NHS, medical research & social care
The health and social care sector is all about looking after people. It could be the sector for you if you like the idea of looking after vulnerable or ill people, becoming a doctor or nurse, or working as a scientist on new medicines or treatments. There are hundreds of different jobs in the health and social care sector. These include things like researching new vaccines, treating health conditions, and supporting people with day-to-day living needs caused by disabilities, illnesses, or difficult life situations.
The health and social care sector covers jobs in the NHS and private hospitals, research laboratories, care homes, nursing homes and day care. Also included are jobs in the pharmaceutical and bio-technology industries which make and develop drugs and treatments.
The health and social care sector is growing rapidly, meaning there are often lots of vacancies. Jobs in this sector could be perfect for you if you enjoy helping people every day or think you might like things like mental health counselling or care work. There are also opportunities to work on scientific projects that will eventually help people, like developing new medicines.
Health and social care in GM
- The Christie hospital in Manchester is the largest single site cancer treatment and research centre in Europe
- Hip replacement surgery, bionic eye implants and IVF fertility treatment were all pioneered in Manchester
- 70% of the UK’s clinical lab scientists are trained in Manchester
Major NHS, medical research and social care employers in Greater Manchester
Popular jobs in NHS, medical research and social care
Anatomical Pathology Technician
Job description
Anatomical pathology technicians help examine bodies after death to work out why people died. They make sure instruments are clean and ready for use, take samples, make sure bodies are properly stored and keep records.
Salary range
£18,000-£24,000
Working environment
Mortuary
Hours
39-41 hours a week, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays at short notice
Opportunities
You could go on to train other health professionals and move into more advanced technical work or management.
Social worker
Job description
Social workers help protect vulnerable children and adults from harm or abuse, and support people to live independently.
Salary range
£24,000-£40,000
Working environment
Varies – could be office, NHS or private hospital, adult care home, children’s care home or visiting people’s homes in the community
Hours
37-40 hours a week minimum, often with evenings, weekends and bank holidays on a rota
Opportunities
You could become a trainer or mentor move into management or go into education and research.
Doctor/GP
Job description
General Practitioners (GPs) are doctors who provide medical services to people in their local community. They prescribe medicines, give advice about treatments and perform some minor surgeries.
Salary range
£37,000-£87,000
Working environment
GP practice, health centre, or patient’s home
Hours
45-50 hours a week, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays
Opportunities
You could move into medical work in hospitals or drugs companies, or specialise in an industry such as sport, business, or the military. Other options include going into teaching or research, or leading a practice.
Ambulance dispatcher
Job description
Ambulance dispatchers decide how to handle calls made to 999. They might send out an ambulance, or in extreme cases talk a caller through an emergency situation until help arrives.
Salary range
£18,000-£21,000
Working environment
Contact/call centre
Hours
37.5 hours a week, in shifts. Shifts cover 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year
Opportunities
With experience, you could become a team leader or control room superintendent.
District nurse
Job description
District nurses care for people outside of hospital in patients’ homes, GP surgeries, and residential care homes. They check the patient’s temperature, blood pressure and breathing. They give injections, clean and bandage wounds. They also give emotional support and practical advice to patients and their families.
Salary range
£31,000-£44,000
Working environment
Patients’ homes and doctors’ surgeries
Hours
38-40 hours a week, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays
Opportunities
With experience, you could lead a team of nurses or become a community matron.
Future jobs
With Greater Manchester at the cutting edge of much health technology and research, more and more science related jobs will become available.
Digital jobs are a massive growing part of this sector, with huge digital development of the NHS as well as health research and innovation.
There continues to be a high demand for nurses, care home staff, personal assistants, and social workers.
We have a much better understanding of mental and physical health and how to stay healthy as we get older. The health and social care sector is growing and changing quickly. Every area in Greater Manchester will need many more people to train for health and social care jobs.
