From RAF to NHS: James's transition from uniform to a career in healthcare

Who is James?

James is a senior applications analyst who specialises in providing support for Microsoft365 apps within NHS Lanarkshire. He has a background in aircraft engineering, which he gained from his time in the RAF. 

RAF to NHS

James started his 23-year career in the RAF in 1999, as an aircraft engineer. He specialised as a TG1 Aircraft Engineer, focusing on avionic and electrical systems. During his service he showed dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence. Alongside his RAF duties, James volunteered as a Service Instructor with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, adopting leadership and mentorship skills.

Speaking of his transition to NHSScotland James said 'I found the transition to NHSScotland quite easy. There are certain ways you speak in the military. You have to change how you communicate in the civilian world. It’s always about communication, my military role was very communicative which made it easy to transition.'

'The collective teamworking and spirit in the NHS was the same for me in the military. I joined NHSScotland as a junior member of the team which allowed me to see where I fit in the team and hierarchy.'

Having worked his way up the team James now works as a senior applications analyst, working within a Microsoft 365 team, providing support for NHS Lanarkshire. He tackles complex IT issues, collaborates with users to find solutions, and supports junior team members.

Positive application process

In June of 2022 James left the RAF and took up his role in the NHS just a few months later. 

When he was undergoing resettlement from the military, he was looking at what he wanted to do next. He decided to do a cyber security training course to prepare himself for a new field of work. While looking for roles in this field James came across some suitable jobs in NHSScotland. His first impression of the job was the exciting new technology that NHSScotland were investing in. NHS Lanarkshire were putting together a new team, and James knew he wanted to be a part of it. 

Speaking of the interview process James tells us 'The whole process was professional. Everyone was very approachable throughout the interview process.'

Transferable skills

Changing careers will always be a bit daunting. James found he had a wealth of transferable skills that he could utilise from his time in the RAF to bring to his role in NHSScotland.

He tells us what his top transferable skills are:

1. Communication: ‘I was a teacher in the military and communication was key to explaining complex methods to others.’ James is skilled at adapting his communication style, he says that this allows him to work with people from all disciplines at work.
2. Leadership: Leading by example is how James runs his team. ‘I operate a system where my door is always open, and I teach my team members to do things the way I would like it done.’ He says this builds trust with his colleagues and means his team members are more willing to be open with him.
3. Resilience: Like in all roles unpredictable things happen. ‘Understanding that things must be sorted gives me a great attitude and we just do what needs done.’
4. Problem solving and the ‘military mindset’: From his long military career James credits, the ‘military mindset’ as his greatest transferrable skill. ‘I problem solve every single day. I analyse, extract the correct information, investigate systems and have great attention to detail.’

His time in the RAF has given him an all-round approach to problem solving, leadership, and decision making. 
These skills show how experiences from one field can successfully translate into another and how they can support a successful career transition.

A good place to work

James always likes to look at the bigger picture. ‘It’s a great job, very worthwhile […] NHSScotland is just as is important to its benefactors as the military is. It’s an organisation to be proud of, to know that you are contributing to the overall health of a country and its population even if your role is not a medical one.’

One of the things that James finds most rewarding in his role is feeling valued ‘You feel valued as an individual, like the military.’

James's advice

James's advice for any military personnel looking for a career transition into NHSScotland is ‘Do it! In my experience the NHS want you to develop. I have had great opportunities from the very start of my NHS career to develop and upskill myself on the job. If that is important to you then the NHS is for you.’