Publish date: 9 May 2024
Northumbria Healthcare empowers staff transitioning to clinical roles
Northumbria Healthcare celebrates the success of its staff members, Pauline Barron and Emma Kirby, who have transitioned from non-clinical to clinical roles through the My Next Step programme. This initiative offers employees a chance to experience working in clinical settings, reflecting the trust's commitment to fostering career development.
My Next Step was introduced based on staff feedback and provides a structured pathway for career development. Participants undergo six weeks of paid face-to-face training covering essential clinical topics like nutrition and personal care. Following this, they engage in a two-day shadowing placement with healthcare support workers to gain practical insights into the role.
Pauline Barron, now an occupational therapist technical instructor, emphasises the impact the programme had on her career, saying, "From when I joined Northumbria Healthcare, I had always wanted to work in a clinical role, but I didn’t have the self-belief. My Next Step gave me the opportunity to dip my toes in and build confidence. After completing the program, I knew that a move into a clinical role was something that I wanted to do. More importantly, it gave me the belief in myself that it was something I was capable of doing."
Similarly, Emma Kirby, now a nursing assistant, shares her experience, stating, "I had reached a point in my life where I wanted a new challenge; something different. I’ve always wanted to explore a career on the clinical side of things but didn’t understand how I could make that switch. My Next Step provided a pathway into what I want to do and it gave me the confidence to make the jump."
Catherine Cleugh, clinical practitioner and My Next Step lead, underscores the trust's dedication to empowering staff, saying, "At Northumbria Healthcare, we understand how important it is to provide our people with the opportunities to take ownership of their careers. My Next Step was developed with continued professional development in mind. We hope that people who participate can get a taste of what working in a clinical environment is like and can use that experience to take the next step in their careers like Pauline and Emma.”
Hear more about Pauline and Emma’s story by watching the video below.
Media contact
Christopher Magee, communications and marketing officer
christopher.magee@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk