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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | Suffolk HMP YOI Warren Hill | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 26 Nov 2024 |
| Bank Primary Care Nurse | HMP Dovegate | Prison Healthcare | Casual/Bank | 26 Nov 2024 |
| Healthcare Assistant | West Midlands HMP YOI Brinsford | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 26 Nov 2024 |
| Primary Care Nurse – Part Time | HMP YOI Doncaster | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Senior Inpatient Care Nurse | HMP Altcourse | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Senior Pharmacy Technician | Thames Valley HMP Huntercombe | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Twilight Nurse | HMP Dovegate | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Bank Primary Care Nurse | HMP Gartree | Prison Healthcare | Casual/Bank | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Nurse/Paramedic Practitioner – Bank Contract | Practice Plus Group Urgent Treatment Centre St Marys Portsmouth | Hospitals, Surgical Centres, MSK and Diagnostics | Casual/Bank | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Lead Recovery Worker | HMP Millsike | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Part Time Advanced Nurse Practitioner | HMP Full Sutton | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Substance Recovery Hub Non-Medical Prescriber | West Midlands Regional | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Substance Misuse Lead | HMP Winchester | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Occupational Therapist | HMP Thameside | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Night Nurse | HMP Dovegate | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Senior Primary Care Nurse | HMP Eastwood Park | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Primary Care Nurse | HMP Gartree | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Night Primary Care Practitioner | HMP Gartree | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Pharmacy Technician | HMP Brixton | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
| Substance Misuse Recovery Worker | HMP Winchester | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 25 Nov 2024 |
News and blogs
You’ll find a wealth of information in our knowledge hub.
