals and health centres operating highly problems speaking and communicating. on the move including those with arthritis, disease or due to congenital deformities. Their sophisticated equipment. Patients range from children whose speech is diabetes, nail and sports injuries. work facilitates function that has been lost slow to develop, to older people whose ability They work with people of all ages and have through amputation. A career in radiography will suit you to speak has been impaired by illness or injury. an important role to play in helping older if you have an interest in science and It also includes treatment for those who have people to remain independent. Orthotists assess, design and provide orthoses a caring attitude. difficulty with eating or swallowing. You will (custom-designed external devices) to modify be working in hospitals, outpatient clinics, A career in podiatry gives you a specialist the structural or functional characteristics of There are two distinct areas in which community health centres and schools. area of professional expertise where you the neuromuscular and skeletal systems. radiographers work: diagnosis and therapy. make your own clinical decisions and They work with patients with conditions such The role will suit you if you like the idea treatment plans. as diabetes, arthritis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida Using x-rays, imaging and of using language and communication and scoliosis. They help mobilise patients, technology, diagnostic radiographers to help people. You need a keen interest in how this part reduce pain and facilitate healing of ulcers. capture detailed images from inside the body of the body works, and confidence in that can be crucial to the correct diagnosis Find out more about being a speech and your judgement. You might be working A career in this area suits people with and treatment of illness and injuries. language therapist at www.healthcareers. in hospitals, outpatient clinics, community good practical, design, handling and Therapeutic radiographers use high- nhs.uk/ health centres and people’s own homes. communications skills. in the frontline battle against cancers and other . There’s no difference between a podiatrist Both prosthetists and orthotists have extensive “It’s a busy life. You’re working Find out more about being a diagnostic and chiropodist, but podiatrist is a more knowledge of biomechanics, anatomy, closely with the other members radiographer at www.healthcareers. modern name. physiology, and material science. of a multidisciplinary team, like nhs.uk/diagnosticradiographer. Find You could be working in hospitals, clinics physiotherapists and dietitians. Find out more about being a podiatrist or a out more about being a therapeutic and community health centres, both as an Every case is different so you’re chiropodist at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ radiographer at www.healthcareers.nhs. autonomous practitioner and as part of a really kept on your toes.” chiropodistandpodiatrist uk/therapeuticradiographer multi-disciplinary team. Liz Muir, Speech and language therapist

Find out more about being a prosthetist or an orthotist at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ “As my experience grew I prosthetistandorthotist progressed from radiographer to senior radiographer.” Wayne Hoban, Deputy general manager,

12 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 13 1 Art psychotherapist

Name

Francesca La Nave

Job title

Art psychotherapist, St George’s Healthcare “Art psychotherapists NHS Trust, London work with difficult- Entry route to-reach patients.” Degree in fine arts and print making

How I got into the role What I do

I studied fine arts and printmaking and worked After a few years, I was offered the post of trust- in community arts for a number of years before I wide training placement coordinator for all the started my NHS career as a assistant, while arts therapies. In this role I work with local also training to become an art psychotherapist. boroughs and services as well as collaborating When I started my art training, I with accredited higher institutions was juggling part-time work, a young family and that provide arts therapy training. I am now a training placement in a school in south London! extending my clinical and professional skills Once I finished my studies and qualified, I worked through writing, training and coaching in in a rehabilitation unit in Surrey where I gained a lot supervision and private practice. of experience and established a comprehensive programme for residents and outpatients. The best bits

A few years later, I took up a post in a day hospital I also get to work with new trainees which I where I furthered my interest in group therapy, really enjoy. Helping new art therapists to develop eventually training in group analytic psychotherapy, is extremely important and helps to ensure the followed by an MA in Group and Intercultural effectiveness of the service we provide to patients. Therapy. I am proud that art psychotherapists work with some of the most difficult-to-reach patients in While working at Sutton Hospital and Community mental health services. Services, I expanded the art psychotherapy service, particularly the group programme. I developed I believe in supporting as a life-enhancing Real-life models for group art therapy which worked well path not only in clinical practice but also through for people with mixed diagnoses including enduring helping patients use their imaginations for their stories mental health problems and disorders. personal and collective development.

14 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 15 2 Dietitian 3 Occupational therapist

Name Name

Pete Turner Anne Gordon

Job title Job title

Specialist dietitian, Royal Consultant paediatric occupational Liverpool and Broadgreen “I had an interest therapist, Guy’s and St Thomas’ “I undertook an University Hospitals NHS Trust Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in nutrition and wanted MSc to gain Entry route Entry route to work with people.” further experience.” Postgraduate diploma Degree in applied science in dietetics – occupational therapy

How I got into the role In the afternoons, I work on surgical wards or the How I got into the role What I do intensive care unit. Surgical patients often need My degree in pharmacology was interesting but building up before their operation with food, oral After completing my degree in Australia, I worked I currently work as the lead clinician for the would have led to a career in a lab. I had an interest nutritional supplements or tube feeds and usually in a specialist rehabilitation facility for children with occupational therapy team at the Evelina in nutrition and wanted to work with people so a need nutritional support to help them recover after cerebral palsy. It was this experience that made me Children’s Hospital. We work with children who postgraduate diploma in dietetics was an obvious surgery. Intensive care patients usually need to be want to specialise in working with children. When I have been admitted to hospital with a variety of choice for me. fed through tubes and drips and I decide on the moved to London some years later, I worked as an health conditions, as well as children who come best feeding options for them. occupational therapist in community child health and for specialist out-patient appointments. In the I worked as a ward dietitian and then as a at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in the out-patient clinics, I support children who have research dietitian and it soon became apparent The best bits and departments. had a brain injury or who have complex epilepsy. that nutritional support was the area I was most interested in. Nutritional support involves feeding I lead a team of band 5 and band 6 dietitians, I undertook an MSc to gain further experience and My role is to identify how the child’s health very sick and malnourished patients, often through undertake clinical audit and educate hospital staff training in research and enjoyed working in research condition impacts on what they need and want to tubes and intravenous lines. I jumped at the chance including nurses and doctors on the importance so much, I decided to apply for a PhD, looking at do in daily life, and advise on how they can best be when a specialist nutritional support post came up of good nutritional care. I am also chair of the children who had suffered a stroke during infancy supported to live independently. I also undertake at Royal Liverpool University Hospital in 1995 and committee that organises the British Association or childhood. research to improve care, therapy interventions and have been in the role ever since. for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition annual service standards for children with special healthcare conference, the UK’s largest needs, both across London and nationally. What I do conference. The best bits I’m part of a multidisciplinary nutrition team with I really enjoy working as part of a multidisciplinary a , nutrition nurse and doctor. Every team and helping patients to recover with good Helping to find solutions and deliver therapy that morning we do a ward round of around 20 patients nutritional care. Giving presentations to educate improves children’s health, independence and on intravenous feeding known as total parenteral staff about the importance of good nutritional quality of life is really satisfying. nutrition. I monitor patients’ progress and work out care is very rewarding too. their requirements in terms of energy, fats, , carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals which helps the pharmacist to devise a suitable feeding regime for the patient.

16 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 17 4 Physiotherapist 5 Radiographer

Name Name

Peter Eckersley Hazel Rodger

Job title Job title “It is very satisfying to Physiotherapy team leader, Head of radiotherapy, inpatient orthopaedics, The help patients progress Leeds Centre “I try to base my decisions Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust from admission to Entry route on what I would want if our Entry route discharge home.” Degree in therapeutic patients were my mum or dad.” Physiotherapy degree radiography

How I got into the role What I do How I got into the role communicate to staff about the great work everyone is doing and acknowledging their successes, and I remember being struck by the range of patients A typical day is mainly spent on the wards I always knew I wanted to work with people and ensure all staff have access to education and training the physiotherapists treated during my first spell helping people to mobilise and recover from their looked at all sorts of options including nursing, opportunities to support them in their roles. Most of work experience at my local hospital, when I orthopaedic surgery. As a team leader, I am also physiotherapy, occupational therapy and radiography. importantly I have to ensure the service is staffed was at school. They looked after everyone from responsible for the training and development The combination of using very advanced technology appropriately, which involves crunching lots of data patients recovering from a stroke to those who had of my team and the service, to ensure we are to treat patients and building a relationship with them and understanding how it relates to the number of just had knee ligament surgery. I decided to apply providing the best quality care for our patients. over the course of their treatment was very attractive. staff we need and how many patients we’re likely to for the degree course and qualified as a treat in any one year. physiotherapist in 2001. I have become very interested in leadership and One of the first patients I treated as a student was took part in the NHS Leadership Academy Clinical an 18 year old with an aggressive cancer. We had I try to base my decisions on what I would want I’ve worked at North Manchester General Fellowship Programme in 2011/12, which resulted a laugh and I know he felt ‘normal’ when he came if our patients were my mum or dad. That was Hospital for 13 years now, beginning as a band 5 in a postgraduate certificate in NHS leadership for treatment when every other bit of his life was difficult recently when we lost my mum-in-law to physiotherapist where I gained experience across and service improvement. It has given me a far so different from his friends’. I realised then what lung cancer, but it helped me realise on a personal a range of specialties including musculoskeletal greater range of skills to use as team leader, and a difference we made to his last few months and it level what a difference we make to patients. outpatients and medical, surgical, rehabilitation led to my workplace project from the programme made me even more determined. and infectious diseases wards. being presented at an international healthcare The best bits conference in 2013. What I do I moved into a band 6 post in 2004 where I The best thing about the job is the people I work added neurology to my experience, and I The best bits As a manager I no longer actually treat patients, but with, both staff and patients. became team leader for inpatient orthopaedic every decision I make is focused on ensuring we are physiotherapy in 2007. It is very satisfying to help patients progress from doing all we can to offer the best possible treatments I wouldn’t change a thing about my role. I have admission to discharge home. to them. both the autonomy and support I need with a fantastic team around me. By that I mean everyone I love that my job isn’t repetitive. I can be negotiating from senior managers to the cleaning and a multi-million pound equipment contract one minute portering staff; we are all cogs in a huge wheel and cleaning the bottom of a patient’s slippers the and none of us is more important than the other in next (a long story!). I work with a multi-professional making sure patients get the best possible service. team to set the strategy and vision for our service,

18 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 19 6 Speech and language therapist

Name

Liz Muir

Job title “To gain wider Speech and language therapist, North East Essex Clinical experience, I started Commissioning Group in a split role.” Entry route

Degree in speech and language therapy

How I got into the role What I do

My first experience of speech and language therapy To gain wider experience, I started in a split role, was as a volunteer with a local stroke rehabilitation working with people with learning disabilities and group. I think my mum came up with the idea that patients with acquired disorders through injury I might like it as a career, so I volunteered so I could or disease. find out more. I enjoyed it and the experience helped with my university application because there’s strong I’m working in hospital, outpatient clinics and in the competition for places. community with patients who have had a stroke. I work with them and their relatives, assessing their The degree course took three and a half years, communication and swallowing difficulties, and combining study with work placements. Once I’d setting goals for coping with, or overcoming, their qualified, I got a job where I spent my last placement. problems. In fact, I now chair the same kind of Two years on, I’m really happy with the career stroke group that I used to be a volunteer with. choice I made. It feels like I’ve come a long way in a short time.

20 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 21 Getting started as an Remember that if you’re applying for a role either directly in the NHS or in an organisation that provides NHS services, you may be asked to show how you think the values of the NHS Constitution apply in your everyday work. allied health professional Find out more at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/nhsconstitution and www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/6Cs There is a tremendous range of opportunities within the allied health professions. Whatever role you choose, and whatever level you start at, you will get all the support you need to develop your career. Opportunities for assistants Professional training

Work placements and volunteering Apprenticeships In many of the allied health professions, Each university has its own admission criteria there are opportunities for people to work as and course structure, and the length of each Doing volunteer work or arranging a work Apprenticeships are increasingly becoming healthcare assistants or clinical support workers. course may vary, but it is likely to be three placement is the best way to find out if a available in the allied health professions and years. Make sure your course is recognised health profession is right for you. It will give there are relevant apprenticeships in care Healthcare assistants help qualified staff by the Health and Care Professions you experience of the working environment, work which provide invaluable experience to provide a better service to more people – Council, which is the relevant regulatory show you the kind of work you would be of working directly with patients and service preparing patients for treatment, setting up body for the allied health professions. doing and the people you would be helping, users, and these could lead to AHP support equipment, and assisting in the therapy itself. and let you talk with people who are already roles. For example, you might find an There are no set academic requirements for In any of the allied health professions, you doing the job. apprenticeship as a therapy assistant, support these jobs. Employers look for enthusiasm, will work as an independent professional, worker, healthcare worker or healthcare a willingness to learn and a commitment to responsible for assessing and treating your own The number and type of work placements assistant. working with people. caseload of patients. Therefore, you must first or volunteering opportunities available vary complete an approved training programme depending on where you are in the country. With experience gained through an Clinical support workers/therapy assistants at degree, diploma or postgraduate level Experience doesn’t always need to be apprenticeship and appropriate academic/ have their own vocational qualifications and (depending on the profession). gained in the NHS either, so think about the vocational qualifications, you could apply career paths. Additionally, in some professions independent health sector, charities and other for training as an allied health professional. – dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, Entry to degree/diploma courses usually organisations where you could provide care podiatry, radiography and speech and language requires three good A-levels. However, for people as a way of gaining experience. For some of the allied health professions, you therapy – working as an assistant can create a universities may recognise other qualifications can train on a part-time basis. So, if you are route into study and training for a professional at level 3 and work experience. completing an apprenticeship, your employer qualification. This normally involves a part-time For more information about may support you to do this as your next step. course, such as a foundation degree, while you If you already have a degree in a relevant opportunities in your area, please continue working as an assistant. discipline, there are also postgraduate training talk to your local trust and voluntary courses for some professions at diploma, organisations. You can also find more Apprenticeship vacancies in health can Find out more about working as an masters or doctorate level. information on gaining experience be found on the NHS Jobs website assistant in our Careers in the wider at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ www.jobs.nhs.uk and the government healthcare team booklet. experience Apprenticeships website For more information on studying to www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship be an AHP, visit www.healthcareers. For more information about nhs.uk/AHPstudy More information on apprenticeship clinical support worker careers, opportunities in health is available visit www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ For courses leading to a career in the at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ clinicalsupportstaff allied health professions, visit apprenticeships www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/courses To search for jobs in your area, visit www.jobs.nhs.uk

22 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 23 Funding Next steps and The NHS has traditionally provided financial support to eligible students taking approved progressing your career courses in a number of the allied health professions, but it is important to note that this support is changing from September 2017. If you want to work in health, it’s important to find out as much information as you can about the qualifications you need and the opportunities that are available.

For the latest information, visit www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ If you need a degree, you can get a list of You’ll need some experience in a more financialsupport the institutions running approved courses generalist role first, but in most areas of leading to eligibility to apply for registration work you can specialise in an area that by using the Health Careers course finder at interests you. For example, physiotherapists Registration www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/courses. For a can specialise in sports injuries, and speech place on a degree course, you usually need and language therapists can progress to To begin and continue practising as an to apply through UCAS. focusing on people with specific learning allied health professional, you must be difficulties. Moving into clinical specialisms There are opportunities to work in a range of registered with and regulated by the Health may involve taking further qualifications. settings as an AHP and you can progress from and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You one grade or band to another. In some AHP need to apply for registration once you have roles, you can become advanced practitioners successfully completed your training course or consultants and be able to prescribe and then provide evidence of continuing . learning and development to maintain your registration in future.

Whatever position you’re in now, the For job vacancies in local government, For more information, visit Health Careers service can help. visit www.lgjobs.com www.hcpc-uk.org Call us on 0345 60 60 655, email [email protected] or visit our For information about the professional website at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk bodies representing the various AHPs, look under each individual role page on To search for jobs with organisations our main website: www.healthcareers. providing NHS services, visit nhs.uk/explore-roles www.jobs.nhs.uk

For job vacancies with other health organisations visit www.gov.uk/ jobsearch

24 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 25 Here are some other things you can be doing, depending on where you are right now:

Where are What should you do now? Who can help? Fulfil your potential you now? The NHS is committed to offering development The health career framework on p.30-31 Studying for Visit www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk Health Careers and learning opportunities for all full-time and makes it easy to see at a glance how you your GCSEs Check what your likely exam grades/results will be. Subject teachers part-time staff. If you work for the NHS, no can progress within your chosen career. Explore routes into your chosen career – will you Your careers adviser where you start, you’ll have access to need a degree or other qualification before you Professional bodies extra training and be given every chance to Other organisations that provide healthcare join, or will the employer train you on the job? progress within the organisation. You’ll receive and work to prevent ill health will offer similar Can you start as an assistant? Are apprenticeships an annual personal review and development development opportunities and the chance to available in your area? plan to support your career progression. review your work. It’s a good idea to discuss Are there any particular skills or experience that You will also be encouraged to extend your career development with any employer you will improve your chances of getting into your range of skills and knowledge and take on are considering. chosen career? new responsibilities through the Knowledge Enquire about volunteering or work experience. and Skills Framework (KSF). The KSF is Find out if you need any specific A-levels, or available on the NHS Employers website: equivalent qualifications at level 3. www.nhsemployers.org/SimplifiedKSF Studying for As GCSEs, plus: Health Careers A-levels or If you need to study a particular degree, Subject teachers another course investigate which universities offer it. Your careers adviser at your school or Investigate any further qualifications you might National Careers a local college need for your chosen role. Service Find out if you are eligible for NHS UCAS financial support. NHS Student Bursaries Search the NHS Jobs website at www.jobs.nhs.uk Professional bodies and speak to your local trust to get an idea NHS Jobs of current vacancies. Universities Consider the option of an apprenticeship.

At university As A-levels, plus: Health Careers If you’re doing a degree in a subject not relevant University careers to AHP training, investigate your options service for switching courses, or going on to do a Professional bodies postgraduate course approved by the relevant NHS Jobs regulatory body. Regulatory bodies

Looking for As A-levels, plus: Health Careers a new career Find out if you will need to retrain before you Careers adviser apply for new roles or if the employer will train National Careers you while you are working. Service Jobcentre Plus Professional bodies NHS Jobs UCAS

26 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 27 One of the UK’s best pension schemes Health and wellbeing at work and your work-life balance Benefits of working in The NHS Pension Scheme is one of the most generous in the UK. Every new employee The NHS is committed to helping staff to the NHS automatically becomes a member, unless stay well, including serving healthier food, you choose to opt out. promoting physical activity, reducing stress, and providing health checks covering mental Other employment benefits for NHS staff health and musculoskeletal problems. As an allied health professional in the NHS, you will enjoy one of the most competitive and flexible benefits packages offered by any employer in the Everyone employed under the NHS Agenda UK and a wealth of opportunities to develop your career. You will join one of for Change pay system is entitled to: The NHS will help you combine the country’s most respected organisations and one which has the values of your work with commitments in your everyday life and at compassionate care and staff wellbeing at its very heart. • a standard working week of 37.5 hours different stages of your career - • holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, whether you’re studying for a new If you work as an allied health professional in the private or voluntary plus eight general and public holidays, qualification, raising a family or sectors or another public sector organisation, your pay and benefits will rising to 33 days after ten years’ service have other responsibilities. vary depending on your employer. • pay enhancements to reward out-of-hours, shift and overtime working The size and diversity of the NHS means we • career and pay progression based on the can offer you a range of flexible working and Your pay as an allied health professional application of knowledge and skills retirement opportunities. Part-time roles and in the NHS job-share opportunities are often available, as • annual personal development review to well as term-time only, evening and weekend NHS roles are covered by the pay system entry level qualified roles attract higher support career aspirations occupational positions. Many people take an extended Agenda for Change (AfC) for all NHS staff bandings than band 5, for instance arts health services break to look after young children or other except doctors, and very senior therapists. Specialist and managerial AHP • study leave for sponsored courses dependants who need special care, or to managers. The NHS job evaluation system roles attract higher bandings. Clinical study full time. determines a points score, which is used to directors are usually band 9. Many of these benefits apply across match jobs to pay bands and determine levels the whole of the NHS, although local As well as advice and support for people of basic salary. Each pay band has a number of Clinical support worker roles in this area organisations may offer additional benefits looking after sick or elderly relatives, the NHS pay points. Staff normally progress to the next typically attract band 2. This rises to band such as cycle to work schemes and nurseries. provides a range of childcare services for pay point annually until they reach the top of 3 for higher level roles and band 4 for Many local shops, restaurants and services employees, including: the pay band. technician roles and those working as offer discounts to health staff too, including • nursery care assistant practitioners, for instance in most gyms and leisure centres. Health Service Your career as a qualified AHP typically starts at podiatry or occupational therapy. Discounts is an employee benefit provider for • after-school and breakfast clubs AfC band 5, for instance as a physiotherapist many NHS organisations and offers discounts • holiday play schemes or occupational therapist. However, some and deals for NHS staff on shopping, holidays and financial services from well-known • emergency care brands: www.healthservicediscounts.com For more information on pay bands and the most up-to-date salary information in your You can find more information on health and chosen career, visit www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/pay well-being at work at www.nhsemployers. org/healthyworkplaces

Get more information about the benefits and opportunities offered by the NHS at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/payandbenefits

28 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 29 Health career framework

This health career framework has been It encourages individuals to learn new skills and take The real-life story on page 17 describes how Anne The diagram below gives an illustration of a variety of designed to improve career development on extra responsibilities that enable them to progress Gordon has progressed within the allied health health careers and where they may fit on the health and job satisfaction for NHS employees. within the organisation. Many people take on professions. You can follow her career path in the career framework. It is not exhaustive; details on other additional responsibility within their own area, while white boxes on the diagram below, alongside other careers can be found in the relevant booklets and others retrain and move in to different roles. potential paths in the different areas of the NHS. on the Health Careers website.

Senior healthcare Assistant practitioners/  Senior practitioners/ Initial entry level jobs Support workers Practitioners  Advanced practitioners  Consultant practitioners  More senior staff assistants/technicians Associate practitioners specialist practitioners

Patient transport Emergency medical Control room duty officer Paramedic Specialist paramedic Advanced paramedic Consultant paramedic Clinical director of service service driver dispatcher Ambulance service team

Therapy clinical Occupational therapy Assistant practitioner in Occupational therapist: Senior occupational Advanced occupational Consultant support worker rehabilitation assistant occupational therapy giving advice on how therapist: therapist (team leader): occupational therapist: the home environment teaching patients teaching patients new manage a team of can be changed to methods to conserve ways of doing things occupational therapists help patients cope energy for daily living to strengthen hand and carry out research professions Allied health with physical problems when stamina is movement when to improve care following an accident reduced dexterity has been lost interventions

Dental nurse Student dental technician Assistant dental Dental technician Senior dental technologist technician team Dental care

Phlebotomist Newborn hearing Critical care technologist Cardiac physiologist Senior biomedical Specialist respiratory Consultant Director of regional screener scientist physiologist clinical scientist genetics services (medical physics) science Healthcare

Health records assistant Support desk assistant Medical records clerk Helpdesk adviser Web developer Special projects manager Head of communications Access, booking and Director of information choice manager management and technology

General office manager Payroll manager Projects manager Head of accounts Maxillofacial laboratory Director of human manager resources Management

Healthcare assistant Maternity support worker Community midwife Head of Consultant midwife Director of maternity (maternity) services Midwifery

Nurse cadet Healthcare assistant Senior healthcare Community care assistant Neonatal nurse Community District nurse Nurse consultant in stroke Director of nursing (nursing) assistant psychiatric nurse (team manager) Nursing

Porter Maintenance assistant Security officer Medical secretary Catering manager Chaplain Head of estates Wider healthcare team

30 Careers in the allied health professions Careers in the allied health professions 31 For further copies of this booklet please contact:

Health Careers PO Box 27079 Glasgow G3 9EJ Tel: 0345 60 60 655 email: [email protected] www.healthcareers.nhs.uk

NHSCB03 Oct 2016

@HealthCareersUK

/healthcareersuk

32 Careers in the allied health professions