Sarah's story

Having joined University Hospital Southampton (UHS) as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) just six weeks ago, Sarah’s already settled into our supportive team. Hear all about her first impressions of UHS and why she thinks it’s such an amazing place to start your career in healthcare.

“I like the changing dynamic of a hospital”

Before I joined UHS, I was working in general practice as a HCA. I've always been drawn to helping people out where I could, so when an opportunity came up to work in general practice, I jumped at it. I really enjoyed it, but general practice can be a bit limiting education-wise. I've always been really keen to push myself and learn new things. And although it was a fantastic starting point and gave me the opportunity to develop a lot of skills, I wanted to work somewhere a bit bigger; somewhere with more resources and more things going on. I like the changing dynamic of a hospital.

“I've never worked for a more supportive team.”

When the job came up at UHS, I thought it was going to be really competitive and I was worried about putting myself forward for a role I might not get. But one of my old colleagues gave me the encouragement to go for it. What appealed to me most about joining UHS were the progression and educational opportunities available. And it's such a fantastic Trust. It's been an amazing experience so far - I've never worked for a more supportive team.

“It doesn't matter what background you come from”

As a HCA, you have time to actually sit and talk to families, talk to parents, and help them on that emotional level, not just clinically. One thing that I've loved about it is that it's such an open role in the sense that it doesn't matter what background you come from - you’re there to support anyone who needs it - whether that’s colleagues or patients. 

“UHS really cares about the people that work with them”

What makes UHS different is the support and the security that comes with working here. Every single step of the way, there's been someone there to check in to see how things are going. I've had a structured induction, a clear pathway set for me and they've highlighted how I can go further in my role. There are so many benefits to working for the Trust - including mental health support. UHS really cares about the people that work with them.

“UHS is an amazing place to start your career in healthcare”

If you’re thinking about becoming a HCA at UHS, I would say absolutely go for it. It's such a good place to find your feet. You’ll get so much support from everybody around you and develop lots of new skills. If you like being around people and talking to people, then it's an amazing place to start your career in healthcare.