Below you will find text versions of the current trainee video profiles.

Arwel Williams - General Management

Introduction

My name is Arwel Williams I graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in politics and international business.

When did you join the NHS and the graduate scheme?

I joined the NHS scheme straight after University in 2007 and I joined the General management training scheme.

Why did you join the NHS?

I chose to work for the NHS because I had always wanted to work for a public sector organisation and the NHS graduate scheme offered a training package that was much better than the other public sector training schemes that were out there.

Where are you working now?

The scheme has been fantastic am currently working towards my masters qualification and as well in the first three months we undertook training in all the other different specialities as well in finance and HR which gave a more rounded view of the NHS.

What projects are you working on right now?

I currently work as a service delivery manager in a large acute NHS hospital my role is vary varied and it encompasses all types of management in hospital from day to day people management through to more strategic management such as writing business cases and things like that.

Describe your most impressive achievement so far?

I think my most impressive achievements to date are one to get to a level were I feel competent to manage in such a complex environment as a hospital especially considering that I came straight from University with no prior NHS experience.
Also in terms of my current placement I have been working on quite a large project that’s saved the trust a lot of money in a very short period of time.

What is most rewarding about working in the NHS?

One of the most rewarding things about working for the NHS is you genuinely feel as if you really are making a difference to patients and I have been surprised in the short time I have been at the NHS how close you do get to the patients and how you see the difference you are making. 

How do you see your career developing?

I’m just coming to the end of my first year at an acute NHS trust and I would like to think within 5 years I could reach a senior general management position within a hospital. But perhaps after my next year in a pct I’ll decide that my future lies elsewhere in the NHS but one thing I’m sure about is that I do want to stay in the NHS .

What do you get up to outside of work?

Outside of work I enjoy travelling and listening to music and I also play a lot of football and other sports.

What are the benefits of getting on the NHS Graduate Scheme?

I think the scheme will help my career hugely the scheme is very well known within the NHS and very well respected and I think it would have taken me a lot of time to get where I am today without it.

What advise would you give to those people who are considering applying?

The first piece of advice I would give to anybody who’s thinking of applying would be not to be worried about not having any previous NHS experience I didn’t have any when I came in and although its challenging to be thrown in the dead end you really do pick it up quickly with the help and support of your colleagues.  

Rachel Forber – HR

Introduction:

Hello my name is Rachel and I Graduated from the university of Manchester.

When did you join the NHS and the Graduate Scheme?

I started the scheme in September 2007 and I am on a HR specialism. 

Why did you join the NHS?

I decide to join the NHS cause I enjoyed the caring nature of the public sector and I didn’t like the atmosphere in the private sector. I also thought the reputation of the graduate scheme was really good and would give me really good opportunities to progress in the future.

Where are you working now?

At the moment I’m working for acute hospital in a mainly operational role as it’s my first placement. I’m also studying for a post graduate diploma in HR management with Middlesex university. I do that one week every two months.

What projects are you working on right now?

I’m currently working on operational work.  Which means that I’m spending most of my time working along side managers, helping them out with their HR issues. Arh I’m helping with disciplinaries, grievances, sickness, I’ve written a policy. And basically my work is very varied and I do different things every day.

Describe your most impressive achievement so far:

My most impressive achievement to date has to be writing a policy. I wrote a secondment policy for my trust. This that meant doing all the research for it and then writing it. At the end I had to meet up with different managers and discuss what changes needed to be made, anything that they thought needed to be taken out or added.  I think it was good for me cause it meant I got really involved with what was happening in my organisation and gave me a sense of belonging with work.

What is most rewarding about working in the NHS?

I think one of the best things is that I see that you can make real a difference to the staff that are working there their especially being part of the HR scheme. I’ve see a real difference in things that I’ve implemented like if I’ve had a meeting with a member of staff whose not been happy with the way things have been happening.  I’ve tried to put in a change for that and its interesting to see them a few months later. I think that’s one of the most rewarding things to see.

How do you see your career developing?

Over the next 5 years or so I really hope to see my self developing within the HR department. Hopefully getting to the point of HR manager by that time.

What do you get up to outside of work?

At the weekends I like to try see as much of my family and friends as possible. I like going travelling around different places, seeing new things. I also try and get as much exercise as I can.

What are the benefits of getting on the NHS Graduate Scheme?

I think if hadn’t got on the graduate scheme, I would of found it really hard to get a job within HR. As most jobs you need the qualification for. This gave me the chance to do the qualification whilst working on the graduate scheme. I think now I’m actually on it, its been much better for me in terms of my career as this gives me much more of a chance to progress within the NHS afterwards. 

What advise would you give to those people who are considering applying?

Before applying on the Graduate scheme I was quite worried as I didn’t have any experience in HR.  So my advise to people applying, if you are worried just go for it as all the training is given to you on the job.

Richard Houghton – Informatics

Introduction:

Hi, my name is Richard Horton. I graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer studies. I followed this up in 2002 with a Post Graduate Certificate of Education specialising in Information and Communication Technology.

Why did you join the NHS and the Graduate Scheme?

I first joined the NHS in 2003 working as a temp in microbiology lab and also a community clinic. My first contract with the NHS was in 2004 working in Primary care. I’m currently on a NHS Informatics Graduate Training Scheme specialising in Health Informatics.

Why did you join the NHS?

I wanted to work for the NHS, because I feel it’s a dynamic organisation. With a particular interested in IT and communications I believe I have a lot to give to the NHS. Equally I believe the NHS has a lot to give back to me.

Where are you working now?

While on the scheme you will be exposed to numerous NHS environment’s such as Acute Hospital Trust’s, Primary Care trusts and Strategic Health Authorities. The experience and training provided will not only enable you to do your current job but also provide you with the skills needed to become future inspirational leader of the NHS. 

What projects are you working on right now?

I’m currently based in Sheffield where my day to day role has been working on a connecting for Health IT Solution, working with commissioners to enable service redesign and promoting knowledge sharing within the organisation. This can include collaborative working with local authority and communities.

Describe your most impressive achievement so far:

My most impressive achievement so far is working with a commissioning group that champions long terms conditions such as CHD, diabetes and COPD.  As part of this group and the outcomes that were delivered we were rewarded not only the Chronic Decease Long-Term Management Award but also the Secretary State Award at the HSJ Award Ceremony. 

What is most rewarding about working in the NHS?

The NHS is a challenging yet stimulating organisation to work for. I was recently at a practise which show cased patient representations of how they currently access their medical records, an on-line appointment system and also their repeat prescriptions. I was amazed to hear an 80 year old lady speak about her new experiences and how it improves her life.  I believe through health informatics the NHS can not only improve patient’s lives but make a real difference to those around them.

How do you see your career developing?

The NHS is dynamic organisation, and perhaps Health’s Informatics even more so. It underpins all aspects of the NHS from the hospital PAS (Patient Administration System) through to shared medical records. Where do I see myself in five years? Hopefully in a position to inspire and lead others with the use of information in IT.

What do you get up to outside of work?

Outside of work I have a particular interest in sport. I’m currently training for my first triathlon which involves swimming, cycling and running. More leisurely activities I enjoy include reading and photography. 

What are the benefits of getting on the NHS Graduate Scheme?

The Health Informatics scheme is a relatively new scheme, yet the importance of the information in the NHS is something we can’t do without. To be part of this and to travel through it as an early adopter is not only exciting but challenging.

What would you give advice to those people who are considering applying?

If you’re interested in applying for this scheme or indeed any the other graduate training schemes. I would suggest you need hard work, dedication and the ability to travel also to promote collaborative working with partners such as local authorities. If you able to answer yes to any of these or indeed all of these I looked forward to working with you in the future.

Lucy Connor - General Management

Introduction

Hi my name’s Lucy Connor and I graduated from the University Liverpool with a degree in physiology.

When did you join the NHS and the Graduate scheme?

I joined the NHS in 2007 on the general management scheme.

Why did you join the NHS?

I chose the Grads scheme because I wanted to do something that used my degree. I chose the NHS because I wanted to work in the public sector and I’ve always been interested in healthcare.

Where are you working now?

Being on the scheme is really good we do action learning sets where we all sit around and you talk through a problem. We do experiential learning which is more hands on learning, and I am also doing my diploma in healthcare management.

What projects are you working on right now?

I’m currently managing the orthotics department in the royal orthopaedic hospital in Birmingham my tasks involve day to day running such as sickness and appraisal and I am also involved in the servisory tender.

Describe your most impressive achievement so far?

One of the biggest things in the NHS is waiting lists, I have been involved in implementing a range changes that have reduced the Orthotics waiting list by 11 weeks.

What is most rewarding about working in the NHS?

The NHS affects the lives of everybody at some point the most rewarding thing is to be able to see the changes to peoples lives first hand.

How do you see your career developing?

My current placement is operational I am then going to do a 2 month placement in the voluntary sector followed by a more strategic placement I don’t know which area I would like to focus on at the moment but I would like to be a senior manager within 5 years.

What do you get up to outside of work?

I like watching sport particularly rugby and football and I also play in a local netball team.

What are the benefits of getting on to the NHS graduate scheme?

The scheme means that you can join the NHS at a level that would otherwise take years to achieve it also means that you get operational placements and strategic placements so that you can decide areas you would like to focus on.

What advice would you give to those people who are considering applying?

Be prepared to work hard you get out what you put in but it’s a really enjoyable and a really rewarding scheme.

Olivia Taylor - Informatics

Introduction

My names Olivia I graduated last year 2007 from Manchester University with a psychology degree.

When did you join the NHS and the Graduate Scheme?

In October last year 2007 I joined the information management training scheme.

Why did you join the NHS?

I wanted to work for the NHS because I wanted to be in a job where I was helping people and as it’s such a big business there’s obviously lots of job opportunities.

Where are you working now?

Its really hard to be specific about the training that we’ve received whilst on this scheme I’ve just actually received my prince 2 foundation certificate which has taught me how to manage projects and has given me a lot more confidence in the work place.

What projects are you working on right now?

I’ve taken on the role of an information analyst in Liverpool primary care trust, my main area of responsibility has been working on a suicide audit for the pct. This has involved me developing the processes of the audit and also doing the work and now we’re working on evaluating why people are killing themselves and what we can do about it. I have really enjoyed doing this piece of work as it has enabled me to take my psychology background and use some of that knowledge I had around mental health.  


Describe your most impressive achievement so far.

I think my biggest achievement to date has been the work I’ve done on the suicide audit at the pct. It has enabled me to put into practice everything I learnt whilst doing psychology at Uni and help to influence change.

What is most rewarding about working in the NHS?

The most rewarding thing about working for the NHS is being in a job where you can make a difference, my role at the moment enables me to influence change and improve patient care.

How do you see your career developing?

In 5 years time I would like to be in a mangers role where I am able to use information to impact on patient services.

What do you get up to outside of work?

In my spare time I like to go travelling, I’ve just come back from a 3 week trip in Venezuela where I went to meet my best friend who’s been travelling around South America. 

What are the benefits of getting on the NHS Graduate scheme?

I think the scheme is helping in many ways to develop my career in addition to those I am currently working towards a post graduate diploma in health information which will definitely help my career.

What advise would you give to those people who are considering applying?  

I think if you’re questioning whether to apply for the graduate scheme I would say go for it. I had no previous NHS experience before the scheme and it definitely hasn’t been a disadvantage to me.

Thomas Logan - Informatics

Introduction

Hi I’m Tom Logan and I graduated from the University of Manchester.

When did you join the NHS and the Graduate scheme?

I joined the NHS in 2007 on the Informatics graduate scheme.

Why did you join the NHS?

I’ve always wanted to work in the public sector more than for a private company what attracted me specifically to the NHS was the ability to affect so many people in such a good way.

Where are you working now?

So far the experience has been very positive. I feel I’ve learnt a lot and developed many skills through the broad range of training experiences I have received such as project management training.

What projects are you working on right now?

Currently I am working as a data quality officer for the south Staffordshire health informatics service. This involves insuring information flows are complete and accurate this could be in hospitals, GP practises, patient information or staff records. 

Describe your most impressive achievement so far.

My first challenge in the NHS was working at “how it worked” and how information related to this. Gaining this knowledge has helped me do constructive work for the organisation so I consider it my biggest achievement.

What is most rewarding about working in the NHS?

I think the most rewarding thing about working for the NHS is seeing the benefits it brings you hear a lot of bad press about the NHS but its great to see some of the good work it does and be part of the progress it is making.

How do you see your career developing? 

Eventually I’d like to move into more operational management in the NHS but for the next five years I’d like to concentrate on getting a broad range of experience and making the most of any opportunities that come my way.

What do you get up to outside of work?

I like doing all sorts really, playing football going to the pub with my friends, going to the cinema and spending time with my girlfriend.

What are the benefits of getting on the NHS Graduate Scheme?

I think its going to provide me with a great platform. It helps you develop both personally and professionally with skills that you can use for the rest of your career.

What advice would you give to those people who are considering applying?

Don’t assume it’s not for you a knowledge of the NHS or informatics isn’t essential as long as you’re motivated for a career in the NHS and willing to learn then the scheme could be for you.

Michael Kelly - Finance

Introduction

My name is Michael Kelly and I went to Lancaster University.

When did you join the NHS and the graduate scheme?

I joined the finance stream of the NHS graduate management training scheme in September 2007.

Why did you join the NHS?

I decided I wanted to join the Graduate training scheme because of the opportunities that it gave me to work in a large organisation and also the support that they offered to help you develop yourself through professional qualifications and also to develop your abilities as a leader of people.

Where are you working now?

So far my experience of the Graduate training scheme has been brilliant although it was a little hectic to begin with I soon settled down into my role within the organisation and now I feel completely part of the team. With regards to the education element College is a brilliant day where I can concentrate fully on my professional qualifications and take time to meet my colleagues who fulfil similar roles to me but in different organisations.

What projects are you working on right now?

My current role within Doncaster Primary Care trust is financial manager of Business development. This involves the monitoring and the performance management of all new business developments in the area. To do this I have to meet with budget managers and report to the board, I think this is good because it gives me an opportunity to meet people, develop my personal skills and also learn about the processes involved in the budgetary management of the primary care trust.                                                                                                                                               

Describe your most impressive achievement so far.

My main achievements since joining the NHS has been to work within a team that has developed new processes to monitor and performance manage the new business developments. This has been a great achievement because not only has it given me the opportunity to work within a team and develop my personal skills but also it has helped the PCT to improve its performance and its delivery of services to the public. 

What is most rewarding about working in the NHS?

From a personal point of view one of the things that I find most rewarding about being a member of the Graduate training scheme in the NHS is the level of responsibility and trust that is afforded me. This gives me many opportunities to meet with senior management and also the opportunity to develop myself by discussing and sharing opinions with people who have greater experience. Another thing that I find rewarding is working with a group of people who are seriously dedicated to what they do.

How do you see your career developing?

As a first year graduate trainee I am looking forward to Graduating from the scheme in 18 months as a fully qualified chartered management accountant. I would like my first role to be in a position where I could gain managerial experience and also learn more about how the NHS works with a view to developing myself to a level where I could begin to apply for assistant and director level jobs within the next five years.

What do you get up to outside of work?

As for hobbies and interests I like to take time out on the weekends to go and visit my friends, go out socialising and also spend time with my family. I enjoy reading and I also like to watch sport.

What are the benefits of getting on the NHS Graduate Scheme?

I think working in one of the largest organisations in the world will help my career development it throws up new challenges every day and gives me opportunities to learn around every corner. The professional qualification that the NHS sponsors me through will also add great weight to my CV.

What advice would you give to those people who are considering applying?

If I had to give someone interested in joining the Graduate scheme advise it would be don’t be daunted by the size of the organisation when you get there everyone is friendly and you’ll fit in.

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