Blog » Darren Matchett

Darren Matchett

8th August 2013

Role: Manager

Company: Lucas Love Healthcare

Track Record:

What is your educational background?

I studied and completed a degree in Multimedia and design. However as I have progressed through my career in recruitment I felt it was important to continue to up skill and now also have NVQ 3 in health and Social care to compliment my chosen career path. I am also looking forward to commencing and completing QCF Level 5 in Management and Leadership this year.

What was your very first job?

My first job was working in a Domiciliary Care Agency as an administrator. I coordinated all the care staff rotas to ensure that every client received their care at the correct time.

What made you decide to pursue your present career?

I had considered a career in Nursing when I was younger as I had practical experience working in the community and in Residential care. Following working in the domiciliary care sector for 5 years I decided to move into recruitment. The fast pace and hard working attitude attracted me and I soon realised that I had found a career that I loved! No day is the same and I can see things changing day to day. I love the fact that I can use my skills and understanding of the healthcare sector to help guide my team to achieve excellent results and oversee the provision of excellent care.

How long have you been in your current position?

I joined the team at Lucas Love Healthcare in March 2013. The continued growth and success of the company meant that my role as healthcare Manager became necessary in order to help ensure that the company continued to provide the same excellent quality service, despite its growth. It is the emphasis on quality service and care that the directors in Lucas Love Healthcare have that made me want to join their team.

Does your role offer ongoing training and development?

The Directors of Lucas Love Healthcare are extremely supportive of me continuing my studies and are very excited about how this can further my career within the company. This supportive attitude to training is indicative of the team here at Lucas Love Healthcare. All our training for our Carers, support workers and Nurses is free of charge. An initiative that is rarely seen and which emphasises the commitment to quality and career progression we have here at Lucas Love Healthcare.

What does a typical working day involve?

Healthcare recruitment is a fast moving and ever changing environment and no two days are the same.  For me my day always starts around 8.30am. I like to plan my day, although you need to be prepared for a change in plans throughout the day. On a typical day in the office, I am on hand to support our growing team of consultants, and offer guidance as they receive requests and queries from candidates, agency staff and clients; screening candidates and carrying out new client visits

What are your main responsibilities?

I am responsible for developing our business in the Healthcare Market. This involves planning, research, identifying new business opportunities and making calls to new clients.  The most exciting part of my job is closing new business deals, by developing and negotiating contracts, at the right price, in such a competitive market. Working in the Healthcare sector everything we do need to remain confidential at all times, we exercise the utmost professionalism in every part of our business, whether we are assisting you with your permanent or temporary staffing needs.  Most importantly I offer guidance and support to a team of consultants and assist the Directors in achieving their vision for the company.

What skills do you need?

The key thing, beyond any qualification, is the correct attitude. Within recruitment, there’s a large element of sales and customer service, so you need to be somebody who can communicate well. You certainly need to be people-orientated, because our clients and candidates are central to our business. As well as being a strong individual, you need to be able to work within a team environment, to meet and exceed targets.  

I lead by example for my team. I would never ask them to do anything that I wasn’t prepared to do myself, or have done in the past, and hope that by transferring my skills, each consultant will grow and develop to become the best.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Recruitment is all about matchmaking – between an organisation looking for an employee and an individual looking for a permanent or temporary job.  There is no feeling quite like identifying and matching the right candidate to the right job.  

I thrive on coaching my team and helping them achieve their own personal targets and development.  Giving advice and guidance based on my knowledge of the Healthcare sector enables them to do their job more effectively.  This then generates good awareness of our brand, therefore clients and candidates alike are pleased with the services we provide – I love my job.

And the worst?

The worst thing about my job is also the best thing – the fact that no two days are the same challenges me and my team.  Clients and candidates need the best possible service, you need to always be on top of what their needs are and that can in itself be challenging!

What personal qualities does your job require?

It is vital you posses the following personal qualities, should you wish to follow a career in Healthcare Recruitment: fairness, ethical standing, honesty, keen judgment, excellent communication skills and integrity.  

What advice would you give to someone wishing to pursue a similar career?

Recruitment is a fast paced environment, you need to be focused and willing to listen to the needs of both candidates and clients.  There is an element of selling to the role, both direct and indirect, to stay ahead in this competitive market you must: always be thinking ahead, keep abreast to the market trends and be innovative, attractive to candidates. So, if you like a challenge and the idea of selling in a people facing role, maybe it’s time to become a recruiter.

Lucas Love Healthcare has an array of new opportunities for Healthcare professionals, if you’re interested in working with us please email your CV to healthcareteam@lucaslovehealthcare.com

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