1. CATHERINE ROBSON
41 John Williams Boulevard, Central Park, Darlington, DL1 1LR
Telephone: 07487 861210
E-mail: cathrobson@btinternet.com
SKILLS AND PERSONAL PROFILE
I am an experienced scientist and lecturer with a high level of analytical, problem solving and communication skills that have
been fully utilised in my roles as both a biomedical scientist and teacher/trainer. Within these roles I have also demonstrated
that I am self-motivated, patient, confident, professional and dedicated by taking on all challenges with confidence and a
passion to deliver to the best of my ability. Imparting my subject knowledge and expertise to large and diverse groups of
students from all backgrounds and ages, inspiring and motivating them to achieve very high standards gives me a great
sense of satisfaction. This also allows me to achieve personal and professional development to which I am committed.
SKILLS
Teaching and training
• An interest in the education and welfare of students and empathy with learners.
• Good communication and ‘people’ skills and the desire to help learners achieve.
• The ability to work on my own initiative or as part of a team and a high level of motivation.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with a clear proactive approach to planning and prioritising
workload.
• Successfully manage classes and deal with challenging behaviour.
• Patience and a good sense of humour with the ability motivate others.
• The ability to develop good relationships with a wide range of people.
• QTLS status and health and safety qualified.
Science
• Scientific, technical and numerical skills as well as a practical knowledge of laboratory procedures and techniques
• An enquiring mind with good analytical and technical skills
• Problem solving, organisational skills and management experience in both a laboratory environment and educational
setting
• A logical and methodical approach with attention to accuracy and detail utilising statistical and IT skills.
• Innovative and creative
• Accuracy and attention to detail and work with a minimal of supervision
• Experience of working in a controlled and regulated environment, with a methodical and efficient approach
• The ability to work and communicate as a team or able to work alone on my own initiative
• The ability to write reports and give presentations at an appropriate level for the audience
• I have excellent interpersonal skills and a ‘can-do’ attitude
QUALIFICATIONS AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING
March 2015 to present NEBOSH National Certificate in Occupational
Health and Safety
September 2011 to December 2011 L3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
October 2009-April 2010
Bishop Auckland College
Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) NVQ Level 4 Pass
September 2004-September 2009
University of Northumbria at Newcastle
MSc Medical Biosciences, final year project in the
development of E-learning resources Pass
September 2006-June 2008
University of Sunderland (Bishop Auckland College)
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Pass
Catherine Robson CV July 2016

2. RELEVANT CPD
A full list of CPD is available on request
CAREER HISTORY
Full time Training Adviser, North East Chamber of Commerce, June 2011 to present
• Training laboratory staff in laboratory science and engineering. This involves all parts of the apprenticeship
framework from the NVQ, personal learning and thinking skills (PLTS), employer rights and responsibilities (ERR)
and functional skills in maths, English and ICT.
• Recruiting, training and assess learners on the appropriate programme, supporting and motivating learners to
achieve the relevant qualification and develop new business to meet agreed targets in a cost-effective and efficient
way.
• Maintaining Health & Safety records in respect of employers practices & premises
• Maximise use of e-learning and assessment methods
• Supporting the development, implementation and evaluation of approved training materials and courses
• Making effective use of learners initial assessment to plan and execute training
• Maximise business opportunities by supporting events such as networking events and jobs fairs
• Supporting and motivating learners to achieve their full potential
• Developing new business through actively promoting NECC to ensure a full workload is maintained using effective
means of business development which means good links and relationships with North East businesses is essential
• Maintaining employer involvement throughout the programme
• I am also an NECC safeguarding champion and a member of the Employee Forum
Full time Sports and Science Lecturer, Usworth Sixth Form College, Washington, September 2010 to June 2011
• Working for a Sixth Form College on a temporary basis teaching ‘A’ level PE, ‘A’ level Chemistry, Biology and
Physics and BTEC Sports.
Part time (0.5) Professional Tutor Darlington College January 2010 to August 2010
• Worked in higher education delivering and preparing sessions on the access to higher education course. These
courses included the level 3 access course on Psychology of Health, Pathophysiology and Professional Practice.
• Taught chemistry, maths and biology to ‘A’ standards
• Provided professional support in all aspects of curriculum development and delivery, student support, placement
and assessment. I also undertook the associated organisational, administrative and management responsibilities.
• Developed and delivered appropriate teaching and assessment methods including resource based learning
materials. Prepared students for and carried out assessments against the programme’s objectives.
September 1998-June 2001
University of Sunderland
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science 2:1
Included haemotology, biochemistry, mathematics, physics
and biology.
Year 3: Final year research project into troponins and
markers of myocardial damage. This was entitled ‘The
effect of sample timing on the specificity, predictive values
and the clinical utility of the troponin T assay’.
Final year dissertation on hantaviruses entitled
‘Hantaviruses-On the trail of the disease’.
September1997-June1998
Newcastle College
Foundation course in Science
Biology (Passed)
Chemistry Passed)
Communication skills (Passed)
Medical physics (Passed)
Information technology (IT)(Passed)
Mathematics (Passed)
Statistics (Passed)
September 1995-June1997
Durham Sixth Form Centre
‘A’ levels
Business studies (D)
General studies (D)
Classical studies (E)
Law (B) (GCSE)
September 1990-July1995
Parkside Comprehensive School, Hall Lane Estate,
Willington
10 GCSE’s (A-C), including Maths, English Language and
Literature and Dual Award Science.
Catherine Robson CV July 2016

3. • Participated in course review and evaluation procedures to modify and develop programmes accordingly. This
included student, employer and staff perceptions.
• Staff development/research work.
• Co-ordinated the delivery and structure of the access programme including additional qualifications to the main
programme. I planned and designed activities, assessment opportunities and appropriate documents to record all
processes throughout the programme, including annual review and liaison with college examinations section.
• Took part in the Internal Verification / Standards Moderation / Cross Marking process and liaised with external
agencies providing information on progress of students.
• Involved in external agencies visits, including Verifiers and OFSTED and appropriate Quality Assurance Systems.
• Conducted tutorials to monitor student progress and provided student guidance and welfare referrals.
• Designed marketing materials, e.g. leaflets, flyers etc, displays and events.
• Liaised with student admissions to organise and conduct student interviews.
Part time job search trainer Shildon and Darlington Training January 2010 to August 2010
• Contributed to the recruitment of learners and companies to participate in Work Based Learning Programmes.
• Developed business plans for the company and wrote bids for new contracts involved in training opportunities and
Job Centre Plus contracts. These included Gateway to Work, IAP, FTET, BET and apprenticeships which were
secured successfully. This meant I had to work closely within the team to ensure the business grew and that
contacts were delivered and all targets were achieved.
• Organising placements and work experience for clients means that I have well developed sales and marketing skills
and a strong sense of customer service.
• Involved visiting clients in the workplace to assess the practical skills as well as supporting them through key and
functional skills qualifications and delivering the underpinning knowledge.
• Inducted learners onto the various programmes as well as conducting their initial assessment.
• Supported the unemployed into work by offering advice on various aspects of job search and employability skills
including CV writing, letter writing, interview techniques and application forms. This was on a one to one individual
support and full class basis.
• Managed the ESG contract and dealt with clients on a one to one and group basis, teaching and running a course
of 5 job search modules.
Full time Gateway to Work tutor Bishop Auckland College, Skills and Employment Centre March 2009 to January
2010
• Assessed and established a range of programmes for the unemployed that were delivered in line with Job Centre
Plus contract requirements. Again, this involved working with modern apprentices and assessing them in the
workplace as well as supporting the unemployed into work and visiting them in the various work placements that I
managed to arrange for them. This included monitoring their practical training with the employer and monitoring
their progress.
• Provided coaching, guidance and support for the learner and the work place. This helped to get feedback from the
employer and learners throughout their programme.
• Delivered the induction and the initial diagnostic assessment including literacy and numeracy of students.
• Liaised and facilitated with the college and other providers regarding the progression routes of students.
• Maintained student records, prepared reports and conducted interviews.
• Worked with other college staff, the probation service and other outside organizations where appropriate
concerning client’s welfare and provision.
Full time agency Science Lecturer Newcastle College October 2008 to March 2009
• Responsible for the preparation, delivery and organisation of the OCR Level 1 Pre-GCSE course, AQA Level 2
GCSE course and ‘A’ level chemistry course. Also involved taking care of students’ pastoral needs and completing
their progress reports.
• Ensured effective classroom management.
• Taught National Curriculum science which was adapted to suit students needs.
• Helped pupils to develop self confidence, independence, good attitudes and advised, guided, and supported
learners to identify and achieve their learning aims.
• Prepared lessons and teaching materials and contributed to course development. This included writing and revising
schemes of work, lesson plans and associated materials and marked and assessed work.
• Discussed with parents and carers the student’s progress and ability.
• Organised outings, social and sporting events for students including the Newcastle Science Festival at Life Centre.
• Contributed to the learner experience of enrichment activities including visits, placements, visiting speakers and
other activities, as appropriate.
• Contributed to securing the quality of the curriculum in terms of issues such as attendance, retention and
achievement.
• Maintained learner records including those associated with attendance and learner progress.
• Carried out tasks associated with record keeping and the maintenance of MIS records, allowances and grants and
transferring and withdrawing learners.
Catherine Robson CV July 2016

4. • Contributed to the learner recruitment and selection process including enrolment, registration and the production
and maintenance of course information sheets.
• Implemented assessment procedures and prepared for internal and external moderation and verification.
Part time Science Lecturer Bishop Auckland College September 2007 to October 2008
• Responsible for the writing, setting up and delivery of four modules on the BTEC Applied Science course as well as
the Level 2 and 3 BTEC Sports courses and NCFE Entry to Uniformed Services courses.
• Responsible for the marketing and promotion of the Applied Science course that involved writing the materials and
taking it around local schools to raise awareness of the course and what we did.
• Set up and marked exams and assignments.
• Assessed students work and progress, invigilated at exams and marked the subsequent papers and assignments.
• Ensured all the laboratory equipment for practical sessions was correct.
• Worked closely with college lecturers in the department of Sport, Leisure, Tourism and Uniformed Services to set
up and deliver courses that were department wide.
• Marketed and promoted the Applied Science course with local schools by designing the course leaflet and posters
to promote the course.
• Actively involved in staff CPD, which has allowed me to utilise strategies to raise the achievement of all students. I
have used many student centered learning strategies including getting guest speakers in from the local hospital to
run workshop sessions on phlebotomy (blood taking), plating out cultures of bacteria and various other hands on
laboratory techniques.
• Taught GCSE Human Physiology and Health, BTEC Foundation Diploma in Applied Science and ‘A’ level chemistry,
biology and maths.
Biomedical Scientist Grade 1 South Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust June 2003 to December 2007
Responsible for the registration, processing and subsequent results of patient’s samples of blood, urine, faeces and spinal
fluid and reporting to the Senior and Chief Biomedical Scientists and the Clinical Lead consultant.
• Responsible for the processing of clinical samples from initial registration in the laboratory to the results being
confirmed. This involved checking for any abnormal or potentially dangerous results and informing the appropriate
consultant.
• Clinical samples were analysed using ELISA techniques, immunoassay techniques, chromatography (inc. HPLC) and
a variety of staining techniques. This means I have valuable experience in all the basic standard laboratory
techniques in both clinical chemistry and haemotology.
• Making sure the analysers were all fully functional by carrying out regular calibrations and quality control and
ensuring that all the reagents needed by the machine were available.
• Inputting patient results into the computer from manual tests, requiring an eye for detail, concentration and patience.
This involved accessing confidential data and required an excellent knowledge in relation to security, confidentiality
and data disclosure.
• Was actively involved in staff development, much of which was on a voluntary basis.
• Flexible working to ensure full coverage of staff.
• Analysing results and data and keeping accurate records.
• Keeping up to date with the latest clinical data and research, so that I could discuss medical matters with health
professionals in a knowledgeable way.
Trainee Biomedical Scientist South Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust November 2001 to June 2003
Responsible for the registration, processing and subsequent results of patient’s samples of blood, urine, faeces and spinal
fluid and answerable to the Senior Biomedical Scientists with input to a team.
• All as above to a slightly lower level.
• This role involved on the job training which included completing a log book of competencies. This concluded in an
oral examination and a practical demonstration in the laboratory, which I passed in June 2003.
• Whilst working and training in the laboratory I was given the opportunity to undertake medical research. This involved
immunoassay techniques to analyse samples for protein cardiac markers, troponins, from patients who had had
chest pain syndromes and the subsequent laboratory based computer programming of the results. This proved so
successful that I was offered the opportunity to present my findings and subsequent scientific papers at two national
scientific conferences, at London and Birmingham. This fed my enthusiasm for research and scientific writing and
was my final year project for my first degree.
Medical Laboratory Assistant South Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust June 1999 to November 2001
This role was undertaken while still a student at University and also involved covering maternity leave for one of the
laboratory assistants. The responsibilities included making sure all equipment was clean and tidy and put away and the
general house keeping of the laboratory.
• Carrying out simple manual tests and inputting the results into the hospital computer system.
• Registering specimens upon their receipt into the laboratory.
• Keeping up to date with stock control and the removal of clinical waste.
• Working late shifts and weekends when required on the rota system or to fill in when needed due to a staff absence.
Catherine Robson CV July 2016

5. CONFERENCES
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• I am a long distance half marathon and marathon runner.
• I am the very proud owner of a rescue Staffie cross called Coco who also loves the outdoors and runs, walks and
camps with me.
• I enjoy going to the gym and enjoy classes such as step, body pump, yoga and body and mind.
• Rebreather and technical trimix diver qualified.
• Open water scuba diving instructor.
References available upon request
May 3rd 2001
Focus 2001
The Association of Clinical Biochemists, Annual National
Meeting, ExCel, London Docklands, UK
Presented abstracts as two poster presentations
entitled
‘Clinical utility of admission troponin T measurements ‘
and ‘Comparison of analytical performance of two
troponin assays at the clinical cut-off’
May 15th 2000
Pathology 2000
The Association of Clinical Biochemists, Annual National
Meeting, International Conference Centre, Birmingham
Presented an abstract entitled
‘Clinical utility of the ACS:180 troponin I assay in chest
pain’
Catherine Robson CV July 2016