# Healthcare
**Source**: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/career-options/sectors/healthcare/
**Parent**: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/career-options/sectors/
Healthcare offers various roles and specialisms, including nursing, midwifery, medicine, and professions such as occupational therapy, radiography and orthoptics. There are also opportunities to work in healthcare operations and management.
Typical jobs in this sector include:
- doctor
- clinical psychologist
- occupational therapist
- optometrist
- pathologist.
Key skills that are useful in this sector include:
- the ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds and gain their trust
- tact, patience, and empathy
- resilience when coping with difficult situations
- excellent communication skills
- ability to work well in a team and under pressure.
For job profiles and detailed information on pursuing a career in this sector, see the Prospects website:
[Healthcare profile](https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/healthcare)
## Contents
- [How to get a job](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/career-options/sectors/healthcare/#d.en.129006)
- [Finding a job](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/career-options/sectors/healthcare/#d.en.129008)
- [Applying for a job](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/career-options/sectors/healthcare/#d.en.129007)
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## How to get a job
To prepare for a graduate-level career in healthcare, you should research the sector carefully. You should also talk with people who are in the sector already.
Relevant work experience is essential for many roles in healthcare. It is also required for any postgraduate course, and some universities specify a minimum amount of time spent gaining experience. \
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The experience you require varies from role to role – see the [healthcare job profiles on Prospects](https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/browse-sector/healthcare) for further details. \
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Few formal internships exist in this sector, so it may be worth making [speculative applications](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/how-to-apply/speculative-applications/) to find opportunities.
### Make a connection
To connect with people already working in the sector, consider joining [Saint Connect](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/connection/saint-connect/), the University of St Andrews’ exclusive, global, online community for networking and career mentoring. See more ideas for [making a connection.](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/connection/)
If you want to be a psychologist, and are care experienced, consider joining the [Care Experienced Psychology Network (CEPN)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/2049343025405269/).
### Hospital placements
Some NHS trusts have organised work experience placements. See contact details on:
- [NHS Choices](http://www.nhs.uk/service-search) (for trusts in England)
- [NHS Scotland](https://www.scot.nhs.uk/) (for trusts in Scotland).
### Volunteering
The [St Andrews Community Hospital](https://www.nhsfife.org/get-involved/volunteering/) and [Ninewells Hospital](https://www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk/GettingInvolved/VolunteerServices/PROD_210640/index.htm) offer volunteering opportunities. As a volunteer, you will befriend and socialise with patients, rather than provide care. However, this can still provide valuable experience in building relationships with patients.
Other voluntary opportunities can give you experience:
- working with vulnerable people
- mentoring, motivating and teaching others
- collaborating with the wider healthcare team.
Some voluntary opportunities to explore include:
- [VolunteerScotland](http://www.volunteerscotland.net)
- [Citizens Advice Bureau](https://www.cas.org.uk/about-us/volunteer-citizens-advice-bureau)
- [Fife Volunteer Action](https://www.fva.org/)
- [Hospice UK](https://www.hospiceuk.org/)
- [Brainkind](https://brainkind.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/)
- [Mind](https://www.mind.org.uk/)
- [Heads Together](https://www.headstogether.org.uk/).
Volunteering with the elderly can also provide valuable experience. Contact care homes directly to find out if they have any openings: the [Care Homes](http://www.carehome.co.uk/care_search_results.cfm/searchcounty/Fife/) website can help you locate a home near St Andrews.
### First aider
Consider gaining first aid qualifications and volunteering as a first aider. Organisations such as [St John Ambulance](https://www.sja.org.uk/) and the [British Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org.uk/) offer training.
### Part-time work
Part-time work can provide valuable experience. This does not necessarily have to be in a healthcare setting. Consider roles that involve dealing with people in stressful situations, communicating with a range of people, or working as part of a close team.
Many charities offer these types of opportunity. Look at [Good Moves](https://goodmoves.com/) and the [charity and voluntary work sector page](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/career-options/sectors/charity/) for ideas.
### Attend events
The Careers Centre often hosts events where you can speak with employers visiting St Andrews. Visit the [events page](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/events/) for more information.
### Further study
Many graduate roles in healthcare require registration as a healthcare professional. You will also need a relevant approved first degree to register with a professional body to work in these roles.
If you haven't studied an approved first degree, you could consider a graduate-entry accelerated course to start your clinical career. Some of these will require you to have a science or health-related first degree, but others are open to graduates of any subject. You will typically need at least a 2.2 in your first degree and a substantial amount of relevant work experience to apply successfully.
For details of what qualifications you might need, you should carefully research the particular role you are interested in. For information on further study in general, see the [further study pages](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/further-study/).
If you are considering applying to medical school, the following resources may be helpful:
- [NHS – gaining work experience for medical school](https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/applying-medical-school/gaining-experience-medical-school)
- [BMA – getting medical work experience](https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/studying-medicine/becoming-a-doctor/getting-medical-work-experience)
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## Finding a job
Check out our job listings for vacancies or see the resources below for jobs in the healthcare sector.
[Find jobs (Careers Centre)](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/jobs/)
### Jobs in the UK
- [Prospects](https://www.prospects.ac.uk/graduate-jobs-results?sortBy=dp&careers=174&size=20&page=0#results)
- [TARGETjobs](https://targetjobs.co.uk/search/jobs?sectors=Medical%2C+healthcare+%26+dental§ors=Dental&type=article)
- [NHS Careers](https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/)
- [NHS Scotland Recruitment](https://jobs.scot.nhs.uk/)
- [NHS Professionals](http://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk/)
- [BUPA Jobs](http://www.bupa.co.uk/careers)
- [Healthjobs UK](http://www.healthjobsuk.com/select_sector)
### Jobs outside the UK
- [GoinGlobal](https://login.st-andrews.ac.uk/cas/login?service=https:%2F%2Fwww.st-andrews.ac.uk%2Fcareers%2Fcareer-options%2Fsectors%2Fhealthcare%2F) (requires login)
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## Applying for a job
The recruitment process for careers in healthcare will depend on the role and the employer or organisation. For information on two specific programmes, see:
- [NHS graduate management training recruitment process](https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/healthcare/1052092-how-to-be-successful-in-the-recruitment-process-for-the-nhs-graduate-management-training) (TARGETjobs)
- [How to answer questions on the NHS Scientist Training Programme application form](https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/healthcare/1052088-how-to-answer-questions-on-the-nhs-scientist-training-programme-application-form) (TARGETjobs)
At some point in your medical training, you may need a CV to apply for healthcare opportunities. See the [NHS](https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/medical-specialty-training/preparing-your-medical-cv) and the [British Medical Association](https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/career-progression/finding-the-right-role/writing-your-medical-cv) for advice on preparing your medical CV.
If you would like personalised help on any aspect of applying for a job, you can [book an appointment with a careers adviser](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/appointments/).
[Applying for a job](https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/careers/how-to-apply/)
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## Additional resources
- [Healthcare - TARGETJobs](https://targetjobs.co.uk/career-sectors/healthcare/advice)
- [British Psychological Society](https://www.bps.org.uk/)
- [Specialty guides (BMJ Careers)](https://www.bmj.com/careers/careers-articles/specialty-guides/)
- [General Dental Council (GDC)](https://www.gdc-uk.org/)
- [General Medical Council (GMC)](http://www.gmc-uk.org/)
- [General Optical Council (GOC)](https://www.optical.org/)
- [General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)](http://www.pharmacyregulation.org/)
- [Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)](https://www.hcpc-uk.org/)
- [Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)](http://www.nmc.org.uk/)
- [Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)](http://www.rsph.org.uk/)
- [Scotland Deanery](https://www.scotlanddeanery.nhs.scot/)