Young Sheffield healthcare scientist is top apprentice
An apprentice healthcare scientist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has won a national award in recognition of her skill and commitment as she pursues a career in the field.
Rebecca Mather, 20, won the Shirley Fletcher Apprentice Award at the Chief Scientific Officer’s Awards in London.
She is an Apprentice Healthcare Science Associate in the GI Physiology Department at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, where she is part of the team treating patients with conditions affecting the digestive system.
She was nominated for the award by Clinical Manager Lynne Smith, who said: “Rebecca joined the GI Physiology team in 2015. From the outset, she stood out as a bright, helpful, caring individual with very well defined career aspirations.
“She successfully completed her level 2 apprentice year and we have employed her on a substantive post; one of the best decisions I have ever made. She undertakes breath tests, assists with set up and calibration of equipment, is undertaking her second patient satisfaction audit, is involved with infection control accreditation and is an absolute joy to work with.”
Rebecca received her award at the Pullman London St Pancras Hotel, in front of around 250 people.
She said: “It was quite daunting in front of all those professors and scientists, but I was very happy and proud of myself, and grateful that I have this job and work in such a great, supportive team at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.”
Rebecca’s ambition is to become a fully-fledged clinical scientist. She was inspired to take up the career after seeing the good care her grandparents received in hospital.
She said: “Since then I have always wanted to work in a hospital and help people. This is a specialised field where sometimes people can be a bit embarrassed about talking about their condition. I like being able to help them overcome that and play a part in their treatment and recovery.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
John Birch, Communications Officer
Tel: 0114 226 8989
Email: john.birch@sth.nhs.uk
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