Prepared for the challenges ahead – with East Midlands Ambulance Service
“There’s a vast array of career paths open to you at EMAS – from finance, project management, and maintaining our vehicle fleet or estates, to frontline clinical roles. Each path opens up different experiences, but all of them offer a career for life”, says Army Veteran, Kevin Thorne.
Kevin Thorne began his career in the Army Catering Corps (ACC) as an Apprentice in 1979. After completing his apprenticeship, he Served as a Chef in the ACC and the Royal Logistics Corps, both at home (UK) and abroad. After progressing to Warrant Officer Class 1, Kevin was selected for commissioning. He Served as a Royal Logistic Corps Officer, Administration Officer, Careers Management Officer and a Quartermaster (Technical) until his retirement as a Major in 2014.
Kevin has worked for East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS) since leaving the Military. Now 10 years into his NHS career, Kevin is a senior human resources advisor and EMAS’s Armed Forces Lead, providing recruitment support to applicants with a Military background. He also leads projects which support EMAS’s reputation as a Forces friendly employer and is Chair of their Armed Forces Network. Kevin works with colleagues across the organisation to ensure that EMAS remains a great place to work for Veterans, Service-leavers and Reservists.
Resettlement
“My Military career required a vast amount of personal and professional adjustment – especially when I moved to an administrative role. However, my experience of adapting to each new posting prepared me for the challenges that lay ahead.
When I retired after 35 years’ Service, I was unsure where life as a civilian would take me. However, I had plenty of skills that stood me in good stead for resettlement. I decided to harness my experience of people management, and obtained the qualifications required to continue my career in human resources and organisational development.
My job search was not without disappointment. I experienced a number of setbacks and unsuccessful interviews. But my perseverance paid off when an opportunity arose to join the NHS.
I immediately saw strong parallels between the NHS and the Military. Reservists, Veterans, Service-leavers, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers all have a huge range of transferable skills that are fundamental to delivering our NHS. Leadership, teamwork, decision-making, compassion, and a willingness to learn are chief among them. That’s why at EMAS we guarantee an interview to Forces leavers who meet the essential criteria in the job specification.
My Forces career was hugely rewarding and I would not change it one bit, but I am equally proud to be part of EMAS and the NHS, contributing towards saving lives in my community.”
Join Team EMAS
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust employs over 4,300 staff across the region. Our services are supported by over 1,550 volunteers. Together, we provide urgent and emergency care that saves lives.
We regularly advertise vacancies for frontline and supporting roles.
For EMAS Armed Forces recruitment enquiries, contact: Kevin.Thorne@emas.nhs.uk
For our latest vacancies, visit: www.emas.nhs.uk/join-team-emas/armed-forces
