Alison Arrowsmith: My Background

I was born and lived much of my life in Lancashire and trained to be a RGN Nurse and qualified in 1985. I had a career break when I became a mother and returned to part time work 18 months later, progressing to full time work in a rehabilitation unit for stroke victims, Parkinson’s Disease sufferers and other patients with progressive illnesses which impaired the independence of the individual’s suffering and their families. I took my Adult Teaching certificate whilst in this role which initially launched my interest in communication styles and coaching.

My first big career break came about after 3 years in this role when I conducted some assessments in patients for a clinical trial. The trial subject was multi-infarct dementia and I was recruited by a research company to initially perform the physical tests in phase iii and phase iv clinical trials for patients with memory problems due to multiple neurological conditions, mainly Alzheimer’s Disease.

Shortly into this position my employer noticed I had good rapport with patients and found I had an ability to find out more information from patients and carers than their own Psychologists. I was given a battery of courses to qualify me to use the Psychometric Tests and then became a Clinical Trials Investigator myself. In addition to this, I undertook my BSc (Hons) in Nursing Studies whilst
working full time as a single mum.

Within a year, I was given the role of heading the research team and attended many of the investigator meetings which were hosted by the companies who needed our services. Whilst at these meetings I was aware of the post code prescribing of a particular medicine we had researched and had reached the launch period; only to be knocked back by the Primary Care Trusts.

I decided I would like to work in an environment which could challenge these decisions and moved across to the Pharmaceutical Industry after being head hunted by a blue chip company. Initially, similar to many who take this step, I had a right of passage to perform. I worked for 3 years in Primary Care sales, 3 years in Secondary Care sales, obtained a Professional Relations role and then had a brief period Commissioning Mental Health services for a private provider to gain an insight to how funding was decided in the Primary Care Trusts. I then returned to nursing to conduct some more training in Midwifery as I wanted to have more insight into coaching women, before, during and after pregnancy which was a valuable step for crystallising my dream for the future. More recently I have  and continue to work as a Regional Account Manager for a company who have a medicine for rare sleep disorders. My role has been to unlock the funding for this medicine from the Primary Care Trusts around the UK by working closely with clinicians establishing the correct diagnostics, funding pathways, good, robust applications, using education and review to gain fantastic results for patients.

Whilst coaching professionals within this role, I realised above all, my attitude has been the main driver of my success. I have always been able to achieve my goals professionally and in later years, personally. I now live in Northumberland with my wonderful husband and am a proud mother of a gorgeous young woman who I consider to be my greatest inspiration who is currently studying at Edinburgh University.

I have recently fulfilled my ambition to become a Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner. My future is to pursue the ambition to coach on a personal and professional basis to provide others with the opportunity to achieve their goals in life. I have recenty completed my Life Coaching qualification to ensure a good standard of professionalism and supervision. As of March 2009 I am practicing as a Registered Hypnotherapist (GQHP).  From 2010 I have a Diploma in Reflexology and will be qualifying as a Reiki Practitioner as added relaxation techniques are useful in Holistic care.

My journey has been one of personal exploration, and I have taken what ever situation I have been responsible for to shape my future progression. I can say with confidence, I have taken the road less travelled, however the journey is often more exciting than the destination which I am still enjoying progressing towards.