Entry level job

[ozy123]

I have a computer science degree and am planning on taking the GAMSAT in March/September. I currently work for a large IT consultancy which I hate. I was thinking about switching to a healthcare job, what type of jobs could I be considered for? I am prepared to take quite a big paycut but would need a minimum of 18 - 22k/year. Anyone with experience of this?

[aspirant doc]

Mate, any health care job would consider you provided you meet their other requirements; medicine, nursing, physio, OT, radiolography, NHS management, etc etc.

But they are all distinctly different; have a think about which ones you want to do.

[ghms]

Hi Ozy123,

I hope this will give you some ideas.

There's a problem in that inexperienced hands cannot be put to use doing actual treatment, just simple care. However, this changes with training. I've done volunteer roles, in order to apply with some hands-on experience.

I was able to discern, after interviews, that 'good' work experience comprised activities which show long-term dedication and exposure to the health care system. I would also add exposure to patients and variety of conditions as a bonus.

Possible roles are:
(i) volunteering for a charity abroad
(ii) as a Health Care Assistant in a local hospital/home
(iii) as an administrator for the NHS/hospital

As for the pay, I cannot comment for everything, though a cut is a given. An HCA is likely to make £11/hour. Perhaps someone could suggest better alternatives but this seems to be the best option as it is hands-on and paid.

I would suggest investigating every role to find out what you like. In the meantime, continue to earn £s, volunteer in your free time and get some useful qualifications which might help you work in the industry.

I hope the GAMSAT goes well,

GHMS

[aspirant doc]

I think I misunderstood the question, apologies.

£11 per hour as HCA will get you £16632 if you work 4.5 days per week for 42 weeks, and if some of that is weekends, you will earn a lot more. I know someone at Edinburgh medical school who earns well over £10K per year while doing his studies, which are more or less Mon-Fri 9.5; so you sohuld be able to squeeze other stuff in.

[goldhawkgonk]

Is that over £10kpa from HCAing alongside study- or another job? Sorry wasn't sure if I was misreading.

I'm thinking about the same thing Ozy123, my current work contract s coming to a close and was looking at work in a NHS setting as perhaps being more relevant to medicine. Check out the NHS Jobs website (google) and it's a good portal to get a sense of what they're looking for.

[aspirant doc]

Hi, sorry, I meant that this guy I know earns well over £10k per year by doing a different job alongside his full time studying. i.e. if he can do that and still be a full time medical student, if you work HCA full time, you can easily beat that figure - your £18K figure as HCa at £11 per hour is for 204 8-hour days, leaving plenry of other time for other earnings.

Hope that makes sense.

[Zubr]

Do you have to get a job at med school? Won't most of your time be taken up studying and having fun?

[aspirant doc]

Do you have to get a job at med school? Won't most of your time be taken up studying and having fun?

Are you being serious?? No, you do not have to get a job at medical school. But a lot of people have them because they have to have them for financial reasons.

[Zubr]

how much does it approximately cost as a school leaver?

[aspirant doc]

To be honest I can't answer that as I don't know - I'm a single dad so know how much it costs me but it costs school leavers a lot less. Sorry can't help.