'I'm associated with health care'

[PestoPasghetti]

If you were at a party and, in making small talk with a randomer, asked them what they did for a living, and they came out with this before instantly changing the subject, what would you think that'd mean?

Quack

BPAS/Marie Stopes nurse/midwife etc

I'm a trainee clinical psychologist and I often will just say I work in health care and leave it at that, to avoid comments about mind reading or people trying to offload their problems on me or diagnose their relatives

Most homeopaths, reiki alternative medicine peopel IE are quiet upfront about thier area and what they do - though I suppose that might depend on the company they find themsleves in.

Given state of NHS dentistry - someone there - dentist/orthodontist hygienist who doesn't want to get into NHS/private debate or someone working for private medical treatment or insurance and again wants to avoid debate.

My guess from what you've said OP would be a receptionist in a pharmacy but I would be able to offer a more targeted response if I could assess them in person!

My supervising partner (at a huge and successful corporate law firm - internationally known) used to say he “drove a desk” when asked what he did at parties. And never elaborated.

I love my job but when I meet new people I dread that question and will often give a vague answer. Everyone will have a reaction, some will have a rant, some will ask questions or give me their expert opinions.

I don't want that at a party or a dinner. Maybe 1-2-1 when I know someone better but when I go out I don't want to think or tell about work. I'm not deliberately being rude.

I'd assume they'd struggle with starting their job previously.

I'm a qualified physiotherapist. Haven't worked as a physio for about 10 years. If a random error asks I will still say physio. My current job in the NHS supply chain as a procurement specialist will either invite more questions or lead to people make some "funny" jokes.

I'd assume they have an indirect relationship to patients that is not as simple as a doctor or nurse.

I hadn't incredible respect and gratitude for the carers who have tended to me mum and late MIL for the last ten years. But that's a definition for 'a professional' and it didn't include carers, whose skills are of innate warmth and care, and general training, rather than requiring higher education . It doesn't make them less valuable or less appreciated, but they don't meet the criteria for 'a professional'. It shouldn't matter to anyone working with them or needing their services though

I HAVE incredible respect....

What an unfortunate autocorrect. Sorry.

I'm a junior doctor and depending on the setting I often say something ambiguous like "I work in healthcare/for the NHS". It's actually not too hard to bat off the "look at this/what do you think....?" questions, but when talking to non healthcare peeps you either get people fawning, thinking you're amazing and wanting to get all the Adam Kay type stories, or people ranting about their own experiences. Either way I just want to let my hair down, not think about work and relax!

Glad to see we are back to bashing HCA's. Not "important key workers" anymore I see, how covid is over.

Thanks for the claps though!

But whilst it might be technically true that they aren’t “professionals” in the strictest sense of the word, somebody who works as a carer doesn’t know when telling a new person whether that person will be one of the ones who has incredible respect for what carers do, or one of the ones who thinks carers are uneducated mouth-breathers who aren’t clever enough to do a proper job and so have to wipe bottoms for a living. I can’t begrudge them choosing to say they’re healthcare professionals instead.

Shop assistant in Holland & Barrett?

I looked up, and found a different meaning for 'professional' @saraclara which is also the way I have always understood it:

Engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid activity, rather than a pastime.

I'm a paid carer, as a new career in early retirement, and I have yet to meet a colleague who isn't skilled and well trained, and who doesn't act in a professional manner.
The responsibilities we have are enormous, with little recognition and low pay. Fortunately the job satisfaction goes a long way.

Will you ever know OP? I don't tend to ask people what they do. If asked I say I am a nurse.....I din't say in what area after experiencing people saying things like 'oo couldn't do what you do'....etc etc. Also agree with pp that hcsw and people working with vulnerable and elderly are incredibly important and often undervalued.

People can argue all they like. HCAs and carers have an incredibly valuable role and there is much more to it than making beds. But they are not ‘healthcare professionals’ in any formal sense.

Professional bum wiper for the infirm.

Solosunrise you are amazing and certain individuals have no understanding or empathy. Regardless of some of the comments on here Carers are amazing and well skilled professionals that have much more responsibilities than most. I was a carer for 3 years I know first hand the pressures and responsibilities some of you need to get some perspective.

I would say that they want to avoid taking about what they do. Or are embarrassed of it.

If I’m in a social situation talking to someone new and I really can’t be bothered getting into what I do, because everyone has opinions on it, I have been known to tell them I’m a chemical engineer. Nobody seems interested in discussing that!

Medical sales.

I’m an NHS manager. I don’t tell people anymore because you either get:

• Complaints about how they/someone else was treated in hospital
• Asked if you can bump someone up a list (absolutely fucking not)
• Weird covid rants

So my stock answer is “oh I work in healthcare” and then swiftly move the conversation on

To be fair nobody's said they don't do a vital job.

Sorry OP, did I read that correctly… people ask what your Father does for a living? That’s very odd… no-ones ever asked me that.