HCA Jake hopes A Level results will see him achieve dream job in NHS
Today, a Healthcare Assistant in the Children’s Emergency Department (CED) at Royal Derby Hospital, Jake McCandless, is eagerly awaiting his A Level Results as he continues his NHS career and dreams of becoming a paediatric consultant.
Jake began working at Royal Derby Hospital two years ago at just sixteen years old, joining a Covid-19 ward during the height of the pandemic for a few months, before he moved into CED – all while simultaneously studying for his A Levels. Jake has extensive experience in various clinical care settings and he also volunteered for the St John’s Ambulance Service.
Reflecting on what it was like to study and work at UHDB side-by-side, Jake said that he loved it - and that it was mutually beneficial to both his studies and his role to do this: “It’s been amazing that what I’ve learnt in my A Levels has helped me better understand and improve my role at UHDB, while at the same time, what I do here has given me practical experience of what I’ve been learning in my A Levels.
“It’s been great to develop here at UHDB and I can’t wait to take the next step, and whatever my results, I’m just happy to be studying on a course where I can learn how to help people even more”.
The results that he is nervously awaiting will determine whether Jake will study Medicine at Keele University, or Paramedic Science at Anglia Ruskin University.
He said that his experience has cemented his future career aspirations in the NHS: “It’s a bit of an addictive feeling – to be one of those people who has helped out during someone’s worst days, it’s nice to know you’ve made a difference. I like to say I’m saving the world one slice of toast at a time! It’s just nice to know I can help people in some way.”
Jake also credited the team that he works with as keeping him motivated and inspired and said they are like a “second family” to him: “The teamwork is just incredible.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a doctor or a cleaner, everyone is treated equally and we all work together to make good things happen.”
Lauren Cooper, Senior Sister in CED, added “I hope he comes back! He is so motivated and driven in what he does, and always does it with a smile on his face. He is such a valued member of the team and just takes everything in his stride – he is a remarkable person.
“We see such a wide variety of children and cases coming through our doors, and this sets up HCAs really well for further education, where they can learn even more and come back as fully qualified members of staff. It’s such an education rich environment, it’s perfect.”
“We all want to wish him well for his results!”
Best of luck and best wishes to Jake! We hope that the tireless work and dedication he has demonstrated for UHDB is reflected in his results.
Update:
Jake has shared the brilliant news that he has achieved the grades he needs to study Medicine - congratulations Jake! We hope he will join us again in the future as a doctor in paediatrics.
Picture 1: Jake McCandless
Picture 2: Jake McCandless (back left) and his ED 'family'
Picture 3: Jake McCandless, HCA and Lauren Cooper, Senior Sister