Elliott Hudson College, in collaboration with the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, recently hosted its annual Professional Skills for Healthcare Careers event, aiming to shed light on the wide range of job opportunities within the NHS.

The fair, organised in a carousel-style format, offered students the chance to rotate through six different activities facilitated by various teams from the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. Each activity provided valuable insights and hands-on experiences relevant to different healthcare professions, enriching students’ understanding of the field.

The Medical Education Team orchestrated an exercise focusing on workload prioritisation and patient care, providing students with a glimpse into the complexities of healthcare management.

The Ultrasound team explained that ultrasound scans are procedures that uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of part of the inside of the body. Students found out more and gained hands-on experience with the types of equipment used and what the job role of a Sonographer involves.

The Nursing Team’s activity gave an overview of some of the skills nurses use every day, from the basics of resuscitation, how to insert feeding tubes with an NG (nasogastric) dummy and testing samples for protein and sugars to diagnose illness.

Students also had the opportunity to engage with the Burns team, delving into discussions about burn injuries and participating in practical exercises involving the treatment of such injuries using moulage techniques—an experience designed to simulate real-world scenarios.

The Maternity team, gave students the opportunity to take part in an interactive birth simulation and find out more about the stages of labour and birth.

The event was not merely educational but also provided a platform for students to explore potential career paths within the healthcare sector. The Careers Fair segment allowed attendees to interact with employers and apprenticeship providers from across the NHS, offering invaluable networking opportunities and a comprehensive overview of the diverse range of roles available within the organisation. Stands included representatives from Digital Services and IT, Pharmacy, Finance, Radiology, Allied Healthcare Professions (e.g. physiotherapists, occupational therapists, osteopaths etc) as well as information from Doctors and Nurses. The NHS recruitment team gave students information about apprenticeships, how to apply, how to ace an interview, and current NHS vacancies.

“I often find that students are unsure about their career paths after college, especially when they have an interest in healthcare but are hesitant about pursuing a medical degree.” said Mrs Prior-Chappel “It’s important to highlight the huge number of opportunities available within the healthcare sector beyond becoming a doctor. From nursing to allied health professions, healthcare administration to medical research, there are diverse and rewarding roles that can align with their passions and strengths.”

Overall, the Healthcare Careers event proved to be a resounding success, empowering Year 12 students with knowledge, experience, and inspiration as they consider their future career paths in the healthcare industry. Through collaboration between educational institutions like Elliott Hudson College and healthcare providers like the Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, events like these play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals.