Graduate jobs in healthcare

The healthcare sector offers a wealth of opportunities, from clinical psychology to dentistry, midwifery, physiotherapy, and beyond. Whether you're passionate about mental health, patient care, or rehabilitation, there's a path for you 

Clinical psychologist

Playing a vital role in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions, clinical psychologists work in diverse settings such as: 

• community clinics
• hospitals
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Their work involves:  

• conducting assessments 
• conducting research
• providing therapy.

Trainee clinical psychologists earn a starting salary of £35,392. Upon qualification, salaries within the National Health Service (NHS) start at £43,742. The demand for clinical psychologists is high and is expected to continue growing due to the increasing prevalence of mental health issues.Ìý

Discover what it's like to work as a clinical psychologist.Ìý

Counselling psychologist

Helping people to understand and address their emotional, social, and behavioural difficulties,  

you will apply psychological principles to assist clients. You'll manage a range of conditions, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychosis.Ìý

Counselling psychologists work in a variety of environments, including: 

• charities and non-government organisations 
• educational settings
• employee assistance 
• NHS
• private practice.

Career progression can involve taking on supervisory roles, moving into senior management positions, or specialising in a particular area, such as: 

• adjustment therapy 
• child psychology 
• trauma therapy.Ìý

Entry-level salaries can range from £35,392 to £42,618. Experienced psychologists can earn significantly more, and salaries are typically set from £43,742 to £50,056.Ìý

Demand for counselling psychologists is generally high, and there is a particular need for psychologists in rural areas and specialised fields such as trauma and addiction.Ìý

Read about the qualifications you'll need to become a counselling psychologist.Ìý 

Dentist

 A dentist's duties include preventive care like routine checkups and cleanings to more complex procedures such as fillings, root canals, and extractions. They also play a crucial role in cosmetic dentistry, offering treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, and dental implants to enhance smiles.Ìý

Some dentists choose to specialise in a specific area, for example:  

• cosmetic dentistry
• endodontics (root canals)
• oral surgery 
• orthodontics
• paediatric dentistry 
• periodontics (gum disease).

As a newly qualified dentist, you'll earn a salary of £36,288 while completing a year of foundation training. This rises to between £50,000 and £110,000 once in private practice.Ìý

The demand for dentists is expected to grow, driven by increased access to dental insurance and advancements in dental technology leading to increased need for specialised procedures.Ìý

To find out more about the salaries of self-employed dental practitioners, see our dentist job profile.Ìý 

General practice doctor (GP)

The primary role of a GP is to provide comprehensive healthcare to patients of all ages. This involves:    

• Routine check-ups and health assessments - monitoring patients' overall health, providing vaccinations, and managing chronic conditions.Ìý
• Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses - assessing symptoms, ordering tests, and prescribing medications.Ìý 
• Mental health support - managing common mental health conditions and providing referrals to specialist mental health services.Ìý
• Minor surgical procedures - performing routine practices like removing moles, suturing wounds, and joint injections.

GPs can progress within their career by taking on additional responsibilities, such as becoming a: 

• GP partner
• medical director
• trainer.Ìý   

Salaried GPs in England earn £68,975 to £104,085 depending on their length of service and experience. Salaries are typically competitive and can be supplemented by private practice.Ìý

Explore the qualifications you need to become a general practice doctor.

Midwife

Playing a crucial role in supporting women throughout their pregnancy, labour, and postpartum (after childbirth) period, roles for midwives include:    

• community midwife - provides care to low-risk women in their homes and at community clinics.Ìý   
• hospital midwife - works in labour wards, postnatal wards, and antenatal clinics in hospitals.Ìý
• consultant midwife - provides specialist care to high-risk women and manages complex pregnancies.Ìý

Midwives work long and irregular hours, often including nights and weekends. The role can be emotionally and physically demanding, but also incredibly rewarding.Ìý 

Midwives can progress their careers through: 

• specialisation in areas such as neonatal (newborn) care or bereavement care 
• taking on leadership roles, such as team leader or clinical supervisor 
• pursuing further education, such as a Masters degree in midwifery.Ìý

The average salary for a newly qualified midwife is £28,407, rising to between £35,392 and £42,618 with experience. There is a high demand for skilled and experienced midwives, particularly in rural areas.Ìý

  Discover how to qualify as a midwife.Ìý

Hospital pharmacist

Responsible for ensuring that patients receive the correct medications safely and effectively, a hospital pharmacist's duties include:

• dispensing medications
• managing drug shortages
• providing patient counselling.Ìý

To become a hospital pharmacist in the UK, you must have a Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree. This is a four-year undergraduate course that covers a range of topics, including: 

• clinical skills
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• pharmacy practice.Ìý

Progression opportunities include specialisation in a particular area of pharmacy, such as oncology or mental health. You can also progress into management roles, including chief pharmacist or director of pharmacy services.Ìý

The starting salary for a hospital pharmacist ranges from £35,392 to £42,618.Ìý

For further information on the profession, consider becoming a hospital pharmacist.Ìý

Occupational therapist

Helping people of all ages who are experiencing difficulties in their daily lives due to physical or mental health conditions, injuries, or disabilities, the responsibilities of an occupational therapist include: 

• evaluating a person's abilities and limitations in performing daily activities 
• developing treatment plans based on their assessment 
• providing interventions such as adaptive equipment, work rehabilitation or cognitive rehabilitation 
• educating clients, their families, and caregivers about their condition, treatment options, and self-management strategies.Ìý

Occupational therapists can progress their careers in various ways, such as: 

• becoming senior therapists
• specialising in a particular area of practice 
• taking on management roles.

The demand for occupational therapists is expected to grow in the coming years due to an ageing population and increasing rates of chronic conditions.Ìý

The average salary for an occupational therapist in the UK is £28,407 to £34,581.Ìý

Find out what to expect from your job as an occupational therapist.Ìý

Physiotherapist

Helping people of all ages to improve their physical well-being, physiotherapists work with patients who have a range of conditions, including: 

• Musculoskeletal problems - back, neck and joint pain, and sports injuries.Ìý
• Neurological conditions - stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.Ìý
• Respiratory conditions - asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pneumonia.Ìý   
• Cardiovascular conditions - heart disease and stroke.Ìý

Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques to help their patients, including: 

• Manual therapy - massage, manipulation, and mobilisation.Ìý
• Exercise prescription - strength training, stretching, and aerobic exercise.Ìý
• Electrotherapy - ultrasound and electrical stimulation.Ìý
• Education and advice - on managing pain, preventing injury, and improving their overall physical health.Ìý

Starting salaries for newly qualified physiotherapists in the UK are £29,970 to £36,483 per year. Experienced physiotherapists can earn significantly more.Ìý

You'll find employment opportunities in the NHS, private practice, and the charity sector.Ìý

Read about the skills you'll need to become a physiotherapist.Ìý

Physician associate

Working alongside doctors to provide medical care, the responsibilities of a physician associate (PA) include: 

• diagnosis - working with doctors to diagnose illnesses and develop treatment plans 
• patient assessments - taking medical histories, conducting physical examinations, and analysing test results to understand a patient's health condition 
• patient education - educating patients about their health conditions, treatment options, and self-care strategies
• patient management - managing patients with chronic conditions, monitoring their progress, and adjusting treatment plans as needed
• treatment - performing various medical procedures, such as suturing wounds, administering injections, and prescribing certain medications under the supervision of a doctor.

In the UK, the demand for PAs is steadily increasing due to factors like advancements in healthcare technology, and a growing emphasis on improving access to quality care.Ìý

Salaries for newly qualified physician associates typically start at £35,392 and can rise to £50,056 based on experience and skill development.Ìý

Find out more about life as a physician associate.Ìý

Speech and language therapist

 Specialising in helping individuals of all ages overcome communication challenges, speech and language therapists (SLTs) provide support to individuals with an array of communication disorders, including: 

• people born with speech delays  
• those with developmental speech impairments 
• older adults with age-related cognitive decline 
• adults recovering from strokes or brain injuries.Ìý 

Through their expertise, SLTs empower individuals to improve their communication skills, enhance their quality of life, and overcome their challenges in interacting and connecting with others.Ìý

SLTs are in high demand across the UK, working in various settings like: 

• community clinics 
• hospitals
• private practices 
• schools.

As a newly qualified SLT, your starting salary will likely be around £29,970, rising to £36,483 with experience.Ìý

Take a look at what qualifications you need to become a speech and language therapist.Ìý

Find out more

• Explore what public health careers are on offer.
• Discover our guide to working in allied health.Ìý
• Read our overview of the healthcare sector in the UK.