Gaining experience

This page describes the various ways you can gain the experience you need to prepare you for a career in health. It explains the benefits of gaining experience, how you can make the most of it and how to go about finding opportunities. For some courses and jobs in health you have to have some appropriate experience. At the very least, you need to demonstrate that you have found out about the role you are interested in and have some understanding of what the work involves. Ways of getting experience Getting some relevant experience is one of the most important things you can do to help find a career in health, so take any opportunity you can. work experience placements. The greater and more varied the experience you have the better, so you could, for instance, do a placement as well as some volunteering. Relevant experience Ideally you should try to gain experience in the area of health that interests you. Thousands of organisations provide healthcare in one way or another.

Health visitor Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness. They work with families to give pre-school age children the best possible start in life. Working life Health visitors are qualified and registered nurses or midwives who have chosen to gain additional training and qualifications as specialist community public health nurses. As a health visitor, you’ll be working mainly with children from birth to five years and their families. You'll have a crucial role in making sure that children have the best start in life. parenting skillsthe family and home situationthe development needs of young children. You may then offer and agree with parents any further support that may be needed, and arrange to meet with them in their own home, clinic or community setting. Where will you work? Health visitors are generally employed by the NHS or by community interest groups. What will you do as a health visitor? Safeguarding and protecting children

Yoga therapist Job Information Page Content Yoga therapist HoursVariableStarting salaryVariable Yoga aims to create balance in the mind and body through exercise, breathing and meditation. As a yoga therapist you would use yoga to help people with physical and emotional issues or specific health problems. If you are interested and skilled in yoga, have good communication skills and want to help people, then this job could suit this job. To become a yoga therapist, you will need to be a qualified yoga teacher and have taken a course in yoga therapy. WorkDesc Work activities As a yoga therapist you would work with people who have a range of physical problems, such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure or back pain. You would start a therapy session with a consultation, taking note of the client's physical condition, medical history and any related lifestyle factors. You would work with clients to practise their therapy on a one-to-one basis or in group classes. HoursDesc Working hours and conditions IncomeDesc Income LMIData

NHS bursary reform From 1 August 2017, new nursing, midwifery and allied health students will no longer receive NHS bursaries. Instead, they will have access to the same student loans system as other students. We are carrying out a consultation on how we can successfully implement the changes outlined below. Overview The new system will provide: more nurses, midwives and allied health professionals for the NHS a better funding system for health students in England a sustainable model for universities It will ensure there are enough health professionals for the NHS while reducing the current reliance on expensive agency staff. This will enable universities to provide up to 10,000 additional nursing, midwifery and allied health training places by 2020, so more applicants will have the chance to become a health professional. The change will only affect new students starting their courses from 1 August 2017. Financial support for students Repaying student loans

Occupational health nurse Job Information Page Content Occupational health nurse Hours37.5 - 40 per weekStarting salary£21,692 + per year Occupational health nurses are registered nurses who specialise in caring for the health and wellbeing of people at work. They also work with employers to develop safe working policies and procedures. If you are interested in nursing and in promoting health in the workplace, then this could be the role for you. To get into this work, you will need to complete a three-year degree in nursing, and have experience of working as a registered nurse. WorkDesc Work activities As an occupational health nurse you would encourage better health and wellbeing in workers. You might also take blood samples for testing and carry out vaccinations. You could work alone or as part of a team of health and safety experts. HoursDesc Working hours and conditions Your hours of work will vary depending on your employer, although it is likely that you will work between 37.5 and 40 hours a week. IncomeDesc Income NHS Jobs LMIData

Pilates teacher Job Information Page Content Pilates teacher HoursVariableStarting salaryVariable Pilates is a type of exercise that focuses on the whole body to improve balance, strength, flexibility and posture. If you are interested in exercise and fitness, have good communication skills and can motivate individuals and groups, then this job could be ideal for you. To get into this job you will need to have a background in exercise, or a related physical therapy, and have been attending regular Pilates classes. WorkDesc The work As a Pilates teacher you would: The stretching and conditioning exercises in Pilates are based on the following basic principles: breathingconcentrationcentringcontrolprecisionflowing movement. By teaching clients to be in control of their bodies, you would also help them to handle stress more effectively and relax more easily. HoursDesc Hours You would usually set your own working hours, which may include evenings and weekends to meet the needs of your clients. IncomeDesc Income EntryRequirementsDesc

Practice nurse Job Information Page Content Practice nurse Hours37.5 per weekStarting salary£26,041 + per year If you want a job in which you can use your caring and people skills to help patients, this could be ideal for you. Practice nurses assess, screen, treat and educate all sections of the community, from babies to older people. They work within GP practices to help doctors give nursing and medical care. In this job you will need excellent communication and listening skills, so you can work with people of all ages and backgrounds. To get into this job you will need to be a registered nurse with around two years' post-qualifying experience. WorkDesc Work activities As a practice nurse, your duties could include: In larger GP surgeries you may work alongside other practice nurses and have the opportunity to specialise, for example in the needs of a particular client group. HoursDesc Working hours and conditions You would generally work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday. IncomeDesc Income EntryRequirementsDesc NHS Careers

Guide for Prospective Medical Volunteers Guide for Prospective Medical Volunteers: Medical Volunteer Guide | Questions & Answers | Healing in Vietnam | Patients A small group of committed people truly has the ability to change the world, and this is apparent to everyone who has ever volunteered their time and skills abroad to help those in need. Pre-health students, aspiring medical professionals, working physicians and those who have already retired are all able to gain experience and take part in bringing first-rate healthcare to people who typically are unable to see a doctor in any other way. Why Volunteer Abroad? While every man, woman and child has the right to live a health life, millions are in need of help, and this is where volunteer work comes in. Volunteering abroad is a popular alternative to learning and working abroad. Experience Another Culture Volunteering allows you to learn about a community, its people and the issues they face firsthand. Qualifications HIV/AIDS Awareness. Underserved Communities In Need 1. 2.

Learning disability nurse Job Information Page Content Learning disability nurse Hours37.5 per weekStarting salary£21,692 + per year If you want to work as part of a team to support people with learning disabilities and their families to get the best out of life, then this could be the ideal job for you. Learning disability nurses are based in a variety of settings in the community and in hospitals. You will need to be sensitive to the needs of your patients, have excellent communication skills and be able to deal with a challenging health and social care environment. WorkDesc Work activities As a learning disability nurse, you would work with people of all ages who need assistance with aspects of everyday life. Your work with clients would often begin with an assessment of their health and social care needs. You would provide support to your clients to meet their individual needs, which would include making sure they had access to the right health services, treatment or therapy. HoursDesc Working hours and conditions IncomeDesc Income

Training to become a Genetic Counsellor A Masters training programme in Genomic Counselling started in September 2016 . The programme forms part of the Scientific Training Programme under the National School of Healthcare Science (NSHCS). The 3 year traineeship combines an MSc in Genomic Counselling with work-based training in a Regional Genetics Centre supporting families with a range of genetic and genomic conditions. It is designed to provide the education in the science of genomics and relevant counselling theory, alongside the experience required to practice as a Genetic Counsellor and to obtain professional registration. There is more detail about being a Genetic Counsellor on this website and at Funding Eligibility Applications Applications are invited from interested parties. MSc(MedSci). 24 months full-time. (MSc).