If you’ve lost any sense in doing one of those office jobs and feel like switching to something more meaningful, consider healthcare jobs. Don’t be surprised; some don’t require prior experience or qualifications, just your desire, passion, and endless love for people. Our article discusses unqualified NHS jobs and what it takes to find and get one in the UK.
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Firstly, let’s look at the job options a person without medical experience can consider.
A Healthcare Assistant’s role can be hardly underestimated: they ensure total patient comfort during their hospital stay. Typical duties include washing, dressing, making beds, serving food or feeding patients, and monitoring their conditions. Facilities often offer training opportunities or apprenticeship schemes for those without experience but want to start immediately. If you’re planning on climbing the career ladder or advancing to a more specialist role, there is a chance to work towards obtaining certification (the Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support Services).
Dental Support Workers may start working without qualifications because they are normally provided with solid on-the-job training programmes. Their day-to-day duties are a combination of administrative and operational tasks, including sterilising equipment, mixing fillings, or assisting with X-rays. While formal qualifications may not be a prerequisite initially, Dental Support Workers who demonstrate commitment to learning and desire to build their credentials are highly valued and have great career progression opportunities.
According to the Health Foundation, the number of people older than 85 will double to 2.6 million in the next 25 years. Everybody who decides to choose this job makes an immense social contribution. Care Assistants primarily operate within a client’s home, providing their patients with the attention and care they need while dealing with particular medical conditions. The entry training requirements vary from company to company. Sometimes, a General Certificate of Secondary Education is enough, but sometimes, employers ask for a specific certification or a completed intermediate or advanced apprenticeship.
For those who are attracted to the medical sphere but feel like working on something other than the practical side, the role of a Medical Secretary can be a good option. Medical Secretaries shoulder all administrative tasks and help the healthcare industry avoid administrative collapse. By freeing doctors and nurses from doing admin chores, Medical Secretaries allow them to concentrate on what they do best – providing high-quality care to patients. To be a good fit for this position, one should demonstrate well-developed organisational skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of medical terminology. Previous admin experience can be an advantage when looking for Medical Secretary jobs.
This entry-level pharmaceutical role only requires a little computer literacy and strong communication skills. The responsibilities typically include:
Pharmacy Assistants should work under a registered pharmacist’s supervision so there is always somebody to seek help from. One may start as a trainee and work towards a National Vocational Qualification or National Certificate in Pharmaceutical Science.
Unqualified roles hold significant importance in both the overall functioning of healthcare facilities and the quality of care the facilities provide in such ways:
Even though starting in one of these roles doesn’t require specific qualifications or education, there are some basic requirements an individual should have. Let’s go into a little bit more detail.
The majority of employers do expect to see GCSEs as one’s minimum standard, with math and English being of the highest importance. Some employers require an NVQ qualification in Health and Social Care. However, the most widespread scenario is the company hiring individuals and getting them up to standards through on-the-spot training. If you have a little bit of hands-on or volunteering experience in healthcare, it’s almost a victory.
For those without previous experience, possessing particular soft skills can be a game changer. Whether you’re just starting your career way or switching jobs, you must have developed some soft skills during your studies or in your previous workplace. Here are some examples of transferable skills that can come in handy when applying for unqualified healthcare jobs:
We’ve discussed the essential eligibility criteria for those whose heart is set on a healthcare career, so what to do next? Start applying! Here, we explain how.
The answer is simple: create a well-crafted resume and application letter, browse job vacancies, and apply. It’s a good idea to define the sector you’d like to work in, for instance, elderly, disabled, respite care, companionship care, working at care homes, or home care. The list is long. It would help to clarify it for yourself first because your resume and application letter will be based on it.
Mindlessly applying for all the care assistant jobs with a generic resume will hardly bring any results. Employers want to see what value you can bring specifically to their company. To succeed in that, follow these two principles of effective application writing:
Once your resume and application letter are ready, the job search begins. Get yourself prepared for the fact that the invitation to an interview may not come as easy and fast as you may expect. You may have to apply dozens of times, but it’s okay. Let’s check where you can look for unqualified job opportunities in healthcare.
First and foremost, it’s online job portals, job boards, and healthcare facilities websites. For instance, you can visit the NHS jobs website or any other healthcare provider organisation and check their current vacancies. If you see something relevant, apply for it.
Another effective option will be to do an offline search. Check what healthcare trusts are located in your area, reach out to them, and inquire about job opportunities for care workers they currently offer. Then, get an appointment and give them a visit. Doing it in person gives you more chances to establish a meaningful connection with the facility and the people who are connected with it. This fact may favourably impact on your employment prospects.
If you want to boost your chances for employment, consider gaining experience through volunteering first. You may also visit the National Council of Volunteering Organisations (NCVO) official website to check what volunteering opportunities they offer in your area.
You’ve successfully completed the ‘search’ stage and got a couple of interview invitations. Great job! But it’s a bit early to celebrate – time for preparation. Here, we share some interview preparation tips and the nuances that may pop up during the selection process.
There are some valuable tips to help you be fully armed for an interview in the NHS:
A tip: Check the CQC reports for the facilities you’re applying to. There, you can find valuable information such as what this organisation excels in and what improvements they seek. Share your observations with the interviewer. This move will prove that your interest isn’t superficial.
Familiarise yourself with the idea that you may be asked to take aptitude tests, have a health assessment, and a criminal check. As a rule, candidates undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) that ensures that the candidate is suitable to work with vulnerable individuals. Under no circumstances should you take it personally; these are just mandatory selection process procedures that every candidate must undergo.
You did it! You’ve got a job in healthcare with no relevant qualifications. It’s a great start, but it’s not the limit. Furthermore, entry-level positions’ remuneration may not meet your salary expectations. To change that, consider professional development opportunities for care workers.
When it comes to career advancement, care workers have numerous options to pursue. A combination of decent hands-on experience, qualifications, and certification in specific areas opens doors to senior or managerial positions in the field. A Care Assistant may advance to a Lead Care Worker or Home Manager over time.
To be more specific about upskilling opportunities, here are some ideas:
