Then an old colleague of mine reached out. She told me about a new role - no night shifts, weekends off, and I could actually take Christmas off. That’s all I needed to hear! I didn’t really know what a Functional Assessor did, but I was ready for a change, so I took the leap.

The ups and downs of changing career

I came in completely blind. I didn’t know what to expect. But I was eager to learn and determined to succeed. I spent every spare moment shadowing assessors, asking questions, probably annoying a few of them! I just wanted to absorb everything I could.

I progressed quickly, maybe a bit too quickly. I took on extra overtime, and eventually, the pressure caught up with me. My quality dropped, and I hit a bit of a wall. It was tough, but it turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened. It forced me to slow down, reflect, and rebuild my confidence. I came out the other side stronger.

The skills that truly matter

When I made the switch, I worried I might not have the right background. My experience was in mental health, not physical conditions. But I soon realised the skills that mattered most were the ones I already had: empathy, communication, adaptability.

You don’t lose your clinical skills in this role; you build on them. I now have a deeper knowledge of a wide range of conditions than I ever did on the ward.

Being a good Functional Assessor isn’t just about ticking boxes. You need to know how to listen, how to adapt your communication style, and how to reflect and grow. It’s not a clinical or diagnostic role, but it’s still about people. You’re supporting them in a different way and that’s what makes it so meaningful.

Why I’m still at Advo nearly 10 years later

I’ve been with Advo Health for almost a decade now, which still surprises me when I say it out loud. I’ve never stayed in a role this long before, but that’s because it’s not just a job, it’s a culture. People are genuinely kind, approachable, and supportive. From your team members to the CEO, you’re treated like a person, not a number.

What really struck me early on was how different it felt from the NHS. In my previous role, guidance was limited, and you had to figure things out on your own. At Advo, I felt supported at every level. I wasn’t alone. Whether it was colleagues checking in on me, approachable managers, or the sense of community - we look out for each other here.

If you’re thinking about changing careers but feel nervous about making the jump, I get it. I’ve been there. But this role has given me balance, purpose, and room to grow. You’re not giving up the skills you’ve worked so hard for - you’re using them in a new way, in an environment where you can thrive.