Healthcare Careers

Medicine - Hospital doctor

What is it?

As a hospital doctor, you work in a healthcare team to look after people who need special care.

More money than ever is spent on keeping people OUT of hospital – giving advice on healthy living, and supporting sick people so they can stay in their own homes.

But sometimes only hospital care will do. That’s where you and your fellow professionals (nurses, physiotherapists and many more) come in.

It’s a fast-moving world, so you need to be able to think on your feet (imagine a busy A&E department, with injured patients coming in 24/7).

But if you’re a patient, it can also be a scary world. That’s why you need to make everyone you treat feel comfortable and safe in your hands, whether they’re the first or the 101st you’ve seen today.

It’s exciting and there’s plenty of variety. From hearts to hernias, from blood to bowels, at the bedside, in an operating theatre or lab – as a hospital doctor, you could find yourself in almost any branch of medicine.

What are the good bits?

• Challenging, satisfying work
• Make a difference and save lives
• Stimulating, fast-moving
• Career options – consultant, travel, research, teaching

What about pay?

£20,000 – £80,000+

What skills and interests do I need?

• Interested in science and people
• Good communication skills
• Hardworking, dedicated
• Motivated, curious

What qualifications/training will I need?

After GCSEs you need to stay on at school or go to college to study science – for example, Chemistry and Biology AS and A2 level plus another A2 and AS. Some places accept alternative qualifications. Then you’ll study Medicine for five years at university, then finish training while working in a hospital.

Compiled with reference to:
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
www.nobarriers2uni.org

A Taste of Medicine

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