It’s hard to believe that it’s been 15 years since Athona’s Psychiatry division was started. Way back in 2007, Steve Anthony, now Managing Director at Athona, joined and started the psychiatry desk. Master Vendor Agreements and Tier 1 contracts quickly followed as the growing team built long-lasting relationships with the candidates and clients they were working with.
15 years on and now a team of 15, our psychiatry recruitment specialists show no sign of slowing down as they continue to grow and dominate the sector. Rebecca Coates, Director of Psychiatry, leads the team and said of this milestone: “What a fantastic achievement this is, their success is testament to all the hard work and commitment they put in as team with high levels of customer service at the forefront of everything they do. Very proud to be part of such a great team”.
Our team now operates nationwide, in the NHS and private sector as well as accommodating both permanent and locum roles. With 3,000 candidates registered and working with 97% of mental health facilities nationwide, Athona’s Psychiatry division have truly mastered The Art of Recruitment and continue to work with many of the same doctors year after year – with the team’s longest-serving locum joining Athona 10 years ago!
To mark this huge milestone, we caught up with Steve about the Psychiatry teams’ journey…
Why do you think the psychiatry team has been so successful at Athona?
The team has remained honest and hard working since its inception in 2007. One of the fundamentals I have always pushed is high customer service, and the sense of responsibility to deliver. If a candidate wanted a certain job, then I did my best to make sure they got that job, and vice versa with clients. I always made sure I understood the market, and looked to make sure I supported both candidates and clients, whilst reacting to and changes or challenges faced. Key relationships have also helped push the Psychiatry team on and without their support it could have been a lot more difficult. This work ethic and mentality has run throughout the team from the start and is still very much a key trait of the team today. Strong relationships are still very much key, along with the want to deliver an excellent service and remaining a key recognised name in a competitive market.
Have there been any stand-out moments for you?
2009 – Winning our first Tier 1 agreement which was the East Midlands. From here we grew massively within the market, and became one of the market leaders.
2013 – Another highlight is moving on in my career, and allowing others to take on the reigns to lead the team forward.
What’s been the biggest challenge over the last 15 years?
The first challenge was entering a well-protected market and making Athona a recognised name. Honesty, transparency, high levels of communication and the want to succeed helped to push the department on.
NHSI price cap introduction in 2015. Whilst I back the concept in principle to gain some control, agencies were never consulted which was disappointing.
Remaining a top supplier within an ever-changing market.
Looking to the future, what do you think we can expect in the next few years?
For me I want the team to continue growing and delivering an excellent service within the market. We remain one of the top suppliers within the market, and I can see this continuing providing we remain true. The past 15 years has gone very quick, and the team has achieved a lot to be very proud of. I expect there to be more challenges, but with the strong team we have in place I think we can overcome whatever is put in our path.
It’s been a momentous 15 years for Athona’s Psychiatry division and we’re looking forward to the next milestones and years to come for this successful team.
If you’re looking to work with an expert psychiatry recruitment team, with years’ of experience and a passion for placing the right candidates into the right jobs, then get in touch with our psychiatry team or register your CV with us to begin your career at Athona.
