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.
From 1st Oct 2024, our treatment prices are going up by 5%. All appointments booked on or before 30th September 2024 will be honoured at our current prices, so don’t delay, book your consultation today!
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.”
Job title | Location | Contract type | Schedule type | Closing date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Nurse Practitioner | HMP Winchester | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Learning Disability Nurse | Suffolk HMP Highpoint | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Primary Care Nurse | West Midlands HMP Oakwood | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Pharmacy Technician | HMP Leicester | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Sexual Health Nurse | HMP Stocken | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Public Health Nurse | HMP Stocken | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Mental Health Nurse | HMP Lancaster Farms | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Pharmacy Technician | HMP Lancaster Farms | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Primary Care Nurse | HMP Dovegate | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Senior Substance Misuse Nurse | HMP Winchester | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Primary Care Nurse | Bucks Prisons HMP Grendon & Spring Hill | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Occupational Therapist | HMP Ford | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Pharmacy Technician | HMP Stocken | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Pharmacy Technician | West Midlands HMP Stafford | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Pharmacy Technician | London HMP Wormwood Scrubs | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Night Nurse | West Midlands HMP Stafford | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Senior Mental Health Nurse | Heathrow IRC | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Staff Nurse | West Midlands HMP Stafford | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Senior Primary Care Nurse | Suffolk HMP Highpoint | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 1 Oct 2024 |
Healthcare Assistant | HMP YOI Hatfield | Prison Healthcare | Permanent | 30 Sep 2024 |
You’ll find a wealth of information in our knowledge hub.