“Applying My skills”

Off By Ed Hanna

Lucie Cornish is the Assistant Director of Therapies and Health Science here at Powys Teaching Health Board (PHTB). Here she tells us about how her Military skills have helped her back on civvy street…

What’s your Military background?
I Served for 11 years as a Physiotherapy Officer in the British Army, working across a variety of locations both in the UK and on operations.

I decided to leave the Army while on maternity, to enable greater stability for my family as my husband was also a Serving officer in the RAF at the time. I attended a Step into Health event in London which was valuable in my understanding of the options for support in pursuing an NHS career and I was supported with CV and application writing through this route and through my local education centre.

How did you come to work for Powys Teaching Health Board?
I did my junior rotations as a physiotherapist in the NHS prior to joining the Army, so I already had experience of the NHS which made the transition easy, but I know that those without previous experience are also really well supported. I started working for Powys Teaching Health Board in January 2021 as Assistant Director of Therapies & Health Science. Before that, I had worked as a Director of Operations in private healthcare and as the clinical project lead on a major hospital construction project in South Wales. I welcomed the chance to move back into a therapies related role in Powys, knowing it would use all the skills the Army had given me. Powys is a huge county but the Covid-19 pandemic increased flexibility for people to work in different ways, often remotely, which was really helpful.

What Military skills were transferable to working with PTHB?
Both in the Military and since leaving, I have taken opportunities where they have arisen which has helped me to adapt to new environments and situations quickly. This was very helpful when joining a new organisation during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Military gave me a wealth of transferable skills in operational management and strategic leadership which have been key in my current role. The benefit of having worked in a different sector cannot be underestimated when trying to find solutions for the challenges the NHS faces today.

What’s it like with PHTB as a Veteran?
There is a lot of autonomy afforded to me in my role and this is the case for many roles in Powys. As a Veteran, I find this very enabling. It is a beautiful county work in, with lots of opportunity for outdoor adventures.

What advice can you offer those thinking of leaving the Forces?
The NHS isn’t just about clinical roles. Look at jobs in terms of core competencies and skills; there are so many roles in the NHS that need the skills gained over the duration of a Military career. Working in the NHS is challenging but it’s a job that allows me to work to my core values which I think is important for many Veterans.