Making the step into the Allied Healthcare Professions (AHP)

Use drama and role‑play to support emotional healing.

Impact: Building confidence and communication skills in vulnerable groups.

You can find out more about being registered as a drama therapist from the British Association of Drama Therapists. Although to legally practice all drama therapists need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Harness music to aid communication and rehabilitation.

Impact: Helping stroke patients regain speech through rhythm and melody.

You can find out more about being registered as a music therapist from the British Association for Music Therapy. Although to legally practice all music therapists need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

This first video gives you an oversight of who music therapists are and some information about how you can become one.

This next video gives you an insight into the day to day work that music therapists do, it includes a video that shows what takes place in a session for both adults and children.

In this next video you will hear from military spouses about how a career as a music therapist has enabled them to successfully relocate around the country.

In the final video you will hear a panel discussion from members of the Armed Forces community who have made the step into a career in music therapy. Including their insights and top tips.

Enable independence in everyday life after illness or injury.

Impact: Teaching daily living skills and adapting environments for patients.

To work as an occupational therapist in the UK you need to registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

You can read a blog from Ben who was a  Lance Corporal in the 9/12 Lancers regiment but after leaving the Army sort out a career that gave him more flexibility.

This first video will give your an overview of what it is like to work as an occupational therapist.

This video will give you more insights into the routes that you can use to join the occupational health profession including hearing from someone who has followed the apprentice route.

Provide vital support during anaesthesia and surgery.

Impact: Ensuring patient safety before, during, and after operations.

To work as an ODP in the UK you need to registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

You can read a blog from Victoria who was officer in the Royal Engineers until 2017 when she made the step into a career as an ODP.

In this first video you will hear from a member of the Armed Forces community who has made the step to a career as an ODP

In this video you will hear from a variety of ODPs who have applied the skills and experience they gained in the Armed Forces to NHS careers.

Diagnose and treat vision problems, especially in children.

Impact: Correcting squints and improving binocular vision.

You can find more information about working as a orthoptist from the British and Irish Orthoptic Society. To work as an orthoptist in the UK you need to registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

In this first video you will hear about the different routes into a career in orthoptics.

In this next video you will hear from a member of the Armed Forces community who has made the step into a career in orthoptics.

Finally hear from a military spouse, where they discuss how a career in orthotics has supported them.

Use manual therapy to treat musculoskeletal conditions.

Impact: Relieving pain and restoring mobility.

You can discover more about working as an osteopath from the Institute of Osteopathy. To work as an osteopath in the UK, you need to be registered with the General Osteopathic Council.

Deliver emergency care in urgent situations.

Impact: Saving lives at the scene of accidents and emergencies.

You can find out more about working as a paramedic from the College of Paramedics. To work as a paramedic in the UK you need to registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Restore movement and function through exercise and therapy.

Impact: Helping patients walk again after surgery or injury.

You can find out more about working as a physiotherapist from the Chartered Institute of Physiotherapists. To work as a physiotherapist in the UK you need to registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

You can read a blog from David about how he retrained as a physiotherapist after he was medically discharged from the marines. You can also read Sean’s story about how he left the military after six years to pursue a career as a physiotherapist.

The first video in this section covers the different routes you could take into a career in physiotherapy.

The next video covers how the skills you have gained in the Armed Forces make you an excellent fit for a career as a physiotherapist.

This video discusses the role of a physiotherapy assistant. This role does not need formal qualifications, so might be a good first step to find out if physiotherapy is right for you or to help you gain some experience while getting the qualifications needed to enter a degree course.

Physiotherapy is also a great career for military spouses as it gives the flexibility to move around the country as the same qualification can be used across the country. You can also read more about revalidating as a physiotherapist after a period abroad in our handy guide.

Finally hear from members of the Armed Forces community who have made the step, how the career has worked for them and their top tips for applications.

Specialise in foot and lower limb health.

Impact: Preventing complications in diabetic patients.

You can find more information about working as a podiatrist from the Royal College of Podiatry. To work as an podiatrist in the UK you need to registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

NHS Employers have a guide that covers the role of podiatrists in the NHS. Although this is aimed at employers it should give you a good idea of what to expect from the role.

This first video will show you all the ways that you can train as a podiatrist.

In this next video you will hear from a member of the Armed Forces who has made the step to a career in podiatry.

In the final video you will hear from a Military Spouse about how a flexible career as a podiatrist meant she could easily move with her husband.

Design and fit artificial limbs and supportive devices.

Impact: Creating prosthetics that restore independence and mobility.

You can find more information about working as a prosthetist or orthotists from the British Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics. To work as a prosthetist or orthotists in the UK you need to registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

This video will give you a brief introduction to the role and what you could expect your day to day to look like. Please note you can turn on subtitles using the CC option if you need them.

This video covers the degree and apprenticeship routes into a career in prosthetics and orthotics.

In this section you will hear from someone who works as a technician so did not need to complete a full degree to gain his role.

Next hear how the skills and experience you picked up as a member of the Armed Forces community makes you a great fit for a career in prosthetics and orthotics.

Finally hear from members of the Armed Forces community who have made the step into a new career in prosthetics and orthotics.

Diagnostic radiographers – Use imaging technologies (X‑ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound) to help diagnose conditions.

Impact: Use imaging technologies to help diagnose conditions quickly and accurately.

Therapeutic radiographers – Plan and deliver radiotherapy treatments, working closely with oncology teams.

Impact: Deliver radiotherapy treatments, working closely with oncology teams to target cancer effectively.

You can find more information about working as a radiographer from the Society of Radiographers. To work as an radiographer in the UK you need to registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Support communication and swallowing difficulties.

Impact: Helping children overcome speech delays and adults recover after stroke.

You can learn more about this rewarding career from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. To work as a speech and language therapist in the UK you need to registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Help people express themselves and improve mental health through creativity.

Impact: Supporting children and adults to process trauma and build resilience.

You can learn more about this rewarding career from the British Association of Art Therapists. To work as an art therapist in the UK you need to registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).