NHS Graduate Jobs
Are you interested in working for the NHS after you graduate? Working for the National Health Service comes with a variety of benefits and opportunities for career progression. Read on to find out more about NHS graduate jobs.
The NHS employs over 1.2 million staff who treat more than 1 million patients every 36 hours. This makes it the largest employer in the UK, thus offering a wide range of jobs for graduates.
Benefits of NHS Graduate Jobs
If you’re a recent graduate looking for an exciting and fulfilling career, working for the NHS could be an excellent option for you. Not only will you be working in a vital sector that makes a real difference in people’s lives, but you’ll also enjoy a range of benefits.
One of the most significant benefits of working for the NHS is job security. As a large, public sector employer, the NHS offers stable employment opportunities, which can be particularly reassuring in today’s uncertain job market. Furthermore, you’ll have access to opportunities for personal and professional development, which can help you to build a fulfilling and successful career.
NHS Graduate Training Programmes
Another major benefit of working for the NHS is the number of graduate training programmes that they offer. These programmes are the perfect option for individuals who may not have studied for a degree specifically related to the healthcare sector.
The available training programmes include:
- Accelerated programmes (leading to a career in speech and language therapy, medicine, radiography, nursing, dentistry, occupational therapy, dietetics or physiotherapy)
- NHS Graduate Digital, Data and Technology Scheme
- NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme
- NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP)
- Health Education England’s Graduate and Student Placement Scheme
- NHS Graduate Surveyor Trainee Programme
- Speciality training in public health
- Physician associate training
Types of NHS Graduate Jobs
The NHS offers a wide range of graduate jobs across different specialities and healthcare areas. Some of the most popular areas for graduates include:
Healthcare Management
If you’re interested in managing and improving healthcare services, a career in healthcare management could be for you. This can involve anything from managing budgets and resources to developing policies and strategies to improve patient care.
Nursing
Nursing is one of the most rewarding and challenging careers in healthcare. Adult nurses care for patients suffering from a variety of health conditions, ranging from minor injuries and ailments to acute and long-term illnesses and diseases. They work in a variety of settings from hospitals and clinics to community care and home visits.
Clinical Support Roles
Clinical support roles include healthcare assistants, healthcare scientists, and medical laboratory assistants. These roles are essential for supporting clinical staff and ensuring that healthcare services run smoothly and efficiently.
Allied Health Professions
Allied health professions include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and radiographers. They play a vital part in treating, rehabilitating and improving the lives of patients.
NHS Graduate Salaries
The salaries and working conditions for NHS graduate jobs can vary depending on the role and level of experience. However, the NHS does offer competitive salaries and benefits to its staff, as well as flexible working options to help employees strike a good work-life balance.
For example, newly qualified nurses start on a salary of around £24,000, rising to around £31,000 with experience. Healthcare management roles can offer even higher salaries, with senior managers earning up to £80,000 or more.
Career Progression
There are plenty of opportunities for career progression and development in the NHS. Make the most of their many training and development programmes to increase your skills and knowledge, as well as the opportunity to apply for more senior roles over time.
For example, nurses can progress to become senior nurses or nurse consultants, while healthcare managers can progress to become directors or chief executives. There are also opportunities for staff to move into research, teaching, and other areas of healthcare.
Finding NHS Graduate Jobs
Begin your search for NHS graduate jobs now using the Developing a Student jobs board. Check back regularly for all the latest job posts from the NHS and more.
We’ve got lots of help and advice for graduates entering the job market, such as How to nail your first graduate job interview and the Top 10 graduate employers. Have a look at the dedicated graduate blogs section for more.
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