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Sector Outlook
Altogether the health care sector employs around three million people with 1.7
million working within the National Health Service (NHS). Career pathways can
be found in hospitals, private nursing homes, medical and dental practices,
laboratory research, the ambulance service and complementary medicine. Of all
the careers available, nursing has the highest number of suitably qualified staff.
The health sector workforce in the UK was forecasted to grow from
2,346,000 in 2007 to 2,610,000 by 2017. Yet over the last few years
hospitals have been closing wards and reducing the number of operating
theatres due to costs. Fur thermore, recent government legislation is likely to
force some hospitals to close and lead to redundancies, especially among
management and administrative staff.
The need for voluntary experience has always been an essential requirement
before gaining employment in the sector but government cuts have left
many organisations facing financial challenges. As a result you may find that
employers are unable to offer as many voluntary opportunities as before.
The potential introduction of new technology to clean up spillages, sense body
temperature and distribute medicine is also likely to negatively affect future
recruitment trends.
However, some job roles are likely to offer better oppor tunities for
employment. Maternity nursing, care work, dental nursing and careers in the
private sector are set to grow. It’s also wor th noting that the workforce in
Scotland has grown at a faster rate than other par ts of the UK.
To kick star t your career its wor th knowing that employers are looking for
candidates who have a cer tain skillset. A willingness to par ticipate in learning
and development, the ability to work as par t of a team, an aptitude for problem
solving and excellent communication skills are qualities that are in demand by
many employers.
Similarly, if you’re keen to work in a management role you will need to be
adept at negotiating and facilitating change. It’s also wor th noting that more
than 48% of staff in health care are professionally qualified, so it will be in your
best interest to build upon your qualifications.
Health Care