We are the NHS

There aren’t many careers where you get to make a huge difference to people’s lives every single day. But that’s just one of the many perks you’ll enjoy when you join the NHS. Hundreds of incredibly rewarding roles are open and ready now for people like you. And here at Bloss, we’re proud to support both the NHS, and those looking for a change in career.

We talk to lots of new parents, across the Bloss community, who find themselves considering a career change once they’ve had a baby. Or even while they’re on maternity or paternity leave. With the NHS, you won’t just transform the lives of others, you could also make a real difference to your own life. There are endless opportunities to progress, and ongoing training is supplied. What’s more, there are many roles available that you may not have even heard of, let alone considered.

Here, we’ll talk you through a few of them – and help you find your new vocation in life.

Opportunities for everyone

‘The NHS is full of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. You’ll be set up to achieve things you never thought possible. No matter what your background, interests or aspirations, there is a role just for you. The NHS is actively looking for caring, passionate people to join the team and you’ll always be highly employable with the skills and experience you’ll gain.

So, if you’re looking for a role that you can really make your own, where no two days are the same, and where you’ll be able to make a real difference, the NHS is the right place for you.

What roles are available?

There are opportunities to change lives working as a nurse, a healthcare support worker, or an allied health professional. There is progression potential across each role too, with many paths to consider in what can be a lifelong career.

Specialise as a nurse

No two days are the same in nursing. It’s one of the most dynamic and rewarding roles within the NHS. And with ongoing training and the support of your team, you’ll be able to make it exactly what you want it to be. As a nurse, you’ll be at the heart of healthcare, working as part of a passionate and diverse team of other nurses, specialists, and experts.

From the day you start your degree, to the day you step on to the wards and beyond, you’ll be fully supported. And with ongoing training and development, there’s no limit to how far you can take your nursing career. There are four key areas of nursing you can choose to specialise in. Each of them leading on to a wide range of rewarding roles, with plenty of scope for progression. They are: mental health, learning disabilities, adult, and children’s nursing.

Sign up for your free guide to starting a career in nursing here.

What is an allied health professional?

There are 15 different allied health professional roles to choose from including podiatrist, orthoptist, speech and language therapist, and diagnostic radiographer, to name just a few. Working in any of these roles, you’ll play a crucial role in helping patients live their lives as fully as possible. You will also receive on-the-job training and plenty of peer support to help you thrive. All while you help treat, rehabilitate, and care for patients.

You’ll become an expert – helping patients in ways that few other healthcare professionals can. This could be as wide-ranging as helping someone to learn to walk again or fixing a child’s squint. You’ll work alongside a multidisciplinary team of doctors and nurses, in a range of settings, including hospitals and in patients’ homes. You’ll help those you work with to overcome obstacles, both mentally and physically.

Working in the NHS as an allied health professional isn’t just emotionally rewarding. With ongoing training, you’ll be able to quickly progress as well, moving to more senior positions with a higher pay grade. You’ll also enjoy a competitive salary, one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK, and discounts at shops, restaurants and more.

Sign up for your free guide to starting your allied health profession career here.

Start as a healthcare support worker

In this vital role, you’ll gain life experience like no other. You’ll change lives every single day and, from day one, be at the very heart of everything the NHS does as you support patients on their journey back to health. Doing everything from taking blood to helping them feel comfortable and at ease. Working alongside a dynamic team of doctors, nurses, and everyone in between, you’ll be mentored and supported in your career.

There are 30 different roles you could choose from that sit within seven areas of the NHS, including mental health, primary care, maternity, and children’s services. What matters most in this role is that you have a passion for helping others and enjoy working as part of a team. The qualifications you have are less important. You’ll be working in a hands-on, fast-paced environment where communication is vital.

Nowhere else can someone with a compassionate nature have such a great impact. Sign up for your free guide to starting your healthcare support worker career here.

How can you take the first step?

If you’re ready to take the first step towards one of the most incredibly rewarding careers there is, or you’d like to find out more about a specific role in the NHS, you can sign up to get a free guide here.

Written by Abigail Changer, Careers information and quality lead, Health Careers