“My mum can’t believe I work with a robot!” | Latest news

Vanessa Pickup, 32, from Bulwell began her role as a theatre support worker at City hospital in 2014, after previously working in a dementia care home. She progressed to become an Operating Department Practitioner in the Thoracic department in 2016. The role involves assisting the surgeon, handling equipment and handling emergencies.

Vanessa said. “The things I love about this kind of work is that it’s either really plain sailing or it can take a really interesting turn –it makes the job so exciting.”

After a few years, the department started discussing using a robot during surgery and Vanessa volunteered to help be trained how to use it.

“I first heard about the robot and thought I’d like to give that a try!” she said.

The robot is called DA VINCI. But before she could use the robot, Vanessa needed to do some surgical assistant training.

Vanessa said “After 100 hours of clinical practice under direct supervision with a surgeon, you’re free to use the robot! It’s incredibly nerve wracking. The surgeon activates the robot and then sits in the corner to observe. The robot has four arms and you have to put equipment into the robots arms and then insert the robot into the patient’s chest. It’s a pretty cool job. My mum can’t believe I work with a robot!” 

When asked about the opportunities available at NUH. Vanessa said. “There are so many more opportunities now, lots of apprenticeships and training so you can go much further in your career than ever before now. It’s such a good place to gain experience and knowledge.”

And what about a career with a robots? Vanessa added “There are plenty more opportunities to work with robots in the future I’m sure. This is just the beginning!”