Healthcare is one of the most reliable job sectors in the UK and relevant skills are in high demand. The Five Year Forward View by the NHS, which aims to modernise the NHS by setting out a clearer vision for how our healthcare system can meet its staffing requirements and therefore satisfy patient demand and improve care, outlines the need for reforms in the healthcare sector. In light of this, we can expect to see a discussion around how the NHS can solve it’s recruitment crisis in the upcoming general election.

Data released by Indeed, the world’s largest job site, has revealed the top five most in demand healthcare careers:

1) Support worker
2) Healthcare assistant
3) Medical receptionist
4) Pharmacy assistant
5) Dispensing assistant (dispenser)

Each of these roles is categorised on the lower end of the pay scale in the NHS, and the top two positions do not require academic qualifications. However, these roles to require a number of soft skills. Medical receptionists, pharmacy assistants and dispensing assistants, on the other hand, are roles which do require training. The turnover in these five job roles is high, and for many they may be a stepping stone to a different position.

According to Indeed, the high interest from job seekers is outstripping the supply. In January 2015, there were over 120,000 healthcare roles available in the UK. However, the number of healthcare jobs available has decreased by 3% since December last year.

Despite the large number of job seekers in this sector, there are still positions that remain unfilled. This is due to a skills gap in the sector, meaning that the skills that are in demand are not necessarily available. For example, after 30 days, 47% of healthcare practitioner’s jobs and 45% of healthcare support roles are not filled.

London based jobs are of more interest to job seekers than those available in other parts of the UK. The most searched for areas after London are Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.

Gerard Murnaghan, VP EMEA, Indeed, commented: “The healthcare industry will continue to be a major focus in the UK as we draw closer to the general election in May. In order for the healthcare industry in the UK and specifically the NHS to function efficiently there needs to be an increased focus on employment data – on both the supply and demand side. The data can help identify current and looming shortages in talent and skills that need increased investment in development and training.”

If you are searching for healthcare related jobs either in the UK or abroad, Jobs4Medical has various positions available.

About the Author: Ron Stewart has worked in the recruitment industry for 30 years, having owned companies in the IT, construction and medical sectors. He runs the Jobs4Group, and is CEO of Jobs4Medical.