Now more than ever, the healthcare sector in the UK needs dedicated and skilled individuals who can contribute to their ongoing efforts across various departments and various healthcare jobs. Do you have a strong desire to help people in need? Have you always wanted to work in the healthcare industry? Well, if you are starting from scratch and need some guidance, consider our range of online healthcare courses.
Here at learndirect, we are the UK’s leading online learning provider, helping millions of individuals gain qualifications designed to boost their career prospects. We boast a selection of healthcare training courses that will get you on your way to a rewarding and important healthcare job. Below we have picked out our top 5 online healthcare courses that can guide you towards a great career!
1. Nursing
There is no doubt that nursing is one of the most respected healthcare professions right now given how much light has been shone on the work that Nurses do. To become a Nurse, you first need to think about the type of Nurse you want to be. There are four main categories, which include:
- Adult Nurse
- Children’s Nurse (Paediatric Nurse)
- Mental Health Nurse
- Learning Disability Nurse
- Nursing Associate
While the roles and responsibilities of each position above differs, one thing is for certain; you will need a degree. To get on a nursing degree at university, you will need a range of Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications, which are usually GCSEs and A-Levels. If you don’t already possess these, then don’t worry, you can still become a Nurse.
We provide a wide selection of online GCSEs and A Levels, all of which are nationally recognised. You can either go down this route or choose Level 2 and Level 3 equivalent qualifications in the form of Functional Skills and Access to Higher Education Diplomas respectively to pursue UK healthcare jobs.
Our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing) is not only the equivalent of 3 A Levels, but it also provides you with a blend of academic knowledge and study skills. The aim of our Access to Nursing course is to get you prepared for university, and our online healthcare courses are aimed at adult learners who are hoping to become a Nurse without A Levels.
There are many benefits to enrolling on our Access to HE Diploma, including the following:
- 100% online learning – Our Access to Nursing course is delivered entirely online, so you can make your way through the modules from the comfort of your own home. All you need is a laptop, a computer, and a stable internet connection
- No term time restrictions – Unlike traditional learning, you won’t have to deal with scheduled classes or term times when you study these online healthcare course, which means you can study around your existing commitments. So, if you work full-time or have children to care for, you don’t have to give up on your career goal
- Fastest route to become a Nurse – If you opted to study A Levels at a college, for example, you would have to commit around two years to achieving your desired Level 3 qualifications. However, with an Access to HE Diploma, you can complete it in as little as 9 months! You have two years to complete these healthcare courses, but many of our learners achieve their qualification in a shorter space of time
- No exams – Many individuals struggle with nerves and feel overwhelmed when it comes to exams, but there is no danger of this when studying our Access to Nursing course. Instead, you can pursue NHS nursing careers through a course that only requires a series of online assignments. After you have completed a unit, you will be tasked with an assignment, which is based on the topics you have just covered during your healthcare training course
Most universities accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas as part of their entry requirements, but please check your chosen establishment while considering your nursing career options.
The degree you study must be approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in order for you to work as a registered Nurse, either as part of the NHS or a private practice.
2. Midwifery
Arguably, one of the most rewarding healthcare careers is midwifery. If you love the idea of helping bring new life into the world, then these are the type of healthcare jobs that are highly suitable. You will be responsible for providing support and care to expectant mothers during pregnancy and labour, as well as the early postnatal period.
To become a Midwife, UK residents must have a degree approved by the NMC. If you don’t currently have the entry requirements to study a midwifery degree, then we can help! Like with nursing, GCSEs and A Levels are usually included in the list of entry criteria. However, you can achieve your Level 3 qualification through our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) instead.
By opting to study midwifery via this online healthcare course, you will get prepared for university, covering a wealth of academic units and study skills. Unlike your university peers who have got on to the healthcare course with A Levels, you will have foundational knowledge about midwifery, giving you a head start in your learning journey.
When you study midwifery through our midwifery courses online, you will explore a range of industry-related subjects, such as:
- Health and wellbeing
- Cell biology
- The history of the NHS
- Human reproduction
- Human nutrition and the digestive system
- Psychology
- Human muscular and skeletal system
You will also study the following topics in our midwifery courses, UK residents:
- Social factors in health and social care
- Human endocrine and nervous system
- Mental health and illness
- Cell metabolism
- Cell division
- Human disease
- Equality and diversity within healthcare
Unlike traditional learning, you will not have to study midwifery in a classroom as our Access to Midwifery course is delivered 100% online. This means that you can navigate through our midwifery courses online from the comfort of your own home. You can also fit your study schedule around your existing commitments, making this healthcare course ideal for full-time workers or those who need to prioritise childcare.
Not only that, but you can be ready to study a midwifery degree in less than a year! This is because you have the freedom to learn at your own pace. On average, our learners will take 9-12 months to achieve their Access to Higher Education Diploma, but you have a full two years to complete it.
3. Foot Health
There are so many avenues you can explore in healthcare, and perhaps one that is not entirely obvious is foot health. By embarking on this career path, you will not only be providing an essential healthcare service, but you have an opportunity to start your own business.
It is imperative that we maintain healthy feet because they are a crucial part of our anatomy and physical being. This is no surprise given that we use them every day and they are regularly put under strain. From blisters and calluses to long-term treatment for individuals living with diabetes, a Foot Health Practitioner will provide a wide range of treatments and services.
To get qualified in this sector, you can study a Foot Health Practitioner online course with learndirect. Our Foot Health Care Practitioner (RQF) Level 3 Diploma offers a blend of online theoretical study and 10 days of practical training at a foot health clinic, in which you will be supervised and taught by trained professionals.
During the theory portion of your Foot Health Practitioner course, you will cover the following:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Infection prevention and control
- Pathologies and treatments for foot health
- Managing foot care for diabetic patients
- Preparations for clinical practice
- Setting up and managing a professional practice
The final unit in our Foot Health Practitioner course will give you the knowledge you need to begin your own business in this sector. There are various career options available to you once you have completed our Foot Health Practitioner online course. You could either apply for a role within an existing practice or go down the self-employment route and set up your own foot health clinic or mobile foot health service.
4. Medicine and Healthcare Professions
If your ambition is to work in the healthcare or medical sciences field but you are unsure of the exact position you want to pursue, then our Access to HE Diploma is an ideal route for you to take. The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Medicine and Healthcare Professions Pathway covers a wide range of topics that will give you an overall foundational understanding of this arena prior to higher education.
While studying for your Access to Higher Education Diploma, you will explore topics that cover a wealth of different healthcare jobs. UK learners can expect to learn more about:
- Atomic structure
- Periodic table
- Radioactivity
- Medical physics
- Optics and sound
- Chemical change and more!
There are a vast number of healthcare jobs that you can pursue with the right level of training. With the knowledge gained from our online healthcare courses, you can study the following degree subjects:
- Pharmacy
- Radiography
- Paramedic Science
- Biomedical Science
- Dentistry
- Veterinary Practice
- Dental Nursing
Our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Science) – Medicine and Healthcare Professions Pathway is within our portfolio of healthcare vocational courses that are delivered entirely online. This means that you can go through each unit from home and at your own pace. You have two years to complete our online healthcare courses, but on average, our learners take 9-12 months, so you could be university ready within one year!
What’s more, you don’t need to pass any exams to achieve your Access to HE Diploma. Instead, we assess our online healthcare courses through a series of assignments based on the topics covered during the course.
5. Health Professionals
If your heart is set on working in the healthcare sector but you aren’t sure yet which profession you want to pursue, then it is best to gain a foundational knowledge that will prepare you for an array of different healthcare jobs. UK residents, our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Professionals) is the ideal course for just that.
This is one of our healthcare vocational courses that is taught solely online, which means that you can complete the course at home, as long as you have a stable internet connection and a computer or laptop.
Unlike traditional learning, you have control over when and where you study, with most of our learners taking just 9-12 months to achieve their Access to Higher Education Diploma. If you want to spread it out for longer, then no problem! You have up to 24 months to complete the online healthcare course.
Rather than get assessed through exams, these healthcare vocational courses are made up of a series of assignments, with one being issued at the end of each module. The modules are a blend of study skills and academic topics, including:
- Health and wellbeing
- Cell biology
- NHS history
- Human reproduction and development
- Roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals
- Psychology
- Nutrition and the digestive system
- Social factors in health and social care
You will also explore the following:
- The nervous system
- Dementia
- Human muscular and skeletal system
- Use of social drugs and medicines
- Mental health and illness
- Human immunity
- Poverty
- Human disease and prevention
- Equality and diversity within healthcare
With this knowledge, you could go on to study a range of degrees, from occupational therapy and physiotherapy to counselling and psychotherapy.
Start Learning Our Online Healthcare Courses!
If you are keen to embark on a career in the healthcare sector but are unsure about the best path to take, then our top 5 online healthcare courses can help you decide. Whichever path you choose to take, rest assured that our online options offer the flexibility and convenience that you won’t get from traditional learning.
To find out more information about our healthcare vocational courses, learners can speak to one of our Course Executives by calling 01202 006 464 or contact us online. Alternatively, click below to discover our range of online healthcare courses.
