A non-clinical job is a role in the healthcare sector that does not involve administering medicine, and is not directly involved in diagnosis and treatment processes.

Non-clinical jobs are essential to a multitude of departments in a hospital or healthcare centre. These administrative roles could see you working in any department in a hospital, from Radiography and Oncology departments to Accident and Emergency.

Non-clinical positions involve managing and updating patient records, organising surgical schedules, and generally being the face of the healthcare centre. You can find non-clinical roles in a hospital, a GP surgery, or in a main reception or office. Your responsibilities as a professional will also change depending on whether you are connected to a specific department, in a healthcare clinic or within a back-office environment.

Job titles in this sector include summarisers, who read code and relevant information from clinical records and translate them onto computer systems, as well as receptionists, administrators and secretaries.

Non-clinical roles are of vital importance in the healthcare sector. Having accurate and updated records on hand could mean the difference between swift progression of treatment and days of uncertainty for seriously unwell patients. These roles also enable medical staff to be more efficient in how they handle patients. Possessing the correct information when they are making check-ups ensures a proper diagnosis can be made.

What are non-clinical skills?

You need to have a varied skill set to work in a non-clinical job in the healthcare sector.

You should not only possess exceptional organisational skills to deal with the administrative side of the role, but also have excellent people skills. Dealing with ill people and their families at a difficult time in their lives can be a rewarding challenge, and requires effective communication and compassion.

On a practical level, attention to detail and time management are also essential. Some roles may require computer and IT training, and you may be tested on your skills upon application, or be required to show relevant qualifications.