Michaela Mahoney, IQIPS programme manager and one of our co-chairs for our LGBT+ staff network, tells us her My CUH Story during Healthcare Science Week 2024.
Michaela's role is Improving Physiological Sciences (IQIPS) programme manager which covers audiology, the Emmeline Centre, respiratory, cardiac invasive, cardiac non-invasive and neurophysiology.
Michaela joined in 2000 as a temporary member of staff in the clinical genetics team booking clinics.
From there, she moved to become a personal assistant to the director of genetics and developed an interest in quality management.
In her current role, she supports the areas with their United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation by developing their policies, procedures and audit work.
"I ensure they meet the UKAS IQIPS standards to demonstrate that their service is well run and safe."
When asked what she enjoys most about her role, Michaela answered: "All of it! The teams I work with are so invested and engaged which makes my job satisfying."
The work they do is so important for our patients.
"So many services rely on physiological sciences, so it is essential I work well with them to save time for them where I can so they can do what they do.
"I enjoy working with the specialities in improving efficiencies, interpreting standards and being able to demonstrate the benefit of accreditation which is a badge of excellence they so richly deserve.
"I’m a quality nerd, so I also enjoy streamlining the quality management systems so we can pull trends, develop understanding of how we work and how we can both maintain and improve."
It may sound corny but I like working here to pay back for the times my friends and family have been helped here.
"I did not intend to work in healthcare but the more I worked my way up it seemed obvious to stay and contribute. I also like my role as LGBT+ staff network co-chair, where I can make sure our voice is heard."
On the average day, Michaela has meetings with the specialty leads to develop policy/procedures, works on audits, logging and reconciling findings, and trains staff to use Q-Pulse (including recording training videos to help save time in learning).
She also chairs the heads of service meeting and, at present, is working on preparations for Healthcare Science week.
Michaela's role directly improves our hospitals for patients.
"I feel it benefits patients by being able to save our clinical professionals time so they can do more clinical work in addition, the accreditation provides patients assurance they are being treated by services who demonstrate excellence and expertise which is necessary for positive patient outcomes."