Do you like the idea of providing specialist support to students and helping them along their education journey? A career within non-medical help could be perfect for you.
Take a look at the reasons why people work in non-medical support, the careers available, as well as the skills and qualifications needed for a career in non-medical help.
- Why work in non-medical help?
- What careers are available in non-medical help?
- What skills are needed to work in non-medical help?
- What degrees help with a career in non-medical help?
Why work in non-medical help?
A rewarding career
Non-medical help roles are hugely rewarding. You usually work one to one with students, helping them to achieve their ambitions and providing support along the way. You will see your students thrive throughout your time with them, and the impact you can have on them and their families lives can make this a really fulfilling career choice.
You’ll be providing support to those who need it
People working within specialist learning support provide students of all ages the chance to have an equal opportunity for success, by addressing the barriers within learning and promoting engagement by providing one to one support.
High in demand
Non-medical help and support workers are in high demand which will only get stronger. Any experience or certification that you can gain will only add to your value going forward.
Flexible working
If a more typical Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 job doesn’t appeal to you, there are many non-medical help roles that allow you to work in the mornings or afternoons – or to work around your schedule to some extent.
What careers are available in non-medical help?
The most common jobs in non-medical help include:
Specialist Mentor
Specialist mentors work within a university and are there to provide in-depth, specialist one to one support, which can be across a range of subjects, including physical and mental health.
Academic Support Worker
The purpose of an academic support worker is to provide support to students with disabilities in further education. The roles can vary depending on the needs of the student, but generally involves working full time with one student, providing support in lectures by transcribing text, taking notes and helping with reading. Sometimes the role of an academic support worker also encompasses that of a practical support assistant, helping students navigate around campus and providing mobility help.
Practical Support Assistants
The role of a practical support assistant is to provide mobility support to students with physical impairments. They also provide practical support and assist with anything from general orientation and finding out where things are located across campus, to helping to operate a wheelchair, or carrying books, IT equipment etc.
Scribe
The role as a reader or scribe involves working on a one to one basis with a student as they take their exams. A scribe is responsible for providing an accurate dictation for a student during their exams. They might be asked to draw diagrams to answer problems, write answers and read them back to the student.
Note Takers
Note takers assist their students with learning by providing clear and precise notes to document classes, seminars or lectures. Note takers must write accurately and quickly.
Study Assistants
A study assistant will provide the required support for a student. They usually work to the needs of the student, which could be for consecutive or irregular periods of time. The role of a study assistant can include manual note taking, or things like support in finding appropriate solutions for problems to help reduce anxiety levels.
British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter or Sign Language Support Tutor
Sign language interpreters enable communication between users of BSL and users of a spoken language, or between two different sign languages. Interpreters at schools and universities use their skills to help deaf or deafblind students effectively learn information in lessons, lectures and other similar settings.
What skills are needed to work in non-medical help?
The broad scope of jobs within the non-medical help sector mean different roles would require different skills and specialisms, here are a few skills that will benefit you in any non-medical help career:
- Time management and planning skills
- The ability to be punctual and reliable
- Attention to detail and proof reading skills
- Note taking and writing skills
- Good IT and computer skills
- Patience
- Great communication skills
If there are any roles that interest you, we recommend finding adverts for those roles and looking at the job description and person specification. Here you can identify the skills and experience you already have, and where you need to improve in order to meet the essential criteria for the role. Take a look at the graduate skills that employers are looking for.
What degrees help with a non-medical help career?
If you are interested in attending university, a degree is a great way to take a step further towards a career in non-medical help. Related degrees include:
- Teaching and education
- Psychology
- Social work
- Public services
- Health studies
Some roles, such as a communication support worker would require mandatory qualifications, such as a certificate in ‘communication support for the deaf’, or a degree in deaf studies. Other roles, such as a specialist notetaker, could require a ‘note taking for disabled students in higher education’ certificate, or something similar.
Not sure if non-medical help is the right career path for you? Discover the opportunities available in other industries and find and apply for roles on the Unitemps website.
Last updated on 13 February 2023
Share this article