AHP career guide

Choose a career in the allied health professions

It's not just doctors and nurses who have a vital role in caring for patients in the NHS. Our new guide tells you all you need to know about our 14 AHP professions.

You may already have heard of a physiotherapist, a dietitian, or a paramedic. In fact, there are 14 different allied health professions in Scotland:

• art therapist
• diagnostic radiographer
• dietitian
• dramatherapist
• music therapist
• occupational therapist
• orthoptist
• orthotist
• paramedic
• physiotherapist
• podiatrist
• prosthetist
• speech and language therapist
• therapeutic radiographer

Let’s explore all AHP job roles in the NHSScotland workforce. Find out more about AHP careers.

Starting your AHP career

There are lots of ways to start your career as an AHP.

AHP pre-registration degree programmes

Getting the knowledge and skills to become an AHP requires training and studying at a degree level. The pre-registration degree programme you choose must be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). When you graduate, you must register with the HCPC to work in the NHS.

Find out more about education pathways for AHPs [PDF].

Practice placements

During your AHP degree programme, you'll spend significant time on placements in various health, social care, and third-sector settings. You should be prepared to travel or stay away from your university base or both. Don't worry, your university will give you plenty of notice about your placements. This will help you to plan ahead and have discussions about your options.

Where do AHPs work?

You could be an AHP working in clinical practice in a wide range of environments, including community settings, GP practices, hospitals, patient homes, prison services, and schools.

AHPs also work in the following areas:

• evidence, research, and development to inform practice and improve services
• roles that facilitate learning to support the education and development of others
• leadership roles in leading teams and managing services

Find out more about our 14 allied health professions.