Next week we’ll be attending the UK Stroke Forum in Aberdeen.
📍You can find us at Stand 59 – we’d love to meet you, share insights, and talk all things stroke care and innovation.
31/10/2025
📣 Event Alert!
Last month we hosted an Application Skills online workshop aimed at aspiring nurses and newly qualifying students. Following on from this, next week we're running an Interview Techniques workshop!🌟
❓What is your role?
My primary role is to line manage a very small team of research delivery staff. I am also involved in direct patient care and help to identify suitable research studies for patients.
We are part of the wider clinical team which is the Clinical Haematology Team and we carry out research primarily in Blood Cancers but also in other Blood Disorders.
❓How did you get into this role?
Alongside my nurse training, I also did a degree in Psychology. I explored the option of developing a career in Psychology and I realised I wanted to be a Clinical Psychologist. The first University that I applied to do the Clinical Psychology training came back to me saying that I didn't have any real research experience.
At that time, I was working as a Registered Nurse and I couldn't fathom how on earth was I going to get research experience. I parked the idea and continued working in my clinical role as a Nurse until one day a Senior Cancer Nurse approached me. She recognised some of the skills that I probably didn't notice I had like good attention to detail, meticulous record keeping and that desire to really understand what's going on in the whole patient’s pathway.
❓What do you enjoy most?
Working in research is exciting for people like me with a clinical background as it gives me the opportunity to work closely with patients, develop my academic and research skills whilst getting to understand the diseases in a lot more detail. I get to be exposed to all the current and potential treatments on the horizon and use all this information to work closely with other Healthcare Professionals in the area to really improve the quality of care that we deliver in our hospital.
03/10/2025
Here's Corina: Research Assistant
Continuing is Corina - a Senior Research Assistant.
❓What is your role?
Bristol Knee group helps deliver research trials, we're also doing an ongoing evaluation of current surgeries in order to provide the best care for our patients.
My role within the team is to help identify possible eligible patients for our studies. I also recruit them and follow the patients up. I help deliver clinical governance projects and I also help my manager set up trials.
❓How did you get into the role?
I started as a healthcare assistant in outpatients and a few years later started as a research assistant. I joined the clinical research practitioner registry; access to lots of different courses and training has made this possible, including doing diplomas in healthcare.
My manager was absolutely brilliant; she really encouraged me into registering, and she helped me with the registration. And because I had a bachelor degree in social work, that helped with the registration, as well as my knowledge and experience.
29/09/2025
🔍Parking Operator - Suhayb
❓What is your role?
My role is customer-facing, where I handle a variety of tasks including issuing permits, managing ID badges, overseeing parking arrangements, and supporting general site operations. I act as a point of contact for both staff and visitors, ensuring smooth access and coordination across different services.
❓How did you get into this role?
Before taking on this position, I worked as a security officer, responding to incidents and conducting site patrols. I initially stepped into this role on a temporary basis to cover for a colleague who had retired. After two weeks of covering the position, I was offered the role permanently based on my performance and familiarity with the responsibilities.
❓Which areas do you work with?
We support all staff members and the public by providing services such as free parking, access to the staff restaurant, issuing permits, and distributing ID badges and temporary passes. We work closely with the security team to manage car park closures and assist with building evacuations during fire alarms. Additionally, we collaborate with the events team to provide equipment like tables, and with clinical governance to support carers with parking and restaurant access.
❓What is your favourite thing about working in this role?
My favourite aspect of this role is the work-life balance it offers, along with being part of a supportive and friendly team. I also enjoy the variety it brings—meeting new people and having different interactions every day keeps the job engaging and rewarding.
24/09/2025
continues this week!
🔍 Security Control Room Operator - Will
❓What is the role?
I work as a Security Control Room Operator at North Bristol NHS Trust, where every day brings the chance to make a real difference. My role includes monitoring CCTV both on-site and off-site, managing access to departments, and coordinating security and parking officers whenever support is needed.
I also handle incoming emails and phone calls to make sure concerns are addressed quickly and smoothly. What I enjoy most is knowing that by keeping everything running safely and efficiently, I’m helping patients, visitors, and staff feel more at ease—making their day a that little more easier.
❓How did you get into this role?
I started my journey at Frenchay Hospital as an X-ray Porter, where I spent three and a half years helping patients get safely and comfortably to and from the X-ray department. It was a role that gave me the chance to work closely with patients, their families, and staff across the hospital, and I really enjoyed being part of their care experience.
During that time, I often spoke with the hospital’s security team and became interested in the vital role they play in keeping everyone safe and supported. After a conversation with the Security Manager, I decided to apply for a position in security, and it turned out to be a great career move. It’s given me the chance to build on my NHS experience while continuing to help patients, visitors, and colleagues in a different but equally meaningful way.
❓Who do you support/what areas do you work with?
I am here to support every ward and department across the hospital, helping them with any issues that come up. Whether it’s ensuring safety, resolving problems, or just being a reliable point of contact, my goal is to make things run smoothly so staff can focus on caring for patients.
❓What is your favourite thing about working in this role?
No two days are ever the same, and that’s what I enjoy most—I never quite know what the day will bring, which keeps the role interesting, rewarding, and full of new challenges.
22/09/2025
🔍 Training Coordinator, Sterile Services - Margaret
❓What is the role?
My name is Margaret Coker and I’m a Training Coordinator in the Sterile Services Department at Southmead Hospital North Bristol Trust; my role is to support staff development and ensure everyone has the right training and competencies to carry out their work safely and effectively. It’s about making sure our team feels confident, skilled, and supported in delivering such an important service.
❓What did you do before this role/how did you get into this role?
I worked as a Decontamination Technician for many years, both outside and within the hospital. That experience gave me a broad knowledge of the role before joining the Trust. Over time, I realised I had a real passion not just for the technical side of the job, but for helping colleagues, sharing knowledge, guiding others and building confidence. That naturally led me into my current role as Training Coordinator with encouragement from management and my experience on the ground
❓What areas do you work with?
I work closely with staff across the Sterile Services Department, supporting them with training, competency reviews and ongoing development. I also work with management to keep our training standard aligned with departmental goals and standard operating procedure. Our work underpins so many areas of the hospital — every instrument that goes through theatres relies on the careful work we do behind the scenes.
❓What is your favourite thing about working in this role?
What I enjoy most is seeing the growth in others — knowing that when our team feels supported and well trained, it directly benefits the Trust and, most importantly, our patients. I’m proud to represent a “hidden career” that plays such a vital role in patient safety.
17/09/2025
✨ continues! ✨
🔍 Nursery Deputy Manager - Helen
❓What is your role?
My name is Helen Iles, and I am one of the Deputy Managers at Saplings Day Nursery. We are a dedicated childcare setting for NHS staff, based at Southmead Hospital, I support the day-to-day leadership and operational management of the nursery. My role involves ensuring high standards of care, safeguarding, and early education for children aged 0–5, in line with the EYFS framework.
❓How did you get into this role?
I joined Saplings Day Nursery in January 2020, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Starting in the baby unit as an Early Years Practitioner, I quickly settled in, building strong relationships with families and supporting the youngest children through their early developmental milestones. My experience and dedication led me to a promotion in April 2023 to Senior Early Years Practitioner, leading and mentoring the Toddler Team, where I took on greater responsibility for planning, team support, and ensuring high-quality learning experiences across the setting in accordance with OFSTED Regulations, whilst also encompassing the NHS Values.
In June of this year, I was offered the opportunity to cover maternity leave in a management role. Having previously held similar responsibilities, I felt confident stepping into the position and saw it as a valuable chance to further develop my leadership skills. This transition has allowed me to contribute more to the nursery’s operations, support staff development, and uphold our commitment to outstanding care and education. Working within an NHS setting has deepened my understanding of inclusive practice and multi-agency collaboration, especially when supporting children with complex needs.
❓Who do you support and what areas do you work with?
As Deputy Manager, I work closely with Helen Dacre our Nursery manager to help keep the nursery running smoothly. I support her by overseeing day-to-day operations, helping with staff management, and I also act as a point of contact for staff and families when Helen is unavailable, helping to resolve issues and keep communication flowing. Whether it’s supporting children with additional needs, coordinating training, or stepping in to lead a room, I’m always ready to help where needed!
❓What is your favourite thing about working in this role?
Working as Deputy Manager at Saplings Day Nursery is such a rewarding and varied role. Even though I’m now office based, I still make time to be in the rooms with the children, which is where my passion for early years shines (and I am pretty good at making playdough too!). Spending time with them reminds me why I chose this career in the first place. No two days are ever the same, and that’s what keeps it exciting. One moment I might be supporting a staff member with planning or training, and the next I’m helping a child settle in or working with families who need extra support.
15/09/2025
🚨 Calling all aspiring and advancing nurses! 🚨
📣 Don’t miss your chance to unlock the secrets to a winning application.
📅 Tuesday 23rd September | 1:45–3:00 PM
đź’» Online via Microsoft Teams
❓What is your job role and what does it involve?
I’m a Clinical Scientist specialising in rehabilitation engineering, working at the Electronic Assistive Technology Service. We provide assistive technology to help people gain independence through access to their environment and computers. We prescribe equipment for those unable to use standard controls, like remote controls or keyboards, and offer all appointments in patients’ homes. The role includes lots of travel, patient interaction, adapting communication, using varied tech, and creative problem solving.
❓What did you do before this role/ how did you get into this role?
I studied biomedical engineering at university before joining the NHS as a trainee clinical scientist through the Scientist Training Programme. Through the training I was exposed to a wide range of services within the rehabilitation engineering field and developed an interest in scientist roles that were patient facing. Following my training, I found a job working for the Electronic Assistive Technology team.
❓Who do you support/what areas do you work with?
The service is available to people of all ages, diversities, medical conditions (acquired or congenital) and place of residence (independent living, with family, residential care, nursing home), who have a severe disability, which restricts their ability to independently operate standard means for control of the environment and access to computer technology, for example remote-control handsets or telephones or computer mice, keyboards or touch screens.
❓What is your favourite thing about working in this role?
I enjoy working in a patient facing role and using my engineering background to solve problems that people are facing in their day to day lives. Many of my patients are living with neurological conditions with rapidly progressive components and have recently lost the ability to do things that they have never had to think about before, such as FaceTiming a family member. Giving people back a little bit of control can sometimes make a big difference and being a part of that is incredibly rewarding.
08/09/2025
✨ ✨
🔍 Medical Photographer - Shay
❓What is the role?
No two days are the same in my role as a Senior Medical Photographer. I’m part of a small, dedicated team that covers most areas of the hospital—photographing patients on wards, in clinics, and even in operating theatres. We also work in purpose-built photography and video studios.
On any given day, we might be asked to document patient wounds, skin conditions, trauma cases during surgery, or support clinics such as burns. These images play a vital role in patient care: they help track the progression of conditions, assist in diagnosis, and support the education of trainee clinical staff. Our work also contributes to medical publications and research.
❓How did you get into this role?
I’ve been a Medical Photographer at NBT for 16 years. My journey started with a photography degree at university. During that time, a friend’s mum—who worked as a medical secretary at Southmead—told me about the role. She used to file patient photographs into medical records, and as soon as I learned the job existed, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do. Three years into the role, I completed a postgraduate certificate in Clinical Photography to deepen my expertise.
❓Who do you support and what areas do you work with?
Our team collaborates with a wide range of specialties across the hospital, including Plastics, Orthopaedics, Dermatology, and Neurology. We use specialist equipment to produce images that help plan treatment or surgeries, support skin cancer diagnoses, and monitor wound healing over time.
❓What is your favourite thing about working in this role?
I feel incredibly privileged in my role. I get to meet remarkable people and often see them at different stages of their healthcare journey, witnessing their progress firsthand. While the work can be emotionally challenging, especially in sensitive cases, it’s also deeply rewarding to know that what we do makes a real difference in patient care.
05/09/2025
🚨 Calling all dynamic Registered Nurses! 🚨
Are you passionate about Emergency Medicine and ready to make a real impact? Join our cutting-edge Emergency Department — a major trauma centre with a dedicated, multidisciplinary team and state-of-the-art facilities!
âś… Work alongside specialists in a collaborative environment
âś… Gain hands-on experience managing complex emergency cases
âś… Be part of a purpose-built Emergency Zone designed for exceptional patient care
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Choosing your next career step can be a challenging process. Whether you've gathered years of experience or have recently graduated, it's often accompanied with lots of questions...
'What will the clinical teams be like?'
'Will there be chance for management or clinical progression?'
'How does the hospital flow? What are the wards like?'
With our engagement events, we aim to make the process of exploring our career opportunities clear, simple, and informative. To start, you’ll be welcomed into presentations led by clinical representatives, who offer a detailed insight into the pioneering clinical treatments and medical technology involved in their specialties.
Perhaps you’ll be inspired by our pioneering approach to preoperative and postoperative care, and want to learn more about a career within our medirooms.
Perhaps you’ll hear more about our expanded thrombectomy service, a life-changing procedure that reverses the effects of severe strokes.
During our presentation, you can better understand how this clinical development can transform your stroke nursing career.
You’ll have the opportunity to take a tour across Southmead Hospital, where you’ll see where our on-site clinical skills training takes place and walk through the Brunel Building’s atrium.
We also organize smaller tours of the ward you’d like to work in, giving you a chance to meet the multidisciplinary team you’ll be working with.