Healthcare work can be very varied, including roles in:

• Building and maintenance
• Finance
• General management
• Human resources
• Information and communication technology
• Information management

There are two main ways of joining the NHS. Firstly by joining a graduate recruitment scheme, specialising in finance, human resources and general management. Some private healthcare facilities have graduate schemes too. Otherwise you can apply directly to the trust that you would like to work for. Each trust is in charge of its own recruitment.

Qualifications and Experience

Some jobs in healthcare operations require degrees, preferably in a related qualification, such as numerate degree for a position in finance. Most healthcare jobs involve working with others so friendliness and approachability are important qualities.

Skills and experience are probably a lot more important than qualifications for certain jobs in healthcare, but these can be so diverse it’s hard to evaluate.

Working Life

The media often portrays NHS workers as overworked, but a typical NHS employer works just 37.5 hours per week. This might include night shifts, weekends and public holidays, although overtime payments are due for these times.

NHS employees enjoy benefits like holidays, training, occupational health and counselling services, and automatic enrolment in the NHS Pension Scheme. Benefits in the private sector will depend on the particular organisation, but are likely to be similar.