Publish date: 13 March 2024
Today we continue our look at roles within Healthcare Science - meet Holly.
What is your name, role and where is your place of work?
My Name is Holly Benson, I am a Trainee Respiratory and Sleep Clinical Physiologist and I work in the Respiratory and Sleep department at Blackpool Victoria hospital.
Describe a day in the life of your role
A day in the life of my role typically varies as I switch between both specialisms of respiratory and sleep. One day I can be performing lung function testing which involves performing diagnostic tests such as spirometry, transfer factor and lung volumes measurements which are essential in assisting with the diagnosis and monitoring of lung conditions and assessing for pre-op fitness. More recently I have started performing exercise testing in the form of 6-minute walk tests which will become a more regular part of my daily role. On another day, I may be more involved in the sleep side of the service, setting up sleep studies on new patients to assess for obstructive sleep apnoea along with issuing CPAP machines as new treatment and following up patients, troubleshooting any issues they may be experiencing. Along with this, I am also undertaking the healthcare science degree at Manchester metropolitan University which allows me to attend university one day week, so daily study is an essential part of my day.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
There are several things I enjoy about my role but one of the main things I love if that I can combine my passion of working with people, with my interest in physiology/anatomy. This role allows me to communicate with people from all walks of life along with being able to apply my study of the anatomy at university to real life situations within the workplace to help continuously progress my knowledge.
What was your career path to the position you’re in now?
I started within the department at the age of 20, at a band 3 as an assistant practitioner. I have completed several in-house qualifications which allowed me to gain my band 4 Associate practitioner role where I achieved my ARTP Associate level certificate. With lots of experience under my belt, at the age of 28, I am now a trainee clinical physiologist completing my degree as part of the trusts apprentice scheme.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
My biggest achievement to date was obtaining the ARTP Susan Davies award in 2021 when completing my ARTP associate level certificate. This is the first award I have won for my educational efforts and was given to me as I obtained the highest mark in the country or the qualification that year.
Anything else you’d like to add?
A career is healthcare science is often overlooked due to the lack of publicity and knowledge around the field. If you are interested in a rewarding role that involves patient care, problem solving, is fast paced and have an interest in anatomy and physiology this may be the career for you!
If you'd like to know more about working in Healthcare Science, please see this page for more information Healthcare science | Health Careers
