The Best Job I've Ever Had

An insight into the role of a cosmetic Surgery Nurse Counsellor

No one could have failed to notice the meteoric rise in the popularity of the cosmetic surgery in this country. Indeed, you may even know someone who has had a treatment - it's just that they haven't told you!

You may be surprised to know that the Cosmetic Surgery industry is worth a whopping £350 million in the UK alone and is recognised as being the fastest and probably most dynamic healthcare growth segment. To find out more about this we asked Sharon Murphy RGN, Field based Nurse Counsellor with The Harley Medical Group to tell us more about her role.

"No two days are ever the same with my job as I get to go to different places each day and meet so many lovely people. I have been with The Harley Medical Group for three years now and can honestly say it's the best job I've ever had!

The Harley Medical Group is an established Cosmetic Surgery provider with 15 clinics in the UK and Ireland. We have an excellent reputation and recognised for the highest standards of quality and patient care. First and foremost I am a Nurse, and so it is extremely important to me that I know I am representing a company who will provide the best possible treatment and care for the patients I see.

I am part of a team of field-based Nurses who each travel to a different location each day in order to provide a consultation service to people who have enquired about Cosmetic Surgery or any of the wide range of Non Surgical treatments that we offer in our clinics. Of course, we have Nurses who consult each day in our Clinics but with demand increasing countrywide it is important to offer potential customers a local consultation service as well.

When I joined I underwent a 2 month intensive training course to learn all about every aspect of Cosmetic Surgery- I found it fascinating then and I still do! Part of my training involved learning the theory behind Cosmetic Surgery; I also spent time in theatre observing operations being performed as well as listening to Surgeon and Nurse consultations.

In my job I have to be extremely well organised. Most of our local consultation service's clinics are in hospitals and medical practices and I generally go to each, a few times a month. The staff are always friendly and pleased to see me and usually have a cup of coffee waiting for me as they know I have to prepare for my first patient.

My appointments are all pre booked by our fantastic Central Reservations Department, so no more waiting in busy GP practices to see tired and stressed out Doctors. All of the patients I see today will have been thinking of having some form of Cosmetic Surgery, usually for many years and are really looking forward to finding out about suitable operations or treatments. This is the best part of my job - during the consultation I get to know people really well and my heart goes out to them as they tell me things about themselves, often that they have never discussed with anyone else. At the end of their consultation I know that provided that they are fit and healthy and have realistic expectations we will have a solution that's right for them.

"The greatest enjoyment comes from seeing the smile on a patient's face whom we have helped achieve one of their life long dreams - as I said the best job I've ever had!"