With so many health careers out there, you might be unsure which area you want to go in to when deciding to choose a course at university! Not interested in nursing or becoming a midwife, take our quiz and find out which hidden health career you would be best suited to.
As a Biomedical Engineer, you'll design biomedical equipment and devices to aid recovery or improve the health of individuals. This can include internal devices, such as stents or artificial organs, or external devices such as braces and supports (orthotics).
Key skills include an interest in how the human body works, a creative and persistent manner, a good eye for detail, being a keen problem solver and having the ability to perform tasks with precision.
Find out more about this new and exciting career with a BEng (Hons) degree in Biomedical Engineering.
As a Biomedical scientist, you'll act as an investigator into the human body, to try and identify changes and diseases on a cellular level, through knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology and genetics.
Biomedical Scientists play an important role in the diagnosis, management and treatment of diseases, through laboratory tests. Key skills for this type of role include good attention to detail, a good investigatory nature, being able to work to tight deadlines and being confident with working with samples of bodily fluids and specimens.
Find out more about this exciting career with a BSc (Hons) degree in Biomedical Science.
As a Rehabilitation worker, you'll help people become as independent as possible, and live the best lives they can with whatever medical condition they may have.
You could specialise in a particular area, such as visual impairment where you'll learn all about sight loss issues, causes, and the many ways you can help people to perform tasks that they currently struggle with. Other avenues with rehabilitation can include occupational health and physiotherapy.
Depending on the area you wish to work in, a foundation degree, degree or masters qualification would be needed to become a qualified professional, and key skills include being a good problem solver, having a caring and compassionate nature, and the ability to build trust with your patients/clients.
Find out more about this rewarding career with a FdSc degree in Rehabilitation (Visual Impairment)
As a Public Health practitioner, you'll work in a more overarching capacity, more than on a one to one basis, and look at issues around health promotion, protection and improvement.
Public Health specialists work in a variety of settings and influence policies and legislation, such as the ban on smoking in public places, healthy housing and sustainability. They also support people and communities to take action on issues affecting their health, such as reducing plastic waste, traffic calming and diet/lifestyle changes. Key skills include good communication with both individuals and organisations, good research and analytical skills, and problem solving abilities.
Find out more about this exciting career with a BSc (Hons) Health Studies (Public Health) degree.
As a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) you'll provide support, treatment and care to make improvements in people's conditions, who have speech and or swallowing difficulties - either through a recent trauma or illness, or from birth or childhood.
SLT's work with teachers and health professionals including doctors, nurses and psychologists to develop individual treatment programmes to meet specific needs. Key skills include having a friendly, calm and understanding manner, good problem solving and communications kills, and the ability to advocate for your patient.
Find out more about this rewarding and varied career with a BSc (Hons) in Speech and Language Therapy. This flexible course is available to be studied full-time and/or part-time, with the option of switching between the two!
As a Paramedic you'll be trained in emergency medical care, and aim to treat and stabilise patients at the scene, so they can be transported to hospital safely for further assessment and treatment.
Paramedics are often the first on hand in a medical emergency, and therefore need to be calm in challenging situations, be able to cope under pressure, and have good communication and people skills.
Find out more about this rewarding and exciting career with a BSc (Hons) in Paramedic Science.
Operating Department Practitioners (ODP's) look after patients that are undergoing surgery and work in three main areas: anaesthesia, surgery, and post-operative care. As an ODP you'll need to be able to cope with blood and bodily fluids, be able to build a quick rapport with patients and put them at ease, and react quickly to changes in a patient's condition.
This is an exciting and varied role, with plenty of opportunity for progression and you can guarantee no two days will be the same. Find out more with a BSc (Hons) degree in Operating Department Practice.
This area of work can include a variety of roles - from working with clients to scientific and creative roles.
Examples include becoming a Nutritionist to help people lead healthier lives through education in food and nutrition, or enhance their mental and physical performance through specially designed diets; a Food Analyst looking at the chemical and physical properties of food, or a Food Scientist inventing new products for a food manufacturer - you could create the nations future favourite snack!
A BSc (Hons) degree in Food and Nutrition covers topics including food science, technology, analysis, safety, quality and nutrition - so no matter what area you'd like to go into, rest assured you'll get a broad understanding to make the right career choice for you.
Diagnostic Radiographers use X-rays, ultrasound and magnetic fields, such as computed tomography (CT scans), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scans) to diagnose injuries and diseases, using a variety of complex machines and equipment.
Key skills for this role include good communication, the ability to move patients carefully and with dignity, attention to detail and an interest in science, technology and anatomy (you'll need to know the names of all the bones in the human body!).
Start your journey to a career in Diagnostic Radiography with a BSc (Hons) degree
As a Therapeutic Radiographer, you'll deliver radiation treatment to cancer patients to kill or shrink cancer cells, using complex machines and equipment. Key skills for this role include good people skills, attention to detail, a good understanding of technology, and compassion for patients coping with serious illness.
Start your journey to an exciting and rewarding career in Radiotherapy with a BSc (Hons) degree.
A Sonographer is a trained professional who operates medical imaging equipment to help physicians diagnose illness, injuries and other medical conditions. You'll use ultra-high frequency sound waves to create images of interior body parts such as the heart, abdomen and brain.
You'll be responsible for maintaining medical equipment, engaging with patients and working with the wider medical team to help diagnose medical conditions.
Find out more about this exciting career with a BSc (Hons) degree in Medical Ultrasound.
You're a caring individual who is passionate about helping those most vulnerable in society. You'll get great job satisfaction from working to support families and children across a wide range of issues including domestic violence, mental health and drug misuse, in a variety of settings - every day will bring something new.
Start your journey to a rewarding career as a Social Worker with a BSc (Hons) degree in Social Work.
A healthcare professional can be based in many different places, choose which best suits you!
Many healthcare professionals are required to use medical equipment and machinery to help diagnose patients problems - does this sound like something you'd be interested in?
Preventing illness could include developing new health policies to improve the well-being of the population, and treating illness would be working with patients to treat existing health problems
Do you enjoy supporting people emotionally or would you prefer a role that works behind the scenes and doesn't deal directly with patients
Some healthcare roles mean that you'll care for the same patients over a long period of time, while others may only see each patient once - or none at all!
Which of the following scenarios would you most enjoy as a future career...