The Durham Healthcare Industry is one of the fastest growth areas in the county and offers employment in hospital, nursing home, medical, mental health, dentistry and pharmacy jobs. Although it is predominantly the private health sector that has seen the largest boost in the county, recruitment agencies will also commonly supply staff to the NHS - the largest single employer both in the UK and Europe.
While it is a diverse sector, healthcare jobs are largely responsible for the care and wellbeing of patients. This can be curative, rehabilitative or preventative. The local industry has seen investment in recent years and this has led to a rise in the number of job opportunities across Hartlepool, Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees. In fact, the North East as a whole offers some of the best healthcare and pharmaceutical job prospects in the UK.
Entering the field is becoming increasingly difficult, however salaries can prove to be lucrative for those who are employed in a senior or specially skilled medical role. GPs, surgeons, dentists and psychiatrists can all potentially command earnings of £70K+, however this is someway above the Durham industry average of £26K. This is largely balanced by some nursing and support roles that fail to exceed £20K per annum.
A graduate route is the most common way into the health profession, with specialist skills and knowledge generally being required. Potential surgeons and therapists will undoubtedly need a relevant degree while less skilled roles might still require a diploma or appropriate work experience. The health industry can be a demanding area of employment and the long, unsociable hours can put off many candidates. Staff will also need to be empathetic as well as the ability to stay calm under pressure.
Use this page to find County Durham agencies that can support employment within the local healthcare sector.