Working for Us
Resources about careers in the NHS
Careers resources area
Welcome to the careers resources area. We have created this page to signpost you to helpful websites plus case studies and videos about our own staff to give you an insight into life at the hospital.
Please note that we cannot accept responsibility for the sites linked below or the information found there. Links to external websites do not denote endorsement by the hospital.
The Allied Health Professions are made up of 15 different careers. For more information about these roles visit:
- Roles in Allied Health Professionals Health Careers
- I See The Difference Allied Health
- Routes into Allied Health Professional Careers
- The Wow Show Career guides
- "Day in the Life of Allied Health Professionals" - Virtual Reality videos
Diagnostic Radiographer
Case studies
- Watch Suzanne's video case study to find out what it's like to be a Diagnostic Radiographer and why she chose this career
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming a Diagnostic Radiographer
- The Society of Radiographers has information about Radiography Careers
Occupational Therapist
Case studies
- As part of World Occupational Therapy Day, we interviewed two Occupational Therapists (OTs). Read Anna's case study about being a recently qualified OT and read Hazel's case study to find out about her experience of being an OT for the last 20 years.
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming an Occupational Therapist
- The Royal Society of Occupational Therapists website has information about training to be an Occupational Therapist
Operating Department Practitioner
Case studies
- Read Sam's case study to learn about her job as an Operating Department Practitioner at the RUH
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming an Operating Department Practitioner
Physiotherapist
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming a physiotherapist
- The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists has more information about a career as a physiotherapist
Healthcare Science Assistant
Case studies
- Read Daniel's case study to discover his journey from Project SEARCH student to Healthcare Science Assistant at the hospital
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming a Healthcare Science Assistant
Human Resources Staff
Case studies
- Watch Raechel's video case study to find out about her role working in the Organisational Development team
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about working in Human Resources
- The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has more information about careers in Organisational Development
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about working in the Dental Team
- Visit the Studying Healthcare website for more information about how to make an application to study dentistry at a UK university
Case studies
- Read Soraya's case study to learn more about her experience as a Core Surgical Trainee.
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming a doctor
- The Royal College of General Practitioners has produced Observe GP, an alternative to work experience which highlights the role of a GP and the wider primary care team
- The General Medical Council and NHS England have developed a virtual reality app called Patient journey to GP practice which follows Mrs Thomas and her son Jack in their encounters with a receptionist, doctor, nurse and pharmacist
- Visit the Studying Healthcare website for more information about how to make an application to study medicine at a UK university
Electrician
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming an electrician
Estates Officer
Case studies
- Read Nicky's case study to discover more about being an Estates Officer (Operations)
- Read Daisy's case study to find out more about being an Estates Officer (Buildings)
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about jobs in Estates Services
Surveyor
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about being a Surveyor
- The Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors has more information about the role of a Surveyor
Biomedical Scientist
Case studies
- We met Para, a Biomedical Scientist, as part of National Pathology Week. Read the case study to find out more about what she does
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming a biomedical scientist
Clinical Engineer
Case studies
- We met Imogen, a Clinical Engineer, as part of International Women in Engineering Day. Read the case study to find out more about what she does
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming a clinical engineer
- The Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine has more information about careers in clinical engineering
Imaging Physicist
Case studies
- Read Sarah's case study to discover more about being an Imaging Physicist
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming an Imaging Physicist
- The Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine has more information about being a Medical Physicist
- Visit the National School of Healthcare Science for information about the Scientist Training Programme
Case studies
- Watch Samantha's video case study to find out more about her role as Volunteering Services Manager
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about management in the NHS
Case studies
- Read Sarang's case study to learn about her role as a midwife
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming a midwife
Options to become a Band 5 Registered Nurse
- Apprenticeship route
- Direct undergraduate Registered nursing route
Apprenticeship route
Firstly become a Band 4 Nursing Associate and complete the Trainee Nursing Associate (TNA) programme which is a 2-year course. Once this is completed there may be opportunities to apply for a 'top up' programme and do a further 18 month - 2 year programme to become a Band 5 Registered Nurse.
Payment: Both these are Apprenticeship routes, which means you are paid as a Band 3 employees while studying.
Qualifications are essential to apply for above include:
- Maths and English at level 4 or equivalent or Functional skills level 2.
- Level 3 qualification in health or social care.
If you do not have the above, please contact ruh-tr.apprenticeships@nhs.net for help in attaining these.
If you have the qualifications and wish to apply or have questions contact ruh-tr.practiceeducation@nhs.net .The TNA course is advertised twice a year via Trac.
Direct undergraduate Registered nursing route
This is nurse training via a university and you can do a 2-3 year course to become a Registered Nurse. There are lots of universities that offer the nursing degree programme - e.g. UWE, Oxford Brooks, University of Gloucester (UoG).
You can explore with Universities if they will allow you to put any previous qualifications such as Nursing Associate, Assistant Practitioner, previous degree towards a shortened full time nursing degree - e.g. joining the second year of training. It is a good idea to their Open days - e.g. UWE: www.uwe.ac.uk/courses/open-days UoG: Undergraduate open days - University of Gloucestershire (glos.ac.uk). With the UoG we run a 'blended' option which includes a mix of online virtual classrooms, independent study and face-to-face learning on location with an RUH Bath 'Practice Pod'.
Payment: As a University student you will pay University fees. Once you start earning a certain amount of money, your student loans are repaid automatically through the tax system.
Qualifications vary and are determined by the University - see their web pages
Further information
Case studies
- Read Gemma's case study to find out how she became a nurse
- Read Becki's case study to learn about her role as an Adult Diabetes Nurse Specialist
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about becoming a nurse
- Visit the Nursing and Midwifery Council website to find out about training to become a nurse.
- The General Medical Council and NHS England have developed a virtual reality app called Patient journey to GP practice which follows Mrs Thomas and her son Jack in their encounters with a receptionist, doctor, nurse and pharmacist
Nursing Support Workers support nurses to deliver patient care. Watch the video by the Royal College of Nursing which explains what Nursing Support Workers do and highlights the valuable contribution they make.
Healthcare Support Worker
Case studies
- Watch this video about Becky, who works on William Budd Ward, to find out more about working as a Healthcare Support Worker at the RUH
- Read Juliet's case study to find out more about her experience of being a Healthcare Support Worker.
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about being a Healthcare Support Worker
Maternity Support Worker
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about being a Maternity Support Worker
Nursing Associate
Case studies
- Watch this video about Liz, she started working as a Healthcare Support Worker and undertook an apprenticeship as a Trainee Nursing Associate. Now she's a registered Nursing Associate
- Watch this video about Matt, a Nursing Associate at the RUH, to learn about his career journey and aspirations
- Watch this video created by HEE which explains where Nursing Associates can work
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about being a Nursing Associate
Health Education England has recently created a Pharmacy Careers Map, in partnership with Community Pharmacy Surrey & Sussex and Kent Local Pharmaceutical Committee. This interactive map shows the variety of careers available within pharmacy, covering community, GP practices, care homes, mental health, hospitals, universities, NHS organisations and the pharmaceutical industry. It also provides videos and further information about responsibilities and qualifications for each role.
Pharmacist
Case studies
- Read Nathan's case study about his experience of being a Pharmacist
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about being a Pharmacist
- The General Pharmaceutical Council has more information about training routes to becoming a Pharmacist
- Visit the Studying Healthcare website for more information about how to make an application to study pharmacy at a UK university
- The General Medical Council and NHS England have developed a virtual reality app called Patient journey to GP practice which follows Mrs Thomas and her son Jack in their encounters with a receptionist, doctor, nurse and pharmacist
Pharmacy Technician
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about being a Pharmacy Technician
- The General Pharmaceutical Council has more information about training routes to becoming a Pharmacy Technician
Case studies
- Watch Adam's video to learn about his experience
- Read Ben's case study to find out about his experience as a Project SEARCH student on the Cardiac Ward
- Visit the Project SEARCH website for more information about this programme
Helpful links
- Visit the Health Careers website to find out more about Psychological professions
- The Psychological Professions Network has created a career map for Psychological Professions
- The British Psychological Society has more information about becoming a psychologist
Case studies
- Read Sharon's case study to discover what it's like to work as a Clinical Research Nurse
Helpful links
- Visit the National Institute for Health Research website to find out more about Research in Healthcare
- You might like to participate in the King's Fund FutureLearn course. This online course explains how the NHS works and is suitable for anyone considering a career in the NHS in England, including A-Level students. For more information visit the King's Fund website.
- Are you considering a career in a support role in the NHS? Or about to apply for a bands 2-4 job? You might like to complete a quiz created by Health Education England to test if you share the values for working in the NHS. Visit the Values for Healthcare website to find out more.
- There are a number of podcasts available about healthcare-related topics. Visit the Aspiring Medics website for a list of some of the podcasts that are available.
Cannot find information about the career that you're interested in?
Cannot find information about the career that you are interested in?
The Health Careers website provides information about over 350 different careers available in the NHS. Click here to visit the site:
The Health Careers website also provides information about health-related careers events being run across the country.