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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Nurse / Clinical Practitioner | Brighton Station GP & Walk-in Centre | General Practices | Permanent | 4 Aug 2025 |
| Endoscopy Healthcare Support Worker/Decontamination Tech | Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre St Marys Portsmouth | Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics | Permanent | 4 Aug 2025 |
| Initial Assessment Practitioner | Practice Plus Group Urgent Treatment Centre Southampton | Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics | Permanent | 4 Aug 2025 |
| Advanced Nurse / Clinical Practitioner | North East Essex Out Of Hours | Out of Hours (OOH) | Self employed | 1 Aug 2025 |
| MSK Physiotherapist – HMP Grendon & HMP Springhill | Bucks Prisons HMP Grendon & Spring Hill | Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics | Permanent | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Bank Pharmacist | Thames Valley HMP Bullingdon | Prison Healthcare | Casual/Bank | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Advanced Clinical / Nurse Practitioner | Warwickshire Out Of Hours | Out of Hours (OOH) | Self employed | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Advanced Nurse / Clinical Practitioner | Worcester Out Of Hours | Out of Hours (OOH) | Self employed | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Advanced Nurse Practitioner | North West London CAS | Out of Hours (OOH) | Self employed | 31 Jul 2025 |
| MRI Radiographer | Practice Plus Group Diagnostics Buckinghamshire | Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics | Permanent | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Podiatrist – HMP Preston, HMP Kirkham and HMP Lancaster Farms | HMP Preston | Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics | Permanent | 31 Jul 2025 |
| MSK Physiotherapist – HMP Bullingdon | Thames Valley HMP Bullingdon | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Advanced Physiotherapist Practitioner | Practice Plus Group MSK & Spinal Service Lincolnshire | Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics | Permanent | 31 Jul 2025 |
| MSK Physiotherapist – HMP Ford | HMP Ford | Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics | Fixed Term | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Podiatrist – HMP Dovegate | HMP Dovegate | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Podiatrist – HMP Isle of Wight | HMP IOW | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Podiatrist – HMP Werrington | West Midlands HMYOI Werrington | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Self-Employed Podiatrist – HMP Werrington | West Midlands HMYOI Werrington | Prison Healthcare | Self employed | 31 Jul 2025 |
| Senior Psychologist | HMP Stocken | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 30 Jul 2025 |
| Outpatients Healthcare Assistant | Practice Plus Group Hospital Southampton | Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics | Permanent | 30 Jul 2025 |
News and blogs
You’ll find a wealth of information in our knowledge hub.
