Helen Cunningham

Experience

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  FREEMAN CLINICS LIMITED

  Oct 2009 - Aug 2011

  Medical Secretary

  Following university I worked for two years as a receptionist and medical secretary at Ponteland Road Health Centre. I joined the organisation on its first day of opening as a receptionist dealing with patient queries, booking appointments and managing the waiting list. I then took on the role of medical secretary and increased my responsibilities including making referrals, managing locum bookings, invoices and the organisational QOF and KPI targets. I worked closely with GPs, nurse practitioners and management in this role and developed adaptable communication styles. Show less

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  NHS Graduate Training Scheme

  Sept 2011 - Jun 2013

  HR Graduate Trainee

  I chose to begin my career in Human Resources on the NHS Graduate Training Scheme. This highly reputable graduate scheme gave me the opportunity to access fast pasted learning and gain a broad experience of working in Human Resources and general management in a large multi-unionised environment. I gained operational HR advisory experience on placement at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust taking responsibility for advising on a significant caseload and a business unit patch. The second NHS placement at Northumberland Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust gave me the opportunity to gain experience of strategic HR project work including the design and delivery of leadership and management development interventions, working with teams in crisis, the development of an Organisational Development function at the Trust and a mediation service for the Trust. Additionally, the scheme involved a short placement outside of the NHS which I completed at Dickinson Dees LLP. This gave me the invaluable opportunity to gain experience working in an HR capacity in the private sector and transfer the best practice I experienced here to my NHS employment. Show less

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  Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

  Sept 2011 - Aug 2012

  HR Advisor
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  Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

  Nov 2012 - Jun 2013

  HR/OD Advisor
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  Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

  Jun 2013 - now

  Following the successful completion of the NHS Graduate Training Scheme I returned to Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as an HR Advisor to build on my experience as a generalist HR professional. The Trust have been going through a period of major change and transition with the immanent opening of a new Emergency Care Hospital. This has provided the opportunity for involvement in exciting HR projects driving change to meet the new challenges that the hospital will bring. In June 2014 I was successful in gaining a promotion to HR Advisor Specialist with responsibility for medical staffing within the Surgery & Elective Care Business Unit. This has been an exciting new challenge and learning opportunity to extend my experience advising on complex contractual and employment issues for medical staff within the Business Unit. My role also involves generalist casework with additional responsibility for case management decision making and Business Unit board meeting representation. Show less

  • Head of People

    Apr 2022 - now

  • Head of People

    Apr 2022 - now

  • Senior Human Resources Manager

    Jul 2019 - Dec 2023

  • Senior Human Resources Manager

    Jul 2019 - Dec 2023

  • HR Manager

    Jul 2015 - Dec 2023

  • HR Advisor Specialist

    Jun 2013 - Dec 2023