Developing your allied health career

If you’re looking to broaden your range of skills, a role at UHS may be perfect for you. We're one of only a few trusts in the UK that have the ability to care for people from before they’re born right through to the end of their lives, providing almost every specialism to over 3.7 million people living in Southampton and beyond. 

We offer a fantastic induction and exceptional in-house and external training and development, giving you the best possible opportunities to achieve your career goals. Your development is central to our vision of delivering high quality, safe and effective care which is continuously improving. 

Working collaboratively as part of a bigger team, you’ll get all the support you need to do an amazing job as you explore where your future could take you. There will be plenty of opportunities to progress and take the lead, for example as a team leader or within a clinical academic pathway.

As well as the many other benefits you can enjoy while working for UHS, we look to provide flexible working opportunities where possible and there may be opportunities for part-time working depending on your role and the demands of the service you’re joining.

Read about the support and development opportunities available to allied health professionals joining UHS below.

INDUCTION

As a new member of the allied health team at UHS, you can look forward to a comprehensive induction and supervision package to support you in your first few weeks with us.

The recruitment team will invite you to take part in a Trust induction programme. For this, you’ll need to complete or demonstrate evidence of your understanding of statutory and mandatory requirements. You’ll complete your local induction checklist over the course of your first three months at UHS.

Our teams and local support arrangements will help you settle quickly and feel confident in your new environment and role.

PRECEPTORSHIP

UHS offers a preceptorship programme to support your transition from a newly qualified allied health professional to a confident practitioner. We have an incredible range of specialties, and the care groups you work in will guide you in developing your knowledge, skills, values and behaviours within your practice areas.

UHS offers a flexible working model to encourage and support career opportunities. To facilitate this, you’ll need to aim to complete preceptorship within a nine month period, offering a three month consolidation stage. The consolidation will allow you to build confidence in your chosen area and continue with your professional development.

Each care group will have allocated preceptors and either individual or team preceptorship concepts to best support your transition within your first post. Peer supervision and support are key to your personal development and we encourage this within your preceptorship period.

RETURN TO PRACTICE

If you have been out of practice, your registration has lapsed and you no longer meet HCPC requirements, you will need to undertake a period of updating your skills and knowledge before you can become re-registered – and we can provide you with the support and assistance you need to return to practice.

Currently this involves completion of a university-based component and a placement within the Trust on an honorary contract.

Please email returntopractice@uhs.nhs.uk if you would like further information.

POST-REGISTRATION EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP AND ADVANCED PRACTICE

Following the preceptorship period, new AHPs have the opportunity to undertake specialist education and training within their chosen area. Information about learning opportunities will be available from the care group’s local education leads. They’ll form part of an annual training needs analysis and appraisal processes, linked to individual development plans.

At UHS, we’re very supportive of staff members who wish to progress their career along the leadership route or into advanced practice roles. Academic courses are available that support these opportunities via higher education institutes. We also provide some accredited in-house education and training that is delivered by our dedicated team of education leads.

To find out more, view and apply for our latest allied health professions vacancies or get in touch with our recruitment team on recruitment@uhs.nhs.uk if you have any questions.