ALTERNATIVE CAREERS FOR DOCTORS
The search for alternative careers for doctors has sky-rocketed.
Alternative careers for doctors is a hot topic as clinicians are leaving the NHS in droves. Working in it is becoming unsustainable for so many.
The relentless workload, lack of staffing, the strikes, strain on mental health, lack of autonomy and more ….
Because of this, medics are now seriously questioning how they can continue working like this. Is this you? Significantly, it’s impacting doctors at all stages of their career from medical students to senior consultants. The notion of exploring alternative careers for doctors is fast becoming a necessity to create a more sustainable working life.
However, this means that there is much competition for doctors seeking roles in industry and medical-related careers.
This can feel confusing and daunting in knowing where to begin.
My one-to-one coaching or online course can support you to reflect on your skills, explore the vast range of opportunities ahead of you and, importantly, help to create a new career path that gives you job satisfaction, the salary you deserve and a much-improved work-life balance.
See Career Packages for more info and get in touch to book.
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ONE-TO-ONE COACHING
Focused entirely on you to reach your personal career goals
You’ve tried going it alone but you don’t know how to start the process of career change
You want to make progress quickly and tap into the expertise of a coach who can support you with your individual needs
You want accountability to make a positive career change with regular coaching sessions
One-to-one coaching offers you bespoke, individual sessions to work on your unique career path. Supporting you to stay focused and motivated.
Coaching will give you:
- Skills to research and evaluate different career options
- Understanding in how to draw out your transferable skills and confidence to speak in ‘commercial’ language
- Skills to maximise opportunities to help you to tap into the hidden job market (up to 80% of jobs never get advertised!) …. And how to make networking easy, doable and even enjoyable!
- The tools to create an eye-catching CV and LinkedIn profile to get you noticed
- A true understanding of your worth (both personally and in £’s!) and the value you bring to another role
- Knowledge to create a successful side hustle or a lucrative new business … without leaving your job if you choose not to
- A structured process to mapping out your career transition journey
Leaving medicine can take many twists and turns to find out which career is absolutely right for you but it’s a process, not an overnight transformation. However, together we can explore the best fit … be it your own business, a job in industry or a portfolio career which offers you more variety and balance …
But do you really want to wait much longer to get started?
By working together, we can break it all down into manageable steps, working at your own pace to help you realise that everything you want to achieve is doable.
You will gain increased personal insight, learn how to uncover a huge range of opportunities in the wider world of industry and beyond and develop the skills required to be successful to move forwards with confidence.
Whichever goals you set yourself, it is key to have a structured pathway to get there.
My coaching style is no-fluff and goal-oriented. My packages also include a wealth of resources to assist you and a structured action plan at the end of each session to work on which we will review together each time we meet.
Packages start from £375. You decide which package is most appropriate for you to get started.
To discuss the benefits of working with me, get in contact for a free no-obligation chat to discuss how I can support you.
ONLINE SHOP: RESOURCES FOR CAREER TRANSITION
These resources are each designed to support you through a different part of the process. They are affordable yet high impact and you can download them straightaway to make a start on your journey today!
Self-reflection & insightful discoveries – £20
Learn to reflect and gain deeper personal insight to help you make the right future decisions
- Wellbeing self-analysis questionnaire
- Career reflections – now and future self
- Addressing barriers to leaving medicine
- Overcoming challenges to leave medicine
- Strengths & Values Workbook
Navigating Careers – £20
Get ready for career change and learn what you need to do to investigate roles & industries
- The power of mindset to manage change
- Maximising LinkedIn for Career Transition
- Nailing your 30-second elevator pitch
- 3 P’s of Networking
- Developing a Networking Plan
- *BONUS* – Career Transitioning Resources
Career Planning – £15
Get organised the smart way! Use your time constructively to come up with a structured career action plan
- Career Planner
- SMART Career Action Plan
Critical skills for a non-medical job – £20
Learn how to stand out in a competitive marketplace and be thoroughly prepared for interviews
- Competence Transferability (a mini-guide)
- Powerful preparation for non-medical interviews
- STARR Technique for interviews
- Action verbs & positive adjectives
- Template for non-medical CV
OR
Get all 4 bundles for only £55!
If you’re looking to take control of your career and gain absolute clarity on your next steps, any investment you make in yourself will help you to get there quicker and easier!
Client quotes (as seen on my Google reviews)
“I have been working with Julia for several months and she has helped me in securing a job of my dreams. If it hadn’t been for her suggestion I wouldn’t have a new job. Thank you”
“Julia gave me valuable tips on how structure my job search, how to stay focused, which was a challenge for me and how to approach alternatives. Coaching sessions were very productive”
“I was considering a career change. Julia was very helpful in setting out a structured approach for me to follow. This saved me a lot of time and helped to make better informed decisions and propelled me to make a change”
“Julia helped me to identify my career goals providing pragmatic advice and support. Through her support, she helped me to carve out a pathway to gaining a senior post in healthcare. I’m delighted with my new role”
A-Z alternative careers for doctors
Aesthetics
A popular and fast-gowing area for clinicians. Significantly, this is because many often feel more confident to have aesthetic procedures done with a doctor. Aesthetic medicine involves the use of non-surgical procedures to change an individual’s appearance. For example, it can include dermal fillers, botox and chemical peels
Aviation/Aerospace Medicine
Involves being responsible for the health and safety of crew and passengers in flight and fitness to fly. Additionally, it can also include physiology of man in space. Aerospace requires the application of clinical medical knowledge to the practice of aviation medicine. (A subspeciality of occupational medicine) www.aerosociety.com
Armed Forced Medicine
Delivering medical support to the British Army, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force (RAF). Primarily, doctors in the Army are also officers and provide medical care for soldiers and their families. You may apply at any stage of your medical career and is possible to arrange as a short-term commitment only. www.healthcareers.nhs.uk
Benefits Assessor
The Independent Assessment Services (delivered by ATOS) and MAXIMUS recruit doctors to carry out assessments for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Therefore, they may determine a client’s entitlement to Employment and Support Allowance
Charity Administration
There are a number of health-related or medical research charities that would be seeking a professional with medical knowledge and experience. www.prospects.ac.uk ; www.amrc.org.uk
Civil Service
The civil service includes a number of different departments, agencies and public bodies. For example, they could include the Department of Health, Healthcare Commission, Health Protection Agency, Medical Research Council. Interestingly, civil service separate entry routes for experienced professionals and a fast track route of entry for graduates. www.gov.uk
Clinical Academics
A doctor of any speciality whose work includes both patient care and research alongside teaching and lecturing. The integrated academic pathway offers a route into academics medics at any stage of their career. www.healthcareers.nhs.uk
Clinical Forensic Medical Examiner (forensic physician)
Work can range from dealing with patients in police custody to victims of sexual offences. The majority of forensic medicine is within private companies. So this may include companies such as as Mountain Healthcare, Mite, G4 and CRG. Most of these companies provide training to doctors after completion of FY2. www.forensic-science-society.org.uk
Complementary Medicine
Usually treatments which are combined along with conventional medical treatments. Therefore, it includes chiropractic, osteopathy, homeopathy, herbalism and acupuncture www.collegeofmedicine.org.uk
Coaching
This is a hugely growing field worth billions! As a doctor, you are very well-positioned for a career in the coaching world. The Association for Coaching (AfC) is a good place to start looking for established courses to qualify as a coach. Additionally, you can work as a solopreneur or may wish to freelance for other organisations. However, they will often request for you to be an accredited coach (the AfC can advise further on this.)
Consultancy
You can work independently or choose to be employed by an organisation. However, consultants are employed to provide an objective appraisal of a company. Additionally, they would implement strategies for improvement. Therefore, a popular choice is in healthcare consultancy. Often, this is a lucrative career choice for those who may wish to build a portfolio career. The Medical Consultancy Association (MCA) provides useful information on this sector. Again, another booming sector and a popular choice for doctors changing careers.
Content Creation
Offers an exciting way of making money through creating online digital content. It may include creating podcasts, online courses, blog writing, audiobooks and webinars. However, it often requires having an audience. So it may take time to build up but can be done with long-term commitment.
Diving Medicine
Qualified physicians whose work may involve diving research and training. Equally, could involve diving-related injuries and “fitness to dive” medical examinations. You can find out more at www.ddrc.org
Expedition Medicine
Provide medical care to organized groups in amazing parts of the world! Interestingly, this could include everything from risk assessment to managing those who become ill or injured. For this reason, it would also involve emergency evacuation. www.worldextrememedicine.com
Functional Medicine
A popular area of medicine gaining a big following in recent years. This profession allows many doctors to start their own private practice. It is based on a biology-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. The Institute for Functional Medicine provides UK training at the annual AFMCP 5 day course.
Health Economics
Studying the functioning of the healthcare system. Fundamentally, their objective is to obtain maximum value for money. Therefore, involves cost-effectiveness as well as clinical effectiveness of healthcare provision. www.ohe.org
Health Policy
This may include assessing between spending and resource alternatives. In essence, it addresses the effect of the healthcare system and public health.
Health Service Management
Responsible for the commissioning of local healthcare. Likely would be carried out through the management of hospital, GP and community health services. Additionally, the NHS also offers graduate training schemes. This could include finance, human resources, general management, health analysis and strategy. www.healthcareers.nhs.uk
Health Technology
Health tech is a very popular growing field (Covid has further advanced progress). For example, it can include everything from apps, record systems, machine learning and medical appliances. A popular way in is through becoming a Clinical Lead for a start-up. But you don’t necessarily need to have tech knowledge yourself. A good resource is The Association of British Health Tech Industries.
Healthcare Science
Work in one of four main areas. May include clinical bioinformatics, life sciences, physical science and bioengineering, physiological sciences. So you can work within the NHS or a private hospital, in a laboratory or at a university.
Lifestyle Medicine
This area of medicine focuses on making better lifestyle choices. It involves educating others on making better choices on all areas of health. In essence, it is based on the principles of positive psychology. Additionally, it motivates others to make healthier lifestyle choices. The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine provides details on membership and diploma qualifications.
Medical Education
Providing education related to developing as a doctor, either at medical school or postgraduate level. Frequently, working as a lecturer in academia usually follows a PhD and postgraduate research experience. There are many ways to get involved. So it may include lecturing, creating and running courses, and writing exam questions.
Medical Journalism
A specific form of journalism focusing on medical subjects for a variety of media. For example, it could involve newspapers, magazines, professional journals or TV and radio. www.mjauk.org
Medical Politics & Ethics
A rewarding and exciting way to make a different to healthcare workers or patient care. Additionally, such a career offers the opportunity to get involved in medical ethics, strategy, medical defence unions and research. So, a good starting point could be to get involved in the BMA or other medical bodies and/or take a course in medical ethics. www.healthcarecareers.nhs.uk
Medical Research
Involves conducting experiments to collect data to improve scientific knowledge in the medical field. Therefore, it may be helpful to have research and audit experience alongside writing grant applications. Some PhD studentships will allow you to study for a PhD whilst carrying out research work. And employment opportunities could be within academia, industry, medical research charities, research institutes and hospital labs. www.healthcarecareers.nhs.uk
Medical Translation
Producing alternative versions of original medical materials in other languages. Therefore, can be a good choice if you fluent in another language. www.gtstranslation.com
Medical Tribunal Member
Providing medical opinion as panel member to make decisions on appeals about disability benefits. However, The Judicial Appointments Commission provides recruitment opportunities only every couple of years. Additionally, if you sign up to their newsletter, you would receive updates of when they are next recruiting.
Medical Writing (MedComms)
This is technically challenging work that requires medical knowledge. But you would be expected to work to tight deadlines. MedComms improves professional and public understanding of medicine and science through clear and effective communication. www.emwa.org; www.medcommsnetworking.com
Medical Law
Dual qualifications in medicine and law are highly sought after. So this is particularly relevant for senior roles in risk management for health trusts or coroners. Alternatively, opportunities can also be found in medical defence organisations. Law firms also look out for people specializing in medical law. lawsociety.org.uk; www.sodil.co.uk
Occupational Medicine
Generally work in a consultancy and deals with the relationship between work and health. And they aim to prevent injuries and illness that can occur as a result of work. For this reason, you would support the rehabilitation of people back into the workforce. www.som.org.uk
Pharmaceutical Medicine (Pharma)
There many varied roles for doctors in pharma. So it may include research, clinical pharmacology, medical affairs, medical advisory and medicines safety. Patient contact is limited but still possible in clinical trials. Furthermore, there is also a specialist training pathway in pharmaceutical medicine. www.abpi.org.uk
Prison Health Service
This would involve providing a GP service to prison inmates. Therefore, you would be expected to have experience in emergency medicine, primary care, communicable diseases, drug use and mental health. There is a free course available which covers all human rights and ethics. www.gov.uk
Public Health
This speciality aims to support the health of a general population. The role can greatly vary. So you may be responding to outbreaks of a disease or planning for health education. There is a public health speciality training pathway offered by fph.org.uk, as well as a portfolio route to being a Public Health consultant. This broad sector includes numerous other careers besides medicine.
Soloprenuership
A soloprenuer is someone who sells a product or service through working independently. A huge number of doctors seeking alternative career choices are looking to work for themselves. Of course, this creates the flexibility and work-life balance often craved. It allows doctors to create a portfolio career by combining different passions. May include education, coaching, writing, creating digital resources, consultancy and more. It can be challenging to get started but, ultimately, be highly rewarding. A lot of doctors are enjoying very successful careers as solopreneurs.
Sport & Exercise Medicine
Doctors who are trained in the delivery of musculoskeletal and exercise medicine. There is a growing number of roles available within the NHS but most practitioners work in the private sector. Such opportunities are available within sports teams such as the armed forces, football clubs and universities. www.fsem.ac.uk
Travel Medicine
A broad interdisciplinary speciality which involves working in infectious diseases, tropical medicine, public health, occupation medicine and primary care. The London School of Hygiene and Medicine and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine offer a range of programmes.
Voluntary Work Abroad
This can offer great opportunities to make a real difference supporting vulnerable communities. There are a number of opportunities to get involved in medical response teams for disasters and crises around the world. Such companies may include VSO international, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)and REDR UK. The Apothecaries offer a Diploma in the Medical Care of Catastrophies for those who are interested in joining medical response teams
Or, of course, you may wish to choose another career which is completely non-medical. You may wish to follow a life-long passion such as becoming a property investor or opening up a restaurant!
If you are seeking an alternative career as a doctor but don’t know where to start, book in for my free consultation.
© 2024 Julia Sinclair-Brown - Supporting, enriching, developing careers. All Rights Reserved.
© 2024 Julia Sinclair-Brown
Supporting, enriching, developing careers.
All Rights Reserved.