It is safe to say that 2020 has allowed us as people to truly recognise how vital our medical staff is concerning our health and survival. Whether you’re planning to switch careers or you’re searching for a way to make that first step into the world of medicine, this article will give you a better understanding of what you’ll need to become a key worker.
Becoming a care assistant
This particular role can either be the first step within your medical career or the desired destination altogether. Depending on the environment, the roles of a care assistant can vary, but all in all, it is often associated with care homes, hospitals, and GP practices. Right now, this medical role is in high demand and having experience isn’t always necessary. The first step would be to search for job listings as a care assistant. This could be for a private organisation such as a care home, or you could work for either the NHS or social services.
Once you’ve found a role that appeals to you, the best option would be to get in touch with the advertiser in order to find out more about the job. It’s always a good idea to find out as much as you can before applying for the role. Not only this but by reaching out, you’ve always demonstrated genuine interest, which can go a long way, especially if you have little to no experience.
Above everything else, the primary skill needed for this medical role is communication. Not only how you speak to those you are caring for but how you understand them remains at the very centre of everything that you do. Remember, those being cared for cannot care for themselves, and so to you, they are vulnerable.
Becoming a nurse
Becoming a nurse involves several steps, the first being to earn a bachelor’s degree that relates to your future job role. As there are very few positions within the nursing field that you can go into without one, it is recommended that you have at least one under your belt. With a wide range of courses out there, you’ll be able to take your time deciding not only where you’d like to study but also what type of nurse you would like to be. For example, you could obtain a health administration certificate and expand your resume or even shift your career completely towards administration.
The good thing about the medical field is that there is no maximum age limit that you can practice until. The academic team at laboure.edu shared some encouraging words: ‘The majority of our students are adults, returning to school to begin a career they are passionate about. Many are juggling courses with work and family commitments.’ They especially emphasise the perseverance they’ve seen in their students, concluding that it only promises ‘the dedication to their future healthcare careers.’ If one thing is for certain, that is that path into a medical field is filled with learning and dedication.
On completion of your degree, you would then need to obtain a licence. Depending on where you’re based will determine which examination you will need to take to receive your licensure. Upon passing this exam, you may choose a nursing speciality, but this isn’t necessary. If the idea sounds appealing, then know that the most popular nursing specialities are: critical care, midwife, neonatal, and clinical.
Becoming a doctor
Becoming a doctor is one of the most challenging and time-consuming routes into the medical world and one of the most rewarding. The training involved is not one set pathway as there are different areas that you can specialise in, for example, paediatrics, medicine, oncology, and psychiatry. No matter the role, you will most definitely face several challenges throughout your medical journey.
If you decide to go down the route of a hospital doctor, then you will need to achieve the following:
- A five-year degree in medicine which is recognised by the General Medical Council
- A two-year course of general training at the foundation level
- Three to seven years of specialist training
Not only will you need academic qualifications, but you will also need to demonstrate some essential skills that prove you’re able to handle both the patients and staff members around you. These skills include sensitivity and understanding, thinking and reasoning, and also counselling skills. From here, you will have all the required skills and experience to obtain a permanent position in a hospital. Regardless of the route that you decide to go down, there is no doubt that you’ll be changing lives in an incredible way and continuing to learn every day.
Tommy Williamson did his degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. He has an ongoing interest in mental health and well-being.
