GP

In this role you could:

• give general health advice to patients in person or on the phone
•  diagnose patients' symptoms and refer to specialist consultants if needed
•  prescribe medicines, recommend treatments and carry out minor surgery
•  do research and help to train other healthcare professionals
•  organise and lead clinics for specific groups of patients or medical conditions

• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• science skills
• knowledge of psychology
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

With experience you could:

• run a shared practice or specialise in an area like sports medicine, diabetes or children's health
•  move into medical work in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, the police or the prison service
•  work overseas or in medicine for the Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Navy
•  teach students training to be GPs or go into clinical research
•  become a member of a local medical committee or clinical commissioning group to get involved in local health issues