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Naturopath
Hours
Variable
Starting salary
Variable
Naturopaths follow the idea that the human body seeks ‘balance’ and can heal itself. They believe that the body needs good nutrition, fresh air, sunlight, exercise and relaxation, and that factors like stress or poor diet can upset the body’s natural balance and cause health problems.
As a naturopath, you would aim to restore a patient’s balance and improve their health using naturopathic principles and healing techniques. You would look at the patient's lifestyle, diet, and emotional issues as well as physical symptoms. If you can build good relationships with patients and you would enjoy helping them improve their health, this job could be ideal for you.
In this job you would also need understanding, sensitivity and listening skills. You would also need to enjoy solving problems and be a logical thinker.
To prepare for work as a naturopath, you could take qualifications recognised by the General Council and Register of Naturopaths (GCRN) - see Entry requirements section below.
WorkDesc
The work
As a naturopath, your work would involve:
- discussing your patient’s symptoms and their wider life
- carrying out a physical examination
- taking blood and carrying out other tests
- making a diagnosis based on the consultation and test results
- designing an individual treatment plan for the patient
- advising on diet and lifestyle
- using and recommending a wide range of treatments, which might include detoxification, diet changes, hydrotherapy, osteopathy, massage, homeopathy, herbal medicine and counselling.
Naturopathy is thought to be particularly useful for chronic illnesses such as asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure and IBS.
HoursDesc
Hours
Most naturopaths are self-employed and run their own practices. This means that you could choose your own working hours, although you may have to offer evening and weekend appointments to meet the needs of your patients.
You would normally work from consulting and treatment rooms that may be at your home or an alternative therapy or natural health clinic. You may also visit patients in their own homes.
IncomeDesc
Income
As a self-employed naturopath, income depends on the hours you work and the number of clients you see. You would typically charge an hourly rate of between £30 and £100.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To prepare for work as a naturopath, you could take qualifications recognised by the General Council and Register of Naturopaths (GCRN).
The GCRN accredits the following training courses:
- Diploma in Naturopathy and BSc degree in Osteopathic Medicine – offered by the British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- BSc degree in Health Sciences: Complementary Therapies (Pathway for Naturopathic Medicine) – run by the University of Westminster
- postgraduate diploma, aimed at registered medical practitioners, osteopaths and chiropractors – offered by the College of Osteopaths.
To get on to a recognised degree or diploma you will normally need at least five GCSEs (A-C) including science, plus at least two A levels including biology. Alternatives such as an Access to Higher Education qualification may be accepted, and your life experience may also count towards entry. You should discuss exact entry requirements with the course providers.
Recognised degrees and diplomas are at least three years full-time or four years part-time. As a student on a recognised course, you will study anatomy and physiology, nutrition, conventional medical treatments and the theory of naturopathy. You will also develop practical skills and build up at least 400 hours' supervised client contact.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once you have completed a recognised course, you will be able to register with the General Council and Register of Naturopaths (GCRN), which also brings automatic membership of the British Naturopathic Association. Although there are no laws about the training and registration of naturopaths, joining a relevant professional body may help your career, for example by providing networking opportunities.
You could also choose to register with an association for mixed complementary therapies, such as the Institute for Complementary Medicine (which runs the British Register of Complementary Practitioners), or the Complementary Medical Association (CMA).
Voluntary Self-Regulation
Organisations from a variety of complementary therapies, including naturopathy, have worked to create a single (voluntary) regulatory body, known as the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). The aim of the CNHC is to protect the public by registering practitioners, setting standards for safe practice and providing a means of redress if things go wrong.
To register, your profession must be a member of the CNHC (this is being rolled out in stages). If you are interested in joining, you should check with your professional body and with the CNHC website regularly for updates.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be a naturopath you should have:
- a genuine desire to help people
- the ability to build trust and rapport with patients
- understanding and sensitivity
- good listening and communication skills
- the motivational skills to encourage people to change their lifestyle
- a logical approach to problem solving
- strong observational skills
- some knowledge of biology, chemistry and conventional medical treatments
- the commercial skills to run your own business.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
General Council and Register of Naturopaths 
Goswell House
2 Goswell Road
Street
Somerset
BA16 0JG
Tel: 0870 745 6984
www.naturopathy.org.uk
Institute for Complementary and Natural Medicine
Can-Mezzanine
32-36 Loman Street
London
SE1 0EH
Tel: 020 7922 7980
www.icnm.org.uk
British Naturopathic Association
Goswell House
2 Goswell Road
Street
Somerset
BA16 0JG
Tel: 08707 456984
www.naturopaths.org.uk
Complementary Medical Association
www.the-cma.org.uk/
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You would usually be self-employed and run your own practice. Success would depend on the amount of time and effort you are prepared to put in to build your list of clients and your reputation. You could develop your business and your skills further by training in related areas such as homeopathy, herbal medicine or aromatherapy.
Interest in complementary medicine has increased over the past few years. Although still relatively small, naturopathy is a growing profession.
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
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