School Student
What's surgery like?
Miss Helen Richardson
Consultant - ENT Surgeon
I was appointed Consultant and Honorary Clinical Senior lecturer in ENT in South Tees (Middlesbrough) in 2002. I had completed my training 'flexibly', following the birth of my first child, and had had my second during training too. The job was being advertised on a full time basis, by the department where I was a senior trainee. I asked to be considered on the basis of a four day working week, and got the job.
One of the important factors in this was that I had embarked on study towards the Masters' degree in clinical education. I had chosen to do it because I wanted something to make me 'stand out from the crowd' and it fitted very well with studying on my days off, when my baby was asleep. - and the job had a clear educational role, so my educational qualification meant I was very suitable. There might be a message here about finding your 'unique selling point' or anticipating demand for a particular area of expertise.
Since then I have had another baby, and completed the Masters degree, and last year was appointed as Associate Postgraduate Dean for Specialty training in the Northern Deanery. I also have various national educational roles.
One of the key messages I would like to say, is that I have achieved a fairly senior, influential level, while maintaining a work life balance that suits me. For me personally, the key to happiness is working part-time. When each of my children was very little I found three days the perfect working week, they are all at school now, and things have become easier in some ways. I work 3 up to a maximum of 4 days, depending on requirements from the academic part of my job. Apart from fixed things like operating and clinics, I am happy to be very flexible, about the days I work. this means I have been able to be there for most of the really important days in my children’s' lives - the first step, vaccinations, the first day at nursery, the first day at school, nativity plays, sports days, speech days, school plays, birthday parties etc. But equally they know that sometimes I will be away very early in the morning, and might have to stay over night if I am at a meeting in London for example.
A really important factor in making this possible has been robust, reliable, flexible childcare arrangements...and an ability to be calm and think of 'plan B' and 'plan C' when it all falls apart, (like the nanny goes off sick)
People often ask me when I think is the 'right' time to have a baby with regards to their careers. My advice is that they should make that decision based on the rest of their lives, domestic situation, husband etc. It will almost always be possible (I believe) to make the job fit round the baby. It might take a bit longer, but you will bring a wealth of life-experience and joi-de-vivre that will be appreciated by your colleagues, employers, patients etc
It has been said that with a part-time employee you get full time enthusiasm. And it’s true that some times when I've been pushing a pram or waiting at the school gates, I have had the space and time to reflect on issues from work and resolve complex problems with a clear head.
