Whenever you hear the phrase ‘careers in healthcare’, what job roles instantly come to mind? For most people, they think of doctors and nurses, followed closely by psychiatrists, psychologists and healthcare assistants. These roles are fundamental to healthcare, especially at Elysium, however behind the scenes of the frontline roles, are dedicated and hardworking individuals in the learning and development team who are committed to building a skilled and capable workforce that is motivated and can achieve their career aspirations. Healthcare is a diverse sector of opportunities, and at Elysium we have a range of opportunities for Training Officers looking to coach and train our staff to provide the best care for our service users.
In this article you will hear from Natalie Newton, Regional Training Officer & Regional Lead STMVA tutor for all the regions, as she tells us about her long-standing 17-year career with Elysium Healthcare. Having kickstarted her career in healthcare at 16 years old as a career in a residential home, Natalie moved her career to Elysium at 21 years old joining as a Healthcare Assistant. As a hardworking, naturally caring and driven young woman, Natalie excelled and after being promoted to a Senior Healthcare Assistant, decided to take up the opportunity to do a nursing qualification through just one of Elysium’s many Learning and Development career development opportunities. However, while in training, Natalie realised that her skillset was better suited to being the trainer rather than the trainee, further developing her passion for helping others.
Hi Natalie! Take us back in time, have you always wanted to work in healthcare?
I have always wanted to work in healthcare since leaving school at 16. I have always been caring; it’s in my nature and I love looking after people. It is fulfilling looking after someone knowing that I am making them happy in the time I am with them. Even if it is 10 minutes of my time, just seeing a smile on someone’s face, doing something positive for them and contributing to them having a better quality of life is the best feeling. When I first left school at 16, I did my NVQ (national vocational qualification) at a residential home and then when I turned 18, they employed me full-time. I then left there and went into the community doing home visits, but as much as I loved looking after people, I didn’t like the vulnerability that they are left in. One visit that stands out to me to this day, is a visit I did to a gentleman at Christmas, who lived on his own and even though his family only lived a few doors down, they dropped his dinner up instead of spending time with him on Christmas day. It made me feel so sad. Sometimes you are the only human contact or conversation that person has, and it is heart-breaking. The hardest part is though I was doing all that I could, I didn’t have the power to make any further change. It would really upset me and play on my mind and that’s why I made the decision to leave wanting a position in care where I could make more of an impact on a daily basis and see that impact first-hand.
Tell us about your career journey with Elysium so far?
One of my friends was working at the Farndon Unit and recommended me for the role of Healthcare Assistant. At 21-years-old I had never set foot into a psychiatric unit, so it was a big eye opener. I smashed it as soon as I started, I am hardworking and good with people, so I was
immediately classed as a Senior Healthcare Assistant. I then got the opportunity to take my STMVA (Safe and Therapeutic Management of Violence and Aggression) qualification, became an A grade student and over time, I became the lead STMVA Tutor for the Farndon site. I then got the opportunity to do my nursing qualification course to become a Nurse Associate and after doing training for a while, I realised that training was my calling. I wasn’t on the ward as much as I had been, and I loved the training side of the course, and I think it is equally as important as being on the frontline. I was back at college so I could get my English and Math’s GCSE, to help me with my nursing qualification, and the position became available as a Training Facilitator for three sites. I took the chance and made the decision to leave the clinical side and move to training.
I worked in the role for a few years, delivering and organizing all the training and then I got pregnant, so they created a role for me as the RTO (Regional Training Officer) specializing in mental health for the whole region and I have been doing that for the past two years. Then my Training Manager recently left so I am now in the interim Regional Training Manager for LD&A (Learning Disability & Autism) services and mental health specialist services. This means I have a team of tutors that I look after; I am training the trainers, and I am the Lead STMVA instructor.
Why did you move across from a clinical position to a training position? What do you love most about being a training officer?
I went down the training route as even though you aren’t directly looking after someone, you are still making a difference. When you are training staff, it is equally as important as you are putting your outlook on it and teaching them exactly how to provide high quality care. I also love that I can see qualities and potential in people that they may not recognise in themselves, and I can support them in taking a step to progress. I also have the authority now to give people more responsibilities and it gives them more of a chance to upskill on the job.
How have you found working at Elysium, have you always felt supported?
I have always had a good relationship with my managers, especially with my current manager Michele as the flexibility, understanding and support I have received, especially as a single mum, has been phenomenal. It means so much to me that they have so much trust in me. In return it makes me want to work harder and give back.
I am also heavily supported when I am studying for my qualifications as I am allowed to work on my assignments in my working hours. I also work on them in my own time too, but to be allowed to work on a qualification to better yourself and allow you to add to your skillset in your working hours is a huge privilege and just shows how invested Elysium are in the growth of their people. There is also such a good progression structure for staff members. There aren’t just opportunities for Nurses, Healthcare Assistants and Doctors, there are growth opportunities for everyone who works there.
What is next for you? Are you doing any further training?
I am currently studying for my level 5 Diploma in Teaching qualification which means I can then teach the staff the level 3 teaching qualification. Once I have completed that, I will be doing my level 5 apprenticeship in education and training. I am able to continue my lifelong passion for helping others by upskilling our staff to provide high quality care.
Feeling inspired by Natalie’s incredible career journey in healthcare? If you are passionate about caring for others and love to consistently challenge yourself, a career in healthcare may be your calling in life. Start your healthcare career journey at Elysium and find the right role for you on our careers page.