Routes into the NHS

Step Into the NHS

Did You Know?….

The NHS is the largest employer in the UK. The NHS hosts more than 350+ career choices.

Find out what roles are available – NHS Careers

Take a test to find out which role suits you – Step into the NHS

Inspiring the Future

Did You Know?……

NHS Professionals can become an NHS Ambassador (supporting our future workforce and young people)?

Find out more and how to volunteer – Inspiring the Future

Primary Care Roles

Primary care services are the ‘front door’ of the NHS and the main way that people access NHS services.

There are many roles in primary care, each with their own specific skills to complement and support the delivery of primary care services.

Click on the link to explore the roles in Primary Care

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Case Studies

Click on the link to read through the career journeys from those in the following roles:

  • Nursing
  • Nursing Associate
  • Registered Nurse Degree Apprentice
  • Social Prescribing Link Worker
Read More

Primary Care Careers Pathway

Additional Roles – Click here for a quick reference summary on the roles

Routes into the NHS are varied and embrace more than higher-level study. Apprenticeships. Under/Post Graduate Study, Access courses and many more

You can get a free level 3 qualification if you:

  • are 19 or over and do not already have a level 3 qualification
  • already have a level 3 qualification or higher, but earn below the low wage threshold of £22,308 (the threshold of £22,308 is an annual gross salary based on the National Living Wage 2024)
  • already have a level 3 qualification or higher but are unemployed

Use the National Careers Service course finder to see which courses are available for free in your local area or online.

Apprenticeships provide routes into a variety of careers in the NHS and are an excellent opportunity to earn, gain work experience and achieve nationally recognised qualifications at the same time.

These work-based training programmes incorporate skills development, technical knowledge and practical experience. An apprentice must be employed in a job role with a productive purpose while being paid for the time spent training or studying.

Apprenticeships are available to both new members of staff and existing employees over the age of 16.

How to find an apprenticeship?

Follow these 3 steps:

  1. Search for an apprenticeship via the Gov.UK website- https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
  2. Sign in or create an account
  3. Complete and submit your application

These are pre-employment programmes usually aimed at specific groups, for example, 16-24-year-olds not in education, employment or training, young offenders, or young carers. While the criteria for the schemes may differ, they usually include an element of training and work experience to help people develop their employability skills.

The programmes can be used to support people to move into initial entry-level posts and provide a progression pathway into level two qualifications and sustainable employment.

National return to practice (RtP) programmes for healthcare professionals are designed to support NHS staff to return to practice by offering the opportunity to update skills and knowledge in their chosen profession and within their scope of practice. This is done through dedicated courses using classroom and placement-based learning

Visit the links below for more information

 

These are a level three technical education route that provide an alternative to A levels for 16-19-year-olds. One T Level is equivalent to three A levels. They began in September 2020 and come in a range of subject areas. T Level programmes in digital, construction, education and childcare, health, healthcare science and science are currently available. Other subjects will come online in the future. 

T Levels present an opportunity for employers to showcase the breadth of roles available in their organisation, to a pool of people that know they want to work in health or social care but haven’t yet picked a specific occupation.

What sets T Levels apart from A levels, is that they include an industry placement of 315 hours (approximately 45 days) in an employment setting. The industry placement should enable the students to put their learning into practice and get involved in tasks required to fulfil a role such as assisting with brushing a patient’s teeth or answering telephone queries. How the industry placement is structured can be agreed between employers and the education provider. To read more information, including guidance, tools and resources Visit the T Levels and industry placement support hub

Work placements can be organised directly with individual NHS organisation or with guidance from school/college career advisor

Click on the link below to take a look at the smart guide from Step into NHS for guidance on finding work experience

Employers guide: NHS England has developed a work experience toolkit that outlines best practice and captures everything employers need to know to get started.

See NHS employers International Recruitment landing page for all the latest news, guidance and resources on international recruitment and how it can positively impact on the NHS workforce.

Birmingham and Solihull is one of the largest Integrated Care Systems in England, UK. View the link below for more information on how the International Recruitment team can support with international recruits –Birmingham and Solihull ICS

I Can Programme

The ‘I Can’ programme has been designed to help unemployed and young people from Birmingham and Solihull into entry-level jobs in health and social care. Undertake a training programme to learn more about the role you have expressed an interest in or understand what job opportunities there are to allow you to make a choice

Click on the link below for more information and details on how to apply

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Thrive Into Work

Thrive into Work offers one-to-one job finding support to people with health challenges.

You can get this support if:

  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You are currently out of work, or at risk of leaving work due to sickness
  • You have problems finding work, or staying in a job, because of your health. This can be your physical health or your mental health

Click on the link to find out more.

Find out More