I chose to apply for the NHS because I felt that, although I wanted to go into finance, I also wanted to gain leadership experience that would allow me to take on managerial roles. The training offered is exemplary and being supported and funded through a professional qualification, CIMA, is invaluable. And, of course, the experience of working in the third largest organisation in the world offers unique challenges and experiences and the opportunities vary so widely that there are no restrictions on where you can drive your career.
I’m just starting a new role in Business Development as Finance Manager, supporting the Local Delivery Plan in the PCT. In just 9 months, I’ve progressed well through the first stage of the examinations to becoming a Qualified Management Accountant and am now well into the next phase of my development. I’m hoping that my biggest achievement will be to streamline the LDP Process to improve the efficiency with which the Trust implements and drives forward new initiatives, and also monitor these on an ongoing basis to ensure the best possible delivery of schemes on time and on budget.
After I make the most of what the scheme has to offer and becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant, I’d like to go into a management role which will help me develop before I take on an Assistant Director role with a view to gaining the experience I need to be a Director and hopefully eventually a Chief Executive. I would like to work in an the Acute sector at some point to gain experience in a more dynamic environment but feel that PCT’s are the driving force behind the future of healthcare provision and in the long term, I’d like to be a part of the development of the NHS from a strategic perspective.