We have a wonderful bunch of employees here at Athona, so throughout 2021 we will be shining the spotlight on a different employee each month to find out more about their job role and how they are Affecting Futures. From Recruitment Consultant’s to our support functions, there are lots of people doing great work every day at Athona.
This month we chatted to Martyn Stanley, a specialist recruiter working within our locum nursing team, specialising in supporting midwives, theatre nurses and mental health nurses.
How did you get into recruitment?
By chance, 20 years ago having been in sales and made redundant, an agency I joined said I’d make an excellent recruiter.. the rest, as they say, is History.
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
I still get the same buzz 20 years on as I did on my first ever placement. Ultimately, you’re affecting people’s futures, call me old fashioned but placing them into their ideal role is highly rewarding and carries with it a sense of purpose. I like helping people.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in your role?
As with any new desk, learning your market and knowing not to quit when it gets difficult, and instead to keep reminding yourself that every ‘no’ is one step closer to a ‘yes’.
What makes a candidate stand out for you?
Those who engage in conversation. Candidates have a wealth of knowledge and you have to build a picture of exactly what they’re looking for. Each one is different, but I’d say those who open up are the easiest to work with and stand out to me.
What do you admire most about your candidates?
Due to the nature of Athona’s business, we’re placing people on the front line in extenuating circumstances. The number of candidates who just want to help out, travel further afield, or work extra hours has been astonishing and I have great admiration for each and every one of them. Cliché as it sounds, not all heroes wear capes.
You work with a lot of specialist nurses, how do you go about supporting them in their roles?
Fundamental to support is drilling down into what each candidate enjoys doing, where they are skilled and what they’re sub specialty is; for midwives this could be ward work, or for ODP’s it could be recovery or anaesthetics. Some theatre nurses only do ophthalmology and in mental health there’s a plethora of areas to work in. I’ve learned that nothing frustrates candidates more than being offered the wrong type of work, which is why I listen and highlight the key areas they like to work in. If ever there is an occasion where one or two shifts take them outside of their comfort zone, we discuss it and make a decision. The ultimate goal is to have happy workers, after all we’re affecting people’s futures and that resonates with me.
What’s your favourite thing about working at Athona?
There’s a right way and wrong way to recruit and Athona do things the right way. Along with the support from all areas of the business, it has been refreshing and allows me to do my job with integrity and transparency and I work with some great people all pulling in the same direction.
Any tips for anyone wanting to work in recruitment?
Learn to walk before you can run, always remain true to your core values, be honest and act with integrity and conviction on your promises. Don’t think it’s easy and remain open minded!
If you’re looking to register with us or find a job in mental health nursing, midwifery or theatre roles, you can get in touch with Martyn by emailing martyn.stanley@athona.com or calling 01277 255605.
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