Clinical Community Spotlight
About Ceara
Ceara studied Chemistry at university and worked as an Analytical Chemist for a large pharmaceutical company. This sparked an interest in quality, GxP and regulatory affairs, so before graduating she began to explore alternative career pathways outside of the lab.
Ceara joined NHS Supply Chain’s 2024 Graduate cohort and works as Regulatory Compliance Graduate and Deputy Responsible Person, working with a team of dedicated regulatory professionals to ensure NHS Supply Chain remains compliant with medical devices and pharmaceutical regulations, and sells only high-quality, compliant and safe products.
How the Regulatory Compliance team supports the Clinical and Quality of Care Strategy
The Regulatory Compliance team sits within the Clinical Directorate and plays a pivotal role in ensuring only safe and compliant products and suppliers are available through NHS Supply Chain. The team is made up of Compliance Officers, Compliance Managers and Responsible Persons/Deputy RPs who work collaboratively to ensure compliance throughout the business.
The regulatory landscape is ever-changing and has been made more complex following Brexit; as such, the team is committed to their continuous professional development and horizon scanning, as the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries and corresponding regulations change. The Regulatory Compliance team is currently prioritising building their understanding of upcoming regulatory changes and how our processes can be streamlined to accommodate them. They share knowledge across the business and foster a positive attitude to compliance.
Life as a Graduate at NHS Supply Chain
Benefiting from the expertise of her colleagues and mentors, Ceara has been well-supported in building her confidence and knowledge during the early stages of her career and is working towards a level 7 apprenticeship and becoming named as a Responsible Person in the future.
Life outside work
Ceara spends her free time at the gym and has recently started doing yoga in the mornings, which helps with concentration and managing stress throughout the day. She is an avid reader and enjoys travelling with her partner and spending time in Ireland with her family.
As the first Graduate in the Clinical Directorate, I’ve been so well supported with my learning and professional development during the early stages of my career. It’s a privilege to work with such a diverse range of colleagues with different clinical and non-clinical specialisms, and the culture they have created is one I am proud to be part of.
Ceara Mitchell, Regulatory Compliance Graduate and Deputy Responsible Person, NHS Supply Chain