I am passionate about continued professional development and in providing patient-centred care. This has led me to undertake several courses throughout my working life so far, such as a certificate in Pastoral care for Healthcare Professionals, personal and professional resilience workshops and a Postgraduate course in Health Professions Education; I believe I am the first Irish PA to have gained this additional qualification in Medical Education.

I am particularly enthusiastic about the potential the PA profession holds for Irish healthcare and am proud to be an advocate for its continued growth. For me, the PA role holds many benefits because of its collaborative nature. PAs are flexible in their work and have a wide range of skills due to their generalist training. This skill set is supportive of the overall workload of teams, ultimately making a direct impact on patients in their wait times and access to care.

I feel the greatest job satisfaction is how the role has been embedded within the medical team. This integration has meant as a PA, we are seen as a valuable member of the multidisciplinary team. As a permanent staff member, I can contribute to the stability of the teams I work with and play a fundamental part in addressing the workforce pressures caused by frequent medical rotations and medical workforce gaps. It is a real privilege to know that I can have a hand in the continuity and comfort of my patient’s care and make the difference I entered the profession to make.