Clinical Scientist

Clinical scientists research and develop techniques and equipment to help prevent, diagnose and treat illness. 

To enter this career, you will need to either complete a university course (achieving a first or upper second class honours (2:1) in a related subject) or an apprenticeship. 

Average salary: £48,000 

A typical day could include: 

There are 4 main areas of clinical science. You could work in clinical bioinformatics, life sciences, physical sciences and biomedical engineering or physiological sciences.  

Depending on your area you could: 

• Research, develop and test methods of diagnosing and treatment 

• Collect and analyse complex data to help develop treatments 

• Assess different parts of the body to diagnose abnormalities 

• Advise medical staff of how to use products and equipment 

• Investigate the causes of illness or death 

• Study cells or diagnose and analyse blood disorders. 

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, in a laboratory or at a university. 

Dietitian

Dietitians diagnose and treat people with nutrition problems and help people make healthy lifestyle and dietary decisions. 

There are several ways in which you can become a dietitian. You can gain a degree, complete an apprenticeship or work towards the role in other positions such as Dietetic Assistant. 

Average salary: £37,000 

A typical day could include: 

• Assessing the nutritional needs of individuals, families or groups 
• Creating treatment plans to improve nutrition and overall health 
• Giving practical and sensitive dietary advice, tailored to people's needs 
• Monitoring people's progress towards healthy eating targets 
• Creating and update confidential clinical records 

In a hospital, you could: 

• Specialise in an area like children's health, renal dietetics or cancer care 
• Run clinics for people with diabetes or eating disorders, like anorexia or bulimia 
• Work with catering services to create menus for patients with a range of dietary needs 

In the community, you may: 

• Raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating 
• Run health promotion workshops 
• Advise people who lack confidence, are experiencing mental illness, or are on a low income 

General Practitioner (GP)

General practitioners (GPs) are doctors who provide medical services to people in their local community. 

To become a GP you will need to complete a university degree or an apprenticeship. You might also need to complete entry tests, which will test skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and scientific knowledge. 

Average salary: £75,000 

A typical day could include: 

• Giving general health advice to patients in person or on the phone 
• Diagnosing patients' symptoms and referring to specialist consultants if needed 
• Prescribing medicines, recommending treatments and carrying out minor surgery 
• Doing research and help to train other healthcare professionals 
• Organising and leading clinics for specific groups of patients or medical conditions. 

In this role, you could work at a GP practice, at a health centre or at a client's home. 

Health Visitor

Health visitors work with families with a child aged 0 to 5 to identify health needs, promote healthy lifestyles and prevent illness. 

You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or by working toward this role. 

Average salary: £40,000 

A typical day could include: 

• Advising new parents on baby feeding, hygiene, safety and sleep 
• Supporting parents with their children's development needs 
• Coordinating child immunisation programmes 
• Organising clinics or drop in centres 
• Working with social services and other organisations to safeguard and protect children 

You could work at a client's home, at a health centre or at a GP practice. 

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding, and you'll travel often. 

Healthcare Assistant

Healthcare assistants look after patients in hospitals or sometimes at a patient's home. 

You can get into this job by completing a college course, an apprenticeship or working towards this role. 

Average salary: £23,000 

A typical day could include: 

• Helping patients shower and get dressed 
• Helping people eat 
• Making beds 
• Using equipment to lift and move patients 
• Talking to patients and reassure them 
• Helping patients to use the toilet 
• Tidying the ward or patients' homes 
• Taking patients' temperature or pulse 
• Attending meetings with other healthcare professionals 

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a client's home, at an adult care home or at a hospice. 

Midwife

Midwives support pregnant women and their babies before, during and after, childbirth. 

You can get into this job through completing a university degree, an apprenticeship, or a specialist course run by a professional body. 

Average salary: £37,000 

A typical day could include: 

• Advising pregnant women and check they are healthy 
• Running classes about pregnancy and parenting 
• Managing labour and deliver babies 
• Advising on ways to manage pain during labour 
• Giving advice after the baby is born 
• Visiting homes to check on parents and the baby 

In this role you could work at a client's home, at a health centre, at a GP practice or in an NHS or private hospital. 

Nurse

Nurses care for adults who are sick, injured or have physical disabilities. 

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship. 

Average salary: £35,000 

A typical day could include: 

• Taking temperatures, blood pressures and pulse rates 
• Giving drugs and injections, treat wounds and set up drips 
• Monitoring the progress of patients and update records 
• Handover information to colleagues at the end of a shift 
• Working with doctors and other healthcare professionals to decide what care to give 
• Giving advice to patients and their relatives. 

In this role, you could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a health centre, at a hospice, at an adult care home, at a client's home or in a prison. 

Paramedic

Paramedics respond to emergency call-outs and give people life-saving medical help. 

You can get into this work through a university course, an apprenticeship, working towards this role, or applying for a trainee scheme. 

Average salary: £35,000 

A typical day could include: 

• Responding to emergency calls 
• Assessing situations when you arrive and check details with others at the scene, like the police 
• Working calmly and quickly to stabilise patients 
• Using a defibrillator to revive patients 
• Giving patients medicines and injections 
• Helping to deliver babies 
• Attending non-emergency calls and deciding whether patients need to go to hospital 
• Checking equipment regularly and keep accurate records 
• Reassuring family and members of the public who are on the scene. 

You could work on an ambulance, at a client's home or in the community.