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Original poster

Working as an NHS Allied Health Professional?

15 replies

confusedgrad · 15/07/2023 19:31

If you work as an Allied Health Professional, can I ask what you do and if you like it/find it rewarding? I'm considering a career in the NHS but not too sure where I'm best suited.

I've written my background below if anyone has any specific advice but feel free to ignore!

I have a background in Biology, and have been working for a large pharmaceutical company in a corporate role. However, I've always wanted a role in healthcare where I feel I can make a difference. I've gone through phases where I've considered lots of different things; at times I've considered dentistry, optometry, medicine, nursing, paediatric nursing, psychologist, midwifery. I enjoy working with children too and have experience working in a nursery, so have also considered primary school teaching at one point.

As you can see, my thoughts are all over the place. I do know that I want to go into healthcare, I'm just not sure where best I would fit. I had an offer for children's nursing for this September which I nearly took up, but quite a few people I spoke to about it put me off.

I want something that will have relatively good pay and progression, and the ability to work 9-5 if needed (such as if I have children in the future). I'd prefer to work with children rather than adult patients, and think I'd rather be in a quieter working environment than a busy, chaotic A&E ward for example.

I'm starting to consider Speech and Language Therapy, with the aims of working with children after qualifying. I really enjoyed my time working in the nursery where I'd sit and read/play with the children 1:1 and see their progression. I'm also interested in the role of SLT in cancer care. From my research it seems like it's a really fulfilling career, and there are lots of opportunities to specialise and work in different settings. I also like that it's not gory like other healthcare roles.

OP posts:
COYU · 15/07/2023 19:42

Hi OP
Have you thought about orthoptics ( not to be confused with orthotics which is very different)?
We are one of the smaller AHP groups but a great profession to be in if you want to work with kids. Orthoptists work within an ophthalmology department diagnosing and treating all kinds of eye problems, squints, lazy eyes, double vision etc. Nearly always in an out-patient setting and a lot of the work is with children although adults are seen and treated too. Nothing too gory either if you’re not keen on that sort of thing.
Sheffield and Liverpool uni offer courses in England and there always seem plenty of posts available once you qualify.

Original poster
confusedgrad · 15/07/2023 21:45

COYU · 15/07/2023 19:42

Hi OP
Have you thought about orthoptics ( not to be confused with orthotics which is very different)?
We are one of the smaller AHP groups but a great profession to be in if you want to work with kids. Orthoptists work within an ophthalmology department diagnosing and treating all kinds of eye problems, squints, lazy eyes, double vision etc. Nearly always in an out-patient setting and a lot of the work is with children although adults are seen and treated too. Nothing too gory either if you’re not keen on that sort of thing.
Sheffield and Liverpool uni offer courses in England and there always seem plenty of posts available once you qualify.

Thank you for your reply, orthoptics definitely sounds like and interesting and rewarding career. However, unfortunately I need to stay in the South-East/near London

OP posts:
Jigslaw · 15/07/2023 21:52

I did dual children's and adults nursing, I work in NICU and absolutely love it. Generally from colleagues I know who have left and say they wouldn't do it again it's not the actual job but the state of the NHS- many have gone on to do roles working with children just in different settings- school imms, practice nurse, paid training to become a health visitor etc. You'd have to do shifts during training though and lots of the jobs are still ward based; so many opportunities though. Personally if I had to retrain I'd probably choose occupational therapy.

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COYU · 15/07/2023 21:55

I think UCL and Moorfields do a 2year course, but I think it’s a post-graduate course,so might not be what you are looking for.
Good luck with your searching- I’ve done 40 years in my profession and have loved (almost) all my working years. The NHS isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but the people working in it are the best.

PermanentTemporary · 15/07/2023 21:56

I'm an SLT. Yes I like it. I only work with adults but training is for both. Pm me if you want.

MagratsDanglyCharms21 · 15/07/2023 22:06

I was going to suggest SLT. I have a friend who does this and still loves it!

whatfreshheck · 15/07/2023 22:12

Operating department practitioner? They are basically anaesthetic/scrub/recovery nurses (in that they do the same job without the nurse training).

Littleguggi · 15/07/2023 22:14

I am surprised you haven't considered OT given OT's can work with children (mental health, physical health, learning disabilities to name a few) and many are employed by the NHS, social care or education. I have known OT's to work in schools.

4catsaremylife · 15/07/2023 22:23

I wish I had done OT at university critical shortage and so many vacancies

Glitterheart · 15/07/2023 22:28

Hi OP, I’m a paediatric SLT and I love my job. It’s such a varied and interesting profession and love the interaction with the children and their families and helping them progress. Every day is different and working with children is always fun! It’s a good career if you want to work part time and the hours are pretty standard too. X

toodledoos · 15/07/2023 22:32

I'm an SLT too. Nearly 20 years working with adults in a hospital setting although I worked with children with swallowing disorders for a few years as well.

I love it. For lots and lots of reasons. It's not easy and there is a lot of trimming of the fat so don't enter it under the illusion you'll be doing acres of therapy with people. We are often the assessors and do differential diagnosis within a consultative model.

Littleguggi · 15/07/2023 23:09

@4catsaremylife it's never too late, I am sure there would be other routes in!

4catsaremylife · 16/07/2023 00:12

Littleguggi · 15/07/2023 23:09

@4catsaremylife it's never too late, I am sure there would be other routes in!

Too late for me. I already spent over a decade working in the NHS in the labs in the 80s and 90s I got my degrees in my very late 40s and with hindsight should have taken OT then rather than the academic science degrees that didn't lead to a job role. I'm very close to retirement now. But I'm enjoying my current NGO role

Cracklecrack · 12/09/2023 18:59

I retrained in my 30s as an Occupational therapist. I’ve never worked or done placement with children but there are roles in children’s mental and physical health. Roles in health and social care.

I’ve worked in a big hospital with adults and now for social care- adapting houses.

there are lots of jobs in OT.

definitely think about it and research it. Sometimes I’m really not sure why it’s a degree subject. At the moment I basically adapt homes and give out equipment and from speaking to paediatric OT friends they do a lot of equipment and seating. Social care colleagues also seem to do adaptations, equipment- many of which are for behavioural reasons.

anyway good luck with what you choose . Would highly recommend spending time shadowing etc if you can at all x

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