Each month Mediplacements would like to recognise one of our locums for their personal achievement and commitment to the Healthcare service.


Name: Jack Kaufman

Profession: Cardiovascular Technologist

Where are you from? Orlando, Florida, USA

Current Locum position? Echocardiographer

What do you like about your job?
This is my first opportunity to work in the UK and Mediplacements could not have chosen a better place for me to be. Based within a community hospital, I work with primarily an outpatient setting. It is located in a lovely village convenient to so many great places to visit. The staff I work with have been quite helpful in my learning about the UK in general and the NHS in particular. It has been somewhat daunting learning how different the UK and US are and getting used to those differences, but I have so enjoyed what I have experienced so far.

Personal achievements within your role?
Admittedly, I feel my greatest personal achievement was the day I realized I do not have to think about which way to look when crossing the street.
Professionally, it is how the staff and consultants have shown their appreciation of me toward my support of their efforts and have allowed me to truly operate independently as a professional and in tandem with their roles. I was trained in both invasive and non-invasive cardiology, respiratory therapy, and pulmonary function testing at the US Navy School of Cardiopulmonary Technology and am a Registered Cardiac Sonographer through Cardiac Credentialing International. As a member of both the American and British Societies of Echocardiography, it is a great achievement to transfer my skills within the UK and share my knowledge within my new job; I do a lot of teaching for both the student cardiac physiologists and the junior physicians entering Cardiology as their specialty, which is very rewarding.

How do you unwind from work?
I am lucky enough to have accommodations on site and within walking distance of the High Street. During the week I walk downtown to the library and shops and pick-up those items I need and when back home I plan my next weekend site-seeing trip. The UK has a wonderful rail system, so on weekends I hop on the train and I let it take me to my next adventure. I have had many so far and cannot wait for the next one!