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To work in the health and social care sectors you need to be – how can we put this delicately – clever. Although having a university degree or diploma is not necessary for many roles such as social work assistant or chiropractor, good academic credentials are essential for everyone else.
In the field of alternative and complementary medicine acupuncturists will need to undergo a three-year training programme accredited by the British Acupuncturist Board.
For chiropractors, entry requirements vary but normally include two science ‘A’ levels or equivalent combined with successful completion of courses- and registration- with the General Chiropractic Council (CGC). Homeopaths will be either fully qualified doctors making a transition into alternative medicine via the post graduate route, or those starting from scratch who have undertaken one of the approved courses from the Society of Homeopaths.
In the fields of allied and core health care you will inevitably need a degree. Physiotherapists must have an approved degree in physiotherapy which provides you with membership to the Chartered Institute of Physiotherapy which in turn, entitles you to practice in the NHS. Similarly, occupational therapists need a degree in the same subject, while career changers who hold a degree in an un-related discipline can take a two-year accelerated full-time course. Radiographers will also need a relevant degree and must register with the Radiographers Board of the Health Professions Council before being able to practice in the NHS.
Competition for positions as doctors and dentists is high, so you’ll be expected to have excellent ‘A’ levels (usually one A and two B’s) including maths and two sciences.
Typically, training for doctor’s and dentists will last five years. However, the General Medical Council (GMC) also approves six-year degrees for applicants who do not meet the ‘A’ level science criteria – the extra year being a pre-medical course in science to bring you up to speed. Nurses and midwives will need five GCSEs and two ‘A’ levels followed by completion of a degree or diploma that is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
For those working in the social care sector a degree in social work approved by the General Social care Council is pretty much the norm for social care workers across all disciplines, youth-offending service officers and mental health outreach workers, while an NVQ level 3 in social care is needed to become a substance misuse worker.
Ultimately, any work experience either paid or voluntary that you can pick up along the way to obtaining the relevant qualifications for your chosen career, will pay dividends when it comes to doing the job for real.
Wondering what to do now? Check out our expert career advice, find out more about the Healthcare industry or search for the latest Healthcare jobs.