Have a contract - but what to do long term?

[Old Greg]

Looking for perspectives on what I should do. Work history is:

- 10 years employed by NHS organisations, in project management and change management roles for I.T. and non-I.T. enabled change projects.
- 3 1/2 years contracting in similar roles
- 6 months on bench in a moribund market
- 2 months into a 6 month contract with NHS on a clinical practice transformation project.

The problem I have is that I don't see a short-term future in the healthcare contracting market, and permie jobs, either in the private or public sector are scarce.

I have a high level of expertise in the health sector and am well regarded by those I work with - I tend to work on projects in highly specialised areas of clinical practice, which gives me a significant edge in this market, but in other sectors I will need to rely on my generic skills, and it will be (I think) hard to stand out.

Would anyone like to share experience of changing sectors or have any thoughts about how to do so? I'd like to start thinking about it and planning now, rather than when benched again.

[jmo21]

Looking for perspectives on what I should do. Work history is:

- 10 years employed by NHS organisations, in project management and change management roles for I.T. and non-I.T. enabled change projects.
- 3 1/2 years contracting in similar roles
- 6 months on bench in a moribund market
- 2 months into a 6 month contract with NHS on a clinical practice transformation project.

The problem I have is that I don't see a short-term future in the healthcare contracting market, and permie jobs, either in the private or public sector are scarce.

I have a high level of expertise in the health sector and am well regarded by those I work with - I tend to work on projects in highly specialised areas of clinical practice, which gives me a significant edge in this market, but in other sectors I will need to rely on my generic skills, and it will be (I think) hard to stand out.

Would anyone like to share experience of changing sectors or have any thoughts about how to do so? I'd like to start thinking about it and planning now, rather than when benched again.

Assuming you haven't already, try targetting as many of the IT companies that service the NHS that you know of.

I can think of 3 right now, Atos Origin, InterSystems and Axsys (very small, based in Scotland), but I'm sure there are many more.

Once you have exhausted those, and IT departments of specific NHS areas, then look outside the NHS.

[Old Greg]

Assuming you haven't already, try targetting as many of the IT companies that service the NHS that you know of.

I can think of 3 right now, Atos Origin, InterSystems and Axsys (very small, based in Scotland), but I'm sure there are many more.

Once you have exhausted those, and IT departments of specific NHS areas, then look outside the NHS.

Thanks. I do work on the change side of health I.T. but the squeeze in expenditure is going through to the suppliers. It is certainly an option I keep open.

[jmo21]

Thanks. I do work on the change side of health I.T. but the squeeze in expenditure is going through to the suppliers. It is certainly an option I keep open.

Yeah, I know, but with suppliers having multiple contracts with multiple NHS regions it may be better than working in one specific area directly for the NHS.

Northgate is another I just remembered..... because my current contract with the NHS is through them

[northernladuk]

Bit of a long shot but try plugging away at the big service provider of the NHS. People like CSC and Accenture that have other accounts in Nulcear and Defense. They are big enough to get you in to a different area and maybe possible to get experience in different industry but will value your NHS experience.

Long shot due to cutbacks within those companies as well as NHS I admit but something to consider?

[BA to the Stars]

Don't just stick with NHS. There are plenty of private healthcare providers. Also as you are a PM, there is no reason not to apply for PM roles in other sectors

[Old Greg]

Bit of a long shot but try plugging away at the big service provider of the NHS. People like CSC and Accenture that have other accounts in Nulcear and Defense. They are big enough to get you in to a different area and maybe possible to get experience in different industry but will value your NHS experience.

Long shot due to cutbacks within those companies as well as NHS I admit but something to consider?

Thanks. I am labelling my current contract as 'Consultant' on my CV, and Consultancy is one of the things I may have to consider (I have some contacts as well). The difficulty I see is that the employment / contract market is such that clients can be very choosy about experience. I can't even get into mergers between social care and health services because I lack social care experience.

[Old Greg]

Don't just stick with NHS. There are plenty of private healthcare providers. Also as you are a PM, there is no reason not to apply for PM roles in other sectors

I have sniffed around private provides.

The PM (and Business Change roles) route is appealing. What will clients / employers think when my experience is all in a single sector that isn't theirs. How do I approach them and present myself?

[northernladuk]

Thanks. I am labelling my current contract as 'Consultant' on my CV, and Consultancy is one of the things I may have to consider (I have some contacts as well). The difficulty I see is that the employment / contract market is such that clients can be very choosy about experience. I can't even get into mergers between social care and health services because I lack social care experience.

Yup. There is also the culture of the company. Accenture, for example, have a habit of bringing in young suited bright sparks rather than seasoned professionals so got to meet the 'team fit' as well.

[Old Greg]

Yup. There is also the culture of the company. Accenture, for example, have a habit of bringing in young suited bright sparks rather than seasoned professionals so got to meet the 'team fit' as well.

In all honesty, I couldn't see myself fitting into one of these organisations. There are specialist healthcare consultancies which take on both permies and associates which is a possibility. But I do want to look at other sectors, e.g. trying to get a PM role. Funnily enough, writing things down (as in on this thread) often makes you think, and I've started doing the obvious - contacting old colleagues who work in other sectors, so I can potentially get in on a recommendation, or just get some sound advice. Any more ideas from the esteemed panel here most welcome!

OG