From the Royal Navy to the NHS: Paul Hayman’s Journey
Paul Hayman began his career in the Armed Forces as an Artificer Apprentice in 1978 and retired as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, specialising in weapon engineering, in 2004. After 26 years of dedicated service, Paul transitioned to a new role as a workplace quality manager within the NHS.
Interest in the NHS
“The NHS fundamentally has a worthy mission to help local populations get well and stay well,” Paul explains. “I felt I had the background and outlook to make a significant contribution to support this aim.”
Challenges in Transitioning
Paul faced several challenges when seeking employment in the NHS, primarily due to his unfamiliarity with NHS terminology and ways of working. He also felt like he lacked a background in healthcare. “Even in 2004, google was a very valuable resource, plus friends and family members were able to provide enough knowledge to fill the gaps,” Paul recalls. A four-week pre-retirement course in engineering project management at the University of Sussex also helped him with the financial and contractual elements of transitioning to civilian employment.
A varied NHS career
Paul’s first role in the NHS was as a maintenance contracts manager in medical electronics. This position allowed him to leverage his engineering expertise and adapt it to the healthcare environment.
Over the 18 years he has worked for Torbay Hospital, Paul has held five different roles across clinical engineering and facilities management, gaining valuable experience and advancing his career. “There is a very rewarding career and many opportunities to be had,” Paul notes, reflecting on his journey, which also included navigating the challenges of a pandemic.
Transferable Skills
“My skills were quite transferable to clinical engineering, with a little orientation training to align with the nuances of medical device contracts management,” Paul says. He emphasises the importance of being a self-starter, a trait common among ex-Armed Forces personnel, which helped him gain the necessary knowledge and experience to thrive in his roles.
Top Tips for Armed Forces Community Members Applying to the NHS
Paul offers three key tips for fellow Armed Forces community members considering a career in the NHS:
- Every contact is an opportunity – although I wasn’t successful at one early interview, the post-interview discussion resulted in the offer of another role to which I was subsequently appointed.
- There’s a significant cadre of ex-Forces people at Torbay and across the wider NHS, all of whom will be very helpful. Make contact!
- Your can-do attitude and breadth of experience and knowledge are very highly sought after in the NHS, and there are great opportunities available.
A Rewarding Transition
Paul Hayman’s journey from the Royal Navy to the NHS demonstrates the value of transferable skills and the importance of leveraging personal networks and resources during career transitions. His story is a testament to the rewarding opportunities available within the NHS for those with a military background.