Alternatives to clinical practice
The alternative careers that are listed here are just an
indication of what opportunities are available to doctors, trainees
and medical students who are considering a move into other career
areas. Candidates with the skills and abilities fostered by a
medical background are very marketable in a variety of professions,
including scientific, technological, managerial and financial
roles.
Introduction
If you are considering a career shift away from clinical
practice, you need to begin by considering first what you would
like out of another career and then the skills and experience you
could offer to a potential employer in that field. All basic
and higher medical training is built on core competencies including
communication skills, empathy and sensitivity, problem solving,
coping with pressure, professional integrity, team working and
decision making. These competencies are valuable in most other
areas of employment. Development and acknowledgement of these
skills will help you move into another sector.
What to expect
Changing careers is not an easy process and can often mean a
drop in seniority and salary. You will find that recruitment and
selection processes will be competency based and will ask for you
to relate your skills, experience and their relevance to the
role.
On a positive note, regardless of the difficulties, changing
career can be satisfying in the long term if you have made sound
decisions and have clear expectations of your new role. Through
selling your transferable skills and gaining some experience in the
sector, happy, successful transitions can be made.
Researching alternatives
This section includes some ideas of careers where a medical
degree or training could be helpful or is viewed as a distinctly
positive asset. In addition to those listed, many other careers may
be appealing that do not directly relate to medicine. Bear in mind
that regardless of the area you would like to pursue, the core
principles of career planning apply. Further research should
be carried out alongside developing contacts and experience before
making final decisions.
Other resources
- The London Deanery has developed website
Beyond Clinical
Practice which gives an overview of some of the options that
you may want to consider if contemplating a career outside of
medicine.
- Medical Success is a website which
also helps Doctors who are considering careers beyond the hospital
or the GP's surgery.