We are currently seeking a Senior Lead Innovation and Improvement Projects lead to join our team.
In this blog current members of staff in these roles, share from their perspectives what it’s like working for EMAHSN and the job satisfaction they have.
Find out more about the role and how to apply on our recruitment web page here.
Gemma Summerson, Senior Innovation Lead, Innovation & Improvement projects lead
Being a part of the innovation arm of the NHS, my role within EMAHSN is unique and aligns with my values of advocacy and making a difference which gives me an authentic sense of job satisfaction.
I know that I make a valuable contribution to people’s lives in the programmes I deliver – both to the NHS workforce, which is hugely under pressure and to patients and public, which is whom our national health service is there to support and serve.
To me, the role is different to the standard project and programme management due to the nature of how we work with stakeholders to act as a catalyst to initiate change, so the core skill to ensure you are successful in the role is relationship management to build engagement, buy-in, energy and traction.
I work on our Proactive Care @home and Cardiovascular Disease programmes across the East Midlands, all of which positively impact people close to me such as my family, friends, and my wider community and I am actively supporting the health system to overcome the more recent challenges caused by COVID-19, such as how we access health appointments within GP practices.
My role as a Senior Innovation Lead is varied; I use a multitude of skills, change and improvement methodologies and tools, which makes the work I do interesting as I work differently to adapt approaches to meet the needs of different stakeholders, population groups, and to deliver my programmes. Much of my work involves working in collaboration with partners and working across multiple health and social care organisations to work as collective project teams, with me steering the direction of travel of work to adopt and spread our programmes across our East Midlands geography and achieve positive outcomes for patients.
If you would like to know more before applying, then please feel free to reach out and contact us and we can bring the role more to life!
Rich McBain, Senior Innovation Lead, Innovation & Improvement projects lead
Why did I apply to work at the EMAHSN? For me, I want three things when I think about going for a new job.
Firstly, I want to know I make a difference. After being clinical for so many years the idea of moving away from the ‘frontline’ was scary, but the idea that I would be helping so many more people than I would be able to made it appealing. The sense of achievement I would get if I could make things better for both patients and clinical staff was also appealing. The programmes I am working on at the EMAHSN will undoubtedly achieve this; with better outcomes for patients, better experiences for staff and a reduction in the frustration we all have with the NHS due to smoother pathways and obvious improvements.
Secondly, I want a sense of belonging. Over the years I have worked with many different people, from all walks of life. Many have been brilliant, helpful, fun and I’ve enjoyed many happy times with them. Others not so much… They’re mood hoovers, always saying ‘no’ to new ideas and ways of working, or they’ve not been trustworthy, happy to drop you in it and move on. Here at the EMAHSN, I forget how many times I have commented on how lovely people are. They want you to achieve, they want to share ideas and suggestions as to how your programme can work, share networks with you and generally are just the loveliest people.
Finally, I want a job that works for me. The pandemic showed us that work-life balance was important, probably more important than a lot of us realised. The EMAHSN make it easy to get this balance right. With the hybrid working allowing for both in office and homeworking, being in control of your own diary but with clearly defined and appropriate expectations I have never enjoyed work so much. The salary, parking situation (previous NHS staff will understand this completely) and flexibility make this work one hundred percent for me.
Overall, I have been here a little while now and haven’t looked back. I have learnt so much, had a lot of fun and developed some really lovely relationships with some incredible people. I have felt supported from the first minute and haven’t ever felt that I’ve asked a silly question (I’m sure I have but they’re all too polite to tell me). I would one hundred per cent recommend it.