Healthcare is one of the most rewarding careers in the world, and it’s also one of the vastest. People will always need healthcare of all types. From plastic surgery to essential life-saving cancer treatment, there are a number of different jobs in healthcare that can all have a positive impact on someone’s life, and you don’t even need to have a medical degree to work in the sector.
If you’re looking for a job in healthcare and don’t know how to go about it, here are some of the ways you can get a foot on the ladder.
1. Do an apprenticeship
There are a number of healthcare apprenticeships you can undertake. They’re a great option for those who learn better by doing, and those who aren’t in a position to give up an income to learn something new. Whilst you won’t be able to become a brain surgeon or an intensive care doctor through an apprenticeship, there are many other vital job roles that you can undertake through this route, including:
- Radiographer
- Healthcare assistant
- Maternity support
- Podiatrist
- Pharmacy assistant
- Paramedic
The great thing about an apprenticeship is that you get on-the-job experience paired with academic knowledge, giving you the perfect skill set and preparation to start a job in healthcare.
2. Do a degree
If you want to be a doctor or a registered practitioner, you will need to compete a degree. This means you need to go to medical school. If you don’t have the grades to get into medical school, you could acquire the relevant qualifications by doing an apprenticeship. Some of the jobs you will need a degree for include:
- Midwife
- Sonographer
- Physiotherapist
- General practitioner
- Oncologist
In order to get a degree in medicine you will need to go to medical school. There are lots of different medical schools to choose from, each offering different entry requirements. Typically, medical school is highly competitive and requires a person to have a good understanding of science (usually biology or chemistry) and math. Once you have a medical degree, there’s a high chance you’ll find a well-paying job immediately. If not, you can use a healthcare recruitment specialist like Jarrodean to see what other roles you’re qualified to undertake.
3. Apply directly
Healthcare is a broad sector and not every job requires a specific qualification to do. For example, porters, receptionists and cleaners all play a pivotal role in healthcare. Without them, hospitals and doctor’s surgeries would be on their knees. The importance of these jobs cannot be overstated enough, and the great thing is, you don’t need to spend thousands on qualifications to have a big impact on people’s lives. For these types of jobs, as well as administrative jobs that take care of supplies, payroll, and shift patterns, you can usually apply directly like on any other job and go through a standard interview process.
The great thing about these types of jobs is that it gives you experience in the sector and you’ll pick up various bits of knowledge whilst working day to day. This gives you the opportunity to apply for other jobs and get a foot on the ladder internally.
4. Volunteer
Not all jobs need to be paying jobs, meaning you can get a job in healthcare by volunteering. Without volunteers, lots of pop up clinics and more wouldn’t be able to function, nor would patients and staff get the support they need. There’s every chance a volunteer position can turn into a full time paid job, so it’s worth it from that end. Moreover, it gives you an accurate insight into what to expect so you don’t waste thousands on medical bills only to get a job and realize it’s not for you.
Summary
There are so many ways you can get a job in healthcare, so whatever type of learning works best for you, there’s a way in.
