Health Zone
Introduction
Welcome to our new Health Zone specially for students and graduates from our Faculty of Health.
Here you will find information and advice about career options with your Degree or Diploma in Higher Education. There are also Career Pathway charts for those about to qualify as nurses or midwives.
For those who are already graduates or are in their final year of study go to Finding Work to find out where you should be looking for jobs, links to all the NHS trusts, private employers within the health sector as well as links to numerous web sites advertising jobs.
Go to link to Videos and Interviews for video interviews with past students, and employers within the health sector. They have a wealth of experience and sound advice for those looking for that first job.
Options With My Degree or Dip HE
On these pages you will find information about careers opportunities for your subject specialism, links to other useful web sites as well as information about where to look for work, specialist job web sites and employer contact details.
Nursing (Adult)
A Dip HE or BSC in Nursing (Adult Branch) is a professional qualification that opens up a wider range of employment options than people realise.
Hospital based work – provides the opportunity to specialise in a number of areas. including, Neurology, Cardiology, Oncology, Women’s Health, Critical Care, Renal, Transplant Units, Hospice Work. In the acute hospital setting, the majority of nurses move from staff nurse positions to junior sister within two years, commencing with the successful completion of a period of preceptorship. All nurses have management roles, but some career paths are more management-orientated than others. As you become more senior, you may have less hands-on nursing responsibility.
Community based nursing - in community based nursing there are opportunities in School Nursing, General Practice, District Nursing, Health Visiting, Prison Nursing, Sexual Health, Health Education, Occupational Health, Armed Forces, Palliative Care (e.g. Macmillan Nurses), Research and Teaching. Secondments to achieve specialist qualifications on a full or part-time basis may be available. Recent government priorities should mean an increase in posts for school nurses and more investment in areas such as sexual health. For further information on these specialisms go to NHS Jobs.
There are also the “niche” jobs - opportunities may be limited but they exist – Helplines, Air Ambulance, Cruise Ships, Travel Health.
For some of these areas a period of experience as a registered nurse may be required but be aware of the range of specialist opportunities that nursing offers.
Opportunities with private employers, voluntary organisations and charitable “not for profit” employers
Although the majority of opportunities are jobs within the NHS don’t overlook employment opportunities in the private sector and even the voluntary sector and charitable organisations.
Opportunities exist for registered nurses to work overseas in both employed and voluntary capacity – see our booklet “Nursing Abroad” CC5
Nursing qualifications are transferable to other health services overseas. Registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) facilitates this and information is available from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Also visit Nursingabroad.net
For those who complete their Adult Nursing training but decide that they do not wish to work as a nurse there is the chance to use your degree to gain entry into alternative job areas. See our booklet “Options With a Degree in a Health Related Subject” CC25
Even if you are only prepared to live elsewhere for a short period of time it still may be worthwhile as a means of getting that first experience under your belt.
Nurses who are able to move to where the work is most easily available (London and the south east) will be at a considerable advantage. Help with buying property for public sector “keyworkers” may be available and will help to off set the higher cost of living. For more information visit Directgov and FIRST STEPS
Even if you are only prepared to live elsewhere for a short period of time it still may be worthwhile as a means of getting that first experience under your belt.
For information about your Career Pathways as an Adult Nurse* download [PDF] [doc]
For information on where to look for job vacancies and apply for jobs go to Finding Work
Nursing Mental Health
A Dip HE or BSc Nursing (RMN) is a professional qualification that opens up a wider range of opportunities than some people realise. As a trainee nurse you should be exploring all the different options that your degree or diploma can prepare you for.
For those specialising in Mental Health Nursing there are career options both in terms of the type of work that you can choose to specialise in and the different environments you can work in:
- mental health and secure hospitals
- special units within prisons;
- mental health resource centres;
- residential and nursing homes and community units for the elderly;
- family therapy, assessment and rehabilitation units;
- acute wards in general hospitals
Opportunities with private employers, voluntary organisations and charitable “not for profit” employers
Although the majority of opportunities are jobs within the NHS a significant amount of work in Mental Health Nursing is contracted out by the NHS to private employers. Although your first port of call may be opportunities in the NHS it is important that you also consider employment opportunities in the private sector. Don’t forget the voluntary sector and charitable organisations. Outside the NHS, leading employers include the large private healthcare companies or mental health charities such as Mind. Some projects are jointly run by the NHS in partnership with social services, local authority departments and/or other agencies. Many of these posts offer the chance to work in a more specialist role with a particular group of clients, or with those with a specific mental health condition.
It is also worth remembering that that there can be significant overlap between jobs in Mental Health Nursing and Learning Disability Nursing - employers advertising vacancies in one branch are sometimes prepared to consider those qualified in either branch.
Vacancies occur throughout the UK, particularly in the main urban areas. Specialties, such as child and adolescent mental health services and in-patient services, sometimes experience skills shortages. Other specialist opportunities are to be found in drug / alcohol rehabilitation, prisons and work with the elderly.
Other Jobs Some nurses choose not to go into nursing but prefer to use the knowledge and skills they have learnt in other job areas – these may be in other medical or social care related careers – see our booklet “Options With a Degree in a Health Related Subject” CC25
Nursing qualifications are transferable to other health services overseas. Registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) facilitates this and information is available from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Also visit Nursingabroad
Nurses who are able to move to where the work is most easily available (London and the south east) will be at a considerable advantage. Help with buying property for public sector “keyworkers” may be available and will help to off set the higher cost of living. For more information visit Directgov and FIRST STEPS
Even if you are only prepared to live elsewhere for a short period of time it still may be worthwhile as a means of getting that first experience under your belt.
Download the Nursing(Mental Health) Career Pathways document for advice on where to look for vacancies and apply for jobs [PDF] [doc]
For information on where to look for job vacancies and apply for jobs go to Finding Work
Nursing (Child)
Children's nursing takes place in hospitals, day care centres, child health clinics, in the child's home and escorting children being transported from site to site or to/from home. Like other branches of nursing, care is becoming increasingly community-based.
Typical employers
The majority of paediatric nurses are hospital based and work for the NHS. However, it is important to be aware that others are employed by:
- GP (family doctor) practices, as specialists in child health
- Schools
- Day care centres, child health clinics and adolescent units
- Travel companies/holiday resorts
- Private healthcare organisations
- Charities and voluntary organisations (McMillan Cancer Support)
- Health services abroad
- Social services
- Teaching and assessment units
Opportunities with private employers, voluntary organisations and charitable “not for profit” employers
Although the majority of opportunities are within the NHS don’t overlook employment opportunities in the private sector and even the voluntary sector and charitable organisations.
Nurses who are able to move to where the work is most easily available (London and the south east) will be at a considerable advantage. Help with buying property for public sector “keyworkers” may be available and will help to off set the higher cost of living. For more information visit Directgov and FIRST STEPS
Even if you are only prepared to live elsewhere for a short period of time it still may be worthwhile as a means of getting that first experience under your belt.
Other Jobs Some trainee nurses choose not to go into nursing but prefer to use the knowledge and skills they have learnt in other job areas – these may be in other medical or social care related careers – see our booklet “Options With a Degree in a Health Related Subject” CC25
Working and Volunteering Abroad. There are opportunities to work or volunteer abroad in developed and developing countries- see our booklet “Nursing Abroad”CC5
Nursing qualifications are transferable to other health services overseas. Registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) facilitates this and information is available from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Also visit Nursingabroad
For information about your Career Pathways as a Child Nurse download[PDF] [doc]
For information on where to look for job vacancies and apply for jobs go to Finding Work
Nursing (Learning Disabilities)
A Dip HE or BSc Nursing (LD) is a professional qualification that opens up a wider range of opportunities than some people realise. As a trainee nurse you should be exploring all the different options that your degree or diploma can prepare you for.
For those specialising in Learning Disability Nursing there are career options both in terms of the type of work that you can choose to specialise in and the different environments you can work in.
It is also worth remembering that that there can be significant overlap between jobs in Learning Disability Nursing and Mental Health Nursing - employers advertising vacancies in one branch are sometimes prepared to consider those qualified in either branch.
As a Registered Learning Disability Nurse (you may work with clients in their own homes, in residential units, in the National Health Service (NHS) or in private specialist hospital services and secure units.
The majority of learning disability health care is now community-based, with some functions provided by health care or social care assistants. Alternatively the work may be based in:
- Residential units
- Special schools
- Prisons or secure units
- Leisure centres
- Work places
- Working with people in supported accommodation - typically three to four people with learning disabilities live together in flats or houses, with 24 hour support
Some nurses work with individuals who require more intensive support - for instance in hospitals or in specialist secure units for offenders with learning disabilities. Others specialise in areas such as epilepsy management or working with people with sensory impairment. Vacancies occur throughout the UK, particularly in the main urban areas.
Opportunities with private employers, voluntary organisations and charitable “not for profit” employers
A significant amount of work in Learning Disability Nursing is contracted out by the NHS to private employers. Although your first port of call may be opportunities in the NHS it is important that you also consider employment opportunities in the private sector. Don’t forget the voluntary sector and charitable organisations.
Working and Volunteering Abroad
Working and Volunteering Abroad. There are opportunities to work or volunteer abroad in developed and developing countries- see our booklet “Nursing Abroad”CC5.
Nursing qualifications are transferable to other health services overseas. Registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) facilitates this and information is available from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Also visit Nursingabroad
Nurses who are able to move to where the work is most easily available (London and the south east) will be at a considerable advantage. Help with buying property for public sector “keyworkers” may be available and will help to off set the higher cost of living. For more information visit Directgov and FIRST STEPS
Even if you are only prepared to live elsewhere for a short period of time it still may be worthwhile as a means of getting that first experience under your belt.
Other Jobs Some trainee nurses choose not to go into nursing but prefer to use the knowledge and skills they have learnt in other job areas – these may be in other medical or social care related careers – see our booklet “Options With a Degree in a Health Related Subject” CC25
For information about your Career Pathways as a Learning Disability Nurse[PDF] [doc]
For information on where to look for job vacancies and apply for jobs go to Finding Work
Midwifery
Midwives are able to work in a number of different healthcare settings to develop experience and knowledge, which can lead to a range of career paths. You could become a clinical specialist in an area such as home birthing, breast feeding advice, labour ward supervision or ante-natal screening. You might become a consultant midwife, dividing your time between midwifery practice, training and leading improvements in practice.
In recent years, there has been a development of specialist roles in areas such as public health, parenting education, intensive care neonatal units, ultrasound and foetal medicine.
Typical employers
Currently there is a national shortage of midwives and the government announced a campaign to recruit 4,000 extra midwives by 2012. Areas that are particularly badly affected by shortages are London and the South East, the east coast and East Midlands. However, the demand for midwives is subject to decisions made about government expenditure and is therefore subject to the peak and troughs associated with all public sector jobs. As with nursing – midwives who are able to move to where the work is most easily available (London and the south east) will be at a considerable advantage. Help with buying property for public sector “key workers” may be available and will help to off set the higher cost of living. Read more >
Even if you are only prepared to live elsewhere for a short period of time it still may be worthwhile as a means of getting that first experience under your belt.
The vast majority of midwives in England are employed by The National Health Service (NHS) Hospitals and Acute Trusts, Foundation Trusts, or through Primary Care Trusts working in GP practices or in the community. Other types of employers include:
- private hospitals;
- independent practices;
- the armed forces.
Some midwives are self-employed. University hospitals also employ midwives in joint partnerships between the trust and the university to work in lecturer-practitioner positions, or to conduct research.
Working and Volunteering Abroad
There are opportunities for travel with job opportunities in both the EU and further afield as well as working for organisations such as Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). In some countries, however, midwives must also hold registered nurse status in order to practise. Registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) facilitates this and information is available from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Also visit Nursingabroad
For information about your Career Pathways as a Midwife [PDF] [doc]
For information on where to look for job vacancies and apply for jobs go to Finding Work
Operating Department Practitioner
The Dip HE or BSc Operating Department Practice is a professional qualification that opens up a wide range of opportunities, more than people realise. On completion of the programme, successful students will gain a professional qualification in ODP and be eligible to meet the Health Professions Council’s statutory requirement for registration.
The wide scope of the role requires practitioners to have a broad knowledge and skill base in areas such as anatomy and physiology, illness and disease, surgical, anaesthetic and post-anaesthetic care procedures, legal and ethical issues, communication and teamwork. An ODP is required to provide high quality, effective individualised care to all patients by assessing care needs and developing, implementing and evaluating the care provided. As a student ODP you will have the chance to explore the different options that your degree or diploma can prepare you for.
In ODP there are career options both in terms of the type of work you choose to specialise in and the different environments you can work in:
- Anaesthesia
- Post-Anaesthetic Care (PACU)
- ITU/HDU
- Trauma Team
- Resuscitation Team
- Armed Forces
Although the majority of opportunities are jobs within the NHS, don’t overlook employment opportunities in the private sector. Outside the NHS leading employers include the large private health care companies e.g. Spire, Patient Care UK. Both in the NHS and in private organisations most ODPs are given the opportunity to practice in more than one perioperative area e.g. Anaesthetics and PACU.
Vacancies regularly occur throughout the UK, both in the NHS and the private sector. There are job opportunities for ODPs abroad, in parts of Europe outside the UK, Australia and New Zealand although these posts are in the main anaesthetic based.
Women's Health / Health and Social Wellbeing
It is important to realise that students following health related degree courses develop a range of skills and knowledge that are valuable in the work place. In addition to the generic skills (organisation, planning, time management, and interpersonal skills) graduates will be equipped with medical / health knowledge, an understanding of social structures in society and how these impact on the behaviour of groups and individuals. There are clear links to education, working with young people and the public sector services in general.
Health related courses also connect strongly to issues that are high on the government’s agenda: healthy living, social inclusion, effective parenting and deviancy. Health courses draw on a range of main stream academic disciplines including Biology, Sociology and Psychology ensuring that students are equipped with a wide range of skills and knowledge and prepared for more careers than they might suppose. To get you started and to give you an idea about the range of careers that you can download our booklet “Options with a Degree in a Health Related Subject” CC25
Finding Work
The following pages provide links to health care trusts, private employers/agencies and specialist job web sites. Because the majority of health care provision in the UK is publically funded the availability of jobs is a constantly changing and subject to government fiscal policies. When times are difficult there are two messages to take on board;
- If you can - go to where the jobs are. London and the south east always has more vacancies than other parts of the country and hospitals can be crying out for newly qualified staff while elsewhere the prospects of finding work may be slim. For those with family commitments it may not be possible to look further afield but for others it may be a good way of getting that illusive first job. A short period of working elsewhere may be all that is needed to enable you to gain the experience required to find a more local job.
- Consider opportunities in the private sector
- Be prepared to consider jobs which perhaps do not offer your preferred specialism – you may really want to work in A&E but the offer of a job working on a geriatric ward may give you the start that you need.
Your starting point when looking for work should be to read our booklets which contain advice on applying for jobs. The following booklets can be downloaded from the Edge Hill University Careers web site at Download Zone Booklets
- CC19 How to Apply for a Nursing Post
- CC18 How to Apply for a Midwifery Post
- CC27 How to Apply for an Operating Department Practitioner Post
- CC2 Identifying Your Skills and Abilities
- CC10 How to Create a CV and a Covering Letter
When it comes to preparing for job interviews these booklets will also be useful:
- CC33 Interview Questions for Nursing Posts
- CC20 Interview Questions for Midwifery Posts
Local NHS Trusts
Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Calderstones NHS Trust: Provides a specialist service to people with learning disabilities including in-patient assessment and treatment and community based services across the North West.
Mersey Care Trust Provides specialist mental health and learning disability services for Liverpool, Sefton and Kirkby
Primary Care Mental Health – Central Lancashire PC Provides a single point of access to primary care mental health services for Chorley and South Ribble area.
Southport and Formby NHS Trust
St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust Whiston and St Helens Hospitals.
The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery Specialist hospital caring for people with neurological conditions.
Private Sector/Agencies
A1 Nursing & Homecare Agency Ltd – contact Toni Coates on 01942 496352 or toni.coates@a1nursing.co.uk
Abacus Care – Carers and Support Workers. Contact: Abacus Care, Ormskirk Business Park, 71-73 New Court Way, Ormskirk, Lancs L39 2YT or phone 01695 585405
Advanced Childcare: Specialise in working with young people who have complex emotional needs.
Allied Healthcare Group: Nursing and Social Care students: Contact: 0800 58 77 999
Alternative Futures Group Mental health nursing or work in a care environment. Contact: Gina Patience on: 0151 481 4802 or at: gina.patience@alternativefuturesgroup.org.uk.
Apex Nursing and Care Services – various support worker roles: Contact: Lyn Leitch on 0151 734 6741 or at lyn.leitch@apex-nursing.co.uk
BMI – a provider of private health care with seven hospitals in the north west.
Creative Support Ltd Health and social care students to work with people with learning difficulties and those with mental health issues. For more information contact: enquiries@creativesupport.co.uk or telephone 0161 236 0829.
European Care Group - Provides services which offer care and support to enable people to continue to live as independently as possible. European Lifestyles works with children and adults with complex special needs.
Medacs Health Care - is a healthcare staffing company providing recruitment expertise and managed healthcare solutions to both the public and private sectors. We offer a fantastic variety of agency and permanent positions with local authorities, the NHS, voluntary and charitable organisations and private care home providers.
Natural Networks – Learning Disabilities and Mental Health – contact Rachel Lawson, Recruitment & Systems Manager rlawson@naturalnetworks.co.uk
Nuffield Hospitals – Major provider of private health care with over 30 hospitals nationally (although few are in the north west).
Partnership in Care – Partnerships in Care (PiC)is the largest independent provider of secure mental health facilities across the UK.contact Berni Neloan on 01925 400633.
Prime Time Recruitment – various support worker and carer roles in the Merseyside and West Lancashire areas Contact: Philip Bell at: philip.bell@primetime.co.uk
Private Hospitals Directory – national directory of private hospitals.
Service Care Solutions - our core business is to supply social work and substance misuse staff on a temporary and permanent basis. We try to offer a range of work within Social Services, Housing and Drug & Alcohol Services and successfully place people into statutory and non statutory organisations across the UK.
Spire Health Care - Spire Healthcare (formerly BUPA) is a provider of private healthcare, with 37 private hospitals throughout the UK. including nine hospitals in the north west.
Windsor Recruitment – Carers and Support Workers needed in a variety of locations. Contact the Liverpool Branch at: Windsor Recruitment, The Property Exchange, 14 Cook Street, Liverpool L2 9QU or on 0845 612 0016 or 0151 707 9161
STR Group - STR's Health Division specialises in healthcare jobs and medical jobs across the entire Health sector. We recruit for all levels for permanent and locum positions across the UK. Our dedicated team of recruitment consultants have extensive experience that spans across a wide range of health & medical disciplines and industry sectors.
Vista Healthcare - provides specialist care and support to people with learning disabilities, mental health issues, Autistic Spectrum Disorder and behaviours that challenge.
Job Web Sites
- http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/
- http://www.healthjobsuk.com
- http://www.bna.co.uk/vacancies/
- http://www.staffnurse.com/nursing-jobs/
- http://www.nursing-agencies-list.com/
- http://www.bupa.co.uk/careers
- http://www.healthprofessionals.co.uk/
- http://www.staffnurse.com/nursing-directory/a-z/index.html
- http://www.nuffieldhealthcareers.com/homepage.aspx
- http://www.jobs4medical.co.uk/
- http://www.nurses.co.uk/
- http://www.nursingnetuk.com/job_search/s1
- http://nursingjobs.nursingtimes.net/
- http://www.rcnbulletinjobs.co.uk/
- http://www.oesworld.com/
- http://www.reedglobal.com/job-seeker/our-expertise/nurse/nurse.php?s_id=91
- http://www2.nmc4jobs.com/
- http://www.jobs-merseyside.co.uk/
- http://www.freseniuscareers.co.uk/jobs/workingforus.aspx
- http://www.oesworld.com/ (overseas jobs)
Web Sites for ODP opportunities
