DHU Healthcare proudly supports colleagues who have served in the Armed Forces, reflecting our commitment through the Armed Forces Covenant. One such colleague is Jillian Clemas, who transitioned from a distinguished career in the RAF to a vital role at DHU.
Can you tell us about your initial interest in healthcare and how you joined the RAF?
Jillian: "I actually wanted to pursue a career in healthcare straight from school, specifically as a paramedic, but in Northants, you had to be 20 years old and have held a driving license for two years. I couldn’t do that straight from school, so I went to work in a warehouse where I met a lady whose husband worked in the Armed Forces. I found out it was possible to have a healthcare role while serving and be supported through training. After a bit of research, I joined the RAF.
"So, I started in May 2000 and trained as a Student Nurse for three years in Portsmouth before being posted to MDHU Peterborough, a military hospital. There, I completed six weeks of Aeromedical Evacuation training, qualifying as a Flight Nurse in April 2004. I then went on to complete a degree in Critical Care, qualifying as a Critical Care Flight Nurse in November 2008."
What was your experience like as a Critical Care Flight Nurse?
Jillian: "It was quite a job! I was based in the UK for some of it, including MHDU Peterborough, RCDM Oxford, DMRC Headley Court, and RAF Brize Norton, but I also did an operational tour of Iraq and two tours of Afghanistan. In the UK, I’d be on call to, at a moment’s notice, fly overseas to bring back service personnel injured in action to give them lifesaving treatment in a helicopter or plane.
"It’s different from working in a hospital. If you need a specific piece of kit or medical instrument, you better hope you brought it with you, so planning was even more essential. Whether it’s medical gases, battery power, or a scalpel, looking after somebody who is critically ill for eight hours in the air is tough. You have to deal with the noise, turbulence, and enclosed environment, although we mainly flew C17 military transport planes which were huge and not as affected by turbulence.
"During tours, we would transport patients by helicopter between medical facilities within a war zone. Again, we would have to administer critical care while routinely being shot at, and low-level tactical flying doesn’t create the ideal conditions for sensitive, detailed, critical care. It could genuinely be frightening at times."
How did you transition from the RAF to your role at DHU Healthcare?
Jillian: "While I was serving at Headley Court, I spent four and a half years in a governance role, and from then on, it was always in my mind to return to it. I was given time and resources to study and gain a wider skill set alongside the qualifications to be able to move in that direction.
"I left the RAF, which was an incredibly difficult decision for me, for two reasons. For my family, I needed to put roots down and create a family home for my kids, to give them stability, a permanent school, and the chance to make good friends. Secondly, I wanted to be the master of my own destiny. In the RAF, you go where the job takes you; I can now make my own choices, including the decision to work in governance with DHU.
"I’ve developed a number of life skills, proving without a doubt that I can work under pressure—I can’t think of a more intense environment to deliver care than in the back of a helicopter under fire. There’s teamwork, leadership skills, working autonomously, and knowing what needs to be done. Attention to detail is instilled into you at every turn, and that’s a key part of my governance role."
How do you feel about DHU Healthcare's support for Armed Forces colleagues?
Jillian: "I think the work DHU has done with colleagues in the armed forces is superb. It can be a difficult transition, so working in an organization, in a team that recognises that is a comfort. The RAF isn’t just a job; it’s a whole way of life, and I have a lot of friends for life with whom I’ve been through a lot. The sacrifices they make, that I made, is something I’m very proud of and will always look back on with affection as I look forward to this new challenge."
Jillian’s story exemplifies the strength, resilience, and dedication that veterans bring to their civilian careers. DHU Healthcare is honoured to support veterans like Jillian, ensuring they have meaningful and fulfilling roles within our organisation.
To learn more about our current opportunities, visit https://dhuhealthcare.com/careers/