Explore AHP career pathways
Please note these are example pathways into each of the 15 allied health profession roles.
Take a look at our case studies to discover how flexible AHP career routes can be.
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Music Therapist
Creative therapy support worker
Level 2Healthcare support workerArts and crafts can be used as part of a person’s therapy as a way of helping them deal with their issues. Art, music, and drama can be particularly helpful when there are things people cannot say in words. This could be because the emotions are too distressing. Or it may be because the patient has difficulties with communication.
Job titles vary, for example you might work as:
• activities co-ordinator
• activity co-ordinator
• activities support worker
• activities facilitator
• activity assistant
• creative assistant
• activity worker
You'll typically plan activity programmes based on patient’s needs, abilities, and preferences. This might include, for example, art, music, cookery, or photography. You will help groups and individuals to take part in the activities.
In the NHS, many staff in roles related to the creative therapies work with adults with mental health issues. Other creative staff may work with:
- elderly people, including those with dementia
- children and young people with mental health issues or disabilities
Level 2DirectHealthcare support workers (HCSWs) work as part of a team providing high quality and compassionate care to individuals. You will carry out well-defined routine clinical duties like monitoring an individual’s conditions (by checking things like blood pressure, temperature or weight), checking on their overall progress, comfort and wellbeing. Depending on where you work, you may also help them to eat, drink, wash, dress or go to the toilet. You will prepare individuals for healthcare activities carried out by other members of the healthcare team, looking after them before, during and/or after those activities in line with their care plan. You will also carry out non-clinical duties and, depending on where you work, this could include things like keeping records, making beds, tidying up your work area, returning or cleaning the equipment used during a clinical activity. You will be able to address straightforward problems in your day to day work, reporting concerns and changes to the appropriate person in a timely manner. HCSWs work in a range of healthcare settings and your team may include workers from both health and social care. You will report to a registered healthcare practitioner who will directly or indirectly supervise your work.
routeAPPRENTICESHIPDEGREE APPRENTICESHIPSenior Healthcare support worker
Level 3Assistant PractitionerSenior support workers will use more advanced skills under the supervision of registered staff and may also work alone, with access to a registered member of staff on site or via the telephone. Responsibilities include the direct delivery of clinical, technical, or scientific activities following training. They may demonstrate own duties to other support workers, students, or less experienced staff. They will also carry out administration tasks related to patient care and the wider service. At this stage, senior support workers will contribute to service improvement and be able to make fact-based judgements.
Level 5TraditionalAssistant practitioners work at a level above that of healthcare support workers and have more in-depth education and understanding about factors that influence health and ill-health, for example anatomy and physiology. Support workers at this level will possess enhanced skills in their area of work, which may be a specialist clinical area. They will provide routine and non-routine care and support, including to service users with more complex needs and making assessment of progress. They can demonstrate own activities to new or less experienced employees and provide training to others.
routeSixth form / collegeUniversity UndergraduateUniversity PostgraduateMusic Therapist MSc – Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Level 7Music therapists use the power of music to help people deal with feelings they cannot put into words. You'll use music to help their clients achieve therapeutic goals through the development of the musical and therapeutic relationship.
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Drama Therapist
Creative therapy support worker
Level 2Healthcare support workerArts and crafts can be used as part of a person’s therapy as a way of helping them deal with their issues. Art, music, and drama can be particularly helpful when there are things people cannot say in words. This could be because the emotions are too distressing. Or it may be because the patient has difficulties with communication.
Job titles vary, for example you might work as:
• activities co-ordinator
• activity co-ordinator
• activities support worker
• activities facilitator
• activity assistant
• creative assistant
• activity worker
You'll typically plan activity programmes based on patient’s needs, abilities, and preferences. This might include, for example, art, music, cookery, or photography. You will help groups and individuals to take part in the activities.
In the NHS, many staff in roles related to the creative therapies work with adults with mental health issues. Other creative staff may work with:
- elderly people, including those with dementia
- children and young people with mental health issues or disabilities
Level 2DirectHealthcare support workers (HCSWs) work as part of a team providing high quality and compassionate care to individuals. You will carry out well-defined routine clinical duties like monitoring an individual’s conditions (by checking things like blood pressure, temperature or weight), checking on their overall progress, comfort and wellbeing. Depending on where you work, you may also help them to eat, drink, wash, dress or go to the toilet. You will prepare individuals for healthcare activities carried out by other members of the healthcare team, looking after them before, during and/or after those activities in line with their care plan. You will also carry out non-clinical duties and, depending on where you work, this could include things like keeping records, making beds, tidying up your work area, returning or cleaning the equipment used during a clinical activity. You will be able to address straightforward problems in your day to day work, reporting concerns and changes to the appropriate person in a timely manner. HCSWs work in a range of healthcare settings and your team may include workers from both health and social care. You will report to a registered healthcare practitioner who will directly or indirectly supervise your work.
routeAPPRENTICESHIPDEGREE APPRENTICESHIPSenior Healthcare support worker
Level 3Assistant PractitionerSenior support workers will use more advanced skills under the supervision of registered staff and may also work alone, with access to a registered member of staff on site or via the telephone. Responsibilities include the direct delivery of clinical, technical, or scientific activities following training. They may demonstrate own duties to other support workers, students, or less experienced staff. They will also carry out administration tasks related to patient care and the wider service. At this stage, senior support workers will contribute to service improvement and be able to make fact-based judgements.
Level 5TraditionalAssistant practitioners work at a level above that of healthcare support workers and have more in-depth education and understanding about factors that influence health and ill-health, for example anatomy and physiology. Support workers at this level will possess enhanced skills in their area of work, which may be a specialist clinical area. They will provide routine and non-routine care and support, including to service users with more complex needs and making assessment of progress. They can demonstrate own activities to new or less experienced employees and provide training to others.
routeSixth form / collegeUniversity UndergraduateUniversity PostgraduateDrama Therapist MSc – Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Level 7You'll use the healing aspects of drama and theatre to help people explore and reflect on their feelings. You'll offer people the opportunity to change by experimenting with different ways of thinking, feeling and behaving.
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Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy Assistant
Entry LevelHealthcare support workerPhysiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future. It takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care.
Physiotherapy assistants make a difference to the lives of our patients every day by helping them recover from a range of illnesses and conditions. It is also a route to becoming a physiotherapist.
Level 2DirectHealthcare support workers (HCSWs) work as part of a team providing high quality and compassionate care to individuals. You will carry out well-defined routine clinical duties like monitoring an individual’s conditions (by checking things like blood pressure, temperature or weight), checking on their overall progress, comfort and wellbeing. Depending on where you work, you may also help them to eat, drink, wash, dress or go to the toilet. You will prepare individuals for healthcare activities carried out by other members of the healthcare team, looking after them before, during and/or after those activities in line with their care plan. You will also carry out non-clinical duties and, depending on where you work, this could include things like keeping records, making beds, tidying up your work area, returning or cleaning the equipment used during a clinical activity. You will be able to address straightforward problems in your day to day work, reporting concerns and changes to the appropriate person in a timely manner. HCSWs work in a range of healthcare settings and your team may include workers from both health and social care. You will report to a registered healthcare practitioner who will directly or indirectly supervise your work.
routeAPPRENTICESHIPDEGREE APPRENTICESHIPSenior Healthcare support worker
Level 3Assistant PractitionerSenior support workers will use more advanced skills under the supervision of registered staff and may also work alone, with access to a registered member of staff on site or via the telephone. Responsibilities include the direct delivery of clinical, technical, or scientific activities following training. They may demonstrate own duties to other support workers, students, or less experienced staff. They will also carry out administration tasks related to patient care and the wider service. At this stage, senior support workers will contribute to service improvement and be able to make fact-based judgements.
Level 5Physiotherapy Practitioner BScAssistant practitioners work at a level above that of healthcare support workers and have more in-depth education and understanding about factors that influence health and ill-health, for example anatomy and physiology. Support workers at this level will possess enhanced skills in their area of work, which may be a specialist clinical area. They will provide routine and non-routine care and support, including to service users with more complex needs and making assessment of progress. They can demonstrate own activities to new or less experienced employees and provide training to others.
Level 6TraditionalPhysiotherapy is a science-based profession. Physiotherapists work with individuals, and their families and carers, from birth to end of life and in a wide range of health and social care settings. They lead and deliver programmes and interventions to help people affected by injury, ageing, illness or disability. Physiotherapists use a range of physical and psychological treatment approaches, including movement, exercise and manual therapy, to optimise an individual’s mobility, function and quality of life. They also provide education about health and wellbeing and provide specific advice that can be applied to everyday activities to manage and reduce the risk of pain or injury. The profession helps to encourage development and facilitate recovery, enabling people to remain independent for as long as possible.
routeSixth form / collegeUniversity UndergraduateUniversity Postgraduate (optional)Enhanced Clinical Practitioner
Level 6Advanced Clinical PractitionerThis occupation is found in the health and care sector. Enhanced Clinical Practitioners are qualified health and social care professionals who are working at an enhanced level of practice with specific knowledge and skills in a field of expertise. They manage a discrete aspect of a patient’s care within their current level of practice, which will be particular to a specific context, be it a client group, a skill set or an organisational context. This is in contrast to Advanced Clinical Practitioners who have developed their knowledge and skills to an advanced level of practice and would manage the whole episode of a patient’s clinical care, from the time they first present, through to the end of the episode.
Level 7Advanced Clinical Practitioners are experienced clinicians who demonstrate expertise in their scope of practice. Advanced Clinical Practitioners manage defined episodes of clinical care independently, from beginning to end, providing care and treatment from the time an individual first presents through to the end of the episode, which may include admission, referral or discharge or care at home. They carry out their full range of duties in relation to individuals’ physical and mental healthcare and in acute, primary, urgent and emergency settings (including hospitals, general practice, individuals’ homes, schools and prisons, and in the public, independent, private and charity sectors). They combine expert clinical skills with research, education and clinical leadership within their scope of practice. Advanced Clinical Practitioners work innovatively on a one to one basis with individuals as well as part of a wider team. They work as part of the wider health and social care team and across traditional professional boundaries in health and social care.
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Therapeutic Radiographer
Radiography assistant and imaging support worker
Entry LevelHealthcare support workerRadiography assistants and imaging support workers are crucial cogs in the diagnosis and treatment of NHS patients. As a radiography assistant or imaging support worker, you'll work closely with diagnostic radiographers who use imaging to work out which disease or condition is causing a patient’s illness and/or therapeutic radiographers who use doses of x-rays and other ionising radiation to treat medical conditions, such as cancer and tumours.
Radiography assistants and imaging support workers work closely with diagnostic radiographers and therapeutic radiographers, medical physicists, engineers, doctors, nurses and other health professionals.
Level 2DirectHealthcare support workers (HCSWs) work as part of a team providing high quality and compassionate care to individuals. You will carry out well-defined routine clinical duties like monitoring an individual’s conditions (by checking things like blood pressure, temperature or weight), checking on their overall progress, comfort and wellbeing. Depending on where you work, you may also help them to eat, drink, wash, dress or go to the toilet. You will prepare individuals for healthcare activities carried out by other members of the healthcare team, looking after them before, during and/or after those activities in line with their care plan. You will also carry out non-clinical duties and, depending on where you work, this could include things like keeping records, making beds, tidying up your work area, returning or cleaning the equipment used during a clinical activity. You will be able to address straightforward problems in your day to day work, reporting concerns and changes to the appropriate person in a timely manner. HCSWs work in a range of healthcare settings and your team may include workers from both health and social care. You will report to a registered healthcare practitioner who will directly or indirectly supervise your work.
routeAPPRENTICESHIPDEGREE APPRENTICESHIPSenior Healthcare support worker
Level 3Assistant PractitionerSenior support workers will use more advanced skills under the supervision of registered staff and may also work alone, with access to a registered member of staff on site or via the telephone. Responsibilities include the direct delivery of clinical, technical, or scientific activities following training. They may demonstrate own duties to other support workers, students, or less experienced staff. They will also carry out administration tasks related to patient care and the wider service. At this stage, senior support workers will contribute to service improvement and be able to make fact-based judgements.
Level 5Therapeutic Radiographer BScAssistant practitioners work at a level above that of healthcare support workers and have more in-depth education and understanding about factors that influence health and ill-health, for example anatomy and physiology. Support workers at this level will possess enhanced skills in their area of work, which may be a specialist clinical area. They will provide routine and non-routine care and support, including to service users with more complex needs and making assessment of progress. They can demonstrate own activities to new or less experienced employees and provide training to others.
Level 6TraditionalAs a therapeutic radiographer, you’ll be part of a team helping people who are dealing with cancer. Based in a hospital, you’ll work with patients and colleagues to design treatment programmes and support patients until their treatment ends. From taking an initial X-ray, to using a CT scanner or a linear accelerator, you’ll use some of the most complex and advanced technology to treat tumours. Therapeutic radiographers are also central to a wider multidisciplinary team, working and consulting with colleagues across various departments.
routeSixth form / collegeUniversity UndergraduateUniversity Postgraduate (optional)Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Level 7Advanced Clinical Practitioners are experienced clinicians who demonstrate expertise in their scope of practice. Advanced Clinical Practitioners manage defined episodes of clinical care independently, from beginning to end, providing care and treatment from the time an individual first presents through to the end of the episode, which may include admission, referral or discharge or care at home. They carry out their full range of duties in relation to individuals’ physical and mental healthcare and in acute, primary, urgent and emergency settings (including hospitals, general practice, individuals’ homes, schools and prisons, and in the public, independent, private and charity sectors). They combine expert clinical skills with research, education and clinical leadership within their scope of practice. Advanced Clinical Practitioners work innovatively on a one to one basis with individuals as well as part of a wider team. They work as part of the wider health and social care team and across traditional professional boundaries in health and social care.
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Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapist Assistant
Level 2Healthcare support workerThe main job of occupational therapy assistants is to assist their patients in developing, improving and recovering the necessary skills needed by the patients for various daily activities. You work alongside an occupational therapist, assisting people in the community to live happy and fulfilling lives.
Level 2DirectHealthcare support workers (HCSWs) work as part of a team providing high quality and compassionate care to individuals. You will carry out well-defined routine clinical duties like monitoring an individual’s conditions (by checking things like blood pressure, temperature or weight), checking on their overall progress, comfort and wellbeing. Depending on where you work, you may also help them to eat, drink, wash, dress or go to the toilet. You will prepare individuals for healthcare activities carried out by other members of the healthcare team, looking after them before, during and/or after those activities in line with their care plan. You will also carry out non-clinical duties and, depending on where you work, this could include things like keeping records, making beds, tidying up your work area, returning or cleaning the equipment used during a clinical activity. You will be able to address straightforward problems in your day to day work, reporting concerns and changes to the appropriate person in a timely manner. HCSWs work in a range of healthcare settings and your team may include workers from both health and social care. You will report to a registered healthcare practitioner who will directly or indirectly supervise your work.
routeAPPRENTICESHIPDEGREE APPRENTICESHIPSenior Healthcare support worker
Level 3Assistant PractitionerSenior support workers will use more advanced skills under the supervision of registered staff and may also work alone, with access to a registered member of staff on site or via the telephone. Responsibilities include the direct delivery of clinical, technical, or scientific activities following training. They may demonstrate own duties to other support workers, students, or less experienced staff. They will also carry out administration tasks related to patient care and the wider service. At this stage, senior support workers will contribute to service improvement and be able to make fact-based judgements.
Level 5Occupational Therapist BScAssistant practitioners work at a level above that of healthcare support workers and have more in-depth education and understanding about factors that influence health and ill-health, for example anatomy and physiology. Support workers at this level will possess enhanced skills in their area of work, which may be a specialist clinical area. They will provide routine and non-routine care and support, including to service users with more complex needs and making assessment of progress. They can demonstrate own activities to new or less experienced employees and provide training to others.
Level 6TraditionalAs an occupational therapist, you’ll help people who have difficulties carrying out day-to-day activities because of a disability, illness, trauma, ageing, and a range of long-term conditions.
routeSixth form / collegeUniversity UndergraduateUniversity Postgraduate (optional)Enhanced Clinical Practitioner
Level 6Advanced Clinical PractitionerThis occupation is found in the health and care sector. Enhanced Clinical Practitioners are qualified health and social care professionals who are working at an enhanced level of practice with specific knowledge and skills in a field of expertise. They manage a discrete aspect of a patient’s care within their current level of practice, which will be particular to a specific context, be it a client group, a skill set or an organisational context. This is in contrast to Advanced Clinical Practitioners who have developed their knowledge and skills to an advanced level of practice and would manage the whole episode of a patient’s clinical care, from the time they first present, through to the end of the episode.
Level 7An Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Occupational Therapy works at an advanced level across all four pillars of advanced practice at master’s level.
Advanced Clinical Practitioners are experienced clinicians who demonstrate expertise in their scope of practice. Advanced Clinical Practitioners manage defined episodes of clinical care independently, from beginning to end, providing care and treatment from the time an individual first presents through to the end of the episode, which may include admission, referral or discharge or care at home. They carry out their full range of duties in relation to individuals’ physical and mental healthcare and in acute, primary, urgent and emergency settings (including hospitals, general practice, individuals’ homes, schools and prisons, and in the public, independent, private and charity sectors). They combine expert clinical skills with research, education and clinical leadership within their scope of practice. Advanced Clinical Practitioners work innovatively on a one to one basis with individuals as well as part of a wider team. They work as part of the wider health and social care team and across traditional professional boundaries in health and social care. -
Art therapist
Creative therapy support worker
Level 2Healthcare support workerArts and crafts can be used as part of a person’s therapy as a way of helping them deal with their issues. Art, music, and drama can be particularly helpful when there are things people cannot say in words. This could be because the emotions are too distressing. Or it may be because the patient has difficulties with communication.
Job titles vary, for example you might work as:
• activities co-ordinator
• activity co-ordinator
• activities support worker
• activities facilitator
• activity assistant
• creative assistant
• activity worker
You'll typically plan activity programmes based on patient’s needs, abilities, and preferences. This might include, for example, art, music, cookery, or photography. You will help groups and individuals to take part in the activities.
In the NHS, many staff in roles related to the creative therapies work with adults with mental health issues. Other creative staff may work with:
- elderly people, including those with dementia
- children and young people with mental health issues or disabilities
Level 2DirectHealthcare support workers (HCSWs) work as part of a team providing high quality and compassionate care to individuals. You will carry out well-defined routine clinical duties like monitoring an individual’s conditions (by checking things like blood pressure, temperature or weight), checking on their overall progress, comfort and wellbeing. Depending on where you work, you may also help them to eat, drink, wash, dress or go to the toilet. You will prepare individuals for healthcare activities carried out by other members of the healthcare team, looking after them before, during and/or after those activities in line with their care plan. You will also carry out non-clinical duties and, depending on where you work, this could include things like keeping records, making beds, tidying up your work area, returning or cleaning the equipment used during a clinical activity. You will be able to address straightforward problems in your day to day work, reporting concerns and changes to the appropriate person in a timely manner. HCSWs work in a range of healthcare settings and your team may include workers from both health and social care. You will report to a registered healthcare practitioner who will directly or indirectly supervise your work.
routeAPPRENTICESHIPDEGREE APPRENTICESHIPSenior Healthcare Support Worker
Level 3Assistant PractitionerSenior support workers will use more advanced skills under the supervision of registered staff and may also work alone, with access to a registered member of staff on site or via the telephone. Responsibilities include the direct delivery of clinical, technical, or scientific activities following training. They may demonstrate own duties to other support workers, students, or less experienced staff. They will also carry out administration tasks related to patient care and the wider service. At this stage, senior support workers will contribute to service improvement and be able to make fact-based judgements.
Level 5TraditionalAssistant practitioners work at a level above that of healthcare support workers and have more in-depth education and understanding about factors that influence health and ill-health, for example anatomy and physiology. Support workers at this level will possess enhanced skills in their area of work, which may be a specialist clinical area. They will provide routine and non-routine care and support, including to service users with more complex needs and making assessment of progress. They can demonstrate own activities to new or less experienced employees and provide training to others.
routeSixth form / collegeUniversity UndergraduateUniversity PostgraduateArt Therapist / Psychotherapist MSc
Level 7Art therapists help people express difficult thoughts and feelings through creative activities.
Please select a career above