Nurse holding a clipboard in secure environments, prisons in HiJ

Gemma Birch: HCA and trainee nursing associate, HMP Oakwood

While many youngsters dream of training as a hairdresser, for Gemma Birch the reality did not deliver.

While many youngsters dream of training as a hairdresser, for Gemma Birch the reality did not deliver on the fulfilment she wanted from a career. Then a chance came to study for a career that would help her change the lives of those around her.

“I enjoyed hairdressing and the interaction with lots of other people, but it wasn’t enough. I knew I wanted to give more and so I started taking on care roles in addition. I really enjoyed supporting people with learning disabilities and other challenges.”

Gemma speaking honestly about her career

Gemma decided to commit to a career in care full-time and joined the team at HMP Oakwood. She said: “They are a wonderful team who support each other and are always there for you. It is one of the great things about working here. The other thing is the number of courses that are made available, and the training that is open to us.

“When Practice Plus Group offered me the chance to take on a nursing associate apprenticeship through the Open University, I jumped at it. My colleagues support me and the GPs and senior nurses act as mentors as I shadow them, and they sign off my work as proof for the course of my developing skills.”

Gemma, 27, is enjoying her course so much she is planning to study an extra year in order to become a registered nurse.

She said: “It has been a wonderful chance to revitalise my career and to ensure that, for my working life, I will be able to make a difference to the wellbeing of others.”

Share

Current vacancies

Job title Location Contract type Schedule type Closing date
Bank Recovery Practitioner Practice Plus Group Hospital Shepton Mallet Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics Casual/Bank 18 Jul 2025
Surgical First Assistant Practice Plus Group Hospital Shepton Mallet Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics Permanent 18 Jul 2025
Lead Theatre Practitioner – Anaesthetics Practice Plus Group Hospital Shepton Mallet Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics Permanent 18 Jul 2025
Registered Nurse – Ophthalmology Practice Plus Group Ophthalmology North West Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics Permanent 18 Jul 2025
Registered Nurse – Ophthalmology Practice Plus Group Ophthalmology North West Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics Permanent 18 Jul 2025
Scrub Practitioner Practice Plus Group Hospital Shepton Mallet Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics Permanent 18 Jul 2025
Podiatrist – HMP Dovegate HMP Dovegate Prison Healthcare Permanent 30 Jun 2025
Podiatrist – HMP Isle of Wight HMP IOW Prison Healthcare Permanent 30 Jun 2025
Bank Registered Nurse – Day Ward Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre St Marys Portsmouth Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics Casual/Bank 30 Jun 2025
Podiatrist – HMP Werrington West Midlands HMYOI Werrington Prison Healthcare Permanent 30 Jun 2025
Self-Employed Podiatrist – HMP Werrington West Midlands HMYOI Werrington Prison Healthcare Self employed 30 Jun 2025
Pharmacist Suffolk HMP Hollesley Bay Prison Healthcare Permanent 27 Jun 2025
Healthcare Assistant – Theatre Practice Plus Group Hospital Shepton Mallet Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics Permanent 27 Jun 2025
Senior Psychologist HMP Stocken Prison Healthcare Permanent 26 Jun 2025
Senior Psychologist HMP Onley Prison Healthcare Permanent 26 Jun 2025
Pharmacist HMP Belmarsh Prison Healthcare Permanent 25 Jun 2025
Advanced Nurse / Clinical Practitioner Worcester Out Of Hours Out of Hours (OOH) Self employed 24 Jun 2025
Nurse/Paramedic Practitioner – Bank Contract Practice Plus Group Urgent Treatment Centre St Marys Portsmouth Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics Casual/Bank 18 Jun 2025
Bank Theatre Practitioner – Scrub Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre St Marys Portsmouth Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics Casual/Bank 16 Jun 2025
Pharmacy Assistant HMP Brixton Prison Healthcare Permanent 15 Jun 2025

News and blogs

You’ll find a wealth of information in our knowledge hub.