From managing coffee shops to joining the NHS
Cat Townend’s passion for helping people has taken her from managing coffee shops to working on the children’s outpatient unit at Friarage Hospital.
But she decided to take the leap after her friend, who works in the hospital’s cardiology department, told her the Friarage was recruiting a combined role for a CSW/HCA (clinical support worker and healthcare assistant) and said she’d fit right in.
After looking at the job advert, Cat quickly realised that she had a lot of transferable skills that she could bring to the role and decided to put her name forward.
And not long after she was invited to interview and offered the position the same day.
“I’m so glad that I decided to go for it and apply,” she said.
It’s fantastic, it’s completely different to what I was doing before but the teams are really supportive and I feel confident in what I’m doing.
“There’s a nice internal system, if you don’t know something there’s always someone to ask, whether it’s a secretary or someone up at James Cook.
“As long as you’re ok with asking you will get the answer and learn along the way.”
“My role is flexible, so my skillset is incredibly varied – anywhere from neonatal weighing, HBA1CF testing, cyclo-refraction eye drops, ECGs, assisting with bloods, and referral admin or reception work.
I really enjoy being able to make the children's experience of hospital a little easier.”
Looking for a career change?
If you, like Cat, are looking to change your career and join the NHS we regularly have opportunities for you to kick start your career at the Friarage.