Healthcare

If you’re passionate about caring for people and making a difference to their lives, then a career in healthcare could be the one for you.

What impact could you make?

Improve patients’ treatment and support. Your work will **help people live long, healthy and happy lives**.

**No two days are ever the same** when it comes to dealing with patients. You'll likely also get the chance to work with people from all walks of life.

Whether you're working directly with someone or indirectly in a lab, you'll **change lives** and have an impact on families.

It's such a privilege to be part of women and families' lives at such a special time. I feel being a midwife is a well-rounded practical and emotional job which is very rewarding.SiobhainCommunity Midwife, NHS Scotland

Healthcare at a glance

You could work with the public or provide support behind the scenes. The range of jobs within healthcare goes way beyond doctors and nurses. There are opportunities for accountants, chefs, software designers and more.

Employment

In 2024, there were around 267,000 people working in healthcare across Scotland. 

Future demand

Between 2024 and 2027, it's expected there will be 29,900 people needed to fill job openings.

Job diversity

In 2024, the social care sector accounted for 10.1% of employed Scots. With such a large workforce, there are opportunities for people of all backgrounds across the country to work alongside each other.

Source: Healthcare Sectoral Skills Assessment 2024

Play your part in creating a healthier world

We’ve pulled out some of the most popular healthcare job profiles for you to explore.

Things you may not know about healthcare

NHS Scotland is the biggest employer in the country, providing jobs to people in more than 70 different professions.

Source: Scotland.org

In response to COVID-19, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's clinical physics team converted 100 anaesthetic machines to ventilators.

Source: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Photography brand Canon has a team in Edinburgh with more than 120 engineers, scientists and clinical experts working to deliver world-leading software and technology used in hospitals.

Source: Life Sciences in Scotland

Organisations making a difference

Discover some of the organisations within healthcare and how they’re making an impact on the industry.

Your Med Future

Your Med Future supports anyone thinking about applying to study medicine in Scotland. Created by NHS Education for Scotland, the 5 Scottish medical schools and the Medical Schools Council, it helps you navigate the pathways into medicine.

Visit Your Med Future