Graduate Employers Guides - NHS

TSR Wiki > Careers > Graduate Employers Guides > NHS

Employer Information

• Application deadline: December 2011 (tbc)
• Starting salaries: £22,222 (plus higher cost of living allowance where applicable)
• Regions: Nationwide
• Industries: Healthcare
• Website: http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
• Email: N/A
• Telephone: NHS careers team: 0845 60 60 655
• Address: N/A

What is the NHS?

The NHS is the world's largest publicly funded healthcare system. It operates on the premise that excellent healthcare should be available to all citizens, regardless of their ability to pay. To give some idea of the scale of the NHS, it employs more than 1.5 million people, meaning only three world organisations directly employ more people.

What roles are available at the NHS?

Numerous.

Application process for the NHS.

Online applications and aptitude tests are followed by interviews and assessment centre.

Entry requirements and type of person suited for the NHS.

For the Graduate Management Training Scheme applicants should be ambitious individuals, with excellent leadership qualities. Minimum academic requirements are a 2:2 in any discipline or equivalent.

For the Clinical Scientists Training Scheme applicants should have a 2:1 or higher in a related science subject.

Future prospects and training at the NHS.

Although the NHS encourages graduates to apply for any entry level vacancies and non-senior positions, it also runs two training schemes:

The Graduate Management Training Scheme is a 24 months / 30 months (Finance) course that looks to equip graduates with the required knowledge and experience to be a leader of the future. Graduates are introduced to NHS procedure and health service management, and gain a qualification in either Human Resources, finance or general management. Foundation courses in those three areas gives students the opportunity to choose their own favoured route. Graduates undertake work placements and core learning modules together with real management posts and are supported by mentors throughout. The scheme offers good career prospects for those who wish to attain senior and/or directorship level jobs.

The Clinical Scientists Training Scheme is a four year course that provides graduates with an MSc or specialist diploma making them eligible to practice within specialist ares of clinical science.

Other comments about the NHS.

Experiences

If you have applied to the NHS, we would like you to hear from you. Please use the following form to detail your experiences of application, to aid those interested in following a similar career path.

Position applied for:
Year of Application:
Region:
Educational Background:

What were your experiences of the application process?

What is it like working for the NHS?

How has it compared to your expectations?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Finally, any advice you would give to potential applicants?