Martin Jordan

Martin Jordan's story

Senior Therapy Instructors visit patients who have an illness or an injury and require Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy. As a Senior Therapy Instructor, they encourage their clients with mental health issues to create a daily routine, adjust to their disability and show their clients how to use equipment that helps them to live independently, as well as checking that equipment is in good working order, and keep a record of items that have been made available to them to support their recovery.

Martin assumed that you would need a degree in healthcare to enter the healthcare industry, however, there are lots of entry level positions that just require the right personality and transferable skills. With a background in customer service, ranging from working in pubs, supermarkets, insurance companies and children’s social care, Martin was highly qualified for this people-focused role. Regardless, he did not think a job in the NHS would ever be available for him. Luckily, his partner, who is a registered nurse working in the NHS, directed Martin to a vacancy, assuring him that he was qualified due to his extensive customer service experience and strong social skills. Martin applied, got an interview, and was successful in getting the job.

Martin described his highlight of the job to be being able to change a patient’s life: explaining how rewarding it is being able to support his patients achieve their goals through their tailored exercises that will in turn dramatically improve their overall wellbeing and ability to look after themselves. Next in his career he has the option of studying to be a registered Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist, but for now he is more than happy with his current position as there is still so much to learn.

Martin described his highlight of the job as being able to change a patient’s life and explained how rewarding it is being able to support his patients in achieving their goals through tailored exercises that will in turn dramatically improve their overall wellbeing and ability to look after themselves. Next in his career he has the option of studying to be a registered Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist, but for now he is more than happy with his current position as there is still so much to learn.

As a support worker, your working life is different every day. Martin has only been in his role for 2 years and feels that there is still so much to learn from his patients. He advises that you need to take time to listen, be patient and enjoy it. It can be quite difficult at times when you visit patients who are in a bad way and you are on your own. Patients and their family members go through a lot of emotions during the process of rehabilitation, so confidence is needed to ensure professionalism and specialist support throughout every patient’s journey.

Martins’ top tips:

• Be confident – you can’t be certain as to what situation you are about to walk into.
• Be open to learn – you will never stop learning in this role.
• Listen – even when you think something might be irrelevant or out of context.
• Give it a go! – if your personality fits the job description, have faith in yourself and go for it.