Critical care technologist

You could:

• set up and maintain equipment like ventilators, dialysis machines and monitors
•  attend emergency calls to critical care wards like resuscitation
•  advise and train other hospital staff on how to use equipment
•  negotiate with medical sales representatives
•  manage staff and do admin tasks
•  research, develop, assess and introduce new critical care treatments and technologies

• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• sensitivity and understanding
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• the ability to work well with your hands
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through a university course or by applying for an NHS training programme.

You could:

• complete the NHS Higher Specialist Scientist Training (HSST) to become a consultant clinical scientist
•  progress to leadership and management positions
•  specialise in a certain area of critical care, such as transplants, cardiology or burns
•  move into academic research and teaching in higher education