A Career in Health & Social Care

What Are Your Options?

What’s It All About?

Well done! By doing your course you have given yourself

a choice of exciting careers and have a great future ahead of you

This presentation will help you do the following:

1. Get a better idea of the jobs you can do with your qualification

2. Tell you about how to get into these jobs; with a path through from where you are now to where you want to be

There Are Loads of Careers in Health & Social Care!

SocialWorker

Dental Hygienist

Paramedic Physiotherapist

Residential Care

BiomedicalScientist

Midwife

RadiographerOccupational

Therapist

Nurse

1. Radiographer 2. Biomedical Scientist

3. Social Worker

This presentation will focus on three career areas, and will give you an idea of how to go from where you are now, to being a:

So You Want to Be a Radiographer?

• What does a Radiographer do?

– A Diagnostic Radiographer uses a variety of imaging techniques, such as x-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to aid in the identification of illness or disease

– A Therapeutic Radiographer works closely with members of the Oncology team to treat patients with cancer, by delivering doses of ionising radiation

– www.prospects.ac.uk www.nhscareers.nhs.uk www.radiographycareers.co.uk/uniweblisting.html

So You Want to Be a Radiographer?

• Why do people choose to be Radiographers?

– It is a continually changing profession

– Radiographers help millions of people, 6 out of 10 cancer patients receiving radiotherapy are cured

– There are excellent promotion prospects

– www.radiographycareers.co.uk/uniweblisting.html

So You Want to Be a Radiographer?

• Salary/career progression

– Newly qualified = £18,828-£21,073– Senior = £20,222 to £28,666– Superintendent =£24,015-£36,320– District = £30,864-£40,191– Teaching grades = £18,147-£43,231– A variety of areas are available for specialisation

post-registration– www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

So You Want to Be a Radiographer?

Sounds good, how do I get there?

You are here

Radiographer

College Course

Want to get to here

Do a course at College/Sixth Form

Do a higher qualification

Become a Radiographer

You’re a third

of the way there

already!

So You Want to Be a Radiographer?

Do a higher level qualificationWhat does this mean?

• If you study at Higher Education (HE) Level, you will study at either a Further Education College, a University or with the Open University.

• Courses are generally between 2 and 4 years in length.

• Here is a description of some different types of HE courses:

– A Degree is a 3-4 year qualification, which can include a sandwich year (working for a year in the middle!)

– A Foundation Degree is a 2 year vocationally based qualification incorporating work based or work related learning.

– A Higher National Diploma (HND) is a two year vocational qualification.

So You Want to Be a Radiographer?

• Why do I need this?– A degree is a prerequisite to becoming a Radiographer.

• Where can I study?– Locally- Canterbury Christ church University – Nationally – A variety of universities offer courses in

Radiography, ref: www.ucas.co.uk andwww.radiographycareers.co.uk/uniweblisting.html

– Open University – This allows for distance learning, either full time or part time, with the majority of courses requiring no previous qualifications, ref: www.open.ac.uk .

• How long will it take?– Usually 3 years.

So You Want to Be a Radiographer?

Here are some examples of higher education level courses you can do in Radiography:

• Foundation Degree Sc in Radiotherapy and Oncology Practice

Where?• Anglia Polytechnic University

What will I get?• Radiotherapy and Oncology Practice FdSc

What does it involve?• Unknown – starts 2006• ref: www.apu.ac.uk/apu/en/home.html

So You Want to Be a Radiographer?

• BSc (Hons) in Medical ImagingWhere?

• Canterbury Christ Church University What will I get?

• A degree allowing entrance to the NHS as a trainee Radiographer

What does it involve?• Clinical education and practice (theory and on placement in

Kent/Sussex)• Theoretical and practical knowledge and skill• Personal and professional development• Development of research knowledge and skills• www.canterbury.ac.uk

So You Want to Be a Radiographer?

• What do I do when I’ve finished the course?– Must become State Registered by the Radiographers Board at

the Health Professions Council (HPC). Anyone completing a degree approved by the board is automatically eligible for registration. Must pay an annual retention fee to remain on the register

– Post registration you can do a 1 year postgraduate course to train as a Sonographer/Ultrasonographer

• Is there anything else I should know?– Entry to degree course mentioned requires 2X GCSE A Levels

(C+) or equivalent, a knowledge of medical imaging as a career and to have visited a Diagnostic Imaging Department for 1 day

– Entry requirements can vary according to Institution

So You Want to Be a Biomedical Scientist?

• What does a Biomedical Scientist do?– A Biomedical Scientist or Medical Laboratory

Scientific Officer (MLSO) carries out a range of laboratory tests to assist doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The work is varied, practical and analytical

– Specialities include: Medical Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry, Transfusion Science, Haematology, Histopathology, Cytology, Virology and Immunology

– www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/home.html

So You Want to Be a Biomedical Scientist?

• Why do people choose to be Biomedical Scientists?

– It is varied work with a structured career path. To progress after state registration most MLSOs take an MSc to allow qualification for fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Science

– It is possible to take charge of a section within a laboratory or manage a department

– Involvement in advance scientific work, research or training is also possible

– www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/home.html

So You Want to Be a Biomedical Scientist?

• Salary/career progression

– Trainee MLSO = £12,741-£14,275 (in service training)– MLSO1 = £17,371-£23,769 (newly qualified)– MLSO2 =£21,974-£31,279 (in charge of small

department- has fellowship of IBMS)– MLSO3 = £27,808-£35,185 (in charge of large

department)– MLSO4 = £32,531-£41,159 (higher levels of pathology

management)– Advanced Practitioner = £41,159-£54,165– www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/home.html

So You Want to Be a Biomedical Scientist?

Sounds good, how do I get there?

You are here

Biomedical ScientistCollege Course

Want to get to here

Do a course at College/Sixth Form

Do a higher qualification

Become a Biomedical Scientist

You’re a third

of the way there

already!

So You Want to Be a Biomedical Scientist?

Do a higher level qualification

Why do I need this?

– A degree is a prerequisite to becoming a Biomedical Scientist. This can be in Biomedical Sciences, another subject with a top up qualification done as a trainee, or a trainee with A Levels or equivalent studying their degree part time whilst working

– www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

So You Want to Be a Biomedical Scientist?

Where can I study?

– Locally - Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Kent, & University of Greenwich

– Nationally – A variety of universities offer courses in Biomedical Sciences, www.ucas.co.uk

www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/nhsknowledgebase/data/4802.html

– Open University – This allows for distance learning, either full time or part time, with the majority of courses requiring no previous qualifications, www.open.ac.uk

So You Want to Be a Biomedical Scientist?

Here are some examples of higher education level courses you can do in Biomedical Science:

• BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences

Where?• University of Greenwich

What will I get?• Biomedical Sciences BSc

What does it involve?• Course includes Biochemistry, Science Skills,

Physiology & Pharmacology, Medical Microbiology and Immunology

• www.gre.ac.uk

So You Want to Be a Biomedical Scientist?

• BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences

Where?• University of Kent

What will I get?• A degree allowing entrance to the NHS as a trainee

Biomedical ScientistWhat does it involve?

• Various modules including Human Physiology and Disease, Laboratory Medicine, Immunology, Topics in Medical Biosciences

• www.kent.ac.uk

So You Want to Be a Biomedical Scientist?

• What do I do when I’ve finished the course?

– Become a trainee MLSO, leading to state registration (usually 1-2 years). Must pay an annual retention fee to remain on the register

– Post registration you can take an MSc to allow qualification for Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS)

• Is there anything else I should know?

– Entry to degree courses varies according to institution

– The degree course mentioned requires 3X GCSE A Levels (C+) (A Level Biology preferred), + GCSE Maths grade C

So You Want to Be a Social Worker?

• What does a Social Worker do?

– Offers support to people, whilst adhering to relevant legislation and procedures

– Works closely with other health and social care staff

– www.prospects.ac.uk

So You Want to Be a Social Worker?

• Why do people choose to be Social Workers?

– It is seen as a way of helping people and allows specialisation in a number of different fields

– It is also a route into other jobs such as Education Welfare Officer and Counsellor

– www.prospects.ac.uk

So You Want to Be a Social Worker?

• Salary/career progression

– Starting salary = £17,000-£28,000

– Senior = £21,000 - £35,000

– www.prospects.ac.uk

So You Want to Be a Social Worker?

Sounds good, how do I get there?

You are here

Social WorkerCollege Course

Want to get to here

Do a course at College/Sixth Form

Do a higher qualification

Become a Social Worker

You’re a third

of the way there

already!

So You Want to Be a Social Worker?

Do a higher level qualification• Why do I need this?

– A degree is a prerequisite to becoming a Social Worker

• Where can I study?– Locally - Canterbury Christ Church University, University

of Greenwich, University of Kent, Canterbury College & West Kent College

– Nationally – A variety of universities offer courses in Social Work, www.ucas.co.uk

– Open University – This allows for distance learning, either full time or part time, with the majority of courses requiring no previous qualifications, www.open.ac.uk

So You Want to Be a Social Worker?

Here are some examples of higher education level courses you can do in Social Work:

• Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care

Where?• West Kent College

What will I get?• Health and Social Care FdA. A top up degree may be required

in addition to a postgraduate qualification in Social Work

What does it involve?• Care Ethics, the Law in Care, Health Promotion, Managing

Business Resources in Care Settings, Research Methods in Health and Social Care, Managing the Care Environment, Professional Practice, www.wkc.ac.uk

So You Want to Be a Social Worker?

• Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care

Where?• Open University

What does it involve?• The course is suitable for support staff working in a variety of

Health & Social Care settings, such as Occupational Therapy or Residential Care

• Through the degree, you will have the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and competences which underpin practice across the sector

• The degree combines work-based learning and supported open learning

• A top-up degree is available upon completion of the Foundation Degree, www.open.ac.uk

So You Want to Be a Social Worker?

• BA (Hons) in Social WorkWhere?

• Canterbury Christ Church University

What will I get?• Graduates will meet the National Occupational

Standards for Social Workers and be able to register with the General Social Care Council as newly qualified social workers

What does it involve?• Course includes communication skills, law & social

policy, human growth, development & mental health & disorder

• www.canterbury.ac.uk

So You Want to Be a Social Worker?

• What do I do when I’ve finished the course?

– A degree allows registration with the General Social Care Council as a newly qualified Social Worker

– A foundation degree may require a top up qualification in addition to a post graduate degree in Social Work

• Is there anything else I should know?

– Entry to the degree course mentioned requires GCSEs in English and Maths (C+), 180-220 points (A Levels-GCE or VCE) or NVQ Level 4 in Social Care

– Entry to the Foundation degree course mentioned requires 2 A Levels or equivalent or NVQ Level 3 in Care or equivalent

– Entry requirements vary according to institution

How Do I Get There?

• Start looking at what courses are available and their entry requirements

– Inc work experience

– Useful websites:

www.ucas.ac.uk

www.prospects.ac.uk

www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

www.radiographycareers.co.uk

How Do I Get There?

• Do you want to study locally?– For courses available in Kent and Medway: www.gohigher.org.uk

• Speak to careers advisors/student services

• Applications to HE courses are via UCAS– There are deadlines– All this information can be found on their website:

www.ucas.ac.uk

Other Courses Available LocallyCanterbury Collegewww.cant-col.ac.uk

Hadlow Collegewww.hadlow.ac.uk

Mid-Kent Collegewww.midkent.ac.uk

North West Kent Collegewww.nwkcollege.ac.uk

South Kent Collegewww.southkent.ac.uk

Thanet Collegewww.thanet.ac.uk

West Kent Collegewww.wkc.ac.uk

University of Kent www.kent.ac.uk

Canterbury Christ Church University www.canterbury.ac.uk

University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone & Rochester www.ucreative.ac.uk

University of Greenwich www.gre.ac.uk

Open University www.open.ac.uk

This presentation was produced by Cate Faulkes, Daniel Lee and Rachel

Hammond on behalf of:

Aimhigher Kent & Medway

Canterbury Christ Church UniversityHall Place Campus

Church HillHarbledownCanterbury

KentCT2 9AG

Tel: 01227 782565

Email: info@ahkandm.ac.ukWeb: www.ahkandm.ac.uk