This is the place you can call home

I graduated in 2016 with a degree in Biomedical Science, and knew that research was something I really wanted to be involved in. When I saw the job of Administrator in the Research Management & Support team being advertised, I knew I had to apply. I joined in December 2017. A year later I was given the opportunity to apply for a promotion to Research & Innovation Support Officer. I was successful and began in January 2019.

From day one I’ve been encouraged to attend courses and events to develop my research understanding. I recently became the Business Intelligence Champion for the NCA and attend regular meetings with Trusts across Greater Manchester. I’ve also started line managing and was blown away by the support and guidance offered to me by my colleagues.

I graduated from the University of Manchester in 2001 and joined Salford Care Organisation as a pre-registration pharmacy graduate. I chose Salford in particular, as I was keen to work in hospital pharmacy and was aware of the impressive reputation it has as a teaching hospital.

Being able to work closely with staff from a range of different specialties and backgrounds within pharmacy is something I love. As we’re now part of the NCA, I’m looking forward to more exciting opportunities for career development across the group over the next few years. I also have an interest in Quality Improvement and know that the NCA invests heavily in this area to improve patient care.

I started my career at Salford Care Organisation as a newly qualified Occupational Therapist in 2001. I work alongside physiotherapy colleagues in leading outpatient therapy services and I love getting to know our patients and working with them to identify and make changes that will improve their quality of life. I remain very proud to work at Salford and believe there’s never been better opportunities for, and recognition of, all that the Allied Health Professions have to offer in the advancement of Heath Care services.

I chose to work here because, as a large teaching hospital, it offered fantastic learning and development opportunities. I’ve completed a number of courses and qualifications over the years with the support and encouragement of the Trust. It’s helped my role to evolve and kept work interesting and enjoyable for me.

I joined Wigan hospital as a band 2 Medical Laboratory assistant in 2014. From day one I was impressed by the supportive management and the opportunities available to progress and develop my career.

Not long after joining, I was encouraged to apply for a band 4, degree apprenticeship job. This is fully funded, with training, for 3 years. And, I’m proud to say that in 2017, I was the first apprentice to work towards a Biomedical Science degree at Salford university. In early 2020 I secured my role as a trainee Biomedical Scientist. I’ll qualify later this year and will then work on my specialist portfolio to achieve a band 6 position.

I’d always wanted to work in science and healthcare, and the role I do now enables me to pursue a scientific career and still help patients. I’ve been helped at every step with good support from my managers and their constant encouragement has enabled me to believe I could succeed.

I applied to work at Oldham Care Organisation as a physiotherapist in 2016, as I found the vast range of specialities and rotational posts attractive.

My rotations included trauma and orthopaedics, colorectal surgery, gastroenterology and general medicine. On each one I developed my autonomy through increasing clinical experience, assessing and treating patients with a variety of conditions and helping them to recover from surgery and return to normal daily functions, whilst working towards a timely discharge alongside the wider multidisciplinary teams.

I love being part of a great team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and the wider team that all work together, to save and improve the quality of our patients’ lives.