Publish date: 4 March 2024
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is celebrating National Careers Week and profiling a number of colleagues to showcase the variety of roles and careers here at our Trust.
National Careers Week is an opportunity to help you become more aware of your career plans and also to help make you excited about your future.
Today we meet Liza Fairclough and learn about her journey from the finance sector to the NHS.
Tell us a little about yourself
I have been working at the Trust for 14 years and I started as a Health Care Assistant part time within Theatres. In my first 12 months I completed my NVQ level 3 in Perioperative Care which was supported by the Trust.
In 2011 I applied to undertake the Assistant Practitioner training at UCLAN, this was a 2-year foundation degree again supported by the Trust. In 2013 I graduated with a foundation degree with merit and I continued to work in Theatres. During this time I was offered the opportunity to undertake my Operating Department Practitioner degree at UCLAN for a further 3 years, achieving a first class honours degree.
In 2019 I undertook a post as a Ward Senior Practitioner and in 2020 I returned to Theatres as an Anaesthetics and Recovery Lead. In 2021 the Trust supported me to return to UCLAN to achieve a level 7 in Recognising and Responding to the Acutely Unwell Patient which I gained in 2022.
In March 2022 I undertook the role as HCA Recruitment and retention Pastoral Lead and in this post, I was supported by the Trust to undertake a level 3 award in Education and Training at Blackpool & the Fylde College.
Career journey
Prior to working at the Trust, I worked for 26 years in the financial industry working with corporate and blue-chip clients. Whilst working at the Trust I have had the opportunity to undertake numerous teaching opportunities such as Basic Life Support and Fundamentals of Care as well as Canulation to all our new HCAs. I am also trained in staff wellbeing and support, simulation fractality training, recognising domestic abuse, mental health, non-invasive ventilation, SWAN champion, Freedom to Speak up Champion and a Digital Champion, all this training has been supported by the Trust.
Benefits of working at the Trust
For me it’s the robust training programmes that the Trust offer. For those who want to progress in their careers, the Trust supports many apprenticeships such as Trainee Nurse Associate, Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship & Allied Health Professional opportunities. As well as working with a wide range of disciplines and supportive teams, the pay is good, and you have the opportunity of paying into an NHS pension.
Would you recommend Blackpool Teaching Hospitals as a place to work?
Yes Definitely! The culture here is brilliant and we are a teaching hospital, so the Trust supports growing our own and it’s a safe place to work.
What advice would you give someone thinking of a career in the NHS?
Never be afraid to give it a try. It’s better to regret the things you have tried to those you haven’t! Look into the role and what’s required, make sure you have a good understanding of what you would be doing. We have a great volunteering team if you are not ready for the world of work and we also support work experience at the Trust.
Future Plans
From March 2024 I will be starting a new role as an Associate Practice Education Facilitator. I will be supporting the TNAS, RNDA and AHPS learners within the Trust which allows me to share my knowledge and skills with our future healthcare professions.
If you're interested in working for our Trust and want to know more, please visit our vacancy pages or NHS Careers NW
