Career Pathway Tool

Activities workers help people to participate in leisure, education and community life. This can include organising engagements, trips and activities for individuals requiring care and assistance - the activities are tailored to meet the needs and abilities of the individuals.

Activities worker organise all elements around the activities, including leading discussion to support the types of activities that are planned,  working with and booking external suppliers, considering transport arrangements and accessibility requirements. 

This role will be based in a number of different environments including care homes, day centres, in the community or in someone's home.

Admin roles can be found in all parts of the health and social care sector and are a good way to move into the sector if you don't have any previous experience. Admin roles in health and social care usually require a person to be well-organised and be able to record detail as well hold the key values and behaviours for working in the sector.

In Primary Care admin staff are often the first point of contact between patients and the general practice - patients and other organisations need to be able to contact the NHS, to see or speak to the right person who can give them the help they need, therefore these roles are vital.

Within Social Care an admin role could be found in a number of different settings such as a day centre, hospice, care home or directly in the community.

The tasks and responsibilities of administrative staff will be dependent on the role but could include scheduling appointments, dealing with phone or email enquiries, maintaining patient records, reception duties, diary management, taking minutes and working with suppliers for billing queries.  These roles are a good stepping stone for someone want to move into the health and social care sector. 

Care workers make a positive difference to someone’s life when they are faced with physical, practical, social, emotional or intellectual challenges.  

Care workers offer support to people with all aspects of their day to day living - this  includes socialising, carrying out physical activities, personal care, mobility to meal times. Care workers also help people with taking any medication or monitoring their condition such as monitor weight or pulse.

Within Social Care, Adult Care Workers are frontline staff working directly with adults who need care and support - they support people to live as independently and safely as possible, enabling them to have control and choice in their lives which is at the heart of person centred care.  This role can be found in care homes but also within the community in someone's home.

Employers will provide training needed to be a care worker during onboarding and induction into a role.

Please see an interview with a Care Worker below.

Cook and kitchen assistants can be found in the majority of health and social care settings such as NHS Hospitals or residential care homes. As a cook or kitchen assistant you will be responsible for supporting the Cook or Chef in the preparing and cooking food - this work is key to ensuring patients are provided nutritious, balanced and high quality food. 

Depending on the setting of the role an assistant worker, you may:

• prepare food such as vegetables for the cook or chef

• wash up, by hand or using a dishwasher

• keep kitchen areas clean

• clear tables

• load meals onto trolleys to go to wards and other parts of the hospital

• serve meals to staff in a canteen or restaurant

• operate a till and handle cash

Domestic service workers are vital roles within health and social care settings - they are responsible for keeping the environment clean and safe.

This type of role can be found in variety of settings from hospitals, offices to care homes.

Responsibilities will include ensuring the environment is welcoming and comfortable for patients or residents. Tasks will include making bed and doing laundry, upkeep of areas, record keeping of supplies and ordering new stock.

Health and Wellbeing Coaches play a crucial role in holistically supporting a patients' overall health and well-being.

Health and Wellbeing Coaches support people to increase their ability to self manage, motivation and commit to changing their lifestyle. Generally they work with people with physical and/ or mental health conditions or people who are at risk of developing them.

The role includes: 

• Collaborating in partnership with health, social care, community, and voluntary sector providers to deliver holistic support

• They also offer education and specialised knowledge to improve their skills and understanding of personalised care and behavioural approaches

Health and Wellbeing Coaches usually carry a caseload of patients who it is deemed would most benefit from health coaching. The aim is to work with patients to identify their goals and support them in managing their own health and wellbeing and live independently. 

Training is provided by the employer for this role.

Health care assistants (HCA), sometimes also referred to as health care support workers, can be a stepping stone into many other NHS roles.

The role of a health care assistant can vary depending on the setting - in general practice, tasks include carrying out new patient health checks; supporting practice nurses with health promotion programmes; carrying out basic observations such as pulse oximetry, blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate; undertaking wound care and dressings; facilitating BP monitoring; undertaking BMI checks and more.

More experienced health care assistants with advanced skills could become a senior health care assistant where they could take on additional responsibilities such as taking blood samples.

Health Care Assistants work alongside and under the supervision and guidance of other healthcare professionals such as a nursing associate or registered nurse.

The video below provides an overview of a health care assistant career.

Every patient in the NHS has a record of all their treatment and care which has to be accurate and up to date.

Health records staff are responsible for ensuring patient records are stored accurately and up to date with vital information so their frontline colleagues can access the records at any time and at any place - this includes capturing and recording patient admissions, transfers, discharges, and deaths.

Health record staff are also responsible for transferring any paper records into computer systems.

Housing support officers support people in accessing housing - this will include helping people to understand housing benefits and what support is available to them.

This role can be found in a number of environments such as sheltered accommodation, supporting living services, hostels for the homeless or in the community.

The aim of the role is to ensure residents have a safe environment to live in - this will include carrying out a health and safety assessment and completing a risk assessment. 

Maintenance workers can be found in social care settings such as residential home or sheltered housing. The role could include gardening, decorating, repairing fixtures or looking at electrical, plumbing issues.

Personal assistants work with individuals to support them in all aspects of their life - helping the individual to live as independently and with the best quality of life possible. The person will often need support and care - this could involve a range of activities such as help with cooking, shopping, social activities to also supporting them with essential daily activities like eating/ drinking or health care tasks.

Sometimes the role can also supporting with personal care of the person however this is not always involved. This role may be employed by an organisation or they may work directly with individuals.

As you will work directly with an individual - the role often involves working from the persons home and will maintain good relationship with them, their friends and family. 

The video below shows a day in the life of a personal assistant.

Pharmacy assistants support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to order, prepare and dispense medicines. Pharmacy assistants work directly with patients and answer questions face to face or over the telephone. This role will also ensure the pharmacy is stocked by ordering items and managing the delivery.

There are no set entry requirements to become a pharmacy assistant - employers usually look for candidates with good literacy, numeracy, IT skills and excellent communication skills.

The video below interviews a pharmacy assistant.

Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of a pharmacist - to become a qualified  pharmacy technician you must complete a two year accredited course - this is an apprenticeship which involves a mixture of practical work experience and study.

During the time where you complete the apprenticeship programme, your job title would be Pre-Reg Trainee Pharmacy Technician.

See our interview with a Pharmacy Technician below:

You can see the current opportunities for apprenticeships on the National Career Service page.

Social prescribing link workers or social prescribers play an important part of the general practice team - the role assists patients to link in with community services and support networks.

The aim of social prescribing is to provide non medical support to patients to help their quality of life. The video below explains what social prescribing is.

Social prescribers work with a wide range of people this includes: 

• those living with one or more long term conditions

• those requiring assistance with their mental health

• experiencing feelings of loneliness or isolation
  

This role would be ideal for you if you are a good listener, who puts people at ease and can gain trust. Social prescriber roles may work in a GP surgery, within social care settings or the community.  This role does not require a formal qualification but people with experience of providing advise and support or who have experience volunteering in the community have experience for this role.

Shared lives care is a service offered to adults who are living with long term conditions. It enables and supports the person to like independently in the community.
 
There will be a matching process between the shared lives career and the person in need of support - this means ensures similar interest and lifestyle. This role can support a variation of people from a older person living with dementia, to someone with a learning disability , or living with mental health needs.

The role can take on different forms such as full time living in a house, providing day support or just providing support for short periods such as at weekends or for overnight visits.

This video provides insight to what a shared live carer does.

Nursing associate work within the wider nursing team - the role bridges the gap between Healthcare Assistants and Registered Nurses. 

This role was introduced to help build capacity of the nursing workforce - this video provides an overview of how the nursing associate fits in with the nursing family.

The most popular way to train as a nursing associate is to complete an apprenticeship called the Trainee Nursing Associate  - this is a two year full time programme which delivers learning and hands on experience in the workplace in a range of settings, supported by learning within the classroom. 

This video provides an overview of the opportunity to become a nursing associate through the trainee nursing associate apprenticeship.

In NCL, we run a unique, award-winning partnership of primary, mental health, acute, and adult social care providers with the Middlesex University - you can find out more about this programme and see when the next cohort of applications starts here.

Care Coordinators play an important role within a Primary Care Network (PCN).  Primary care networks are a collection of GP practices working together across an area with community, mental health, social care and voluntary services.  Some roles in primary care work across a primary care network.

Care coordinators collaborate with individuals, particularly the frail/elderly or those with long-term conditions.

They aid in the coordination and navigation of care and support across various health and care services and facilitate appropriate connections between patients and the relevant teams. Care coordinators can provide extra time and capacity to support patients - they play a vital role in empowering individuals to take a more active role in their own health and care.  The support provided is tailored to the individual and can include providing information or sign posting.

Within social care it's likely a care coordinator will take on an active role in supporting people to remain in their own home and access the support or services they need - it could also be responsible for providing housing and employment support.

Cooks are responsible for cooking food in health and social care organisations - this role ensures patients and staff have access to nutritious, and quality food. 

As a cook you will work within a team of catering staff including a cook/kitchen assistant and also the catering manager.  In partnership with the catering manager you will plan the menu for meals. Cooks have overall responsibility for preparing food and also ensuring it's stored correctly.

To become a cook you will need some catering experience and / or a catering qualification - however it may be possible to complete the qualification or training whilst on the job. 

Complementary therapists work with people who may be experiencing emotional distress, pain or psychological issues. Complementary therapist will work with the person who needs care and support to build trust and also identify what treatment might be beneficial by carrying out assessments. Therapies offered include reflexology, massage and aromatherapy. 

Complementary therapists could work in a care home, health centre, hospice or in someone’s home.

Different therapy areas have different entry requirement - a good starting place to find further information on the role is Skills for Care via find further information link below.

The video below provides an overview of the role of a complementary therapist.

Estates maintenance staff include painters and decorators, plumbers, tilers, electricians, gardeners and bricklayers. They are responsible for ensuring NHS buildings are safe and pleasant places for patients, staff and visitor.

Some roles within this function will be entry level however certain roles require a skilled tradesperson who has qualified such as for electrician and plumber roles. 

Finance staff make sure that budgets of organisations are spent wisely and for the benefit of patients. There are a number of roles within a finance team - the level of role will depend on the type of job. However roles include accounts assistants, finance assistants and finance officer.

Entry requirements will depend on the role but will usually require some experience or where you are working towards a finance related qualification.  In addition you may require a certain level of numeracy and literacy skills.

More information can be found here about entry requirements and apprenticeship information.

GP Assistants work closely alongside GPs within the surgery undertaking any task that enables them to undertake their role more efficiently and effectively.

In practice they undertake both clinical and administration tasks which may include:

• Gathering information from patients who request same-day appointments over the phone before their interaction with a GP

• Preparing patients for examination

• Conducting follow-ups by composing letters, preparing forms, or making phone calls.

• Offering basic health promotion and lifestyle guidance to patients

• Carrying out tasks such as venepuncture, urine testing, blood pressure recording and ECGs

Housekeepers is a progression role from a domestic service roles. They are responsible for keeping the environment clean and safe - in particular may have additional responsibility around infection control.

These roles can be found in both health and social care settings - they are responsible for ensuring the environment is clean and safe and welcoming for patients or residents.

Human resources (HR) is a department that are experts in employment law and are responsible for all elements of employing staff -  from recruitment of new employees, to training and development , ensuring staff are supported and able to do their jobs. It also includes implementing and leading on processes and procedures around discipline , absences and ensuring equal opportunities for all staff.

There are a number of different roles that fall under HR departments - the role level will vary depending on the role type but could include HR assistant, HR officer,  HR advisor at entry and early level.  Each role will require different level of experience and qualification - more information about entry requirements can be found below.

A HR function will be present in most settings in health and social care - however hospital trusts or bigger social care organisations are likely to have a larger department and team.

More information about HR in a social care setting can be found on Skills for Care or the link below for more information on NHS Careers.

Nursing Associate is a new role within the nursing team that helps bridge the gap between Healthcare Assistants and Registered Nurses.

Nursing associates work with people of all ages, in a variety of health and social care settings. The role contributes to the core work of nursing, freeing up registered nurses to focus on more complex clinical care. It is a stand-alone role that can also be a stepping stone into nursing.

This role was introduced to help build capacity of the nursing workforce - this video provides an overview of how the nursing associate fits in with the nursing family.

One of the most popular ways to train to become a nursing associate is via an apprenticeship called the Trainee Nursing Associate - this is a two year full time programme which delivers learning and hands on experience in the workplace in a range of settings, supported by learning within the classroom. Upon completing the training, you are able to register with the Nursing and Midwifery council - you are then a registered nursing associate.

This video provides an overview of the opportunity to become a nursing associate through the trainee nursing associate apprenticeship.

In NCL, we run a unique, award-winning partnership of primary, mental health, acute, and adult social care providers with the Middlesex University - you can find out more about this programme and see when the next cohort of applications starts here.

The nursing associate role is also a stepping stone to become a registered nurse - after registering as a qualified nursing associate you have the opportunity to complete a shortened nursing degree or nursing degree apprenticeship.

Phlebotomists play a vital role in the NHS team and their primary duties is to utilise technical equipment to safely draw blood from patients which will ensure prompt and secure diagnosis of illnesses. The blood samples are then examined in a laboratory and the results will be used by clinicians to diagnose the patient's condition or disease.

Training for a phlebotomist role will often be on the job an employer. Although there is no set entry requirements to become a trainee phlebotomist, it might be useful to have experience working in a health and care setting either in a paid or voluntary role. You can see information on volunteering below.

As a phlebotomists you can become members of the National Association of Phlebotomists (NAP) or associate members of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) which offer training and conferences for phlebotomists.

Pharmacy technicians support the smooth running of pharmacies and also aid patients in achieving optimal outcomes from their medication usage. Pharmacy technicians assist with various tasks of differing complexity - this also includes preparing repeat prescriptions to conducting prescribing audits.

This video describes what it's like to be a Pharmacy Technician.

Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of a pharmacist - to become a qualified pharmacy technician you must complete a two year accredited course. This is an apprenticeship which involves a mixture of practical work experience and study.

Upon completion of the accredited course, you can register and practise as a qualified Pharmacy Technician via the General Pharmaceutical Council.

This page provides further information on the apprenticeship programme.

Team leaders or supervisor roles are found across lots of different areas and functions within the health and social care sector.

These roles manage and support workers in performing in their role. A team leader will also work closely and support their manager in the day to day running of the team.

Team leader roles are good stepping stone and opportunity to get supervisory and leading experience - examples of responsibilities include running team meetings, carrying out appraisals or leading inductions of new staff members.

Team leader positions are present across health and social care settings. Within social care a team leader could be responsible for a team of carers who work in the community.

In primary care this role might be present in larger organisations - a team leader could support a practice manager and contribute to achieving high quality patients.

The video below shows the day to day life of a Team Leader in Social Care.

Rehabilitation worker assist individuals in achieving independent living, typically after an illness or accident, and facilitate their access to resources for housing, financial assistance, social engagement, and essential life skills like cooking or budgeting.

Rehabilitation workers work with a range of people including those with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health conditions or substance abuse issues.

The role will include carrying out assessments to identify what support is needed. This role will involve linking in with other professions such as occupational therapist or social workers.

A rehabilitation worker will teach the person daily skills and also support with arranging activities such as sport, education etc. 

A volunteer coordinator is responsible for coordinating a team of volunteers - this will include ensuring the volunteers have the correct skills and are able to deliver a quality voluntary service.

The role may include recruiting of new volunteers, designing an induction programme for volunteers and supporting the volunteers to develop their skills.

Often volunteers coordinators are people who have previously volunteered and gained experience - so getting volunteer experience may be useful.

This role type could work within social care employers, charities or local authorities.

Clinical pharmacists works directly with patients and involves carrying out medical reviews, proactively managing, assessing and treating patients.

Clinical pharmacists work with, and alongside, the General Practice team - they take on responsibility for patients with chronic diseases and undertake clinical medication reviews to support people who need to take medication, especially for the elderly, people in care homes and those with multiple illnesses or conditions.

This video explains what a clinical pharmacist does.

Clinical pharmacists have expert knowledge of medicines for specific disease areas. To become a clinical pharmacist you must first qualify as a pharmacist by complete a Masters degree in Pharmacy and 1 year placement. Upon completing this, you can register as a pharmacist General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and legally practise as a pharmacist.

To specialise further and train as a clinical pharmacist you complete further training called the Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway (PCPEP). You can find more information about pharmacist roles at the General Pharmaceutical council. 

Community paramedics are employed by a single General Practice or by a Primary Care Network (PCN) - they can work at a variety of levels depending on experience and education.

This role involves collaborating and supporting community healthcare services and GPs. Paramedics provide exceptional care to patients, often with long-term medical conditions. Often Paramedics work independently to deliver treatment to patients with complex medical and social issues. They also support patients in self-managing their care and treatment.

To become a community paramedic you must become a qualified paramedic. You will need to complete an approved full time degree in paramedic science or an apprenticeship degree. Upon completion you can register as a Health and Care Professions council and become a qualified paramedic.  You'll also need to have a full, manual driving licence.

Community paramedics or paramedic in primary care training can begin following 3-5 years experience - further information on the training can be found here.

The College of Paramedics has the latest information of how to become a paramedic.   

Dietitians are qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose, and treat diet and nutrition problems. Dietitians help to promote nutritional well-being, treat disease, and prevent nutrition related problems as well as providing advice based on current scientific evidence.

Dietitians must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register with the HCPC as a Dietitian you must complete an approved degree in dietetics. This is usually a BSc (Hons) degree, although there are shortened postgraduate programmes available.

A degree apprenticeship standard in dietetics has also been approved - you can information on how to qualify as an dietitian here.

Specialist dietitians working in primary care can support patients with a wide range of conditions including obesity, diabetes, IBS and allergies.  Dietitians have the expertise and behaviour change skills to support these patients more quickly and effectively, helping people manage their conditions and make important lifestyle changes. 

The below video provides more information on a career as a dietitian.

Dispensing opticians are often known as DOs. Their specialist skills include giving patients professional advice on which type of spectacle frames and lenses are suitable for the patient’s lifestyle like for their work or leisure.  They can give advice on tailored spectacle lenses and frames for driving, UV protection, prescription sunglasses, specific lenses for VDU use, sports and safety eyewear.

All registered dispensing opticians have undergone a minimum of three years academic and practical training to qualify. Only dispensing opticians registered with the General Optical Council can practise in the UK, or use the protected title dispensing optician.

More information on how to qualify as a dispensing optician can be found on the General Optical Council. 

First contact physiotherapists is a recent addition to primary care - the role was introduced to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions for patients, bypassing the need for patients to go to their GP for a referral for further care.

Patients with back and joint pain, including conditions such as arthritis, can contact their local physiotherapist directly, rather than waiting to see a GP or being referred to hospital - this is the role of the first contact physiotherapist.

The first contact therapist can assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients. They will usually have a caseload of patients which they will work with to develop tailored care programmes including information on how the patients can self manage their musculoskeletal conditions. This video provides an overview of the day to day of a first contact physiotherapist. 

To become a first contact physiotherapist you must first qualify as a physiotherapist. A university degree is the most popular way to become a physiotherapist. The other option is to apply for a degree apprenticeship - find out more information here. T

Once you’ve successfully completed your degree you’ll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can start practising.  After 3-5 years as a registered physiotherapist, you can commence the primary care FCP training to become a first contact physiotherapist.

Finance managers are responsible for running the finances of health and social care organisations - this could include a hospital trust or a care home.

Finance managers hold responsibility for ensuring any funding is allocated and spent appropriately for the good of patients, staff and the service delivery. 

Finance manager roles typically involve managing budgets and making decisions on the allocating funding.  There are a number of roles that fall under finance management including management account, financial planning manager to director of finance - depending on the role it could be a leadership role.

A role in finance management would a person to be a qualified accountant and have experience in delivering finance management service. More information on entry requirements can be found here.

General Practice Nurses play a vital role in providing, leading, and coordinating care within primary care. An increasing shift of care from hospitals to general practice provides nurses with an exciting career choice.

General practice nurses work in GP surgeries alongside doctors, pharmacists and other primary care roles - depending on the size of the GP surgery you may have one practice nurse, or in larger surgeries you are likely to find several practice nurses.

The below video shows a day in the life of a practice nurse.

You must be a qualified and registered adult, child, mental health or learning disability nurse to work in general practice.  To specialise in General Practice Nursing, you will also either need to undertake further training and education or be willing to once in a role - more details of these programmes can be found here.

There are multiple routes to becoming a registered / qualified nurse which include:

• Complete a full time degree at University

• Complete the registered nurse degree apprenticeship which offers the flexible route to become a nurse through part time study and on the job training

• Progress into further training after qualifying as a nursing associate

Further information on becoming a nurse can be found on the Royal College of Nursing.

General Practitioners (GPs) are doctors who have specialised to work in General Practice and in a primary care setting. They play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating various medical conditions, while also ensuring that patients receive timely referrals to hospitals as and when specialised treatment is required. 

GPs are essential healthcare providers who take on the important task of looking after the well-being of individuals in their local community.  GPs treat all common medical conditions and then refer patients to hospitals or other medical services for specialist treatments or urgent needs. 

Watch this video to see what a career as a GP is like. 

You can find further information on becoming a doctor in the UK on the General Medical Council.

To become a GP, you would first need to complete a medicine degree. Upon completion of a medicine degree, you’ll join the paid two-year foundation programme where you’ll work in six placements in different settings - this provides the opportunity to try out many of the different specialties available before choosing you can apply for speciality training.

After your foundation programme, you can apply for paid specialty training to become a GP which will take a minimum of three years.

Human resources (HR) is a department that are experts in employment law and are responsible for all elements of employing staff -  from recruitment of new employees, to training and development , ensuring staff are supported and able to do their jobs. It also includes implementing and leading on processes and procedures around discipline , absences and ensuring equal opportunities for all staff.

To become a HR Manager would need to have completed a qualification with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. 

HR Manager roles can lead leadership roles such as HR Director. 

Management roles are found in all organisations in the health and social care sector. Job roles will vary depending on the organisation but management roles are likely to be responsible for managing people and / or manage the delivery of a service, and being responsible for resource and budget management.

There are a range of management roles available in the health and social care sector – these include supervisory, first line manager and middle manager positions. You could progress to a leadership management position such as chief executive or service director.

Examples of management roles within NHS organisations are found here. Information about roles in social care can be found here.

The Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) role is to supports adults and older adults with complex mental health needs to live well within their communities.

Mental Health  Practitioner are professionals with mental health expertise  - there are a range of roles that are classed as Mental Health Practitioners including but not limited to, a Community Psychiatric Nurse, Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Occupational Therapist, Peer Support Worker, Mental Health Community Connector or other role. The type of role will be decided on the need of the local area and what role would best service the need.

Mental Health Practitioners are recruited as agreed between a Community Health Service Provider and Primary Care Networks meaning the role works across GPs and community setting. These roles are key at linking between primary care and specialist mental health services. 

Nurses play a crucial part of a multidisciplinary teams, and provide direct care to patients and service users. There are four fields of nursing you can specialise in as a nurse - adult, children's, learning disability and mental health nursing.

The main route to become a registered nurse is through a degree course at University. However there is also a registered nurse degree apprenticeship which offers a more flexible approach to qualifying as a nurse.

Another route is to first train as a nursing associate - nursing associate is a role within the nursing family alongside a registered nurse. With further training a nursing associate can top up their training to become a registered nurse. More information about the routes to become a nurse can be found here.

After qualifying as a registered nurse you can chose to progress by further specialising such as a General Practice Nurse, Neonatal Nurse, Theatre Nurse or School Nurse - this results in nurses being employed in a wide variety of professional settings.

The video below provides an overview of life as a nurse.

Occupational therapists work treat people with physical, mental or social disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday task or activities - they help these patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working. This usually involves spending time with individuals to understand what they do in their day to day life and what challenges they face. The occupational therapist will then create an individual plan of care to find ways and support the individual to overcome these challenges.

The Royal College of Occupational Therapy adopted the key principle of best fit support, getting the right support, from the right person, at the right time, to support people to manage their health and social care needs.

See our interview with a Community Occupational Therapist below:

Within primary care, an example of where an occupational therapist could offer support is with frail, older and vulnerable people who do not require secondary care services but are at high risk of needing increasing levels of support in the future if a proactive approach and care is not taken. Another example could be people who are off work either seeking fit notes or who need support in their return to work.

To practise as an occupational therapist, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register with the HCPC, you first need to successfully complete approved degree-level training in occupational therapy.

You can train through an approved full-time or part-time pre-registration university course in occupational therapy or a degree apprenticeship in occupational therapy.

Optometrists are at the frontline of eye care. By carrying out detailed examinations, they are helping to improve eye health across the country.

An optometrist is responsible for detecting defects in vision, signs of injury, ocular diseases (diseases of the eye) or abnormality, and problems with general health.

Optometrists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, high street optometrists, research, teaching, and other health settings. If you work in a hospital or clinic, you’ll be seeing and treating those most in need of urgent attention. You might also work in local health centres and community clinics. As an optometrist you might also undertake some related work in a laboratory or industry setting.

You can find more on the education and training requirements to become an optometrist on the College of Optometrists.

Paramedics are healthcare professionals whose role encompasses healthcare, public health, social care, and public safety. They are usually the first to arrive when a person needs medical help.

Paramedics operate independently, delivering care in diverse scenarios which are often fast paced and where they are required to take charge of the situation - this requires a person to remain calm and be able to manage stressful situations.

To become a paramedic you will need to complete an approved full time degree in paramedic science or an apprenticeship degree.

Upon completion you can register as a Health and Care Professions council and become a qualified paramedic. You'll also need to have a full, manual driving licence.

The College of Paramedics has the latest information of how to become a paramedic.

This video explains more about the role.

Pharmacists advise patients on minor ailments, help patients manage long term conditions and ensure medicines are safe, appropriate and work effectively for the patient. More and more pharmacists can prescribe medication to patients after careful assessment. They are responsible for adjusting medicines to best support patients manage their health.

Pharmacists supervise pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants and work as part of a multidisciplinary team advising health care professionals such as doctors and nurses on the best medicines and care.

Pharmacists work as part of a healthcare team in a hospital or community pharmacy. They can also work in industry, research or a wide variety of other settings.

To practise as a pharmacist you first must study a Masters degree in Pharmacy. This is followed by a one year paid work placement called a foundation training year. After the foundation year, you can register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and legally practise as a pharmacist. You can find more information about pharmacist roles at the General Pharmaceutical council.

Please see below an interview with a Pharmacist.

Physician Associates (PAs) are generalist healthcare professionals with medical training. They support and closely collaborate with doctors in the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients - meaning they have direct contact with patients.

The role was created to provide a continuity of care to patients and stability to the medical workforce through providing support to doctors.  Physician Associates, are not doctors themselves, but provide medical care and operate under defined levels of supervision of a doctor.

Physician Associates possess the necessary attitudes, skills, and knowledge to deliver care and treatment within both primary and secondary care settings.

See our interview with a North Central London Physician Associate below.

While physician associates work as dependent practitioners, they also have the ability to practice autonomously and make independent decisions. This is made possible through collaborative and supportive relationships with their clinical supervisors, ensuring that there is always someone available to discuss cases, offer guidance, and review patients when needed. 

To enter into Physician Associate training you must hold a life science bachelor’s degree or already be a trained healthcare professional, such as nurse, paramedic or physiotherapist with a minimum entry requirement of a 2:1 (second upper class degree). Physician associate training is a two-year postgraduate training programme, which is offered at HEIs across the UK and Republic of Ireland. 

A physician associate apprenticeship programme is also in development.

You can find more information about becoming a Physician Associate at the Royal College of Physicians and also here.

Physiotherapists help people improve their mobility and regain their independence after an injury or operation, or as a result of ageing or a disability. 

Physiotherapists work with people on a daily basis, recommending exercise, carrying out massage, and using high-tech ultrasound equipment or even hydrotherapy pools, depending on the patients’ needs.

Once a patient’s movement problem has been diagnosed, as a physiotherapist you will work with them to determine a treatment plan. You'll also promote good health and advise people on how to avoid injury.

The video below shows the day in a life of a physiotherapist.

A university degree is the most popular way to become a physiotherapist - a full-time degree can take three years and a part-time course will take six years. The other option is to apply for a degree apprenticeship - find out more information here. There is also a two-year accelerated Masters course option if you already have a relevant degree.

Once you’ve successfully completed your degree you’ll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can start practising.

Podiatrists specialise in the foot, ankle and leg, leading the patient care through the whole journey including prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Podiatrists work in a variety of places and can work with a team of people including doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.

The primary aim of a podiatrist is to improve the mobility, independence and quality of life for their patients. 

To practise as a podiatrist, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register with the HCPC, you first need to successfully complete approved degree-level training in podiatry - you can train through an approved full-time or part-time pre-registration university course in podiatry or a degree apprenticeship in podiatry.

To deliver podiatry care within a primary care setting, you will need to complete Primary Care First Contact Practitioner training which you are eligible to complete 3 - 5 years after you have completed a postgraduate degree.

You can find more about becoming a podiatrist at the Royal College of Podiatry and also see what a day to day looks like in the below video. 

Practice managers are integral to the smooth and effective running of a GP practice. Depending on the size of the practice, the manager will be involved with a wide range of activities, such as business planning, finance, recruitment of staff, training and IT.

While formal qualifications or prior experience in healthcare management are not mandatory for this role, most practice managers have management experience in some capacity, and a particular experience of finance and people management. Practice managers are integral to the smooth and effective running of a GP practice.

Practice managers are often staff who have previously worked within administration within the practice. Although no specific qualification is required to become a practice manager there are some training opportunities available that can support your development if your career goal is practice management.

A day to day as a practice manager and further information can be seen in the below video.

Trainer or assessor deliver training to staff within social care organisations - this supports the staff to have the correct knowledge and skills.

This may also involve designing and evaluating training as well the delivery.

The role may be employed by a social care organisation or for a training provider which works with different organisations.

To become a trainer or assessor you would need an experience in training or teaching.

Advanced Practitioner is a level of practice which can be found in a variety of professional backgrounds including nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy, paramedics and occupational therapy.

Advanced Practitioners are highly experienced healthcare professionals who have been educated to a Masters level or equivalent through apprenticeships and have further developed their skills and knowledge - this enables them to take on an expanded role and scope of practice for patients.

Advanced practitioners have demonstrated their ability to work independently at a high level across clinical practice, leadership, management, education and research.

You can find more detail about Advanced Practice here.

Experienced practice nurses interested in leadership development can access a range of clinical leadership roles available to nurses at Primary Care Network, borough, or Integrated Care System level.

The leadership roles vary in remit and can include a focus on providing nursing input into the development of new services or new clinical pathways, education and supervision support for nursing trainees and more.

General Practitioners (GPs) are doctors who have specialised to work in General Practice and in a primary care setting. They play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating various medical conditions, while also ensuring that patients receive timely referrals to hospitals as and when specialised treatment is required. 

General Practice (GP) surgeries are small independent businesses. 

A GP partner is a self-employed general practitioner who, alongside other GPs, and sometimes also nurses or other healthcare staff, is responsible for running their own practice. Therefore as well as being a healthcare professional, they also are business owners -  meaning they take on additional responsibilities such as managing practice staff and the financial/ administrative tasks of owning a business. 

A Nurse Educator supports new members of staff, newly joined nurses, Trainee Nursing Associates, Nursing Associates, students on placements - they are responsible for delivering teaching, offering guidance, support, mentoring and practice learning. They will also support with carrying out supervision and assessment.

Nurse Educators can be found in primary care and secondary care - they are registered nurses who have gained experience in role and also as a clinical educator/supervisor.

Nurse educators working in primary care focus on facilitating high standards of clinical practice in Primary Care and play a critical role in creating a positive work environment for nursing teams, improving retention rates. They provide educational support to Practice Nurses and other members of the nursing teams and develop clinical education programmes, acting as an expert resource and role model for colleagues.

You can find more information on the NCL Training Hub Nurse Educator page and more generally about clinical educators across the NHS here.

A partner in a general practice is a self-employed general practitioner, who, alongside other partners, is responsible for running their own practice.

It has been possible for nurses to become partners in a general practice since 1997 by taking advantage of the PMS contract. However, it was the 2004 GMS contract that ‘opened the gates’ for non GPs to become partners in practices.

Nurse partners bring an understanding of the importance of skills mix and a well-trained nursing team, and can have significant benefits to the quality and efficiency of the practice.

Management roles are found in all organisations in the health and social care sector. Job roles will vary depending on the organisation but management roles are likely to be responsible for managing people and / or manage the delivery of a service, and being responsible for resource and budget management.

There are a range of management roles available in the health and social care sector – these include supervisory, first line manager and middle manager positions. You could progress to a leadership management position such as chief executive or service director.

Examples of management roles within NHS organisations are found here. Information about roles in social care can be found here.

Primary care networks are a collection of GP practices working together across an area with community, mental health, social care and voluntary services. 

Primary Care Network Manager would be part of the Primary Care Network leadership team - working alongside Clinical Directors, the practices within the network.

This role is responsible for driving strategy and operational delivery of the practices within the network and ensuring integrated working. It would also be important in driving national and local policy into the service delivered for the benefit of the local population. 

Registered manager is a role in Social Care - they are responsible for the day-to-day running of a social care service. This could be a residential home, a domiciliary care agency or a supported living service.

The role ensures that the day to day running of the service and also that the service delivered meets all the requirements and regulations of a social care organisation.

As a registered manager you will also be responsible for the staff employed at the organisation and that the workplace and environment is a positive place for people to work.

To become a registered manager you complete a qualification called the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care. You can only do this qualification when you’re working in a management role.