We spoke to Vernon Johnson, physician's assistant and staff governor at CUH.
Tell us about your background and how you came to work for the NHS?
I have worked in the health sector for 15 years in Trinidad and Tobago. I began as a porter, then advanced to a medical transcriptionist, and after which I progressed to the role of assistant manager in central stores, receiving and distribution of goods.
Continuing my professional development, has enabled me to become an assistant manager in central service supplies. It has been my desire to engage more with patients so I pursued additional courses and training, to became a theatre scrub technician, including roles as an anaesthetic and circulating technician. I worked at one of the leading private hospitals for ten years in the Caribbean.
After marrying my wife who works at CUH as a nurse and midwife, I migrated to England in March 2020. My journey began at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, where I was employed as a support worker and phlebotomist during the pandemic. After two years, I successfully gained employment at CUH as a physician's assistant in April 2022.
I am passionate about my job and strive to be the best I can be. Recently, I completed my training in skills and competencies for paediatrics and am now part of the Paediatric PA team. My aspiration is to pursue a career as an operations department practitioner (O.D.P).
I love interacting with patients and advocating for both patients and colleagues.
What are your current role and responsibilities at CUH?
As a physician's assistant, I work with a team comprising of 64 PA'S.
My main responsibilities include phlebotomy and cannulation of both adults and children (0-16), catheterization of male adults, responding to cardiac arrests across the Trust, managing traumas in the emergency department (ED), and documenting and reporting to the nurse in charge.
What motivated you to become a staff governor, and what are your main responsibilities in this role?
Staff are the lifeline of CUH, therefore, their questions and concerns should be given attention. I was voted in by over 700 staff members as staff governor for the next three years and I will be that voice that brings their perspective to the governing body.
A staff governor’s role is to represent the staff’s interests and bring their perspectives to the governing body. We communicate with staff, work with the governing body, and must at all times act impartially, keeping matters confidential while taking responsibility for learning and development.
I gladly stood for the staff governor role because I felt I could contribute significantly to CUH and represent staff at the Trust board level.
What does a typical day look like for you?
On a typical day, I can be assigned to the emergency department, medical wards or paediatric wards. I vividly remember one instance in the Paediatric ward when a relative said, “Thank you, you are like a gentle giant,” after I cannulated a four-day-old baby. The job has its challenges, as any other job does but one must remain focused and committed. My watch words I adhere to are discipline, tolerance and productivity.
Why do you like working at CUH?
I love working at CUH because of its modern facilities and equipment. Additionally, it is cosmopolitan and embraces colleagues from over 84 countries.
I enjoy meeting people, and the daily interactions with patients and their relatives are fulfilling.
It takes a collaborative effort to ensure CUH remains functional amidst all the current challenges, especially in the realms of stewardship, and to meet the needs of everyone who comes through its doors, even “Henry,” the CUH cat. I am very mindful on a daily basis to show love and respect to every member of staff, as well as patients and relatives, as I walk the halls, ride the lifts and visit various departments at the hospitals.
Working alongside the multidisciplinary team, all dedicated to improving the well-being of every staff member, patient, and relative at CUH, is a great privilege.
What have you learned from the staff governor role that you didn’t know before?
One thing I am learning is the importance of stewardship by managing the interests and concerns of staff effectively while also striving to bring together people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives during these challenging times.
What was the process to apply to become a staff governor?
All you need to do is log in to Connect, search for governor elections, and click on the service elections provider link to access the nomination form for completion and submission. You will then await confirmation to find out if you have been nominated. After receiving confirmation, voting polls will open.
What advice would you give to other CUH staff considering becoming a staff governor?
Becoming a staff governor opens opportunities that can lead us down various avenues. You learn a lot from interacting with different categories of staff from various departments. At CUH, there are over 84 nationalities among the over 13,000 staff members, and opportunities are available for everyone. Whatever road we choose, the focus must always be on changing the lives of others while enhancing our own, while keeping the core values of Together, Safe, Kind, and Excellent.