The healthcare industry is huge and is kept together by the working of various qualified professionals. However, it can be difficult to figure out what role each professional plays in keeping the healthcare industry running smoothly. If you are thinking of pursuing a career in the healthcare sector, it is important to understand the role of a healthcare professional in the UK.
What is a Healthcare Professional in the UK?
In the UK, a healthcare professional is a qualified medical worker registered with a regulatory body. Healthcare professionals are responsible for providing medical advice as well as treating patients suffering from physical or mental conditions. These professionals can specialize in a number of medical fields and work as doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, surgeons, psychiatrists, etc.
How to Become a Healthcare Professional?
The process of becoming a healthcare professional will vary depending on the role you choose. However, meeting the following requirements is a must to become a healthcare professional in the UK:
Education:
The qualification requirement will not only depend on the role you have picked but also on the medical facility you want to work in. Most medical facilities in the UK require healthcare professionals to have at least an undergraduate degree in a medical-related field. Doctors are required to have medical school training, while nurses must have a nursing degree to work in the healthcare industry.
Keep in mind that a graduate entry programme can take four to five years to complete. However, it will also provide you with invaluable clinical training to get you ready to work in hospitals.
Certifications:
Along with the right education, certificates are also a must for healthcare professionals. Without a medical license or board certification, you will be unable to work in the healthcare industry. Depending on the field you wish to specialize in, you will have many options to choose from for certification. There are also advance certificates for healthcare professionals who wish to specialize in certain areas.
Skills:
Although having the right degree is important, you won’t be able to truly connect with your patients without having the right set of skills. As a healthcare professional, you must not only be kind but also have empathy for people. Other skills that a healthcare professional must possess include time management, communication, stress management, and attention to detail.
The Responsibilities of a Healthcare Professional:
The responsibilities of a healthcare professional can vary depending on their area of specialization and the setting they work in. However, here are the main tasks that a healthcare professional has to take care of in the UK:
A Healthcare Professional’s Primary Duty – Diagnosing Patients:
Healthcare professionals observe the physical condition of their patients, ask questions about their health, and perform diagnostic tests. The end goal is to understand the symptoms of patients and arrive at a conclusion about their condition. Diagnosing a patient’s ailment helps doctors come up with treatment plans.
Creating Treatment Plans:
Healthcare professionals create treatment plans to cure their patients. These treatment plans could include conducting surgery or prescribing medicines to treat the condition of the patient. Nurses working as healthcare professionals are also responsible for administering medicines in some settings. They may also provide hygiene care to patients who are unable to look after themselves.
Educating People about Healthcare:
One of the most important duties of a healthcare professional is to educate people about prevention techniques and cures. If basic medical information is spread to the masses, a lot of healthcare crises can be avoided, which is why the role of healthcare professionals is so important.
Healthcare professionals also educate patients about their conditions. In certain cases, they might also educate a patient’s family about the diagnosis and the treatment plans. Every healthcare professional can help people live a full life by educating them about illnesses specific to their fields.
Taking Care of Preventive Measures:
Healthcare professionals are responsible for preventing the spread of diseases and ensuring the health and safety of their community. In the UK, healthcare professionals can also advise patients to spend time in rehabilitation centres or mental health clinics. Such measures can protect patients from going down a spiral and help them get back on their feet.
Administrative Duties:
In most cases, healthcare professionals are responsible for handling certain administrative tasks. For instance, they may have to keep detailed medical records of their patients, manage resources, and handle the schedules of operation rooms. If a healthcare professional is managing a team, they will have to be responsible for planning shift schedules and hiring nursing staff.
If you think healthcare professional is a role you can see yourself working in, then you should go ahead and start studying for it. If you are already a healthcare professional who is looking for a job, reach out to ESGO and we will help you find the best employment opportunities.
