This Allied Health Professionals Day we wanted to shine a spotlight on just some of our hard working and passionate AHPs to celebrate their professions and showcase to others the impact they make to the delivery of high quality care.

Melissa, our Dietetic Support Worker tells all about her long-term goals in Dietetics and how locum work gives her the flexibility she needs with a young family.

Why did you choose Dietetics as a career path?

With an early interest in food and how it can benefit a wide range of health conditions, and a love of science, nutrition and dietetics always was the perfect course for me.  With a degree in nutrition, I always enjoy helping people and their families improve their lifestyles and reduce complications brought about from a wide range of conditions.  My long term goal is to go back to University to complete a Master’s Degree in Dietetics.    

What do you enjoy most about being a Dietitian Support Worker?

Being a dietetic support worker can bring a variety of different tasks meaning you never get bored!  Working as the support worker I get to work alongside all dietitians and get an insight to all disciplines.  I also get a nice variety of office and domiciliary work so I am never in the same place for too long.  This allows me to learn and develop a range of new skills which I always enjoy!  

How have you found the experience of working as a DSW during the pandemic?

Working through the pandemic has come with its challenges as job roles can change rapidly requiring you to have to adapt and learn new skills quickly.  Although our jobs were changing quickly and face to face contact was reducing, a service was developed to allow me to go out and weigh patients for the Dietitians.  This quickly became a life line for patients who were isolating on their own and we became their only form of contact. This made my job even more rewarding and fulfilling to know I was helping some patients with social interaction.  

What do you like most about working with Direct Medics?

Direct Medics first gave me the opportunity to gain experience within a healthcare setting and since then they have been amazing at finding me work that suits my lifestyle and experience. The staff are always very approachable and on hand to provide help and guidance if a problem should occur.  Weekly pay is also a nice bonus!

What do you enjoy most about locum work?

Flexibility is one of the most appealing aspects of locum work.  With a young family locum work allows me to still pursue the career I have studied towards but gives me the time to spend with my family. It also allows me to work in different placements and gain knowledge of different systems and areas within dietetics.   

Thank you to Melissa and all other Allied Health Professionals for their constant hard work and dedication to care especially throughout the recent pandemic.

If you are interested in learning more about Allied Health Opportunities in Northern Ireland or England, please visit our jobs board or contact our AHP team on 028 9059 0077.