health Archives - Capital City College Group

Looking to work in healthcare? Here’s our list of great careers in this rewarding sector.

The healthcare industry, especially within the National Health Service (NHS), offers diverse and rewarding career opportunities where you can have a real impact on people’s lives.

Capital City College Group (CCCG) runs Health and Social Care courses and apprenticeships including specialist courses in nursing, adult social care, infection control, pharmacy services, counselling, autism, dementia and mental health.

Here’s 10 careers to consider if you’re aspiring to work in the NHS or healthcare sector.

Registered Nurse

Nursing is a fundamental and highly valued profession in healthcare. Registered nurses play a crucial role in providing patient care, administering medications, and coordinating treatment plans. They can work in various settings such as hospitals, clinics, and community health centres, and have opportunities for specialisation in areas like paediatrics, mental health, or critical care.

General Practitioner (GP)

General practitioners, commonly known as GPs, are primary care physicians who provide comprehensive healthcare services to patients. They diagnose and treat various medical conditions, refer patients to specialists when needed and offer preventive care. Becoming a GP requires extensive medical training, including completion of medical school and postgraduate training.

Surgeon

Surgeons specialise in performing surgical procedures to treat injuries, diseases, and abnormalities. They work in different surgical specialties, such as orthopaedics, neurosurgery or cardiothoracic surgery. Becoming a surgeon involves years of medical education and residency training, but it offers the opportunity to save lives and improve patients’ quality of life.

Physician Assistant

Physician assistants (PAs) work alongside physicians, providing diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services. They perform physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and assist in surgeries. PAs play a critical role in healthcare teams and can work in a wide range of medical specialties.

Paramedic

Paramedics are emergency medical professionals who provide immediate medical care in critical situations. They respond to emergency calls, administer medication, perform life-saving procedures, and transport patients to medical facilities. A career as a paramedic requires specialised training and certification and offers the opportunity to make a significant impact during emergencies.

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical psychologists work in the field of mental health, diagnosing and treating individuals with psychological disorders. They conduct assessments, provide therapy and develop treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs. Working as a clinical psychologist requires advanced education in psychology and specialised training in clinical practice.

Radiographer

Radiographers are skilled healthcare professionals who operate imaging equipment, such as X-ray machines or MRI scanners. They work closely with radiologists and physicians to capture high-quality images for diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions. A career as a radiographer involves a combination of technical expertise and patient care.

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administrators play a vital role in managing the business side of healthcare organisations. They oversee operations, coordinate services, and ensure compliance with regulations. A career in healthcare administration requires strong leadership skills, business acumen and knowledge of healthcare policies and regulations.

Occupational Therapist:

Occupational therapists help patients develop or regain skills necessary for daily living and working. They assess individuals’ needs, design treatment plans, and provide therapy to improve their physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Occupational therapists work in various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centres and schools.

Biomedical Scientist

Biomedical scientists work in laboratories, conducting research and analysing samples to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They play a vital role in disease detection, studying blood, tissues and other specimens to provide valuable insights for patient care. A career as a biomedical scientist requires a strong background in biology and laboratory techniques.

Find out more about our Health and Social Care courses and apply here.

Mariana Ghertan caught COVID twice and tragically lost her mother and grandfather during her Healthcare apprenticeship. Here she shares how with the support of her tutor and family she successfully completed her training is now looking to fulfil her dream of becoming a nurse.

Juggling two jobs, one as a cleaner and another as a receptionist, as well as being a mother of two boys meant that life was busy for Mariana Ghertan.

Deep down she had always loved looking after people and had a passion to build a career that involved helping others. When her husband encouraged her to follow her dreams and do a healthcare apprenticeship, she was initially sceptical.

“I’m from Romania and hadn’t completed any further education after finishing school,” said Mariana, 36, who lives with her family in Enfield.

“I moved to the UK 17 years ago, and as English isn’t my first language I was worried that would impact my ability to do a course or apprenticeship. I was scared of change but my husband pushed me to follow my dreams and encouraged me to go for it.”

Mariana enrolled on a Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship at North Middlesex University Hospital with Capital City College Training (CCCT) in March 2020 having gained her Level 2 while working at Person Centred Day Opportunities in Enfield.

Apprenticeships are paid jobs that are available to all ages and involve four days at work and one day of study towards a recognised qualification, which Mariana undertook at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL).

“I started just before lockdown and so I only had a couple of days of study at CONEL before it changed to home study, and on the other days I was working in the hospital caring for people, which I loved,” she said.

However, Mariana faced significant setbacks during her apprenticeship including contracting COVID twice and losing her grandfather who had brought her up with her mother in Romania.

“The first time I had COVID was over the Christmas period before the vaccinations. My grandad also died of old age while I was recovering and my husband lost a cousin due to COVID, and we were unable to attend their funerals because of lockdown,” she said.

“My breathing was very bad and my family were all very worried. I shut myself away in the bedroom in order to protect my husband and sons. It was an extremely difficult time, which resulted in me taking four weeks off my studies.”

Mariana caught COVID again nearly a year later, which resulted in her missing another three weeks. And on top of that her mother was tragically killed in a car crash aged just 59.

‘I received the phone call to tell me about my mum just before my exams. I was completely broken and told my tutor that I was going to quit the course and leave work,” said Mariana.

“However, my tutor was the most incredible support. She encouraged me not to give up and offered me more time. I spoke to my husband and sons who had seen how much hard work I had put in. They said that my mum was proud of me and would have wanted me to finish, so I did.

“Working in a hospital would not have been possible for me without an apprenticeship. If it wasn’t for the amazing support of my tutor, my husband and my sons, I would never have stuck at it.”

Mariana took some time off after completing her apprenticeship to help with family arrangements back in Romania and now hopes to train to become a nurse.

‘My Level 3 qualification has provided me with enough UCAS points to do nursing,” she said.

“I feel very fortunate to have been given the support to follow my dreams.”

Mariana’s achievements earned her an Excellence Award from Capital City College Group (CCCG), which includes CCCT and CONEL along with City and Islington College and Westminster Kingsway College.

According to the Health Foundation, 314,000 more full-time equivalent NHS staff will be needed over and above existing vacancies in England by 2030/31.

Looking to work in healthcare? Here’s our list of great careers in this rewarding sector.

The healthcare industry, especially within the National Health Service (NHS), offers diverse and rewarding career opportunities where you can have a real impact on people’s lives.

Find out more about our Health and Social Care courses and apply here.

Mariana Ghertan caught COVID twice and tragically lost her mother and grandfather during her Healthcare apprenticeship. Here she shares how with the support of her tutor and family she successfully completed her training is now looking to fulfil her dream of becoming a nurse.

Find out more about our Healthcare and Social Care apprenticeships here.