Simone Girdham

"As the ‘Explorer’ type, I need to be inquisitive, self-motivated and resourceful in order to search out information and help people solve problems. It also has enabled me to have a diverse career, working in very different roles. I regularly must check that details are correct when writing up reports and producing action plans, which matches well with the ‘Quality Controller’ type. When briefing people about things that are happening in and around my organisation, I am helping people to improve processes, which really suits the ‘Trainer’ type."

"I am an Organisational Development Improvement Facilitator at my local hospital and as part of a team helps people to be the best they can be at work which ultimately improves performance. In my spare time,I also have several other roles - registrant panel member (for the regulator HCPC), STEM ambassador, presenter/trainer (antimicrobial resistance/sepsis) and biomedical scientist. My role is flexible to meet the current needs of the organisation. This may entail leading a project that will improve staff work/experience; helping the team provide training, by working as a facilitator; or helping people to solve problems by building links between people and teams. The best things about my job is meeting and helping people, improving working lives and ultimately making it better for patients. "

"I have always wanted to be a scientist. I studied Biomedical Science and more recently a master’s in Healthcare Management.I have worked in a range of roles including administration, horticulture and hospitality. I have moved in and out of roles in diagnostic/research biomedical science, combining my work life with my personal desire to travel. The starting salary for a biomedical scientist is about £21,000. I didn’t take a direct route into my current job, but along the way, each job has built upon the previous one. My scientific skills are transferable to almost any setting. This has allowed me to have a portfolio career - this is described as multiple number of jobs rather than just one. This is good for people who enjoy variety and have more than one interest. "

"I love being outdoors including walking and taking my dog to the beach so they can swim! I also like catching up with friends and family as well as going to cafes and restaurants and trying out new places and new food. I love to travel and hope one day to have the opportunity to travel to an unusual place with my job.I enjoy surfing the net and finding out what new ideas are happening globally via Ted Talks, Twitter and Google. The world is changing and I'm prepared to adapt. I enjoy learning and am currently learning about the impact people have on others, particularly when working in teams.I am passionate about how we can improve the impact antimicrobial resistance and sepsis has on patients and works with/supports various groups who are looking to solve these big problems. "

"My typical day at work is a mixture of meeting with people, either informally ('chat') or more formal meetings. The overarching theme is how to improve the working life for these people. It involves understanding what the problem is, discussing possible solutions and then supporting the people to implement their action plan. Less often, I work with the HCPC (a regulator who ensures that biomedical scientists and other professions are competent to do their job) in fitness to practise hearings; visits schools to talk about working in science; presents/trains others about antibiotic resistance and sepsis and also still work occasionally in the laboratory diagnosing infections. "

"Bachelor Degree in Applied Science in Medical Laboratory ScienceMasters in Science in Healthcare ManagementPost-grad modules in Ethics, Quality ControlNEBOSH - this is a health and safety qualificationPrince2 - this is a project management qualificationQuality Improvement - various qualifications"