by Simon Wright
The health service offers a wide range of exciting and challenging employment opportunities.  A career in the NHS is often not an obvious choice for people because they associate it with nurses, doctors and therapists. However, the NHS offers a wide range of job types. Some job types include: medical illustration, pharmacy, clinical psychology, information technology, stores work, medical laboratory work, accountancy, heating and ventilation engineering, estate management, and portering just to name a few.

There are over 70 professions within the NHS, which means there can be a job for everyone. People entering the NHS are required to work in a range of environments, with a variety of clients. It’s important for healthcare workers to be good communicators, able to work within a team as well as on their own. For some jobs, academic qualifications and supervised practice are also required prior to the individual being employed in their chosen profession. The NHS also offers some favourable funding arrangements for students, including the payment of course fees, a bursary and study time.

Working in the NHS offers a range of benefits including, a good pension scheme and subsidised childcare provision. They are also committed to improving the working lives of all NHS staff, enabling a better work/life balance, and providing encouragement and opportunity to advance as part of a healthcare team.

Pay and working conditions in the NHS are constantly improving. All employers now offer:

· A minimum of 4 weeks annual leave; increasing with length of service
· Paid sick leave; increasing with length of service
· Occupational health and counselling services
· A range of other employment benefits

Why not find out what you're worth?  Take our Salary Survey

The NHS offers a huge range of opportunities for people to vary their working lives as their personal circumstances change. When a traditional 9-5 work week does not suit your lifestyle, there is scope for part-time working, job sharing and term-time working, as well as evening and weekend work. Many NHS staff take career breaks to raise a family or embark on some other project, with the knowledge that they will be welcome to return when they are ready. As you want to shift the work / home balance in your life, the NHS will likely be able to offer you a working pattern to match.

Providing good healthcare is a team effort. The NHS are committed to offering development and learning opportunities for all full-time and part-time staff by extending their range of skills and knowledge, and enabling people to reach their full potential. No matter where you start, you'll have access to further training and the chance to stretch your abilities and advance your career if you wish to.

Seach for a job in healthcare or visit public.monster.co.uk